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How to enable free trials for membership levels

Offering a free trial is a great way to let your supporters experience your membership perks before they commit. With Buy Me a Coffee, you can easily enable a 7-day free trial for any membership level.

Updated over a week ago

Now you can let supporters experience your membership - before they commit.


With Free Trials, creators can offer new members a 7-day free trial for any membership level. This lets potential supporters explore what you offer - from exclusive posts to behind-the-scenes updates - and helps convert them into long-term, paying members.

It’s simple: turn it on once → fans get curious → more stay.


After the 7-day free trial, they’ll be automatically charged your regular membership fee and continue as full members.

Free trials help you grow your membership faster by giving fans a no-risk way to try your perks, connect with your content, and see the value you provide firsthand.

How to enable a free trial

  1. Go to your Dashboard.
    From the left-hand menu, click Memberships.

  2. Select “Levels.”
    You’ll see all your membership levels here.

  3. Edit an existing level (or create a new one).

    • If you already have a membership level, click Edit.

    • If not, click Add a level and set it up.

  4. Scroll to Advanced Settings.
    Find the first toggle labeled Free trial.

  5. Turn on the Free trial toggle.


    Once enabled, supporters can:

    • Join the membership for free for 7 days.

    • Explore your exclusive content and perks.

    • Automatically continue as paid members after the trial ends.

  6. Click Update to save your changes.

When the free trial is active, your membership page will display a “Start 7-day free trial” button instead of “Join,” making it clear that supporters can try your membership before paying.


Why offer a free trial?

  • Let fans experience your exclusive content risk-free.

  • Increase conversions by giving supporters a taste of what they’ll get as members.

  • Build trust and long-term support — creators who enable trials often see more paid sign-ups and ongoing memberships.


FAQ

Q: How long is the free trial?
Each trial lasts 7 days. After that, the supporter is automatically charged your regular membership fee and becomes a full member.

Q: Can members cancel mid-trial?
Yes, members are free to cancel the trial before it ends and avoid charges.

Q: What happens during the free trial?
Supporters can access almost everything your members enjoy - including exclusive posts, messages, and behind-the-scenes updates - so they get a real feel for your membership.

Q: What is restricted during the free trial?
Shop discounts and commission discounts are not available to free trial members. Only supporters who complete the trial and become paid members will have access to those discounts.


Everything else (exclusive posts, messages, member-only updates, etc.) is accessible during the free trial.

Q: Can I enable the free trial for a new membership level?
Yes! When setting up a new level, simply toggle on the Free trial option before saving. Make sure you add a name, price (monthly or yearly), description, cover image, and rewards.

Q: Can I disable the free trial later?
Absolutely. You can return to the same settings page anytime and toggle it off.

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