Bottom Line: Consumers hate buying premium software, but are willing to do so if given an incentive at check out. If you ever wonder why companies are always trying to upsell you at the last minute, it’s studies like these that fuel the trend.

The 2008 Alternative Payments Survey found that 61 percent of online shoppers have downloaded trial or free versions of software. Of this 61 percent, only 10 percent said they ‘often’ or ‘always’ buy the full version – meaning 90 percent will never pay for the premium version of the software. However, when asked if they could receive a free upgrade to a premium or full version by purchasing something else from another merchant:

Offer Incentives

11% said ‘Yes, without a doubt’

59% said ‘Yes, if the “other merchant” had something I needed, or if it was a store that I shop with regularly’

5% said, ‘No, I’d rather pay full price’

25% said ‘No, I’d stick with the free version or not purchase at all’

That means 70% of consumers would purchase a premium version if an incentive was offered at time of checkout/download.

(Images) (via Trialpay survey)