Free trials help customers try your hosting before paying. They also attract spammers and phishers looking for free accounts. With a strict trial package and a clear process, you can offer trials without putting your shared IP or reseller plan at risk.
Before you start
- WHM access on your reseller plan.
- A billing system or manual process for verifying trial users (see WHMCS).
Create a restricted trial package
- Create a feature list
trialin Feature Manager without high-risk tools you do not need for a trial, such as shell or Terminal access and FTP if File Manager is enough. - Create a package
trialwith small limits: 1–2 GB disk, a few mailboxes, 1 database, no addon domains (see creating packages). - Set a low Maximum Hourly Email by Domain Relayed, for example 20, so a trial account cannot send bulk mail (see outgoing email limits).
Verify trial users
- Require a verified email address and phone number, or a card authorisation through your billing system.
- Reject disposable email domains.
- Review new trials manually if you get only a few per day.
Keep trials short
- 7 to 14 days is enough to evaluate hosting.
- Automate suspension at the end of the trial (WHMCS can do this), then termination after a grace period (see suspending accounts).
Warning: Phishing kits are often uploaded to free trial accounts within minutes. Imunify360 scans uploads, but a short trial period, low mail limits and verification are your first line of defence.
Watch trial accounts
- Check new trial accounts in List Accounts and their resource use.
- Suspend immediately if you see spam, phishing or unrelated bulk uploads.
Convert trials to paid
- When the customer pays, change the package to the paid plan with Upgrade/Downgrade an Account.
- Restore normal email limits through the new package.
- Website, email and files stay in place, so the customer continues seamlessly.
Alternatives to free trials
A money-back guarantee on a paid plan attracts fewer abusers than a free account, and still lowers the barrier for genuine customers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a subdomain for trial accounts?
Yes. Offering trial.yourbrand.com subdomains lets customers test without changing their own DNS.
What if a trial account is used for abuse?
Suspend it at once, remove malicious files and report it to MdmHost support if the shared IP may have been affected.
Do trial accounts count toward my limits?
Yes. They use accounts and disk from your reseller allocation, so keep them small and short.
Should trial accounts get SSL?
Yes. AutoSSL works for trials too, and a site without HTTPS makes a poor first impression.
How do I stop the same person creating many trials?
Limit trials per email, phone and payment method in your billing system, and review accounts that share details.
Can trial accounts send email at all?
Allow a small hourly limit so customers can test contact forms and mailboxes, but not enough for bulk mail.