This guide shows you how to let people book a free trial on your website fast and easily.
They will:
Click a “Free Trial” button on your website
Pick a class time
Fill out a short form
Get an automatic text/email from you
Show up for their trial
You only need to set this up once!
What You Will Build
You will create three things in Grow:
A Free Trial Calendar (so people can pick a time)
A Free Trial Form (so you collect their info)
A Workflow (so Grow sends follow-ups automatically
Then you will add the calendar link to your website.
Step 1: Create a Free Trial Calendar
In Grow, go to Calendar.
Click Calendar Settings.
Click Create New Calendar.
Choose Event Calendar.
This is important because it lets multiple people book the same class time.
NOTE: If you do not see the calendar menu available on your grow menu, contact support to turn on this feature.
Fill out the calendar details
Calendar Name:
Example: Free Trial
Meeting Length:
Most classes are 1 hour, so set it to 60 minutes.
Change this if your classes are shorter or longer.
Seats per Class:
Set how many people can book each free trial slot.
Example: 10 seats
Location:
Custom URL: Don't need to change this. leave as is
Add your gym address (or Zoom/phone info if needed).
Optional (nice to do):
Under "Advanced Settings" you can:
Add your logo
Add a description of the free trial
Pick a calendar color
7. Click Save.
Step 2:
Set your calendar availability
Scroll to Availability.
Set the days and times you want trials to book.
Example:
Make the avialability to reflect your class schedule exactly. This way, the lead can book the time of class they are attending.
Here's an example:
Click Save.
Step 3: Create a Free Trial Form
This form collects basic info after they pick a time.
Short forms work best.
Go to Website (left menu).
Click Forms.
Click Add Form.
Choose Start From Scratch
Add your fields
Recommended simple fields:
Full Name (required)
Email (required)
Phone (optional)
Why keep it short?
Less questions = more people finish the form.
Edit the button text to something friendly like:
“Book My Free Trial”
“Save My Spot”
Name your form:
Example: Free Trial Form
Click Save.
Step 4: Add the Form to Your Free Trial Calendar
Now you tell the calendar which form to use.
Go back to Calendar.
Find your Free Trial calendar and click Edit.
Go to Forms and Payments.
Choose your form
Replace the default form with your new Free Trial Form.
Choose the order
Grow can show:
Time first, form second
Form first, time second (recommended)
This is actually the recommended flow because if they don't choose a time, then you at least capture their information.
If you want to change the order:
5. Drag and drop the steps to reorder them.
Edit your thank-you message
Update the thank-you text so people know what happens next.
Example message:
“Thanks for booking your free trial! We will text you soon with next steps. See you in class!”
Click Save.
Step 5: Copy Your Permanent Calendar Link
This is the link you will put on your website.
In your Free Trial calendar, click Share Calendar.
Copy the Permanent Link.
Use the Permanent Link only.
The “Schedule Link” can break if you rename your calendar.
The Permanent Link never changes.
Step 6: Test Your Booking Flow
Before adding it to your website, test it.
Paste your Permanent Link into a browser.
Make sure you can:
See class times
Pick a time
Fill out your form
Submit successfully
If that works, you’re ready for workflows.
Step 7: Create a Workflow for Follow-Ups
This sends automatic messages after the form is submitted.
Go to Workflows.
Click Create Workflow → Start From Scratch.
Set the trigger
Choose Form Submitted.
Add a filter:
Form = Free Trial Form
Click Save.
Add actions
Now choose what happens next.
Good starter actions:
Send SMS
Example text:
“Thanks for booking your free trial! We’re excited to meet you. Reply if you have any questions.”
Wait Step (optional)
Wait 5–10 minutes before sending another message
Send Email (optional)
Welcome email, what to bring, where to park, etc.
Internal Notification
Get notified when someone books
Name and publish
Name your workflow:
Example: Free Trial Form Submitted
Change status from Draft to Publish.
Click Save.
Step 8: Add the Link to Your Website
Now your button needs to go to this new booking flow.
Open your website.
Open the BugHerd menu.
Submit a website edit request.
Tell the website team:
“Please replace my Free Trial button link with this Grow Permanent Link.”
Paste the Permanent Link in the request.
Once they update it, your free trial flow is live.
Final Flow (What Customers Experience)
Here’s what happens for a new lead:
They visit your website
Click Free Trial
Pick a class time
Fill out your short form
Submit
Grow sends follow-up texts/emails
They show up for their trial
No long signups. No extra steps. Easy and fast!
1) Sample SMS + Email Sequence (Free Trial)
You can paste these into your Grow workflow. Edit wording to match your gym voice.
Message 1: Instant SMS (sent right after form is submitted)
SMS:
“Hey [First Name]! 🎉 Thanks for booking your free trial at [Gym Name]. You’re all set for [Day] at [Time]. Reply here if you have any questions. We can’t wait to meet you!”
Message 2: Instant Email (sent right after Message 1)
Subject: You’re booked for your free trial!
Email:
“Hi [First Name],
Thanks for scheduling your free trial at [Gym Name]! We’re excited to have you.
Your trial is booked for:
Day: [Day]
Time: [Time]
Location: [Gym Address]
What to bring:
Water bottle
Comfortable workout clothes
Athletic shoes
If you need to change your time, just reply to this email or text us.
See you soon!
– [Your Name / Team]”
Message 3: Reminder SMS (send 24 hours before)
SMS:
“Hi [First Name]! Quick reminder about your free trial tomorrow at [Time]. You’ll be with us at [Gym Name]. Want to bring a friend? Reply and let us know!”
Message 4: Reminder SMS (send 2–3 hours before)
SMS:
“Hey [First Name]! We’re excited to see you today at [Time]. When you arrive, just check in at the front desk. You got this 💪”
Message 5: Follow-Up SMS (send 1–2 hours after trial)
SMS:
“Great job today, [First Name]! 🙌 It was awesome meeting you. Want help picking a membership that fits your goals? Reply ‘YES’ and we’ll set it up.”
Optional Message 6: Next-Day Email (if they don’t reply)
Subject: How did your trial feel?
Email:
“Hi [First Name],
Thanks again for coming in for your free trial!
I’d love to hear how it went for you. If you want to keep going, we can help you pick the best plan for your goals.
Just reply to this email or text us at [Phone Number].
You’re always welcome here.
– [Your Name / Team]”
2) “Free Trial” Button Wording Options
Use one of these on your website button:
Short + clear
“Book a Free Trial”
“Start Free Trial”
“Claim My Free Trial”
“Try a Class Free”
More friendly
“Save My Free Spot”
“Yes! I Want a Free Trial”
“Let Me Try It”
“Join a Free Trial Class”
If you want urgency
“Free Trial Spots Available”
“Grab a Free Trial Spot”
“Book My Trial Today”