Software and apps are becoming more accessible to the layman, but you do need beta testers to make your project a success. The same is true when you come out with a new technological product. Beta testers are the users who aren’t in your employment. They aren’t in your engineering team either. They can discover usage and functionality issues that your in-house teams may have overlooked.
Finding a good beta tester is something of a challenge. You need someone who’s qualified enough to suggest more features, improvements, and also stir up excitement for your project before it launches. If a website, app, or software is technical and requires expert opinion and detailed analysis, you often need server monitoring.
Do you have a new and exciting project on hand and are looking around for beta testers? The tips below could help you out!
Developing A Website
Even if you’ve made a gaming app, consider a website to help raise awareness. Not only will this attract potential customers, but also potential beta testers. This way, it’ll be easy for beta testers to find your work, learn about the beta test, and apply for the job.
You should include the tentative time of your launch and what you’ll need from them. Be explicit about the goals of the test in order to reel in a qualified group of beta testers. This could be bug testing, user acquisition, or feedback regarding UI/UX.
Using Online Resources
There are several other online resources that can help you find the perfect pool of beta testers. These include social media sites, where you can post your website link or information about your project. Ask people to apply, using the various groups and pages dedicated to beta testing or the relevant field for your project.
Don’t underestimate the use of platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. You can find some highly qualified beta testers there and get to know them better before the test actually begins.
Other than these, you can also look at professional sites that are specifically designed for beta testing. These may require you to pay for their services, but would also assure you of having qualified respondents. However, there’s also the fact that you need to build up a reputation and make your work stand out from that of other startups.
Focusing On Networking
As with any other career, who you know is a highly important aspect of your work. When you go online or to a physical event, you should make well-chosen connections to find the right beta testers.
This includes soliciting people who visit blogs relevant to your field, seeking out those who aren’t satisfied with your competitors’ products, and generally participating in online groups. You can also publish infographics and other interesting content to get shares and hence the attention you want on social media.
You should focus on getting in the circle of industry insiders, social media influencers, and tech writers for testing out your app, website, or any specific product. Bloggers may not be able to become beta testers themselves, but they can spread the word about your search and reach people who may not be even aware of your offering otherwise.
Considering Your Project
When you have a project in need of beta testing, you should consider the market level you’re at right now. If you have a sizeable company and a customer base installed, the process is relatively simple. You can tap into the audience already available and use your blog, social media profiles, and email lists as tools for your search.
For adolescent or infant products, you may still have some leverage on the market. Perhaps some paid services (like those mentioned above) would be best in such cases.
Focusing On Qualifying
Once you have a relevant pool of people to choose beta testers from, it’s also important to filter them. This might involve a survey, which would both inform people about the test as well as give you some knowledge of what they have to offer.
A qualification survey for beta testers will let you know about the demographic you’ve tapped into. Some entrepreneurs and developers might be concerned about scaring the testers away with any kind of survey. However, you should rest assured that a beta tester who won’t stay because of a survey is not qualified to test out your product either. When you give testers a challenge right in the beginning, they’ll invest more time in your work and would hence be more willing to complete the job properly.
Responding To Beta Testers With The Right Timing
In this fast-paced age, it’s all about striking while the iron is hot. Once you’ve stirred up interest in your product or application, take action before the testers forget what they signed up for. It’s a good idea if you can make them commit to giving regular feedback and/or bug reports.
In short, keep your beta testers close and informed about the work you’re doing. This will keep them interested and aware. Plus, they’re then all the more likely to put extra effort into their feedback.
