Why Should We Beta Test?

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By: Katie Horst

What is beta testing?

Beta testing is when a product is tested by real customers in their real environments before it is ever out. During a beta test, the company and the customers form a partnership in order to make the product reach its full potential.

More about beta testing:

Why should we beta test?

The overall purpose of conducting a beta test is to create the best possible product. By doing a beta test, the company is receiving feedback, and they’re gaining more knowledge about their product before it is ever released. This way, improvements can be made before the product is available to the public. Beta tests can help to develop a product that has improve customer satisfaction, better reviews, increased sales, fewer problems/less support costs, a more positive brand image, etc. It’s essential to do a beta test in order to make sure that you are getting a product that consumers actually want.  Beta tests also provide an opportunity for customers to get involved, and help improve a product that they’re interested in.

I found it interesting that companies such as Play Station, have programs that are offered to the public to participate in their beta testing. Here are the terms and conditions a person must follow: http://us.playstation.com/support/useragreements/ps_public_beta_test_program.html. Play Station allows for people to be given early access to certain things like games. Those people are then required to provide feedback about things such as the chat rooms, connectivity, and usability of the product.

Doing a beta test:

Click here for a great article if you want to know more about implementing a beta test. The article looks at why a beta test should be done. It also provides general guidelines, the planning process, evaluation process, and other helpful tip about doing a beta test.

Questions:

1)      Have you ever participated in a beta test, or have you ever implemented one? 

2)     How did you go about conducting a beta test for your project?

3)     By doing a beta test, do you think this will better your product?

4)     From your personal experiences, why do you think we should beta test?

Sources:

Centercode. (2013). Learn about beta testing. Retrieved from

          http://www.centercode.com/beta/

EpicTrends. (2010). Practical ideas for beta tests in the small business.

Retrieved from http://www.epictrends.com/resources/usability/betatesting.shtml

Pirillo, C. (2007, 06 04). Beta testing?. Retrieved from

                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vinHZ46pETI

Smith, C. (2011, 10 10). Beta testing: What it is, why we do it, and how you

          can get in on the action!. Retrieved from

          http://blog.gremln.com/2011/10/10/beta-testing-what-it-is-why-we-

          do-it-and-how-you-can-get-in-on-the-action/