How to properly run a private beta program?
Recently I've disabled signups and moved to a private beta program, as I wasn't getting much feedback from my users and I didn't really understand why and how people are using the platform.
Now, prospects have to enter their email address and answer questions, such as why they intend to use our platform, so I can qualify them.
Have you done a private beta before? Please share your advice!
My questions:
- How long do you wait before granting users access?
- What are some red flags for not allowing users access to your beta?
- Do you personally onboard users in a private beta? Any tips?
- When/how do you convert private beta users into paying customers?
- What information should I try to get from prospects? This is what my current beta signup form looks like)
HI Nick,
You did not specify how much traffic you are getting and what your expectations from the beta testing are. In my case, I am getting very little traffic to the website, and people don't use the product at all, which upsets me a lot. Well, they are using only one part of the product (I have built a tool which allows to create and share fun interactive advice guides. People come and watch the guides, like them, but no one wants to build a guide of their won.)
Still, I found a way to test the part which people ARE using. I've installed Hotjar, which records all screen activities, so I can watch them like a movie after all. In most cases, I can see if users follow my logic, and what kind of issues they are having. I have also spotted some bugs.
But for me the problem is to get the kid of people who would build the guides. If you are curios, check out https://gifadvice.com