"Launch" or "Launch beta"?
After successfully getting 70 followers from a social media post, I've decided to stop implementing any features that can wait, and to just go out with what I got (which is a working product) in a free-to-use way to test it out in a controlled environment with no money involved and get feedback from users (I'll implement payments later on).
Should I tell my followers it's a beta launch? I plan later on to charge money for access, and will probably have to sign them out from being able to access the inside of the website.
How do users treat a product in a beta phase?
Do note, the product is there and is usable, so it's more like a beta for myself as it's my first try at this.
Any thoughts?
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I'd say a beta is fine here. If you've got those willing early adopters, the way people treat it shouldn't me too different. (That's a subjective opinion mind; others may disagree).
The one thing I would challenge is not charging at this point. Charging sooner gives you a true test of whether your product delivers value, the also may get higher engagement from initial testers (as they've got 'skin in the game').
Again, an opinion, but one to consider.
Hi Rob, thanks for the feedback,
Since it's my first product, and also because I want to get as much of the early interest group feedback, I think my best bet would be to start with a free version, just to share it with them and work meanwhile on paid version.
Also, it will help me spot any serious bugs in the early days. Which is easier to handle in a beta and unpaid version of the product.
Completely understand your point of view here before - I've been through the same thing myself.
I'd just challenge it and say - first product or no - if it delivers value, it may have value.
If you plan to charge for the product pretty much as it (bar usability and bugs), I'd get to charging as soon as you can. You can often do it a lot earlier than you think, and it answers a key question - "will people pay for it?".
If you don't want to charge right now, that's cool - go with what you're comfortable with. Maybe just bear it in mind :]