1. Test Your App Before Marketing it with iBetaTest
3/7/2013 7:15:56 AM
Test Your App Before Marketing it with iBetaTest
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App Developer Magazine
Marketing & Promotion

Test Your App Before Marketing it with iBetaTest


Thursday, March 7, 2013

Richard Harris Richard Harris

The successful app developer is one who does a thorough, exhaustive job in beta testing to remove all bugs and apply all fixes before marketing and selling their product. Public relations and marketing firm, Westwind iPhone App Publicity today highlighted a new beta testing service that offers a hassle-free way to accomplish successful beta testing. The new iBetaTest website matches talented and knowledgeable beta testers with App developers who are at the beta stage of development.

Plymouth, Michigan - Public relations and marketing firm, Westwind iPhone App Publicity today highlighted a new beta testing service that offers a hassle-free way to accomplish successful beta testing. Successful app developers need to find reliable beta testers if all fixes are to be made before the product is rolled out to consumers.

Fortunately, there are a lot of tech-savvy individuals who love to see and try out products on the cutting edge that are willing to beta test new apps. The trick is to find them. Now that barrier has been lowered considerably with the iBetaTest website that matches talented and knowledgeable beta testers with App developers who are at the beta stage of development. The new testing service was created by by Ray Barber of prMac.

"I can't tell you how many app marketing roll-outs have been hampered by an app that has a glitch that stops the promotion cold," says Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications. "An app that doesn't work doesn't sell, so developers need to test, test, test and not just with friends and family. You have to make sure the app works well in all types of situations."  

iBetaTest allows a developer to enlist any number of candidates from a large pool of vetted beta testers. All testers are enthusiastic, iOS (Apple's mobile operating system) end-users, who provide invaluable feedback on all aspects of an app.

iBetaTest draws talented testers because it offers a lot to those who sign up, such as:
  • Chance to test software that interests them absolutely free
  • Ability to earn Points for testing software
  • Opportunity to earn points in exchange for Promo Codes or iTunes Gift Cards
  • Chance to earn valuable Star Ratings to become a Quality Tester  

In addition to the above benefits for testers, an app developer can increase the chances of finding a top-notch beta tester by offering iTunes Gift Cards or even Promo Codes for a free copy of their app once it is released on the Apple App Store.

"Informal beta testing, using friends and relatives can be a hassle and of limited value in the highly competitive Apple mobile marketplace. Only the best app will be successful, which means that developers must get objective feedback from users before offering their app to consumers. Now with iBetaTest, developers can easily and quickly get 5, 50 or 500 hours of invaluable testing," adds Lorenz.

GeekSuit's new service allows developers to review a complete biography of each volunteer tester, making it simple to control demographics and choose those best suited. On the announcement of a new app available for testing, all testers in the beta pool having the appropriate interests and devices will receive a notification.

"I firmly believe that every business and every app developer should have access to the state-of-the-art tools needed to manage every aspect of testing activities," said Ray Barber, Founder and CEO of GeekSuit, LLC. "My sole purpose in launching iBetaTest is to connect willing, highly skilled, and responsible beta testers to software developers and do it for a below market price."  

Testers can easily subscribe to the developer's assigned Project Channel, saving developers time and effort in locating qualified testers. App publishers may even allow suggestions and feature requests from testers.

"The value of having a solid beta tester hit home awhile back when I suggested to one of my clients that he should use my teenage nephew as a beta tester because my nephew had a keen interest in technology and apps and had gaming skills that would be helpful. The input my nephew offered was of such extreme value to my client that he actually included my nephew's name in the credits for his app. Obviously my client was very pleased. Now my nephew can't wait to BetaTest some more apps in progress and offer input to other developers," says Lorenz.

Concludes Barber, "The developer whose app is free of bugs and meets the standards of a demanding public can launch in the Apple App Store with full confidence that this newest and best app is ready to be embraced by consumers. The alternative is embarrassment and ultimate failure. Remember what they taught us in woodworking class? Measure, measure again, and then cut. Same thing in successful app launching - test, test again, and then market."



Read more: http://www.iBetaTest.com

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