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How to prepare for public beta? Readiness checklist

Posted by OpenWebU on Tuesday April 22, 2008 @12:10PM
from the self-post dept.
I did enterprise software in my past life, and am curious about what you need to do to get ready for public beta of a consumer website. OK - there's the obvious - have some alpha testers - make sure the code is working. But, I'm curious about what kind of support resources are needed, hints/tips from past experience...
( 6 comments | 11 points | on HN )
Re:How to prepare for public beta? Readiness checklist by inovica on Tuesday April 22, 2008 @02:38PM (#170810)
Well, the release early and release often mantra still stands. Make something basic but that works well and get it out - tell people about it. Tell us about it. Take the feedback you get and if you agree adopt it and grow this way. Run a blog on your site and let people know about your plans.

Have a read of this. I found it interesting:

http://www.niallkennedy.com/blog/2006/05/mark-fletcher-blogl...

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:How to prepare for public beta? Readiness checklist by OpenWebU on Wednesday April 23, 2008 @06:01PM (#171933)
This was validating: on self-financing, on being cheap/don't like to spend, outsourcing, holding off on getting incorporated. Yes - will definitely tell yc about it. Thanks.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:How to prepare for public beta? Readiness checklist by johnm on Tuesday April 22, 2008 @02:56PM (#170830)
(A) Make it really obvious how to contact you via email.

(B) Answer the emails... Quickly, positively, and gratefully.

(C) Create a FAQ and make that easy to find.

(D) Update the FAQ as you answer emails.

(E) Update your site based on the feedback.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:How to prepare for public beta? Readiness checklist by dualogy on Tuesday April 22, 2008 @02:12PM (#170785)
Huh? Support resources? Preparation?

Enterprise past life, eh?

Just get it out there already.

:)

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:How to prepare for public beta? Readiness checklist by adammichaelc on Tuesday April 22, 2008 @03:00PM (#170835)
What's your site? Let us check it out and if we like it you know you're on the right track. If we don't we can tell you how to improve it.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:How to prepare for public beta? Readiness checklist by OpenWebU on Wednesday April 23, 2008 @04:37PM (#171856)
Hey thanks - very practical advice - will definitely go to this forum to get feedback.
[ Parent | on HN ]