It is one thing to develop an app, however, it is quite another to develop an application that genuinely delivers an exceptional experience.
Basically, the way designers design applications and how developers build them is not always aligned with how the end user envisions it.
When developers and designers develop an application and it is based purely on speculation regarding what the user preferences are, start-ups often find that those speculations are misaligned.
In any other circumstances, application features that function a particular way within the dev/test environment, where alpha tests (meaning the internal tests run previous to the launch of an application) are performed, run differently on certain end-user devices.
Subsequently, when developers only trial and evaluate an application launch internally using alpha tests prior to deploying it to users, it can put them in danger of releasing an application that is not fit for purpose.
This in turn burdens the user with usability, performance or other problems that pre- deployment alpha testing has missed.
How can developers manage these pitfalls?
How can developer be sure that the application ticks all the boxes and is fit for purpose for the end user?
The answer is beta testing.
Beta tests enable teams to verify apps and app ideas with “real users” in real world environments.
It helps teams to gain feedback from end-users who represent your apps actual user base.
By analysing an application’s effectiveness and functionality with a beta team prior to confirmed launch, teams can gain proof and validation that the software can meet the end-users’ requirements.
Additionally, they can significantly reduce the risk of unexpected application issues following activation that could damage your launch and set you back months.
This article demonstrates how beta testing operates, why it is invaluable and how to obtain the best from a beta tested mobile application.
What is Beta testing?
Beta testing is an action where you ask a small group of your target audience / potential user base to test and provide feedback on your app.
So, for instance, when a team carries out a beta test it delivers software to end users who represent the application’s real user base. Then, through testing, you assess how those customers utilise and react to the software.
By evaluating the experience of beta testers, development teams can uncover and examine problems that they may not have captured when they were testing the app internally.
The people who both test and design the applications cannot give the same degree of unbiased, independent feedback that an outside user can.
Beta testing vs Alpha testing
Beta testing is the next step in the development process, opposed to a substitute for Alpha testing.
Alpha tests are carried out by the internal development team, generally using test automation tools that enable developers to write and implement tests that can determine performance and bugs.
Alpha tests may also be executed manually by QA engineers who regularly test the service and its effectiveness. However, this test is less effective than automated testing.
Alpha tests are extremely useful for discovering bugs that derive from coding issues or compatibility problems. This can be between an application and the environment or the operating system from which it runs.
However, they are normally not as useful for testing usability and analysing the overall customer experience that an application has.
Beta testing is better for managing these needs, given that it allows teams to gather feedback from real end-users, opposed to simply testing how applications perform under dissimilar kinds of formats.
Beta testing for mobile
Beta testing is an incomparable strategy in any kind of application development workflow.
There are numerous reasons why it is absolutely crucial to your app’s success.
There is an extremely high customer expectation within the mobile app arena. Around 2/3rds of users will transfer to a competing app if the application they currently use is having issues loading, or demands too many steps to setup and use.
Accurate beta testing helps teams to locate and repair problems that can contribute to app abandonment.
The bottom line is that mobile app development cycles traditionally move rapidly so, beta testing is imperative.
A large number of mobile applications are updated monthly with the latest releases. Additionally, a considerable number are updated weekly.
When your development pursuits move to quickly, analysing each release in great detail with beta users prior to launch is paramount to avoid problems. These problems can lead to rollback and damage your mobile application delivery channel and brand as a whole.
Ultimately, the utter diversity of mobile device hardware systems, and browser locality corresponds to beta testing importance as a way to uncover bugs that developers may fail to notice.
Despite the fact that intensive alpha testing should determine software problems, related to different kinds of mobile app host environments, developers do not always test for each specific device or every combination of mobile software and hardware. Beta testing is the second line of defence when finding related bugs or functionality issues.
Getting the Most from Beta Testing
Implementing a beta testing specification is the first stage in connecting this vital layer of validation to your entire testing strategy.
However, obtaining the most from beta testing demands a lot of adapting to your test standards and resources in order to meet the requirements of your user base and development channels.
See below some of the questions to ask yourself as you optimise your beta testing operations.
How many Beta testers do you need?
An inadequate amount of beta testers supplies you with test results that are statistically inaccurate and do not capture all possible problems. In contrast, if you have too many beta testers organising the tests and analysing the data can become difficult.
As a general rule, you should aim to carry out beta tests on a few dozen users (around 24-36). However, that number may alter dependent on how many development and testing resources you may have and how big your user data base actually is.
If you are a small development group with very little time for managing beta tests, you may want to test only 5 to 10 users.
Whereas if your app has millions of users and you have a vast number of resources for development, then testing with a bigger team will be necessary.
Who should be a beta tester?
The perfect beta tester is one who is likely to be a traditional user for your app.
Defining your “traditional user” can vary. However, in general you need to assess elements like these to identify your ideal beta-test candidate.
- Location: Beta testers need to come from a geographic area where you have several users.
- Experience: Beta testers need to have the same level of understanding with your app as a traditional user. If the average user has been utilising the app for over a year, try to locate beta testers that are suitable.
- Technical skills: The perfect beta tester has the equivalent knowledge and understanding that is on the same level as the general user. Try to steer clear of beta testers who are “power users” except if most of your actual users fall into this group.
Note: You may wish to categorise beta testers based on the factors of an application they best suit to assess. Overall, it is sensible to understand both groups.
- Technical beta testers: They focus on discovering bugs that could have an impact on end-users.
- Marketing beta testers: They analyse the whole experience.
Finding Beta Testers Efficiently
Development teams can use different strategies to locate beta testers. Small beta testing groups will find that word of mouth or personal interaction can be of benefit for identifying users.
Social media and website systems associated with your app can also provide a place to enlist beta users. However, ensure you recruit users who are typical of a general user. Occasionally, users who converse online are likely to be power users. These candidates are not ideal for beta testing.
Additionally, you can also use an open beta test, which permits any user to opt into beta testing.
The two key types of beta tests
- Open tests: Anyone can sign up to test the beta version of an app.
- Closed tests: Only selected users are invited to test beta releases.
Generally, closed tests maintain simplicity throughout the testing process. This is because they require less testers.
In comparison, open beta tests reveal more test data and range. However, you will need to make sure you possess the resources to manage and assess the test results efficiently.
How long does beta app testing take?
The time needed to complete beta tests is dependent on factors like; the intensity of the tests and how many users you have. Time can range from a few hours to several weeks.
Although, the timeframe for beta tests should reflect the speed of the delivery cycle, not vice versa. Specifically, do not let beta tests become a barrier to your software delivery.
If you intend to release app updates each week, make sure your beta tests run swiftly.
Selecting a beta testing platform
The finest beta testing platforms provide features such as:
- Support to test on any operating system.
- An efficient user experience with key features such as, single sign-ons and intuitive user interfaces for transferring feedback or bug reports.
- Integrations between beta testing tools and bug trackers or CI tools assist in streamlining the whole process of working with beta test data.
- The ability to record and to examine sessions, by use of video to enable developers and QA engineers to view exactly what the beta testers are experiencing.
Additionally, assessing variables such as how many applications a test platform can service at any one time, how many resources are utilised to run tests and which operating systems it uses for testing.
Structured on specifics like these, one particular beta testing platform may be preferable.
Finally, another key element to consider is how testers submit feedback on the beta testing channels. Additionally, how do design and development teams gather and evaluate that feedback.
Channels that incorporate analytics and reporting into their features can centralise feedback cycles.
It is possible to optimise mobile app beta testing using channels like TestFairy, a beta testing formula created to distribute beta versions of your IOS and Android applications to exclusive users.
Together with an amalgamation of key elements such as app allocation, in-app bug reporting and session video recording, the TestFairy platform assists mobile teams to collect important bug reports and allows for significant insight into how actual users experience your mobile app.
Extendable cloud architecture also enables teams to merge perfectly with any tool in the development ecosystem.
So, as demonstrated TestFairy streamlines mobile development processes and enables teams to discharge great apps in shorter development cycles.
Conclusion
Developing a successful mobile app has become more difficult as consumers expectations have grown.
Although, internal alpha testing presents one method of validating app effectiveness prior to releasing software updates to end-users, it is not a substitute for beta testing. This is because it is the only method to gather feedback from independent testers who are representative of real users.
This is also the only reason why a well-developed beta testing program needs to be a part of all mobile app development strategies.
By choosing the correct beta testers, performing beta tests within a set timeframe, combined with the software delivery targets and management of beta testing platform, you can feel assured you are on the right track.
This will also offer effective test operations as well as enabling QA engineers to gain an advantage on software releases that fulfil the expectations of the people who design it, as well as the end-users.
If you would like to discuss your mobile app development or undertake alpha or beta testing, get in touch with us today.
Call 0203 150 0565 or email info@thealtitudeagency.com.
