Consider the case of an app development firm where developers have been working for a long time on an app. Now they are finally ready to release its newest feature. The design is good to go, development tasks have been wrapped up, the marketing division is readying the promotions and everyone is excited for the launch.

But before that feature can be launched, how can the development firm understand how their users will respond to this new feature? Are any variables available that can end up in churn? How reliable will this new feature be? Can this feature be quantified by means of how people will use it?

Testing by QA companies gives developers insight into the answers of the questions asked above. It also helps provide the needed confidence for a successful launch and most important of all, save the firm from making ill-advised business decisions.

In this article, experts from a mobile app development company will explain the two common kinds of app testing namely alpha testing and beta testing. This will be helpful in helping people understand their application, pros, cons and find out how the app can be benefitted.

Alpha Testing – what is it?

Alpha testing is most commonly used by software development teams. It is more like an internal user acceptance testing which is carried out before the launch of a new feature or a product. The goal is to uncover any bugs by having internal team members make use of the feature in a manner that they are external users of the app/software.

This helps in simulation of the experience a user would have with this new product so the development team can return to the drawing and development board, and resolve the issues/defects detected before the app/software is released into the market.

Advantage

Alpha testing gives software developers improved insight into the product release early on. Hence this helps them rectify and change major bugs and errors before it is launched.

Disadvantage

As the software is still in the development phase, there are some in-depth functionalities and capabilities which cannot be tested properly i.e. cannot be tested from the end user’s perspective.

Example

It can be hard to kick off user acceptance testing without knowing where to begin from. Here is an example of what a common Alpha Testing process is like:

• Define the goals that wish to be achieved from this test. Is the company testing its app/software for accuracy? Speed? Or any other factor? These outcomes need to be integrated with future project plans.
• Making a test plan using test cases like logging defects, fixing defects, testing again, numerous iterations and the like.
• Gather data and feedback from the in-house Quality Assurance (QA) including usability, reliability, and design on an Alpha stage storage code.
• Communication with customers via the app, email or other suitable medium so they are given updates on the product’s status.

Beta Testing – What is it?

As software development professionals put it; Beta Testing is a form of external user acceptance testing involving real users testing a new (product) software/app in a real time environment as real time end users.

While alpha testing is itself a thorough and rigorous testing phase, it lacks a way to test each application of a new product without releasing it to actual users. This is where beta testing comes in handy; it helps ensure a product’s quality meeting users’ expectations and standards via proper customer validation.

There are several ways to release a product in beta to users. What companies can do is invite users to test the product on their own or they can release it to the public with a disclaimer explaining to them that it is still in beta.

Advantage

An advantage Beta Testing has is that it helps carry out customer validation through real-life usage of a product. This provides better insights on the product’s usage, security and reliability.

Disadvantage

In beta testing it can be quite difficult to make customer feedback become useful. There are companies that are struggling with spotting the differences between customer perception and valid product issues that need resolution.

Types of beta testing

• Traditional beta testing: Here, the product is released to the target audience and data is gathered for product improvement.
• Public beta testing: In this testing, the product is released to the public through online channels and data can be gathered from any person. On the basis of feedback, product improvements can be made.
• Focused beta testing: Here, the product is released in the market and feedback from users is collected on a specific feature/set of features.
• Post-release: Here, the product is released in the market. Feedback gathered is used for creating improved future versions of the product.

Example

Releasing a new product to a group of customers requires due diligence. Here is a concrete example of what a development team can do to ensure a beta test is successful:

• Choose an Operating System platform to run the test based on the technical specifications of the product.
• Invite the beta testers through various channels such as the website, social media, directories, online communities, email and other suitable mediums.
• Distribution of the test to the target audience through an online beta distribution tool.
• Collection of data and feedback that is instrumental in fine tuning the product.
• Evaluating and iterating the future product versions and releases.
• Reward beta testers for their time with discounts, coupons, exclusive offers or even better; exclusive access to special content.