In product development, beta testers are the unsung heroes who help ensure a successful launch. They are the taste-testers in the kitchen, giving valuable feedback to fine-tune the recipe before serving it to the public. But with so many different types of beta testers out there, how do you know which ones are right for your team? Keep reading to discover the 5 types of beta testers every product development team needs.

What are the different types of beta testers?

The specific types of beta testers that are used can vary depending on the product being tested and the goals of the development team. Some common types of beta testers include:

• Closed beta testers: These are a select group of people who are invited to participate in the beta test by the development team. Closed beta testing is often used for products that are still in the early stages of development and may not be ready for widespread testing.
• Open beta testers: In contrast to closed beta testing, open beta testing allows anyone to participate in the beta test. This can be a useful way to gather feedback from a larger and more diverse group of people.
• Internal beta testers: These are people who work for the company that is developing the product. Internal beta testers can provide valuable feedback on the product from the perspective of people who are familiar with the company's goals and processes.
• External beta testers: These are people who are outside of the company and are not involved in the development of the product. External beta testers can provide an objective perspective on the product and can help identify issues that might not be obvious to the development team.‍
• Alpha testers: Alpha testing is an early stage of testing that usually occurs before beta testing. Alpha testers are often members of the development team or other people who are closely involved with the development of the product.

The Benefits of a Diverse Beta Testing Team: Why Every Product Dev Team Needs a Mix of Beta Testers

It is vital to have different types of beta testers throughout product development because different types of testers can provide unique insights and perspectives that can help improve the product.

For example, alpha testers may have specialized knowledge or expertise to identify issues with the product at an early stage of development. Closed beta testers may be representative of the target audience and can provide valuable feedback on the user experience. Open beta testers may be more willing to try new products and experiences, and can provide valuable insights into how the product performs in the real world.

Overall, having different types of beta testers can provide a more comprehensive view of the product and its potential, and can help ensure that it is ready for release.

How does Centercode help you identify and manage different types of beta testers?

Centercode provides a range of features that can help you identify different types of beta testers that you can utilize during product development to provide insightful feedback on your products to continue iterating on them. Some key platform features include:

• User Profiles: Create detailed profiles of your beta testers, including information about their skills, experience, and preferences. This information can be used to identify beta testers with specific expertise or interests, and to assign them to the appropriate test groups.
• Teams and Roles: As a way to segment and provide the right level of access within the tester groups you’ve identified, the Teams and Roles functionalities can be very useful. This allows you to run tests more effectively and will ensure that all testers are segmented appropriately.
• Tester Impact Score: Easily rank testers by the quality of their feedback and its impact overall with Tester Impact Score. The Tester Impact Score is the aggregated Feedback Impact Score of all the project feedback from an individual tester, revealing the impact that specific tester has had on your product over the duration of your test.
• Screening Surveys: You can use an application questionnaire (or qualification survey) to screen your applicants. A qualification survey helps you identify applicants with the right demographic, technographic, and psychographic attributes to supply solid feedback from your target market.
• Custom Onboarding: Tailor and automate the tester onboarding experience to your specific needs, including agreements, surveys, and other helpful resources. You can also customize the onboarding flow for each team type as needed to ensure all needs are met before onboarded.

Conclusion

Each type of beta tester can provide valuable insights and feedback to help improve your product at different stages of development. By having a diverse beta testing team, you can ensure that you receive a comprehensive view of the product.

Learn more about the value that beta testers can bring to your organization throughout product development and beyond by downloading our latest ebook, The Hidden Value of Beta Testers.