Wondering what happens after beta testing? It doesn't end there! Think of beta as a midpoint. Part of the journey leads to even better software and a wider audience. After beta testing, comes public beta testing and then the limited release phase. Bringing in more testers, and testing out user behavours.

Public beta testing lets to collect bigger data. Verifying if the product is ready for everyone to use. It's like taking what was  learned from alpha and beta testing and making it even better.

Limited Release: What's That?

Next comes the limited-release phase. Think of it as a dress rehearsal before the big show. Testing everything out, just like on the launch day. It helps us make sure that the product can handle lots of users. It also lets support teams gear up for launch day.

These stages keep the product improving and reducing risks. They help gradually add more users—from hundreds in the beta stage to thousands in the limited-release phase. It's all about a smooth transition to general availability.

Recommend Reading: 6 Goals of Public Beta Testing 

Are You Ready For Public Beta Testing?

Moving from private to public beta testing is a big deal. It's exciting, but it comes with challenges. It would be best if you were sure your product could stand up to even more users.

Here's how you know you're ready:

1. Stability: Your software should be stable. Some small bugs are okay, but dev teams should fix the big ones.
2. Scalability: Your software should handle more users. You need to test it to ensure it performs well when more people use it.
3. Feedback: You should have used user input from earlier testing. Any changes that align with your product's goals should already exist.
4. Documentation: You should have things like user guides and FAQs ready. These help testers and give you helpful feedback.
5. Support: You need a support system. Having teams ready to handle support tickets and answer user feedback would be best.
6. Marketing: Your marketing team should be ready to get more testers. They need a plan to reach your audience, get them interested, and get them testing.

If all these things are in place, you're ready for public beta testing and the limited-release phase. Every stage is a chance to learn and make your product even better. It's all leading up to the big day: the official launch!

Wrapping Up

It's all about making your software the best it can be. It's a journey of learning, improving, and growing, all leading up to that big moment– launch day.