I'm developing an online textad advertising company, and I just released a beta version of the website. It is a marketplace type site where people can buy and sell text ads. The site does all the financial work, and even serves the ads. I've been working on it for almost 12 months now, and I'd really like to get some users to see how people like it and to see what breaks the code. Does anyone have advice on gathering beta testers for a website? I've never done this before on such a large scale, so I'm having difficulties getting enough people to help me out without sounding like spam when I ask. Maybe I'm asking in the wrong forums or asking the wrong audience. I was thinking DigitalPoint might be a good place to gather some test subjects for this sort of site, but I dont want to come across as spam. Any advice? My site is TextAdMarket.com (you need a code to register, PM me if you want one). And no real money is involved during the beta test. you can buy and sell as many text ads as you want during the beta. Thanks, Ben
I don't have any available funds to hire people just yet. As of right now, the beta site doesn't collect real money, and as a brand new startup business, I don't have much in the way of cash assets. But...that being said, all beta testers start out with $25 credit on the site to buy TextAds. Heck, free advertising is free advertising. You don't have to do anything for me, except take the free $25 credit and buy/sell ads so I can see if my site works.
Maybe these tips from Joel on Software can help you: http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/BetaTest.html In other words, why not contact Techrunch and other blogs like that and offer beta test invites so they can offer to their readers? Also, you can post your request on Yahoo Answers and Linkedin Answers...
Good article, I'll give that a shot tonight. While Yahoo Answers can generate instant feedback from a handful of users, I've always felt like Y/A is unprofessional. I'm always getting 3 word answers from kids on there, and no real advice. I haven't used Linkedin Answers yet. I'll see what that's all about.
Well, I have submitted to TechCrunch. We'll see if anything comes of that. In the meantime, is there a specific forum on DP where I could find users? I need both Advertisers and Publishers.
You can try with Mashable.com, Venturebeat.com, ReadWriteWeb.com too...they are of the same breed as Techcrunch...and competitors somehow. I hope you made a good introduction because they get tons of submissions from companies.
Joel is the founder of Fog Creek Software http://www.fogcreek.com/ , a well known software development company...and his JoelOnSoftware blog is read by many people.
It's gonna be tough to get the attention of those online news site owners. They get so many submissions each day. What about DP? What is the best forum on here to ask for trial users? Maybe the Free Vouchers section?
Go to the freebies section, like 5000000000000000000 people hang out there. In the meantime, PM me a code. I'll take a look at your program, and review it on my upcoming blog.
Though but not impossible...depends on how you pitch them...how perseverent are you...but if you don't try you won't know...