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Please note: Pricing is based on the average time required for these type of studies. Final cost may vary depending on scope, complexity, and specific project needs.
What it is
Beta testing is the final validation step before a product goes live. We manage high-touch beta programs that evaluate the complete customer experience in real-world conditions with target users (under NDA). These users live with the product, uncover critical issues, and confirm whether it delivers on its promise.
At Research Impact, we handle the full lifecycle—defining entry/exit criteria, recruiting the right participants, managing logistics, collecting feedback, and synthesizing insights. We help you de-risk launch, validate product-market fit, and ensure your product earns trust and drives adoption from day one.
We tailor our Beta approach based on your product’s complexity, timeline, and risk level that range from immersive in-home evaluations to leaner usability studies.
When to Use It
End of product development: Validate readiness for GA with real-world usage
AI/ML products: Assess how intelligent systems behave under real conditions with real users
Hardware or integrated experiences: Observe how products function across environments, networks, and user habits
High-risk launches: Ensure new-to-world, one-way-door products meet quality and satisfaction bars before public release
Outcomes & Impact
Validate launch readiness: Confirm the product meets customer expectations and business goals
Identify blocking issues: Catch late-stage usability, setup, or system issues that erode trust
Capture end-to-end experience: Understand how users adopt, use, and form habits with the product
Align stakeholders: Provide clear entry/exit criteria and objective data to inform go/no-go decisions
Why It Matters
You don’t want your rocket’s first test to be in orbit. Beta lets you test in the wild without going to the general public. It’s the last stop before launch to ensure the product works, delights, and earns a place in your customer’s life. Fail fast, fix early, and launch right.
What Beta Testing Is Not
It’s the first time you test a product. It’s the final validation. Beta happens after the product is built, focusing on real-world use, not early design feedback. Early design testing is still important to ensure you don’t find issues late that are more expensive to fix.
It’s not a soft launch. It’s a controlled test with selected users—not a full go-to-market release.
It’s not about fixing every bug. It’s about identifying critical issues, unmet expectations, and readiness for launch, not polishing every edge.
It’s not for everyone. Beta participants should reflect your target audience, not just anyone willing to try it.
It’s not public or promotional. Confidentiality matters, feedback should be candid, not influenced by hype or marketing.
What to Expect
Kickoff & Workback Plan (1–2 weeks):
Define product goals, customer bar, timeline, and team responsibilities
Establish beta entry & exit criteria (e.g., CSAT ≥ 5.9, no trust-busting issues)
Align on what success looks like post-launch (behavior change, retention, satisfaction)
Participant Management & Confidentiality:
Recruit a highly targeted, vetted group that reflects your real users
All participants sign NDAs and follow strict usage and feedback protocols
Closed beta ensures signal quality and avoids premature leaks or brand damage
Beta Execution (2–6 weeks):
Ship devices (if applicable), onboard participants, and ensure QA readiness
Monitor usage, collect structured and unstructured feedback, and escalate critical issues
Evaluate end-to-end experience: setup, feature use, usefulness, and adoption
Exit & Decision Support:
Assess against CSAT, trust metrics, behavioral indicators
Provide go/no-go launch recommendation with evidence
Typical timeline: 3–8 weeks from kickoff to recommendation
Deliverables:
Workback plan, entry/exit criteria, participant recruitment and onboarding, session moderation (if applicable), insights report with readiness assessment and launch recommendations.