Ben Lowndes <mailto:[email protected]> wrote (Friday, June 25, 2010 5:32 AM +1000):
>On Sat, Jun 19, 2010 at 8:54 AM, solutionapp <[email protected]>wrote: > >>I'm wondering what the best strategies are to entice people to try out your >>software and report on bugs. >> > >One option is MacDeveloper.net, which I've used with success. > >The other thing is you could be more generous with your licenses: I'm in the >early stages with my app and will happily give a free license to anyone that >provides constructive feedback on it. Taking time to report bugs is a >generous act of goodwill that's worth rewarding. I'd second that. I have two ways in which I encourage beta testers. Under normal circumstances, my software can be operated for time-limited basis using a trial license key, or forever with a paid license key. When I start a beta test I issue my beta testers a free "beta" license key that enables that particular version of the software just as if it were a paid license key. So, in essence, my beta testers get "a free ride" during the beta program. Anyone who wants to download the software and register as a beta tester can use the beta version for free. When my beta period ends and I release it as the next major release of my software, I offer to upgrade the beta keys to full (paid) keys at a discount. For users who really helped out, I upgrade their beta keys for free. For users who really, really, helped out I add them to the list of beta testers in the About this App credits. -- James Bucanek
