How to prepare for public beta? Readiness checklist

[OpenWebU]

I did enterprise software in my past life, and am curious about what you need to do to get ready for public beta of a consumer website. OK - there's the obvious - have some alpha testers - make sure the code is working. But, I'm curious about what kind of support resources are needed, hints/tips from past experience...

[inovica]

Well, the release early and release often mantra still stands. Make something basic but that works well and get it out - tell people about it. Tell us about it. Take the feedback you get and if you agree adopt it and grow this way. Run a blog on your site and let people know about your plans.

Have a read of this. I found it interesting:

http://www.niallkennedy.com/blog/2006/05/mark-fletcher-blogl...

[OpenWebU]

This was validating: on self-financing, on being cheap/don't like to spend, outsourcing, holding off on getting incorporated. Yes - will definitely tell yc about it. Thanks.

[johnm]

(A) Make it really obvious how to contact you via email.

(B) Answer the emails... Quickly, positively, and gratefully.

(C) Create a FAQ and make that easy to find.

(D) Update the FAQ as you answer emails.

(E) Update your site based on the feedback.

[dualogy]

Huh? Support resources? Preparation?

Enterprise past life, eh?

Just get it out there already.

:)

[adammichaelc]

What's your site? Let us check it out and if we like it you know you're on the right track. If we don't we can tell you how to improve it.

[OpenWebU]

Hey thanks - very practical advice - will definitely go to this forum to get feedback.