Beta testing is one of the most important development stages for any mobile app. This is because beta testing will give developers precious feedback, enable them to identify bugs, and perfect the app before releasing it to the public. For Android developers, Google Play Console offers a strong platform through which to run beta tests and ensure that the app is totally optimized for the target audience.
In this blog, we are going to take you through the process of how to run a successful beta test using Google Play Console and explain why it is important to work with the best app development company like Device Doctor India that can help you streamline the process and ensure success for your app.
Why Beta Testing is Important
You actually learn how to understand the functionality between your app, and real-users through beta testing, and possibly uncover issues even after development would have failed. Some of the most important gains in beta testing are:
- Detecting Bugs You wouldn’t realize those bugs because of internalized testing.
- Capturing Usability Feedback: People get to appreciate how the software was designed on how it runs.
- Performance Enhancements: There’s a probability of knowing your application’s operation in different appliances and OS generations.
- Real-World Cases: You learn how your app behaves in a real-world setting, including differences in internet speeds, configurations of devices, and usage.
Step-by-Step Guide to Running Beta Tests Using Google Play Console
Step 1: Set Up Your Google Play Console Account
Before you start testing, make sure you have a Google Play Console account. If you haven’t signed up yet, do it and set up your account at the Google Play Console.
- If you are a new account holder, the Google Play Developer account comes with a one-time registration fee of $25.
- Once your account is ready, access the Google Play Console dashboard.
Step 2: Prepare Your App for Beta Testing
Ensure that your app is in a stable condition for beta testing. This simply means that its core functionality is working, and there are no critical bugs affecting it in any way.
- Prepare and Archive Your App: Generate an APK or App Bundle to test. This is the build of your app that you will distribute to testers.
- Create Test Releases: For the testing phase of your app, you can use Alpha or Beta tracks in Google Play Console. You will upload different versions to these tracks depending on the test phase.
Step 3: Set Up a Beta Testing Program in Google Play Console
Once you are ready with your app, you can set up a beta testing program as follows:
- Open Your Google Play Console and select the app you would like to test.
- Select Testing from the menu under the Release option.
- Choose Beta Testing and click on Create a Beta Test.
- You have the option to run an Open Beta (open to the general public) or a Closed Beta (restricted to a defined set of testers).
- Open Beta : Anyone can be invited to take part in your beta test, using a publicly accessible link. This is helpful for testing an app with an expanded and different user base
- Closed Beta : Invite specific participants using email addresses. This creates more controlled responses from a smaller group.
- Configure the Beta Test:
- Add your App Bundle or APK.
- Set the Beta version’s name, description, and release notes to tell the testers what has changed in that version of the app.
Step 4: Invite Testers
When conducting Closed Beta, invite testers using an email, or share the public link when performing Open Beta. Google Play Console makes this pretty easy
- Open Beta Share a link to the app’s beta page so testers can go and opt-in for the beta program and install it from Google Play Store.
- For Closed Beta: Input all the email addresses of those you want to invite. All the invited testees will be emailed to take part in your beta test.
Step 5: Monitor and Manage Feedback
After you have started your beta, you need to keep monitoring and managing the feedback. Google Play Console offers much more detailed feedback and metrics which help you understand user behavior towards your app.
- Ratings and Reviews: Beta Testers will be able to give reviews and ratings on the Play Store that you can check straight through the Console. This gives one an idea of how satisfied the users are and the problems they are facing.
- Crashes and ANRs: Google Play Console tracks app crashes and “Application Not Responding” (ANR) events. These are technical issues with the app that have to be resolved before the app is actually launched.
- Reports and Feedback: Make sure your testers are submitting as much detail as possible about the bug reports, usability issues, and other suggestions for improvement.
Step 6: Iterate Based on Feedback
Beta testing is iterative and continuous. Based on the feedback and reports received, work on all the issues or bugs that have been identified. You may need to update the app and roll out new versions to your beta testers.
- Fix Critical Bugs: If the testers report bugs that would severely affect the user experience, try to prioritize those ones.
- Update Features: Depending upon feedback, you would need to modify some features, change the UI/UX, or improve performance.
- Re-release: Once you’re done with those improvements, upload a new version of the app and let it out to your testers for further feedback.
Step 7: Prepare for Launch
When you have received enough feedback from your beta test group and applied the modifications, you can now prepare for an official app launch.
- App Finalization: You should ensure that all bugs are removed and the app is stable.
- Setup Production Track: You set up the Production Track in the Google Play Console, upload the final version of your app, and submit it for review, ready to go live.
- Submission for Review: After the app goes live, track its performance on the Google Play Store. Keep receiving user feedback and make further updates based on what users input.
Best Practices for Running Beta Tests
Planned well and with utmost attention to details, running the beta tests properly is a pretty good practice in the following:
- Set Clear Objectives: Clearly define what you want to achieve with the beta test, whether it is to identify bugs, test new features, or assess user engagement.
- Target the Right Audience: Select test users who form your target market. If this is feasible, then segment testing into various subgroups based on their experience or level of familiarity with similar apps.
- Provide Clear Instructions: Give proper instructions to testers on how to use the app and report on issues.
- Maintain Regular Contact: Keep them updated throughout the process. This can be to inform them about new versions available, ask them for detailed feedback, and thanks for their involvement.
- Incentives: Provide rewards such as in-app credits and exclusive features to encourage participation and show appreciation for testers.
Why Choose Device Doctor India for Your App Development
Device Doctor India is the best mobile app development company, and we are leaders in developing quality mobile apps that win. We do not just build an app for you; we ensure full service from idea to execution in the development of your app, whether it’s a new one or an upgrade of the existing one. Our services include:
- App Development: We develop intuitive, functional, and engaging applications from idea to deployment.
- Beta Testing Setup: We can run an efficient beta test for you through Google Play Console that would gain precious insights into your app and refine it.
- Optimized Apps: Optimize your app to work efficiently on any device or platform, and hence increase the satisfaction and engagement of users.
- Post-Launch Support: Upon the launch of your app, we offer ongoing support and updates for continuing success.
Develop your app in association with the best app development company, Device Doctor India. Our expert test engineers ensure it is thoroughly tested and launched without errors.
Conclusion
Beta testing is a very critical phase in launching a successful Android app. According to this tutorial, you’ll learn how to collect crucial feedback and identify bugs in your application so that the application can perform at its optimal best for the smooth user experience. At Device Doctor India, a best app development company, it’s possible for you to benefit the most during your beta-testing phase and ultimately release an outstanding performing app that end users will fall in love with.
FAQs
Q-1 What is the difference between Open Beta and Closed Beta testing in Google Play Console?
Ans- With Open Beta, people can simply sign up with any public link that is published by the application developers. A person has to get invited by email with the Closed Beta version. Therefore, Open Beta involves a feedback process from the more significant part of the users while Closed Beta delivers a well-managed environment of testing.
Q-2. How can I gather useful feedback from beta testers?
Ans- Request the testers to leave detailed reviews in the Google Play Store and also submit bug reports or feature requests. Surveys or direct communication can also be established through email or a dedicated slack group for getting deeper feedback.
Q-3. How do I fix issues identified during beta testing?
Ans- Once the bugs or issues have been detected, they can be rectified with the necessary modifications to the app’s code or design. After this, the fixed version of the app is uploaded on the Google Play Console and then is forwarded to your testers for more testing. It is an iterative process so that the app would be in the best possible condition when it gets released.
Q-4. Can I run multiple beta tests at once using Google Play Console?
Ans- You can run many versions of your application in parallel through separate testing tracks, such as Alpha and Beta. This lets you collect feedback on different features or versions of your application simultaneously.
Q-5. How long should a beta testing phase last?
Ans-The duration of beta testing also depends on how complex the app is and on the feedback you receive. A beta test usually runs between one to four weeks in length. Always allow ample time to correct your most critical issues and also to get enough user feedback to improve.
