Freqently Asked Questions From Our Members
What is a Beta Test?
A beta test is the final development step that companies go through to ensure that their products are ready to be released to their customers. This process generally involves providing a nearly-final product to a group of customers, and then collecting feedback from them. This feedback may include bug reports, feature ideas, surveys about important aspects of the product, and open user forum discussions with other customers.
Is Evaluating Products Free?
Yes. Evaluating products is free of any cost. You will never be asked to provide any credit card or other payment kind to OnlineBeta.com or Centercode.
Who is Centercode?
Centercode is the company who (1) Owns and maintains the OnlineBeta.com beta tester community, (2) Developed Connect™, the software which runs OnlineBeta.com, and is used to manage our beta tests, and (3) The employer of the team who manage the OnlineBeta.com beta projects. You can learn more about Centercode by clicking here.
How Long Does a Beta Test Last?
Although there are exceptions, most beta tests last between 4 and 8 weeks.
How Many Participants Are On Each Test?
The number of beta testers is dependent on the type of product. Hardware products tend to include between 10 and 200 testers, while software projects may have as few as 10, or in the case of a public beta - many thousands. Our tests average between 50 and 100 testers.
Why Do You Ask For So Much Information?
It is important for our product developers to target the right people for their beta products. Having this information enables us to help them accomplish this.
How Much Time Am I Expected to Contribute to a Project?
While each project has different participation expectations, most projects will require between two to eight hours per week depending on the type of product. Keep in mind that beta testing isn't supposed to be considered work, but rather using the product as if you've purchased it yourself, as well as reporting what you encounter to this web site.
How Do I Know When I'm Selected for a Project?
You will receive an E-mail at the address you provided when signing up for OnlineBeta.com inviting you to apply for a specific project. This application may require more information specific to that test, or it may simply require you to accept the invitation.
Can I Choose Which Projects I’m Involved In?
Yes. When you are selected to participate in a test, you will be E-mailed an invitation outlining the requirements for that test. This E-mail will include links to either accept or deny each project, which is entirely up to you.
How Private Is My Personal Information?
We are privacy advocates and will ensure that your information will not be sold or used in any other way. Your contact information will be provided to only those companies whose products you have specifically agreed to test. In addition you will never be spammed by us or our customers. In addition to our standards, we have put a great deal of work into the security aspects of our web site and software, ensuring your information is always protected.
Can I Change My Information Later?
You are encouraged to keep your information updated and to add additional products you own to our database at any time.
How Do I Receive the Products that I’m Testing?
There are two ways to receive products for testing:
1. Software: Applications may be downloaded directly from the web as soon as the test begins. Larger applications may be received via postal mail on CD.
2. Hardware: Hardware and physical items will be shipped to the address provided when you created your OnlineBeta.com account. We will take care of all shipping and retrieval costs.
It is essential that you supply an address that can accept packages. No P.O. boxes.
Can I Test Non-Computer Related Products?
Absolutely! We don't limit tests in any way to computer-related products. We've provided beta tests for many types of products in the past, from consumer electronics and common household items, to business and educational software.
Can I Test More Than One Product at a Time?
Yes. In most situations, this is not a problem.
How Can I Increase My Chances to be Invited to Test?
There are two ways to increase your opportunities:
1. Be Thorough: Supply as much information as possible. After you have added your first Test Platform (which is most likely the PC you are currently using), you will have the opportunity to add other devices such as additional computers, PDAs, and video game consoles. Adding this information to the database will increase your chances of being selected to participate in tests of these types of products.
2. Participate: The second effective way to increase your testing opportunities is to participate actively in any tests you are involved in. All testing efforts are kept within the system and allow companies to rate their testers throughout projects. This rating system is intended to make other companies aware of your efforts and increase your place in the user pool.
We also keep a list of our great testers which we award with some of the most fun projects.
Do I Receive Anything For Testing These Products?
Yes. In many tests there will be incentives of some type offered. The incentive may be final products, gadgets, Amazon.com gift cards, and various other rewards.
Can I Keep Products at the End of the Test?
This varies depending on each particular project. In most cases, testers will have the opportunity to keep the products they’ve tested. In other cases, companies may wish to evaluate user tested products so other incentives are offered.
How Do I Return Products Once a Project is Over?
Product returns will be handled by the OnlineBeta.com Team at Centercode. You will not incur any costs in shipping products. In most cases, return paperwork will be included with your original shipment. It’s important to keep the original shipping materials that you received the product in so that returning the product will be easy.
