7 Unique Testing Methods Startups Use to Perfect Their Products
In the quest for perfection, seven startup leaders, including CEOs and a Marketing Manager, reveal their unique product testing methods and the outcomes they achieved. From implementing internal product testing to organizing a creative hackathon party, these insights provide a glimpse into the innovative strategies that drive startup success.
- Implement Internal Product Testing
- User Engagement with Thank-You Confetti
- Leverage Social Media Feedback
- Host an Internal ‘Denim Day’ Event
- Wizard of Oz Feature Simulation
- Adopt Customer-Driven Development
- Organize a Creative Hackathon Party
Implement Internal Product Testing
Internal testing, also known as dogfooding in product development circles, is the unique testing method that we’ve relied on at TrackingMore to perfect our shipment tracking platform. This approach allows us to call on employees and other stakeholders to test the product as if they are the businesses and end customers for whom we developed it. We use the feedback to iterate on different aspects of it before the official launch.
Using this product testing method has allowed us to get insightful results. We can uncover any usability issues early in the development process and make necessary changes. Internal testing is also key to validating our assumptions while developing the product. We can also rely on the feedback we receive because it comes from users familiar with the product’s development process.
Clooney Wang
CEO, TrackingMore
User Engagement with Thank-You Confetti
Perfecting our startup’s product at LeadStacker involved a quirky yet effective testing method we called the “User Confetti Test.” We sent out personalized thank-you notes with confetti to randomly selected users who completed specific actions on our platform. It was like celebrating success with a surprise party. The results were surprising: we saw a 25% increase in user engagement and a 15% uptick in retention rates. This playful approach not only delighted our users but also provided invaluable insights into what motivated them to stay active on our platform. Sometimes, a little celebration goes a long way in understanding user behavior.
Phil Laboon
CEO, Leadstacker
Leverage Social Media Feedback
One unique method we used to perfect our startup’s product was involving consumers right from the concept stage. I believe deeply in integrating user-generated content (UGC) into product development. Traditional methods like focus groups give us detailed and valuable feedback, but they don’t scale well across different customer segments or product categories.
We shifted our approach to gather feedback through social media, which offers a constant stream of large-scale input. Customer reviews on our social platforms provide us with insights into what our audience likes and dislikes about our products and brand. By encouraging buyers to share their opinions through videos, photos, and reviews, we ensure we’re developing products that meet the actual needs of our audience.
We also transformed our product pages into dynamic community hubs. This has been a game-changer, especially for gaining the trust of first-time visitors. Allowing customers to have a role in developing our products lets their voices promote and advocate for our offerings. This feedback loop has been crucial for us at Webineering, leading to the development of products that people genuinely want to buy.
Alex LaDouceur
Co-Founder, Webineering
Host an Internal ‘Denim Day’ Event
During my time at Rue21, we experimented with an unconventional testing method for our new line of denim jeans. Instead of relying solely on traditional focus groups, we set up a ‘Denim Day’ event where employees from different departments wore prototype jeans for a day. This allowed us to gather diverse feedback from various perspectives within the company, from store associates to corporate team members. The results were eye-opening; we discovered unexpected comfort issues that weren’t apparent in the initial testing phases. By incorporating this internal testing feedback early on, we made crucial adjustments to the fabric and fit, ultimately improving customer satisfaction and sales. It was a reminder that sometimes the best testers are right under your nose—wearing the product.
Josh Burris
CEO, STNDRD
Wizard of Oz Feature Simulation
One unique testing method we used to perfect our startup’s product was the Wizard of Oz testing.
Method:
Simulate Features Manually: We presented a fully functional interface to users but performed certain back-end processes manually, without automation.
Gather User Feedback: Users interacted with the product as if it were fully developed. We observed their behavior and gathered detailed feedback on their experience.
Iterate Based on Insights: We made iterative changes based on user feedback and identified which features were most valuable before investing in full development.
Results:
Rapid Prototyping: We were able to test and iterate on multiple features quickly and cost-effectively.
Identified Key Features: Discovered which features were most desired by users, allowing us to prioritize development efforts.
Improved User Experience: Enhanced the product’s usability and functionality based on real user interactions.
This approach enabled us to refine our product effectively before fully committing resources to development, ensuring a more polished final product that better met user needs.
Arslan Abdul Rehman
Marketer & SEO Expert, Siznam.co
Adopt Customer-Driven Development
One unique testing method we used was using a “customer-driven development” approach. Instead of relying solely on internal feedback and traditional beta testing, we involved a select group of active users in our product development process. This group was invited to test new features in real-time and provide immediate feedback through integrated surveys and direct communication channels.
The results were remarkable. We saw a significant reduction in post-launch bugs and higher user satisfaction scores. Additionally, this method fostered a strong sense of community and loyalty among our users, who felt valued and heard. Their input not only helped us refine our product but also guided our roadmap with insights that only end-users could provide.
Dinesh Agarwal
Founder, CEO, RecurPost
Organize a Creative Hackathon Party
In the early days of my startup, we were developing a new project management tool aimed at creative teams. We knew traditional testing methods wouldn’t fully capture how our product would be used in the wild, chaotic environment of a creative agency.
So, we decided to try something unconventional: we hosted a “Hackathon Party.” We invited a group of local creative professionals to our office, provided them with pizza, snacks, and plenty of drinks, and gave them free rein to use our product for a weekend-long project.
The results were invaluable. We observed how different teams interacted with the tool, identified pain points we hadn’t anticipated, and even gathered ideas for new features. The informal, party-like atmosphere encouraged honest feedback and creative problem-solving.
This unique testing method not only helped us refine our product but also fostered a sense of community around our brand. Many of the participants became early adopters and advocates for our tool, which played a significant role in our early success. It was a reminder that sometimes, the most unconventional approaches can yield the most valuable insights.
Liga Rudzite
Marketing Manager, Lemon Pitch
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