Aug 09 2022
How Your Feedback Plays a Major Role in Brands’ Success
MESH01 product testers, do you wonder about the different impacts you’re making through concept testing vs. product testing? Let us explain. According to Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen, there are over 30,000 new products introduced every year, and 95% fail. As a MESH01 tester, you work directly with brands to ensure that their products see success when it’s time to hit the market. Whether these products are safe bets or the risky idea that might actually pay off, brands know it’s critical to look at their products through the lenses of their customers.
How Product Testers Contribute along the Product Creation Timeline
Developing a product comes with a lot of trial and error across multiple points. To simplify, testing typically happens at a couple points within the first 5 major product development stages:
- Market research
- Ideation
- Concept testing
- Prototyping
- Product testing
At MESH01, we’re obsessed with helping brands optimize the steps of concept testing and product testing, all with the help of our amazing community. Your feedback plays different roles in concept testing vs. product testing, and it all starts by talking to the right people.
You’re an Important Part of a Product Tester Community
As a MESH01 tester, you’re part of a 50,000-person community responsible for seeking out and reporting on the good and bad before products are launched. There is a lot at stake when you are participating in a test, and the brands’ expectations are high. That’s why we value and support your honesty and reliability as a tester. Don’t like the design? The fit is too small? Let them know. That is the exact type of feedback brands are looking for when they introduce their concepts and products to our community. They know the echo-chambers of friends, co-workers and family can result in glowing (albeit usually late) reviews. They also know those feedback loops don’t translate into product performance in the market.
Brands know they need the real voice of the customer before launching their products. Your voice.
When selected for a concept or product test, you fit the target audience criteria for that product. Our community of testers can be browsed by hyper-specific attributes like your lifestyle, interests, activities, occupation, and even info products used. This is all provided through you provide through your complete profile and surveys. Whether you are a marathon runner or casual jogger, professional athlete or weekend warrior, brands look to find the most relevant and reliable feedback for their product. And when you’re the right fit, they rely on your tester experience to inform their product development decisions.
Concept Testing: Product Testers Help Bring Ideas to Life
Early on, your feedback is vital for product creation and the numerous decision-making processes within. So you may be curious, what do brands benefit from when you participate in a concept test? Great question. This early stage in the product creation process is responsible for identifying product ideas and directions that will set the path for bringing promising product ideas to life. Common reasons brands concept test with you include:
- Identifying trends close to product development
- Validating market opportunities
- Understanding customer preferences and drivers of interest
- Passing or failing product concepts before further development investment
- Prioritizing features and attributes
- Optimizing product positioning including naming, descriptions and pricing
That’s a lot of power! While often faster than a product test -typically a single survey- these concept tests are responsible for identifying, curating and nurturing future product opportunities. And it all starts with you.
Product Testing: Product Testers Help Create Exceptional Product Experiences
Once a product concept gets the seal of approval from the MESH01 tester community, brands begin work on prototypes to be used for real-life, hands-on experience. During the product testing stage, you’re asked to meet a set of ‘test expectations’. These expectations are designed to cover all of ways in which a brand’s product will be used. Following and completing these expectations accurately and on time helps companies test their products in realistic circumstances so they do not miss any critical performance feedback before product launch. No pressure!
You also help determine whether a product needs some adjustments or is ready to hit the market. How?
- By alerting brands of any critical product failures during testing
- Logging use, wear and tear over time
- Noting any discomfort, durability or quality issues via your visual product feedback tools
- Completing and answering product testing surveys that help brands validate what’s working
- Following any additional test requirements, which might include media uploads and more
As you can see, product testing is an essential part of developing a quality product. It allows brands to create products that set new trends and delight us all as customers.
Your feedback plays different and valuable roles in determining whether a product is ready to hit the market or needs improvement. Next time you are participating in an MESH01 concept test or product test, remember that you are shaping the world of products we all enjoy. After all, at MESH01 we work with so many of the worlds leading brands, and our outstanding community plays a crucial role in that success!
