Practice used within software testing to establish and monitor the potential success of a new product. Alpha testing relates to the internal testing by customers, online visitors or an independent test team for in-house preliminary software, before the next stage of beta testing. Beta testing is a reference to the external form of user acceptance testing within the marketplace. Beta versions of software may be released to the open public to necessitate a higher feedback rate, but are more commonly limited to a restricted group of people to trial the software for faults.

See also:
E-Marketing