What is the Pre-Launch/Beta Testing Phase?

Welcome to ValleyLists - which is now in its initial stage - what I'm calling the “Pre-Launch/Beta Testing Phase.” I have two goals for this phase:

FIRST GOAL: Build a Critical Mass of “Early Adopters”

My first goal is to attract a critical mass of “early adopters.” I'm looking for both: (1) those who will sign up for Paid Listings (learn more about Paid Listings by reading this: What is a Paid Listing?) and use the website themselves, especially the Calendar, and (2) those who will post free classified ads (learn more about Classified Ads by reading this and related FAQs: Who Can Post Classified Ads?). “Early adopters” are people who can envision what ValleyLists can be, imagine how it will serve them, and who are willing to jump in and help me get it off the ground.

ValleyLists is in a classic start-up “chicken and egg” dilemma. Many visitors to the site want to see content before they will bother to look at it more carefully and people considering adding content - classified ads or subscriptions for Paid Listings - want to know that there is or will be a flow of visitors who will be seeing what they put on the site.

Benefits of Becoming an “Early Adopter”

As a significant benefit for those of you who sign up for a Paid Listing in these early days, I have reduced prices. Subscriptions for Business Listings will cost $50/year instead of $60/year. Non-Profit Organization or Group Listings and Individual Listings will cost $25/year instead of $30/year. Early-adopting Paid Listings will enjoy these reduced prices for the first two years. The Paid Listings for those who subscribe during the Pre-Launch/Beta Testing Phase will be available on the site immediately, but the formal “start date” for these subscriptions will be the day this initial Phase ends.

A second benefit during this initial phase is that we will create your new Paid Listing for you for FREE. Later we will be charging $15.00 for this service.

Finally, you will be helping ValleyLists start serving the people of your community.

SECOND GOAL: Get ValleyLists working very well

My second goal is to “beta test” the site. I and others have tested the site a lot. Now I’d like your help. Please check it out - try everything. Then, please let me know about any bugs, glitches, typos, grammatical errors, places where the instructions are not clear, etc., etc. I very much want your constructive feedback, now and in the future, to help me make ValleyLists a site which is easy, clear, and as “user friendly” as possible. Please feel free to contact me, Will Flanders, at (413) 625-2525 or will@valleylists.com.

The Pre-Launch/Beta Testing Phase in each market area will end when 500 businesses, organizations, groups, and/or Individuals have signed up for Paid Listing subscriptions, people are using the Calendar and the free Classified Ads and I am satisfied that the site is working extremely well.

I am also very much interested in your ideas about how you might use ValleyLists.com to help you make the connections you want to make. I keep imagining new ways to use the software I’ve designed and I am interested in your ideas as well.

I encourage you to become an “early adopter” and help me take ValleyLists to the next level. I’ll appreciate any ideas you may contribute!

Previous FAQ page: So, What is ValleyLists Anyway? - An Overview

Next FAQ page:  What is a Search Area?

Post a New Classified Ad