Most sites go through private alpha and  beta periods where they test the service out with selected users before  launching to the general public.  Setting up a private alpha/beta test is not that difficult technically, but it does take time and energy that could be directed toward other aspects of launching the site. Launchset offers a variety of tools to help sites manage alpha/beta registrations.

If you’re launching a web site, Launchset makes it easier for you to find/invite users, create invitation codes, and set up a waiting list.  You can use Launchset to invite people through Facebook and Twitter, to invite a certain number of people on a first-come-first-served basis, or to select users from your waiting list based on their profiles.

If you like being a guinea pig, registering with Launchset means that you can try out cool new services before anyone else does.  I’m excited about that! Launchset has a news feed that lets you see what others are up to, and you can link your Launchset account with your Twitter, Facebook and HN accounts.

All in all, Launchset’s concept is excellent. However, the UI needs some work. The design and color scheme seem a little off, and in several places there’s text running onto pictures, which makes it difficult to read. Also, I think there might need to be a separate page that lists the sites that are waiting to launch. There are only two right now, and the page already looks somewhat cluttered.  As more sites join Launchset, having a separate space  to list them will make it easier for users to scroll through them and request invitations to the ones they find interesting.

Launchset’s a very new site-it’s only been around since July. There is another service called Prefinery that manages alpha/beta launches, but they aren’t trying to foster a community of early adopters to test participating sites out like Launchset is. I really like that aspect of Launchset’s approach. I think if the design is improved and more people/websites sign up for it,  it could end up being quite useful.

What do you think of Launchset? Let us know in the comments, or follow @usefultools on Twitter!

Our Rating of Launchset

Tags: Development

Categories:web