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We've had our app in beta for the past few months and we recently launched a major update which gets us to the point where I'm happy calling it a version 1.

There's still a million and one things to do and improve, but that's not going to change any time soon!

The only thing we need to properly launch is to turn on the payment integration so new accounts are charged for their subscriptions. We're planning on giving the current beta testers a number of free months, so it won't impact them.

It's primarily aimed at the business market, although the beta testing has shown it to have a wider reach than we first thought.

My main problem is one of timing and a worry that Christmas isn't the best time to be launching our product. Will a launch at this time of year be ignored because companies are winding down for the holidays and being more difficult to get press that's noticed?

What does everyone think?

Thanks.

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5 Answers

up vote 6 down vote

If you're thinking of launch as a mainstream press event, then you're probably right that it will be difficult to get noticed. In tech / general startup press, though, now's a better time to seek press mentions, because there are fewer companies launching or making big releases right now (though, in the week before Christmas, many companies do big promotions that get a lot of coverage).

But if launch is just the point at which you're open for customer sign-ups, start going for them! You can always categorize it or write about it as an "early release" or "soft launch", and do the "hard launch" with press announcements later.

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It's a good point, would make sense to quietly switch on payment for new users and then go for a hard-launch approaching the press in the new-year. Thanks. – rlivsey Dec 9 '09 at 1:54
up vote 4 down vote

Don't do it!

  1. No one is paying attention; they're covered up in holiday parties, presents, travel, kids plays, kids tests, and snow.
  2. People don't start something new in Dec, like downloading and testing new software.
  3. You and your folks want to have holiday time too, and launching means (theoretically) a pile of new trialers and customers which means a bulk of tech support and bugs found, which means a ton of work. That doesn't mesh with holiday planning.

There's no advantages. Just wait until Feb when everyone's head is back in the game. Spend this time to line up an awesome marketing blitz or do a ton more QA so the product is amazingly solid.

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up vote 1 down vote

I don't see the issue about timing. "Launch" when it is ready. Unless you are timing it to coincide with an industry event like a trade show or other highly visible thing it really doesn't matter. (IMO)

Why wait - you are only delaying feedback and revenue by putting it off.

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Ah - you dont mean you see a worldwide event called christmas coming up? Like a hugh trade show everyone goes to and is totally fixated on. Plus the yearly HR talks with the "family" thingy. – NetTecture Dec 27 '10 at 12:37
up vote 0 down vote

I think right now is possibly too late, unless you want to try to put a holiday spin on things. For instance, on Flickr, the popular photo sharing website, they have the option for users to buy other users a pro account. If you had something like this, you could possibly have businesses who have a target market with other businesses buy your service as a gift... possibly (eg. businesses could buy your service as gifts to their customers, which would be businesses).

I'm not too sure how well this would work, but if you could somehow make it relevant to the holidays it might help. :) Let us know what you decide to do if you don't mind.

Thanks -

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up vote 0 down vote

I completely respect the answers here. Mine is a time sensitive (kind of) idea that would help the shoppers of this holiday season as well. But if launching at this time of the year is not a smart thing to do, mine can wait till early Jan next year as well. I just wanted to make sure the launch get maximum attention from the authoritative blogs (TC, Mashable etc.) and their readership. Please advice given the (slight) time sensitive nature of my idea.

Thanks in advance.

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