A big thank you to everyone that has signed up to participate in the beta test of the Alice.com service (here). The interest has been pretty fantastic, and we’re excited to have everyone start using Alice soon. It has been a few weeks since we announced the start of testing, and I thought an update was in order, so here goes.
Beta Timeline
Private Testing Continues Through May
Because Alice is a very different eCommerce site, we made the decision to start user testing with a small group of users that we could closely evaluate and gather feedback from in one-on-one user sessions.
There has been lots of talk the last few days about how much companies should listen to their customers (apparently Facebook isn’t sure it is a good idea, see here and here and here). Although I agree that customer feedback can be a tricky thing to balance, the initial feedback we’ve been gathering for Alice has been invaluable. We’ll be adding a few dozen users here in Madison in the next few weeks to continue these user sessions.
Beta will expand in May-June
If you’ve already submitted your e-mail to us (or do so here in the next several days), congrats! You’ll be in our first main beta-test group. We consider you a Friend of Alice, and we are excited to open up our site to you and get your feedback. Look for an e-mail from us in late May/early June with instructions on how to get started using Alice. We can’t wait to drop off a box like this to your door soon.
Congrats Alice!
Before you know it the Alice Boxes will be the milk crates, and newspapers of the modern time.
I can’t wait to see my first Alice box at my doorstep.
I totally agree that customer feedback is especially important in the start because you can find out issues with your implementation and possibly things that you might have overlooked. It is important to find these before you let the masses in because majority of the users get turned down very, very easily.
Looking forward to the beta and the day when I won’t have to go to the grocery store
, good luck!
Wow. This is just crazy!
Thanks for the update. Can’t wait to try this out.
I have been in withdrawal since Jellyfish left. Really looking forward to Alice. Share the details as they become available. Thank you!
Can’t wate till I see it!
Yay, just got my e-mail. Can’t wait!
Things sound to be progressing nicely. Maybe you should be able to comment soon on the free shipping and central shipping site that will allow delivery within the Continental United States in just a few shorts days.
I WANT A BOX! So glad to hear things are coming along so well
I can’t wait! hurry!
I can hardly wait. I have been holding my breath, and I’ll tell you it is getting harder and harder. Am so looking forward to being on line with Alice and a lot of friends.
Thanks for the e-mail update. Looking forward to the site starting up & seeing old friends!
To the moon, Alice! Bring it on!
Thanks everyone for the great feedback. We are very fortunate to have such a strong community of users forming already. Can’t wait to introduce you to Alice!
That is a great lookin’ box!
Love the blue.
Hey, cool tips. Perhaps I’ll buy a glass of beer to the person from that forum who told me to go to your blog
FANTASTIC!