Test Marketing – Introduction, Benefits And Disadvantages

To check the viability of any product or campaign before its actual launch in the target market or mass market, Test Marketing is used.

In this post, we are going to talk about what is test marketing and why businesses need to run test marketing campaigns before launching their products in the market.

So, let us start deciphering the world of test marketing-

Introduction

Test Marketing, precisely, is a trial before launching a product on a grand platform.

It is about releasing it in front of a specific audience. This tool is used to check the essence of the new product or a campaign before releasing it in the market on a large scale.

This is often used by companies who prefer to get feedback on their product to probable their market success. The product’s performance, the level of acceptance among the customers, customer satisfaction, and its efficiency are the parameters to decide the feedbacks.

Test marketing of retail products includes a limited number of stores. It is used to predict the market response and guide distribution for the full launch.

Benefits

We should be particular about things before launching it on a larger scale.

The test marketing can help you create a promotional “buzz” which supports the main release. It reduces the risk of a full-scale launch. Even if the product fails a test, then particular costs may be saved.

Also, test marketing provides you with a way to grasp the knowledge of customer reviews. It will help you to rethink if you should add something more or your product is exceptional.

Disadvantages

With the merits of something, there always comes demerit.

Therefore, you should also keep these things in mind before test marketing your product. It can sometimes lead you to inappropriate decisions.

Since you do not include the full target range, it cannot give appropriate information.

It also has a danger of competition. The competitor can learn about your product and come up with the same even before your full launch. It is also time-consuming. It might be costly, as well.

Let us now have a look at different types of test marketing-

Consumer Goods Test Marketing

This is a trial to test the consumer response in which the consumer will try the product, even for once. Then, when will they repurchase it? Will they also consider buying it or not? How often will they consider buying it?

These tests are conducted in this type of test marketing:

1. Test Markets

It is more like choosing particular cities where the test launch will take place. Once it is done and is successful, then they’ll launch it on a national platform.

2. Simulated Test Marketing

In this one, the product is kept among old or competitor’s products. And target people (around 30-40 people) are asked to opt for any. If they choose it then it’s okay, or else they’re given free samples of new products.

3. Sales-wave research

Under this test, the consumer is given the product free of cost. Plus, in this several times are given to see the willingness of consumers to know whether they want to buy it or not.

Industrial-goods Test Marketing

Different types of this kind of test marketing are-

Alpha Testing

This testing is done inside the firm. It is tested by engineers and employees who check the marketing mix of a new product. And fix the issues, if there are any.

Beta Testing

It is done with the customers. They are asked to use the product and then give feedback. Also, it can be tested at dealers’ showrooms to grab the attention of customers. This is the best way to gather the information of the prospects and create a market value of that product in the minds of potential customers.

Role of Test Marketing

The test marketing method of promoting a brand, product, strategy, etc., gives an incredible response to the product than any other way of the marketing mix. Test marketing of goods plays a vital role in connecting the market of potential buyers with the likely product, which in result seeks excellent response for the product and creates market value and image of the particular product. Buyers get the chance to understand the product, its importance and the reasonability of the price they are going to pay for the product.

This way of advance experience helps in multiplying the product market and creates an opportunity for self-promotion for the product. When one customer experiences the utilities of the product, they further go on recommending the product to other people, and the chain goes on. This is the reason why companies sell free testing samples to understand their prospects and create a relationship with them which can enhance in the long run, giving them a higher rate of satisfaction in return.

Why Is Test marketing a vital marketing experiment?

It can be said that test marketing is a marketing experiment, as before a product is launched in the market, companies give free samples to their customers, so that they can provide feedback about the product and by which the companies can understand what the market wants and can produce accordingly.

The marketer’s main aim is to create a high amount of consumer satisfaction. Therefore, this way of marketing the product gives an insight into the product from the direct customer’s experience.

Since it results in giving the response of the product from the prospects after the test of free samples, this is why it is justified to comment that “test marketing is a marketing experiment” of a product in its initial stage of marketing.

Role of Test marketing in the Media World

We all know, the media is a medium of information and test marketing is all about gathering that information about the product from the customers on that medium.

This way, the relationship between media and test marketing helps the seller understand their customers on a wide range.

Test marketing is done in a very particular way to gather a considerable response about a product in a simple and less costly manner. It is used to run a campaign in the media so that the product information can reach out to a broader circle fetching feedback in a vast amount.

The media helps in influencing the buyer to test and create a target market for the product in a lesser time frame.

Since marketers need a potential response for their products, sometimes they may not consider giving free test samples to a broader audience instead they give limited samples to a restricted audience, so that they can provide the correct and appropriate response of the product.

Test Marketing Wrap Up!

In this article about test marketing, it can be concluded that test marketing is the best marketing tactic to gather the direct response of potential customers by giving them test samples.

Test samples of goods help to build the relationship of a product with its user and hence, test marketing creates the market worth for the product even before it is launched in the market.

The product with the help of a test marketing strategy gathers great promotions and multiplies the customer rate of the product in the market.

Hence, test marketing is a particular way of product promotions.

What are your thoughts about the importance of test marketing for businesses? Tell us about your thoughts in the comments below.