Soft-launching a product is sometimes used to gather data or customer feedback, prior to making it widely available during an official release or grand opening.
A company may also choose a soft launch to test the functionality of a product, allowing adjustments to be made before a wider release and marketing efforts are implemented.
A soft launch permits a company to react to customer demands quickly and effectively, introducing new features which will ultimately make the product successful.
For companies with a limited budget, a soft launch can allow them to focus on product development rather than marketing.
In many instances, soft launches of hardware are done in major metropolitan areas where the company has access to a wide variety of demographic groups.
Soft launches are also used for software, with a small release being made to a limited group of individuals for beta testing.
Early beta testers can grow attached to the program and will continue to download new versions as they are released.
The primary purpose of a soft launch is to gather feedback, test functionality, and make adjustments.
[3] The term "soft launch" has been used by social media influencers to hint at the existence of a significant other without making a formal announcement, as a subtler alternative to a "boyfriend reveal".