Elementor, the world’s most popular web page builder, is still testing its upcoming Editor v4 under the alpha version release. No drama, no undue pressure, just thoughtful testing, careful iteration, and feedback. It is now over three months and counting since Elementor made the alpha release of the Editor V4, and as I write this, there’s still no official release date for a production-ready version, which (I think) is a good thing.
Here are a few things I am learning from this approach to developing software:
- Solid user experience isn’t built on urgency. It’s built on patience, feedback, and iteration.
It is not so uncommon for a product manager to walk into a stand-up meeting on a Monday and demand a Thursday launch for a fully featured, bug-free, and ready product intended to cater for thousands of users, availing no real time for strategy, benchmarking, and simulated tests. - Without strategy and holistic thinking, any attempt to execute a project will result in chaos and undue pressure.
- Great software isn’t just about the code. It’s a culture. A culture that values quality over speed, process over pressure, and prioritize user needs over bureaucratic egos. We must stop trying to win the race by skipping laps.
- Don’t chase market buzz at the cost of user trust. You can’t buy trust with Facebook ads or celebrity ambassadors. You can only earn it with reliable performance and a high-quality user experience.
- Nobody remembers who launched first. But everyone remembers who worked best.
So, trust your engineers. If they say it needs two more weeks, please show empathy by believing in them and possibly motivate them by asking questions and offering to assist. They’re not being lazy. They’re just protecting you from the harsh realities of a new software launch.
I’ve seen far too many apps on the Play Store dismissed by harsh reviews before they even had a chance to gain traction, and most never recover from it.
