Skip to content
Join live – Get insights, tips, + Q&A from Sanity developers on our latest releases
Sanity
    • Platform

      Sanity Studio

      Flexible editing environment

      APIs

      Connect to anything

      Content Lake

      Real-time database

      Try product demo

      Features

      Real-time collaboration

      Fearlessly work with content

      Precise content querying

      Treat content as data with GROQ

      Localization

      Coherent messaging across territories

    • Use cases

      E-commerce

      Richer shopping experiences

      Marketing sites

      Control your story

      Products & services

      Innovate and automate

      Mobile apps

      Content backend for every OS

      View all

      Integrations

      Shopify
      Mux
      Vercel
      Netlify
      Algolia
      Cloudinary
      BigCommerce
      Commerce Layer
      Smartling
      Transifex
      View all
    • Learn

      Documentation
      Studio API Reference
      API reference
      Guides
      GROQ cheat sheet
      Sanity UI
      Get started

      Build and share

      Templates
      Tools and plugins
      Schemas and snippets
      Project showcase
      Share your work
      Browse Exchange

      Frameworks

      React
      Vue
      Next.js
      Nuxt.js
      Svelte
      Remix
      Gatsby
      Astro
      Angular
      Eleventy
      View all
    • Discover

      Blog
      Resource library
      Glossary
      Agency partners
      Become a partner
      Technical support
      Talk to sales

      Case studies

      Puma

      Source of truth for global markets

      Aether

      Unique digital shopping experience

      Morning Brew

      Omnichannel media distribution

      InVision

      Delivering exceptional customer experiences

      View all

      Popular guides

      Headless CMS
      Structured content
      Content modeling
      Headless SEO
      Static websites
      View all
    • Enterprise
    • Pricing
    • Log in
    • Contact sales
    • Get started
Contact salesGet started

Page content

  • What is a feature rollout?
  • The importance of feature rollouts in software development
  • How to implement a successful feature rollout
  • Best practices for feature rollout
  • All glossary terms

      • Accessibility
      • Angular
      • Astro

      • Client Side Rendering (CSR)
      • Composability
      • Content Delivery Network (CDN)
      • Content block
      • Custom input component
      • Customer Data Platform (CDP)

      • Deployment
      • Document Object Model

      • Editing environment
      • Eleventy (11ty)
      • Extensibility

      • Feature flags
      • Feature rollout
      • Feature testing
      • Flutter
      • Front end

      • Gatsby
      • GraphQL

      • Hot Module Replacement (HMR)
      • Hugo

      • Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR)

      • JSX
      • Jamstack
      • JavaScript framework

      • Markdown
      • Modular content

      • Next.js
      • Node.js
      • Nuxt

      • Personalization engine
      • Progressive Web Application (PWA)

      • Query Language

      • React Native
      • React.js
      • Release cycle
      • Remix
      • Rendering
      • Reusable content
      • Rich Text
      • Role-Based Access Control

      • SAML
      • Server Side Rendering (SSR)
      • Single Page Application (SPA)
      • Single Sign-On (SSO)
      • Svelte
      • SvelteKit

      • User flow

      • Vite
      • Vue.js

      • Webhook
    Back to glossary

    Feature rollout definition

    A feature rollout is a strategic process of introducing new software functionalities to users in a controlled and phased manner.

    Page content

    • What is a feature rollout?
    • The importance of feature rollouts in software development
    • How to implement a successful feature rollout
    • Best practices for feature rollout
  • All glossary terms

      • Accessibility
      • Angular
      • Astro

      • Client Side Rendering (CSR)
      • Composability
      • Content Delivery Network (CDN)
      • Content block
      • Custom input component
      • Customer Data Platform (CDP)

      • Deployment
      • Document Object Model

      • Editing environment
      • Eleventy (11ty)
      • Extensibility

      • Feature flags
      • Feature rollout
      • Feature testing
      • Flutter
      • Front end

      • Gatsby
      • GraphQL

      • Hot Module Replacement (HMR)
      • Hugo

      • Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR)

      • JSX
      • Jamstack
      • JavaScript framework

      • Markdown
      • Modular content

      • Next.js
      • Node.js
      • Nuxt

      • Personalization engine
      • Progressive Web Application (PWA)

      • Query Language

      • React Native
      • React.js
      • Release cycle
      • Remix
      • Rendering
      • Reusable content
      • Rich Text
      • Role-Based Access Control

      • SAML
      • Server Side Rendering (SSR)
      • Single Page Application (SPA)
      • Single Sign-On (SSO)
      • Svelte
      • SvelteKit

      • User flow

      • Vite
      • Vue.js

      • Webhook

    What is a feature rollout?

    A feature rollout, also known as a feature release, is a method used in software development to safely introduce new functionalities or enhancements to a portion of users before making it available to all. This approach allows developers to test and optimize the new feature based on user feedback and performance data, ensuring a smooth and successful release.

    In this process, feature flags or toggles play a pivotal role. These are conditional codes that enable or disable specific functionalities without the need for deploying new code. This allows for more control, experimentation, and risk mitigation during the rollout process.

    In essence, feature rollout is a strategic and controlled approach to launching new features that minimizes risk, encourages collaboration, and allows for continuous improvement based on user feedback and data.

    The importance of feature rollouts in software development

    In software development, the approach to feature rollouts serves as a crucial strategy for enhancing user experience and driving innovation. It allows developers to introduce new functionalities or improvements in a controlled and phased manner, reducing the risk of potential issues affecting all users simultaneously.

    Feature rollouts are often associated with the concept of continuous delivery, where software updates can be released to production at any given time. This approach facilitates frequent code deployments in smaller batches, making it easier to identify and fix bugs, thus ensuring a smoother user experience.

    One of the key advantages of feature rollouts is the ability to gather user feedback and performance data during the early stages of release. This valuable information guides further optimization and refinement of the feature before it's rolled out to all users.

    In the case of Sanity, feature rollouts are used to test and optimize new features. By enabling real-time adjustments without redeployment, Sanity provides a flexible editing environment that helps businesses deliver personalized and context-specific experiences across all channels and devices.

    Feature rollouts also promote cross-team collaboration. By involving different stakeholders in the testing and release process, it ensures that the new feature aligns with both user needs and business objectives.

    A feature rollout is not just about introducing new functionalities; it's about doing so in a strategic, controlled, and user-centric manner. It's an essential practice for any software development team aiming to deliver high-quality, innovative, and user-friendly products.

    How to implement a successful feature rollout

    Implementing a successful feature rollout requires a strategic approach that combines careful planning, rigorous testing, and effective communication.

    Start by designing the new feature and outlining its expected benefits and potential risks. This process involves comprehensive research and collaboration among different stakeholders, including developers, product managers, and user experience experts.

    Next, develop a release strategy that details the rollout stages, timelines, and key milestones. This strategy should include the use of feature flags to control the release of the new feature without deploying new code. Feature flags enable you to gradually release the feature to a subset of users, allowing for real-time adjustments based on user feedback and performance data.

    Testing is another critical step in the feature rollout process. Conduct thorough testing in different environments to identify any bugs or issues before the actual release.

    Remember, a successful feature rollout is not just about launching a new functionality; it's about enhancing user experience, driving innovation, and supporting business objectives in a strategic and controlled manner.

    Best practices for feature rollout

    When implementing a feature rollout, it's essential to adhere to several best practices to ensure a smooth and successful release.

    Firstly, it's crucial to have a detailed rollout plan in place. This plan should outline the stages of the rollout, set realistic timelines and milestones, and establish clear communication channels with all stakeholders.

    Secondly, make use of feature flags or toggles. These are conditional codes that enable or disable specific functionalities without deploying new code. They provide more control over the rollout process, allowing for real-time adjustments based on user feedback and performance data.

    Next, consider using a phased release approach. This involves gradually releasing the new feature to a subset of users before making it available to all. This method allows for testing and optimization in the early stages of release, reducing the risk of potential issues affecting all users simultaneously.

    Another important practice is to gather and analyze user feedback and performance data during the early stages of release. This information can guide further optimization and refinement of the feature before it's rolled out to all users.

    Lastly, ensure clear and consistent communication with all stakeholders throughout the rollout process. Regular updates about the progress, challenges, and successes can help manage expectations and foster a culture of transparency and collaboration.

    A successful feature rollout requires careful planning, strategic use of feature flags, phased release approach, data-driven optimization, and effective communication. By following these best practices, software development teams can ensure a smooth and successful feature rollout.

    Ready to explore Sanity?

    Find out more about how we optimize new features for a seamless user experience.

    Watch demo nowSign up free

    Last updated: November 13, 2023

    Product

    Sanity StudioAPIsContent LakeSecurity & Compliance
    • Sanity vs Contentful
    • Sanity vs Strapi
    • Sanity vs Wordpress
    • Sanity vs Adobe Experience Manager
    • Sanity vs Hygraph
    • Sanity vs Sitecore
    • Sanity vs Storyblok
    • Sanity vs Contentstack
    • Sanity vs Prismic
    • Sanity vs Drupal
    • Sanity vs ButterCMS

    Resources

    DocumentationBlogResource libraryCase Studies
    • React Blog
    • Gatsby Blog
    • Next.js Landing Pages
    • Making a PWA
    • Single Page Application
    • Svelte & Typescript App
    • Vue & Tailwind Blog
    • Developer Portfolio Templates
    • Form validation with Yup
    • Live Preview with Next.js and Sanity.io
    • Next.js blog
    • Next.js personal website
    • Clean Next.js + Sanity app
    • Clean Remix + Sanity app
    • Clean SvelteKit + Sanity app
    • All Templates
    • Agency partners
    • Technology partners
    • Headless CMS 101
    • Static Sites 101
    • Headless Commerce 101
    • CMS for enterprise
    • Headless SEO
    • Localization
    • Content as a Service
    • What is a DXP?
    • Typescript 101
    • Ecommerce SEO
    • What is a Composable DXP?
    • What is an API?
    • GraphQL vs REST
    • React CMS
    • Next.JS CMS
    • CMS for Shopify
    • API-first CMS
    • Content platform
    • Multilingual CMS
    • Static Site CMS
    • Gatsby CMS
    • Node CMS
    • E-commerce CMS
    • Vue CMS
    • Angular CMS
    • GraphQL CMS
    • Newspaper CMS
    • Magazine CMS
    • CMS for apps
    • Remix CMS
    • Nuxt CMS
    • SvelteKit CMS
    • Agile CMS
    • Eleventy CMS
    • Multisite CMS

    Company

    Contact SalesEnterpriseCareersTerms of ServicePrivacy PolicyAccessibility Statement

    Stay connected

    • GitHub
    • Slack
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • Stack Overflow
    • Blog RSS
    • Newsletter
    ©Sanity 2023