1) You should use the PlayStore beta program because then you won't have to teach users how to sideload your app from your website, and users will automatically be notified of new beta versions.
2) NEVER give out an APK with the DEBUG key - ALWAYS use your own key regardless if the app is a beta or release
1) You should use the PlayStore beta program because then you won't have to teach users how to sideload your app from your website, and users will automatically be notified of new beta versions.
2) NEVER give out an APK with the DEBUG key - ALWAYS use your own key regardless if the app is a beta or release
Yes - the key represents you as a company and will be linked to your google developer account when you upload your first app under your account - so the same key will be used for all the apps you as a company produce under your google developer account , release and betas alike.
But don't forget that the app must then comply with the guidelines. An app of mine was once removed in a closed beta because I used admob but didn't upload a privacy policy.