You’ve poured your heart and soul into a product, but it failed, despite the time and effort you invested in it’s development. Why'd it fail? There’s a good chance that you didn't fully grasp your user's needs and behaviours, leading to a product that didn't resonate.
That’s where user testing comes into play. Testing saves you from such pitfalls. User testing is the process of evaluating a product by observing real users as they interact with it. Research by Nielsen Norman Group indicates that testing with just 5 users can uncover about 85% of usability problems.
So, let’s dive in straight to know more about usability testing, the various ways of doing it, how to analyse test results and more.
Why use usability testing?
Simply put, usability testing is a method used to evaluate how easy and intuitive a product, such as a website, app or software, is to use. And a product with an effortless experience could yield great returns.
But do we really need it if we have an expert UX designer? Yes! That’s because even the finest UX designers can't design the optimal user interface without knowing the insights and observations of a user.
User testing helps identify issues, validate design decisions and improve the overall user experience. It enhances overall product design by providing actionable insights from potential customers that guide iterative improvements. This makes sure that the product is evaluated from a user-centred perspective and meets the needs of its intended audience.
User testing metrics like task completion rate, time on-task, error rate, System Usability Scale (SUS) and Net Promoter Score (NPS) contribute to a more satisfying and efficient customer experience.
Various usability testing methods
Each testing method has its own value and use case in the design and development process. Let’s get to know the 3 testing methods. 👇
Qualitative and Quantitative tests
Ideally, you'll look at both qualitative and quantitative data to come to a conclusion.
1 - Qualitative usability tests
Qualitative tests aim to understand the "why" behind user behaviour. Methods such as thinking-aloud, interviews and card sorting are used to gather subjective feedback.
2 - Quantitative tests
Quantitative usability tests focus on measuring the "what" and "how much" according to user behaviour.
Methods such as error rates, ratings and task completion times are used to collect numerical data. Outputs from these tests evaluate the effectiveness of design changes and making data-driven decisions.
Moderated and unmoderated testing
Moderated testing involves a facilitator guiding users. Conversely, unmoderated testing allows users to complete tasks independently..
1 - Moderated testing
Moderated usability testing involves a facilitator who guides participants through tasks while observing and asking questions. This method allows for real-time interaction giving deeper insights and can be conducted in-person or remotely via video conferencing.
However, at times, it can be time-consuming and costly, as it requires the presence of a moderator and a moderator can only moderate so many testers at once.
2 - Unmoderated testing
Unmoderated usability testing involves participants completing tasks independently, often remotely, with their actions and feedback recorded. This method doesn't need a moderator, as participants follow pre-set instructions.
Unmoderated testing can reach, a larger and more diverse audience quickly, making it a cost-effective option. However, it lacks the real-time interaction and guidance of moderated testing, which can limit the depth of insights gathered.
Remote and on-site testing
Remote testing allows users to participate from anywhere, while on-site testing occurs in a controlled, in-person environment.
1 - Remote testing
Remote usability testing is conducted with participants in different locations, often using online tools and platforms. This method allows for a broader and more diverse participant pool, as it eliminates geographical constraints.
However, remote testing can face technical issues and lacks the controlled environment of on-site testing.
2 - On-site testing
On-site usability testing is conducted in a controlled environment, such as a usability lab. This method provides full control over the testing environment, allowing for close observation of participants.
On-site testing is ideal for gathering detailed and accurate data as it minimises external distractions. However, it's more time-consuming and costly, and it's limited to participants who can physically attend the testing location.
Steps to implement usability testing
Now that you know what a usability test is and how to do one, the next step is learning how to set one up👇
1 - Define your goals
Usability testing goals should align with specific aspects of the user experience on your platform. You can begin by breaking down these tasks into qualitative and quantitative metrics you want users to tackle.
For example, quantitative goals can be to make task completion rates to be 90%. And your qualitative goals can be to identify and understand user frustrations during the app usage
2 - Pick your participants
Next up, you need to find the right people to test your product. Select candidates who match your user base — age, gender and demography. You can choose to mix it up as well, because different perspectives give you better insights. You might want to use your co-workers and your professional network, as they are likely to be most willing to participate. You can also do outreach via social media.
3 - Set up your testing environment
Now it's time to set the stage. Decide if you're going remote or on-site. Remote testing lets you reach a broader audience, while on-site testing gives you more control over the environment. Up next, choose the right software for recording and analysing the results.Don't forget to write a script to guide your participants through the test.
4 - Run the tests
Give participants a quick rundown of what they're doing and why it matters before they begin doing the tasks. Observe and see how they naturally interact with your product and ask for their thoughts after each task.
Also, don't forget to take lots of notes, as every little detail can be a goldmine of info.
5 - Analyse the results
Time to dig into the data. You can begin by going through all the recordings and notes. Look for patterns and trends and spot frictions, as in where did users get stuck? What confused them?
6 - Share your findings
It's time to share your findings with the team. You can begin by writing a clear report with well-defined visuals to make it interesting. Present your findings and get everyone's input to decide on the next steps.
7 - Make improvements
Finally, put your recommendations into action by fixing those issues. Usability testing is a cycle. Which gives you a chance to learn every time you exercise it. Now, finally it’s time to go out there and make your products shine.
Analysing usability testing results
Let's understand how you can analyse usability testing results, from discussing how to interpret testing data to exploring how to iterate and improve designs based on feedback.
Interpreting testing data
Once you've gathered all your data from usability tests, it's time to interpret it. Here are some key steps:
1 - Quantitative data
You can look at some metrics like task completion rates, time taken to complete tasks and error rates. These numbers can give you a clear picture of how well users are performing. For example, if most users are taking too long to complete a task, it might indicate a usability issue.
2 - Qualitative data
Review user comments, observations and feedback. This can provide insights into why users are struggling or succeeding. If multiple users mention the same issue, it's likely a significant problem.
3 - Heatmaps and click maps
If you use tools that track user interactions, analyse heatmaps and click maps. These visual representations can show you where users are focusing their attention and where they are struggling and confused.
4 - User satisfaction scores
If you collected user satisfaction ratings, you can calculate overall user happiness. Low scores indicate areas that need improvement.
Common formats for reporting results
Here are some common formats for reporting results:
1 - Executive summary
Start with a brief overview of the testing goals, methodology and key findings. This gives stakeholders a quick look at the most important information.
2 - Detailed findings
Break down your findings into sections based on the tasks or areas tested. Include both quantitative and qualitative data. You can use bullet points, charts and graphs to make the information easy to digest.
3 - User quotes and screenshots
Incorporate direct user quotes and screenshots to illustrate your points. This adds a human touch and makes the report more engaging.
4 - Recommendations
For each issue identified, provide clear and actionable recommendations. Explain why the issue is important and how the recommended changes will improve the user experience.
5- Appendices
Include any additional data or materials that support your findings, such as full transcripts of user sessions or detailed heatmaps.
Iterating and improving designs
Based on feedback, usability testing is just the beginning. The real magic happens when you use feedback to change and improve your designs. Here’s how:
1 - Prioritise issues
Not all issues are equally important. Use prioritisation metrics to rank issues based on their severity and impact on user experience. Focus on high-priority issues first.
2 - Brainstorm solutions
Gather your team and brainstorm potential solutions for each issue. Encourage creative thinking and brainstorm on multiple approaches to the problem.
3 - Prototype and test
Create prototypes of your proposed solutions and conduct further usability testing. This can be done quickly and iteratively to validate your changes.
4 - Implement changes
Once you’ve validated your solutions, implement the changes in your product. Make sure to communicate these changes to your team and stakeholders.
5 - Monitor and iterate
Continuously monitor user feedback and performance metrics. You should always be prepared to iterate and make further improvements as needed.
Putting it all together
Analysing usability testing results is a crucial step in creating user-friendly products. By interpreting the data, reporting your findings clearly and using the feedback to iterate and improve your designs, you can make sure that your product meets the needs of your users.
So, grab your data, get your team together and start turning those insights into action.
Conclusion
Usability testing is the key to unlocking that potential and standing out in the crowded market.
By understanding and addressing the needs and pain points of your users, you can create a product that not only meets but exceeds their expectations.
But, if you haven’t built your software yet, worry not! Builder.ai is a composable software platform that helps you build your software efficiently. We:
✅ - Assign you a dedicated project manager, who keeps all stakeholders on your software project aligned and on track — and you never need to speak to a software developer or write a single line of code
✅ - Speed up development time by giving you access to a comprehensive library of reusable features, fitted together by AI
✅ - Give you upfront costs and competitive timelines so your project stays under control
If that’s something you’d like to explore, please get in touch 👇
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Stories published by the editorial team at Builder.ai.
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