Posted by There are many instances when you are in online but you are unable to find what you are looking for. It is often frustrating experience users have to go through. Therefore, this is where a site usability testing comes in handy. Website usability testing should be a routine practice for website owners if their online businesses are to become successful.
What is Website Usability Testing?
This is the complex website evaluation including its ease of use, to the efficiency of the site’s technical elements. The ease of use of a site is dependent on its UI-design. The UI-design involves the creation of a visual interface, or a prototype of a product, which is likely to convenient to the site users. The functionality, on the other hand, is tested during the web audit.
Steps To Effectively Conduct a Website Usability Testing
Create a prototype
This is an interactive demo of a site which is used to gather feedback from your clients and the site’s stakeholders. It is created early in the initial stages of a product or service before the project goes into final development.
Get users on board through
Conduct a user testing recruitment and get a team as well as your buyers who will take part in the usability test.
Perform interviews
You do not have to guess how your users’ experience on your site. You have to talk to them. Reach out to your target audience be it your current friends, customers or acquaintances. Have a conversation with them on their experience shopping online, and you will have to come up with a set of questions that relates to your website and how they shop online in general. Ask questions like what annoys them while shopping, or whether they have ever stopped in the middle of purchasing something online etc.
Create a test plan
Test plans inform your team or users what to do before and during the usability test. You come up with instructions based on the objectives of your usability test. The test plan is shaped by situation analysis eg the assessment, audience, and timing.
Perform surveys
Remember to send surveys to your focus group participants and customers alike when they make a purchase to gain insight on their user experience with your site. Use programs that let you collect answers to the questions you have in a speedy manner.
Test moderation
A test can be moderated or un-moderated. In a moderated test, one is live on the line with your participants. You guide them through the task replying to their feedback and answering their questions.
Carry out a usability test
Next, sit your focus group participants in front of a PC to go through the process of browsing, searching and purchasing on your site. This lets you watch the group in action and monitor their experience throughout the activities. Track the time it takes for them to complete actions and monitor when they have trouble. While on this, ask them questions so you understand what to fix and what to improve.
Test using various browsers
Most online purchases these days happen on mobile devices. Therefore, remember to do as many tests on desktop as well as on mobile devices. Test it on various web browsers too.
Report the findings of the test
Ensure you focus on your findings and the recommendations which are differentiated based on the level of severity. Report vital information from the test, presenting adequate information to make the problem identifiable. Keep short sections, and use tables to demonstrate metrics. Also, use visual examples when demonstrating problem areas.
Conclusion
There are many more tips to use for a perfect site usability test. Remember that customers’ habits change over time, and therefore, your site should also adapt to these changes. Frequent usability test will ensure your site changes according to their behaviour and also the site usability is enhanced always.
This is a guest post by Emily Lamp. Emily Lamp is a freelance writer, working closely with many aspiring thinkers and entrepreneurs from various companies. She is also interested in business and technology and loves sharing her experiences through her writing. Say hi to Emily on Twitter @EmilyLamp2
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