This article was written by Prashant Jawale. Prashant is a usability tester at Techved Consulting, which specializes in other fields like e-commerce website solutions as well. You may follow Prashant via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or his blog.
In usability testing, insight of the consumer is taken into consideration. The scope of the project is the intial step and in the ending stage, advice on actionable usability tests is given. For every organization, the output of that company gives them a clear idea to move in a forward direction and invest in improving the user experience, which can lead to an increase in visitor to customer conversion ratio. There can be some internal politics in your company, which usability testing can reduce to a large extent and improve unity among your team. This makes them work towards a common goal as the proof is directly from your esteemed customer.
What can be tested using usability testing?
Usability testing involves the process of hiring real-world users in your target audience in order to find out the ease-of-use while using a given interface to complete their desired objective. Different mediums like websites, mobile applications, software products, etc. are subjected to usability testing for improved user experience. There are many other areas to which usability testing can be applied, like printing of advertisement and video ad campaigns, etc.
What are the advantages of usability testing?
- By reducing investment in call center inquires, which are very costly and by elimination of barriers to sales, we can get maximum return on investment from usability testing.
- Elimination of problems associated with end user experience.
- Selection of design, which is approved from user’s point of view, enables to inform decisions of business.
- Ability to provide in-depth insight about the perception of your targeted audience about your product.
Usability testing types
- Exploratory testing which involves users to test on existing website designs.
- Competitor design analysis, which involves comparing already existing designs or competitors design and evaluates which one gives the best user experience.
- Last minute testing, which is done just prior to launch of the website to identify the last minute issues to be fixed before the website is launched.
- In depth testing after launch of website. There can be an addition of expert views to usability testing, which helps identifying issues even before participation of real users.
When is it advisable to perform usability testing and how often should it be performed?
At any stage in the development process, usability testing can be conducted. A user-centered approach should be adopted even if a prototype is developed for a new website or renewing and an existing old website. Web usability testing will always provide you with valuable information and inputs that will support your design process at its best.
About the frequency of performing usability, it depends on the company and how it is committed to deliver quality to its client’s.Normally, usability testing rounds should be carried every 6 months to keep up with the users needs.
How to find testers for usability testing?
Finding and hiring usability testing participants is a hectic and tricky job.So,at techved this is done in simplicity. Normally a time span of about two weeks is required to get the participants which belong to the targeted audience and also who have profile which can be agreed upon .
Costing of usability testing?
Costing is primarily dependent on the type of usability testing to be carried out, number of participants and the website or product for which testing has to be done.
