There is a great deal that stands between the user and the actual conversion of that customer,so creating the most friendly user experience possible is a major factor in converting those users. If we want to lead the user in a specific direction, we need to make it easy for them to choose to go in that direction. One of the most important aspects of ensuring a great user experience is user testing, and it should not be overlooked. The design interface is another very important element when it comes to user experience because it provides the initial reaction the user has to the site. According to ConversionXL, “It takes about 50 milliseconds for users to form an opinion about your website that determines whether they like your site or not, and whether they’ll stay or leave.”
After the design is in place, it comes time for testing of the functionality and if the design works as intended. This testing should start at the beginning and not the end of the process, which is a mistake that is often made with user testing. This can lead to big bug fixes being found towards the end of the design and development process that could have been found earlier in the process. Implementing user testing early in the process can not only save your team time, but can ultimately save your company money and keeps your project within budget.
Common problems that can be avoided by Usability Testing:
Links that are broken
Site errors on the page
Grammar and spelling errors within the content
Inconsistent branding message
Poor design layout
Potential user errors
Testing is an ongoing process throughout the design and build of the entire site. The more usability testing you do, the better grasp you will have on how your users think and how you can give them what they want and need. You should also keep in mind you will need to test across multiple browsers and devices. The site may perform differently on an iPhone versus an Android tablet or look different on Google Chrome or it may perform better on Mozilla Firefox.
Five Benefits of Usability Testing:
Finding out if users are able to complete the tasks at hand successfully without any issues
The amount of time it takes to complete specified tasks the site intends for you to complete will be revealed
Satisfaction scale of users with your website
Find changes that may need to be implemented to improve user performance and enjoyment
Evaluate the performance to see if it meets your usability goals
Remember to ensure that the user testing scenarios consist of real-world user scenarios and that whomever is doing the testing is replicating how the product or website would actually be used. You also want to make sure that the user can go through the tasks without help because you want to see how a user would truly react in the product’s live environment.
Usability testing allows the design and development teams to find problems before they are found by the end user. The earlier these bugs are found and then fixed, the less expensive it is for the client and it will ensure for a smoother process once the website is launched or a new phase of that build is released. User testing should always be worked into a project scope to ensure a successful website or application. To learn more about Usability testing, visit the websites listed in resources below for some great tips/tricks, as well as evidence to back up the true importance of testing for success.
Resources:
Great Web Design Tips
User Testing.com
Conversion XL
Usability.gov
About the Author
Sally Tanner
Sally is our resident pageant winner. Having held the title of Little Miss Exxon 1982, she's adamant about wearing her crown on a daily basis. This girl isn't just a beauty, her sharp wit and dry humor will keep you on your toes. Her deepest desire is to work from home 90% of the time and only go into the office on days we have happy hours or lunches. Sally loves cheese in queso form.
Source: http://docphy.com/technology/computers/software/5-benefits-usability-testing.html
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