Website Review 4: User Testing For Websites

For week 4 we are talking about user testing and how it is done.

First let's describe what user testing is: User testing is part of the design process that allows web developers the opportunity to have their site tested to better understand how users interact with it. By doing this as part of the design process it allows the developer to gain insight on user trends, get feedback on areas of improvement, workout bugs and overall give users a better experience before it is launched to the public.

There are two types of testing that can be done: Moderated - This is in-person where someone will lead the testers with what tasks to do, and Un-moderated - This is where the users will be on their own and given a list of tasks to complete.

There are pros and cons to each, for example moderated you can get quick feedback but it can also be costly and time consuming. For un-moderated it is much cheaper and but the feedback can take longer or the testers may get confused at the tasks given.

Below are a couple of sites that talk about user testing:

• qualtrics.com
• testim.io
• seoplus.com

1. What is done for user testing?

In user testing the tester or group of testers would be given a list of tasks or scenarios to complete. During the testing they would be asked to give their expectations or frustrations as they navigated through the task. After completing the tasks they would offer feedback about their experience of what did or didn't work well. At the very end they may need to answer some follow up questions so that the researcher can gain a deeper insight on preferences.

2. How are different versions of browsers tested?

You would set up a list of browsers and test scenarios that you want to target. Next you would then preferably have a team of people testing on a browser emulator so that you can cover all the browsers you have targeted to have your site on and the list of tasks you want to do.