8 Usability Testing Methods That Work

Usability testing is performed to enhance the overall value of a product or application in terms of usability, user experience, reliability and performance aspects. The users should be able to easily navigate and use the product without any difficulties whatsoever. The user-friendliness of a product or application is determined by usability testing. To further enhance the effectiveness of this testing method, there are a few usability testing methods that can boost the performance of the testing process. In this article, you will know about the eight specific usability testing methods.

What is Usability testing?

It is a testing method that ensures that a software product or application that is being tested is usable and has a great user experience. The user-friendliness of a product is evaluated through this testing method. Users are involved to test the product in a real-time environment and then providing their feedback, which will in turn help the team to make better decisions and make necessary corrections to enhance the product quality.

Following are the eight usability testing methods:

1. Moderated usability testing: A participant has a moderator, which acts as a guide during the testing process. The role of the moderator is to ask follow-up questions, streamline the session, provide specific instructions to users for carrying out the tasks and provide appropriate solutions as and when required. Moderated usability testing can be done either remotely or in-person. A proper questionnaire should be provided to the participants so that they can undertake the testing process smoothly.

2. Unmoderated usability testing: As the name says, in this method the testing process is carried out without a moderator. Right before the testing process, specific tasks and instructions are provided to the participants to carry out their activities accordingly.

3. Remote Usability testing: It is a testing method where the researcher and participant are located in different locations. In this method, participants use their own devices to complete the tasks in a natural environment. The sessions can be either unmoderated or moderated and can be conducted through a usability testing platform or over the phone.

4. Contextual inquiry: In this method, the people are observed in their natural contexts, such as their home or office to know what is their opinion and liking about a specific product or application. The way users perform their activities is observed by the researcher and then the questions are asked to understand the specific reasons behind those actions.

5. Lab usability testing: A set of tasks are completed by participants on a mobile device or a computer, under the supervision of the trained moderator. The moderator asks questions, observes their interactions and replies to their feedback. This testing method is conducted in a purpose-built laboratory. One of the main benefits of conducting lab usability testing is that it provides comprehensive information about the user’s experience and interaction with the product.

6. Guerrilla testing: It is a low-cost and quick way of testing the product through the medium of real users. There is no specific audience that is being targeted, rather random individuals are selected from public places and are asked to perform an easy test in return for a small gift. This testing method lasts for only a few minutes but revolves around tasks that can in turn help in improving the product or application’s efficiency.

7. Session recording: The user’s interaction with the site is properly analyzed using this testing method. The specific actions of the visitors/users visiting the site are recorded in specific software. Actions such as scrolling, clicks and mouse movement are observed and recorded. Session recording data helps in understanding the user’s most interesting features, where they stumble or leave and also discover their interaction problems.

8. Phone interview: In this method, the participants are asked by a moderator to complete specific tasks on their device and then provide their feedback. As the user’s interactions are recorded remotely, hence, the feedback is automatically collected. Phone interviews prove to be really useful when participants are located at different locations across the globe and their feedback needs to be obtained.

Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing usability testing for your specific project, then do get connected with a leading software testing services company that will provide you with methodical testing solutions that are in line with your project specific requirements.

About the author: I am a technical content writer focused on writing technology specific articles. I strive to provide well-researched information on the leading market savvy technologies.