How To Improve Usability Testing

Usability testing is not easy as it looks. Sometimes you and the test participants can have quite a frustrating experience. I have learned some tips when I developed a website for client in education field. These tips could help you avoid some drawbacks in the future.

1. Give your test users specific questions

You should not assume that users will give great feedback on specific areas of the website. If you pick out areas of the website and ask for opinions, that would not help you much. Instead, you should ask specific questions that is related to the test participants so that they can give you a more detail feedback. Moreover, you should always ask for more clarifications and reasons behind why a certain feedback is given.

2. Observe the test participants' behaviors

You often have to conduct a test in person with the test participant. This becomes a good context to observe their reactions such as eye movements, face gestures, and body movements. This way could give a more realistic view of how they interact with the website. You should start off with some general questions to relax the test user, then move to a certain topic, and watch their reaction either closely or remotely.

3. Let the test participants be relaxed and free

Space gives test participants quite a huge boost in relaxation. They tend to give more accurate response to each part of the website if you give them time and space to do so. People simply need their freedom to have their own way. Each person reacts differently with each aspect of a website. Some might find privacy issue more important than convenience. Some may think the opposite. They may refrain from expressing their view if we do not give them the freedom. So in any case, you should give your test users a relaxed environment so that they can run off the track and explore things from your website that may interest them.

4. Match the tasks with the current test user

Test users often give up easily if they find your questions boring and too general. You should set your questions to each user's specific context. There is a huge advantage to learn about each test user before the test. For example, it could be what they like about certain services and how long they have been using the product. By doing that, it gives you a sense of each person and let you tailor your test scenario accordingly. Consequently, test users will give more accurate reactions and feedback to us. 

References

Gross, J. (2013, 11 19). How Usability Testing Drastically Improved My Client’s App. Retrieved from Smashing Magazine: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2013/11/19/how-usability-testing-drastically-improved-my-clients-app/

Weber, H. (n.d.). Basics of Website Usability Testing. Retrieved from MonsterPost: http://blog.templatemonster.com/2011/09/14/usability-testing-basics/