User testing is a crucial part of developing highly usable applications that users can enjoy and use for longer periods of time. By observing and analyzing how real users interact with an application, software delivery teams can obtain relevant information about an app’s degree of usability, identify problems in a short period of time, reduce costs by detecting issues before going to market, and know how users will interact with the app and if its UX/UI design is well thought out.
Here are some tips for successful user testing:
1. Find the right tools to facilitate testing.
Thanks to new tools, user testing doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. There are free alternatives that you may already be familiar with such as Zoom, Jing, and Screenpresso for web apps, and simply using the “Screen Recording” option for iOS 11 and for Android v4. 3 or higher.
2. Explain the purpose of the test.
The user should be told that the purpose of the test is to evaluate the quality of use of the application and that he or she will not personally be evaluated, taking into account they’ve never had any prior exposure to the application, which is why they are the ideal test participant.
3. Don’t explain the app beforehand to the user.
The user shouldn’t be given information related to the application since the goal is to know how easy and understandable the app is on its own.
4. Ask relevant questions about the user.
Before starting, you can ask questions to know a little more about the user. These questions should be related to the business use of the application to verify if they have interacted with similar applications in the past.
5. Encourage the user to think out loud.
It should be made clear to the user that during the test he or she should think out loud, commenting on everything they are thinking when interacting with the application in order to help identify areas for improvement. In case the user doesn’t say anything when performing the test (maybe they are shy or simply forgot), the test administrator can intervene and ask the user what they are thinking as they move through the application.
6. Ask the user to complete specific tasks.
It’s a good practice to base the tasks on the functionalities that the final users will perform the most. Don’t ask the user at this time if the design is the most appropriate, since, at this point, the objective is to first find problems, not solutions.
7. Test the areas with the greatest risk.
Guide the user to test the parts in which the team has identified possible weaknesses in usability. To measure how usable a particular aspect or certain functionality is, the tasks given to the user should be related to it.
8. Let the user move on if they get stuck.
If the user gets stuck or blocked in any task, thank them for trying and ask them to continue with the next task. The fact that they got stuck should give you plenty of information right there, and don’t get frustrated! It’s your usability issue, not theirs.
9. Take note of everything.
Remember to record everything the user was commenting and the time it took to perform each task. It’s then useful to compile a summary of this information to share with the team later on and brainstorm ways to make the app more user-friendly.
10. How TestDel can help you?
TestDel, being a software testing company, can provide valuable assistance in conducting successful user testing. Here are some ways that TestDel can help:
10.1 Methodology:
TestDel provides a well-defined and structured methodology for user testing that is aligned with industry best practices. This ensures that the testing is conducted in a systematic and comprehensive manner, covering all critical areas of the application.
10.2 Expertise:
TestDel has a team of experienced and skilled testers who have expertise in conducting user testing. They are proficient in using various testing tools and techniques that can help identify usability issues and provide actionable feedback for improvement.
10.3 Test Plan:
TestDel can develop a comprehensive test plan that outlines the objectives, scope, test cases, and testing timeline for user testing. This helps in ensuring that the testing is conducted in an organized and timely manner.
10.4 Test Environment:
TestDel can set up a suitable test environment for user testing that mimics the actual user environment. This ensures that the testing is conducted under realistic conditions, providing accurate feedback on usability issues.
10.5 Reporting:
TestDel can provide detailed reports on the user testing, highlighting the issues encountered and providing recommendations for improvement. This helps in identifying areas that need improvement and ensuring that the application is user-friendly.
By partnering with TestDel, software development teams can conduct user testing with confidence, knowing that they have the necessary expertise and resources to conduct comprehensive and successful user testing.
11. Conclusion
In conclusion, user testing helps avoid costly mistakes and unsuccessful product launches. By applying these tips for your usability testing, you can obtain relevant information about an app’s degree of usability, identify problems in a short period of time, reduce costs by detecting issues before going to market, and know how users will interact with the app and if its UX/UI design is well thought out.