Website usability testing: observes, records and analyses real people’s behaviour when given tasks to achieve on your website. It aims to be objective. It is the only accurate way to measure web user satisfaction.
For a typical usability study, 5 real people are recruited to match your customer profile. They are each asked to participate in the study, which can last about 1 hour. They are normally compensated for their time.
- Participant performing a task in his natural environment
In the study, each person is given specially designed tasks to perform. The tasks reflect the specific goals the website owner finds important. Quantitative and qualitative data from the study allow for diagnosis of the true problem(s) and recommendations can then be provided to correct said issues.
Usability strengths and weaknesses are then reported to the website manager. In this written and video report, recommendations are provided to improve the website’s ease-of-use. Such suggestions are normally based upon a measurement of the 5 participant’s efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction in performing their given tasks.
Only 5 participants in a website usability test will uncover approximately 80% of the site’s usability issues.
Ideally, website usability testing is done on a regular basis (e.g. once per month) to continually improve the website and eliminate ease-of-use issues that occur as a result of rapidly changing web technologies (like social media).
As a website owner: have you tested your site with users? That is the only way to truly know if they are satisfied with your site.
Contact us today to book a usability study on your website!
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