Approach
Quick turnaround, cost-effective usability testing
We specialise in online usability testing, also known as remote usability testing or unmoderated usability testing.
In the beginning: a bit of history
Before the advent of online usability testing, user testing was traditionally performed in a lab environment and was a time-consuming, labour-intensive, and costly process. Even if you had competent usability specialists on staff, running a lab-based usability test was a logistical headache, which typically involved:
- Hiring a usability lab, potentially for several days or even weeks
- Recruiting suitable people to participate in the test
- Setting up the lab, possibly installing recording or mouse tracking software
- Organising technical personnel and equipment to record the testing sessions
- Coordinating the schedules of all involved (test participants, usability specialists, and technical staff)
- Designing the test
- Conducting the test with one user at a time
- Paying one or more usability specialists to administer and supervise the test
- Completing all the post-test work of collating the feedback and documenting the results
Online usability testing: the modern approach
Online usability testing is the modern, affordable alternative to traditional, lab-based user testing. Online usability testing:
- Has a much quicker turnaround time, as multiple participants can complete the test online simultaneously. As a result, we can usually run the test and get the feedback back to you in less time than it would typically take you to even set up a traditional, lab-based test.
- Is much more cost-effective, as it removes the need for premises and equipment, and requires fewer personnel. Rather than blowing the entire testing budget on one lab-based test, you can test early, test often. This makes it particularly well suited to businesses that follow agile development or iterative design processes.
- More closely replicates the users' normal environments when using a website, web app, or mobile/smartphone site or app than the lab environment, where the presence of a test supervisor or observer can make participants feel that they, rather than the site/app, are being tested.
- Makes it possible to test with users with specialist backgrounds or from specific demographic groups that may not be available to participate in a lab-based user test. For example, online usability testing enables you to test your site or app with overseas customers, as participants only need an internet connection and smartphone or a PC with a webcam.
If you're ready to get in touch, just call us at +353 (0)1 5475145 or email hello@userstory.ie. Or, if you prefer, you can also submit your query via our contact form.
Professional Accreditations
