diy website usability testing
DESCRIPTION
Video is here: http://bit.ly/ac0jSA Slides from a presentation I gave at WordCamp Boulder 2010. It's all about no-excuse usability testing - how to do it yourself and on the cheap. Because, if it's worth putting on the web, it's worth testing. Now, super-sized with NOTES!!TRANSCRIPT
with Steve!@CleverCubed
DIY USABILITY TESTINGor
“The Legend of the Untested Website”A tale of pain and lost conversions
Web Usability:
WHAT?
What is website usability?
Usability:How well we can use and learn a product in order to achieve a particular goal, and how satisfied we are with the process.
The “technical” definition… *yawn*
Let me explain:On every website, there are obstacles between users and their goal.
The goal of good usability is to remove those obstacles.
$=+
Because Users + Goals = More Money…
=+
…and a happier world.
WHAT?
Some usability mistakes are obvious…
WHAT?
…some seem like a good idea at the time, but in practice are just confusing.
WHAT?
Any guesses as to what business this company is in? Check out their site: http://www.factorylabs.com/
WHAT?
Just TRY to navigate around this website:http://www.thomasedison.org/
WHAT?
How long will it take you to find the listing of categories on this website? Or, what Reddit even is? http://www.reddit.com/
This site is a travesty. There are so many problems, I don’t know where to start http://www.gizmodo.com/
Web Usability:
WHY?
So, why bother with user testing at all?“I built the site, it makes sense to me!!”
WHY?
We think we know our users, but we don’t.
WHY?
We think people use our sites like this…
WHY?
…when they really use them like this.
Know the user, and know you are not the user
- Arnie Lund
“”
WHY?
Modern retail has learned a lot from customer research.We feel bad if we leave a grocery store WITHOUT buying something!
58%Cart Abandonment
WHY?
Ecommerce Research:
- Source: Inc. Magazine, 2009
But we still have a lot to learn on the web.
ImprovedUsability
Average 83% increase!- Source: The Nielsen Norman Group, 2008
WHY?
Improving nothing but the usability of a websitecan have MASSIVE implications.
If they can't use it,they won't.
WHY?
- Me
“”
WHY?
Our users aren’t stupid! It’s not their fault.
WHY?
To reach them and design for them, we need to understand them.
Web Usability:
HOW?
HOW?
Usability Labs
Most people think of big expensive usability labs.
HOW?
Eye Tracking
Some people love the idea of eye tracking.
HOW?
Heat Maps
Eye tracking produces Heat Maps(not always as useful as you’d think)
HOW?
Gaze Maps
Gaze Maps show you in which order people looked at things.
HOW?
DIY = No-ExcuseUsabilityTesting
But we’re going to talk about doing it yourself. On the cheap.Because, if it’s worth putting on the web, it’s worth testing.
HOW?
In-Person Testing
THE book about DIY In-Person Usability Testing“Rocket Surgery Made Easy” by Steve Krug
In-Person Tools : Macwww.silverbackapp.com
HOW?
These applications video record the user, their screen, and where they click for later review.
In-Person Tools : Windowswww.camtasia.com
HOW?
These applications video record the user, their screen, and where they click for later review.
HOW?
In-Person Testing
THE book about DIY Remote Usability Testing“Remote Research” by Nate Bolt and Tony Tulathimutte
Remote Testing Tools : Automatedwww.UserTesting.com
HOW?
Automated tools find users for you based on demographics.
Remote Testing Tools : Automatedwww.userlytics.com
HOW?
Automated tools find users for you based on demographics.
Remote Testing Tools : BYOUwww.usabilla.com
HOW?
You have to “BYOU” (Bring Your Own Users), but they run the test.
Remote Testing Tools : BYOUwww.loop11.com
HOW?
You have to “BYOU” (Bring Your Own Users), but they run the test.
HOW?
When do we test?
Answer: in every stage of the project.
Before design/redesign
Test competitors’ sites
HOW?
…to find best practices, what users love, what they hate. Just looking for generalities.
Before design/redesign
Test the current site
HOW?
…to find what to keep and what to throw out.You may find that you don’t need a full redesign, just a realignment!
During design
Wireframes
HOW?
The earlier you test, the easier and cheaper it is to make changes.
During design
Paper Prototypes
HOW?
Yes, pointing at a piece of paper WILL get you actionable results.
During design
Working prototypes
HOW?
If you have working prototypes, test them.
Post design
Actual website
HOW?
And, of course, ALWAYS test the final website BEFORE launching it.
What you need:• 3-5 people
• 3-5 task-based scenarios
• 30-50 min each
• Moderator and note-taker (or video)
• Gift: $50-$75 (Amazon gift card)
HOW?
Where to find people
• Ask the client for sources
• Friends and family
• Co-workers
• Craigslist “gigs” section
HOW?
Tell the user…
• “We’re testing the WEBSITE, not you”
• “Think out loud as much as possible”
• “Be brutally honest - we need your help!”
HOW?
You, the moderator…
• Don’t help them complete tasks
• Ask “Why” and “What are you thinking”
• Answer questions with questions
HOW?
Web Usability:
WHAT NOW?
Okay, I’ve done all the testing, NOW what do I do?
• Analyze the data
• Look for trends
• Change the big problems
• Rinse and repeat
WHAT NOW?
Post-Testing:
Do the changes HAVE to be…
BIG?
WHAT NOW?
NOWHAT NOW?
200% increase in signups
37 Signals famously changed their button from “Free Trial” to “See Plans and Pricing” (based on testing) for a massive increase.
Do the changes HAVE to be…
EXPEN$IVE?
WHAT NOW?
Especially if youTEST AT THE BEGINNING
WHAT NOW?
NO
I repeat: ESPECIALLY if you test at the BEGINNING!
Microsoft’s Bing.com
WHAT NOW?
$80 millionincreased ad revenue
- Source: Paul Ray, UX Manager, Bing.com
vs.
Bing changed their link results from light blue to dark blue (based on testing) for a MASSIVE increase in revenue. That’s a 5 minute fix.
TEST IT!
WHAT NOW?
You no longer have an excuse…
Steve [email protected]@clevercubed.com970-481-9682