User Testing Guide for Websites

Identify Usability Problems

Uncover specific points where users struggle, get confused, or can’t complete tasks easily (e.g., confusing navigation, unclear buttons, difficult forms).

Validate Design Assumptions

Confirm whether your design choices and intended user flows actually work as expected for your target audience.

Improve User Satisfaction

By fixing usability issues, you create a smoother, more enjoyable experience, leading to happier users.

Increase Conversion Rates

Making it easier for users to achieve their goals (e.g., making a purchase, signing up) directly translates to better conversion rates.

Gather Ideas for Improvement

Observing users often reveals unexpected behaviors or needs, sparking ideas for new features or improvements.

Reduce Development Waste

Identifying problems early through testing saves time and resources compared to fixing issues after development is complete.

1. Moderated vs. Unmoderated Testing

Moderated: A facilitator guides the user through tasks, asks follow-up questions, and observes in real-time (in-person or remote). Provides deep qualitative insights.
Unmoderated: Users complete tasks independently using a testing platform, often recording their screen and voice. Scalable and often faster, good for validating specific flows.

2. Remote vs. In-Person Testing

Remote: Participants complete tests from their own location using their own devices. More convenient, wider participant pool, reflects real-world context.
In-Person: Conducted in a controlled lab environment. Allows for direct observation of body language but is more resource-intensive.

3. Qualitative vs. Quantitative Testing

Qualitative: Focuses on understanding *why* users behave a certain way (observations, think-aloud feedback, interviews). Answers “Why?” and “How?”. Typically uses smaller sample sizes.
Quantitative: Focuses on measuring *what* users do (task completion rates, time on task, error rates, satisfaction scores). Answers “How many?” and “How much?”. Requires larger sample sizes for statistical significance.

4. Common Test Types

Specific methods include:

• Usability Testing: Observing users performing specific tasks to identify problems.
• A/B Testing: Comparing two versions of a page/element to see which performs better based on metrics.
• Card Sorting: Understanding how users group information to inform navigation and site structure (often done for Information Architecture).
• Surveys & Questionnaires: Gathering quantitative or qualitative feedback on satisfaction, preferences, or demographics.
• First Click Testing: Understanding where users would click first to complete a task.
• Preference Testing: Asking users which design variation they prefer.