Usability test with participants
During a usability test, participants from the target group are asked to use the site. Concrete tasks will be used and the site will be tested with every participant in a one-on-one situation. By means of creating or imitating real situations, asking specific questions and then noting the observations we can determine whether the site meets the user’s expectations. Usability problems will be identified as well as where and why they happen.
2C tests websites as well as software, intranet, devices and other products.
Working method
2C constructs a test script (based on observation of the site), the briefing form (filled in by the client) and other relevant information. The script consists of a list with tasks and questions. All research questions will be addressed. The following subjects will certainly be discussed:
- Content (text, style and linguistic usage)
- Navigation (structure, menus and hyperlinks)
- Search (search engine and search results)
- Lay-out and presentation
- Flow (findability and information hierarchy)
- Possibilities for interaction (forms, applications within the site)
- The concept of the website
How many participants will be tested depends on the number of target groups. 2C has of a large database, from which ‘regular’ consumers and business participants can be recruited.
The test will be conducted in the usability test lab of 2C. You and your colleagues are invited to watch the test in our observation room. Watching the test is more convincing than just reading about the observations in a report.
When to conduct
A usability test with participants is conducted on a website that is a) about to go online or b) is already on the internet. In other words, the website is finished, filled with content and clickable.
A variant of the usability test with participants is the concept testing or ‘paper prototyping test’. Concept testing is conducted during an earlier stage of development of the website or during the redevelopment projectstage.
Research time & deliverables
The research time of a usability test is 2,5 weeks, from the moment the participants are recruited until delivery of the report. The report consists of observations of the research, together with practical suggestions to solve the identified usability issues.
More information?
You can always request for a proposal if you are interested in a usability test. 2C will contact you to discuss the possibilities. You can also contact us directly.
