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Evaluating the usability of a website, even in its simplest form, is far better than not evaluating it at all. While traditional researchers may have reservations about this approach, it is to evaluate the usability of interfaces that this type of testing is used. Based on the most well-known source in the field, Steve Krug, here is the website or application usability test we propose. It is very simple, quick and meets the basic needs of usability evaluation.
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Designing a website or software is not just about checking that everything works properly. It is more important to understand whether the user can intuitively navigate a given interface. Steve Jobs, who led the development of Apple's devices and operating systems, stressed that the key is not only what the user is supposed to do, but also what the user is not supposed to do when using the device or software. Examining interfaces as early as the design stage has become standard for those working with agile methods or using design thinking.
This is a key moment in the development of a project. For more complex applications, we suggest testing prototypes, or working functional sketches. These tests help eliminate errors in user experience (UX), which are related to how the application works. The user's focus is on functionality, not colors or style. When designing websites, on the other hand, it's a good idea to run tests with real or suggested graphics to ensure the best user experience.
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Steve Krug has become known as the author of books such as "Don't Make Me Think! A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability" and "Rocket Surgery Made Easy: The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Finding and Fixing Usability Problems." These reads are not only worthwhile for usability professionals, but also for managers managing projects for websites, online stores, applications and other software solutions. These books present the design process from the perspective of members of the design team, making them useful for those dealing with both the practical and strategic aspects of web design. Excerpts from these publications can also be featured on our blog, further supporting practical knowledge.
Today we would like to encourage you to conduct a simple usability test on your website, using questions from Steve Krug's books. Let's get started!
Go to your website using your computer and browser. No matter what page of the website you are on, try to quickly answer the following questions:
If you managed to answer these questions with ease, as intended by the designer, it's a sign that your website is convenient for visitors to use. This means that the basic elements are easily accessible and intuitive.
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I now propose to conduct a simple usability test on potential users using a method known as "corridor testing." This is a quick and spontaneous form of qualitative testing. It involves you waiting in a corridor or other place where people pass by and presenting your website to them, asking them the questions mentioned earlier. The entire survey usually takes about a minute.
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The answer to this question begins by highlighting a key issue. Here it is about the approach to research, its results and the motivation for conducting it.
Often, testing, such as website usability testing, is seen as a tool to confirm only that there are no bugs in an application, which limits this approach to mere quality control.
Indeed, research serves such a role, but focusing solely on this narrow aspect limits its potential, which harms the digital product and the overall user experience (User Experience).
The main purpose of testing is not only to diagnose obvious errors, such as the malfunction of a specific function, but also to identify problems that may not meet the strict definition of an error.
Usability research seeks to improve a product, not just make it flawless - an important observation.
It is worth noting that usability studies should be introduced in the early stages of digital product development. This allows improvements to be made at a lower cost, which translates into a less financially demanding process for the entire project.
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Let's move on to outline the concept of usability itself, which, according to ISO 924 standards, encompasses the effectiveness, efficiency and level of satisfaction with which users achieve their intended goals in specific contexts (such as mobile apps, online services or websites).
Usability testing is a procedure based on scientific and academic approaches, during which the reactions of potential users are analyzed.
Test subjects are often asked to perform a set of tasks and interact with the application interface. Analyzing the time it takes to perform tasks, achieve goals, the number of errors and reactions (e.g., behavioral, emotional, cognitive) and other metrics allows to assess usability, intuitiveness, ease of use, smoothness of operation and compliance with expectations of the digital product.
What's more, usability testing allows you to understand different use cases, getting to know the expectations and habits of future users in more detail, enabling you to deliver a product tailored to their multidimensional preferences. Usability testing plays a key role in designing digital products that are focused on user needs.
In addition to a positive definition of usability, it is also important to clarify what usability studies are not. The idea is to clearly separate what such studies do not cover or represent.
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Of course, we can distinguish several main types of usability studies, each with its own unique characteristics and applications.
In addition, there are many combinations of these methods, such as remote moderated testing or in-person unmoderated testing. Each type of test has its own specific uses and advantages depending on the research needs.
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