Why conduct a user testing survey?
Thursday 1 September 2011 - Filed under Usability News
For me Usability Testing surveys carry a lot of weight. Done well it can lead to an increase in your sales and market share, customer satisfaction and of course profitably. There are a few key ingredients that form the basis of a good survey which can ultimately lead to a good return on investment.
User Testing has never been more important to larger companies with smaller organisations starting to catch on to the benefits. Let’s face it though in a world where millions are spent on product development, marketing and support. Do we really need the humble survey to address good usability? Let’s have a look at what they are.
Usability Testing surveys are one of the most established methods of testing users. Next to controlled lab test they provide an excellent method for encouraging user discussion. Both cost effective and extensive they can reach a wide ranging number of respondents from which companies and organisations can establish patterns, similarities, conclusions and differences.
Instead of establishing a definitive truth about users they allow a rough picture of opinions and user experiences to be sketched. They provide an ideal basis for further more specific and relevant quantitative analysis.
The difference between a user survey and questionnaire is negligible. Combined they allow for User statements, definitions and backgrounds to be recorder and analysed. Through point and scale statement responses data can be collected and formulated to address the most wide ranging user experience issues. Through UX definitions users can choose features they prefer and make suggestions on how the existing can be improved. When gaining information on the users background or demographic clients can asses how important and central the user experience is to them.
It allows for data on more than just interaction with the product and the individual experiences. You can analyse and quantify personal opinions like whether or not the user feels “anyone” could use the service or if the user feels that people of his age or gender would consider visiting again.
When combined into a usable, board room ready, cost -effective package testing users surveys are the best way to start in the world of usability testing.
2011-09-01 » Sam
