Usability testing
Does your website work?
Usability is about making your website easy and satisfying for your customer to use. The key questions we ask in usability research are:
- Is the website or application easy to use? Can customers complete the tasks they want to?
- Is the website or application useful? Do customers want to use it?
At Briarbird great content goes hand-in-hand with usability.
Types of usability activities
Each usability test is recorded for playback and analysis
Here’s the types of usability activites we often do:
- One-on-one usability testing
- Expert analysis and review
- Prototype design – wire frames and concepts
- Walkthrough testing (small group)
- Focus group testing of concepts, products and services
- Online surveys
- Training for web teams
Recent projects
Our team has conducted testing and research with hundreds of customers over the last fifteen years – and we still enjoy it. We’ve test websites, online applications and desktop applications. Here’s some of the great projects our team has been involved in:
- www.vrqa.vic.gov.au – usability testing of beta release of new website
- www.coles.com.au – usabilityt testing on prototype of new customer application
- www.vplates.com.au – usability testing of prototype of new online ordering system for number plates
- www.officeworks.com.au – usability testing of online ordering system
One-on-one usability testing
The core of our usability work is testing. One-on-one usability testing involves a participant (customer) undertaking a series of typical tasks on the website, while being observed by the test facilitator. Participants are encouraged to talk aloud to explain what they are thinking as they undertake each task.
One-on-one usability tests provide a realistic situation, providing validation of the usability of the website. Testing this way answers the question: can customers use the website to complete core tasks, accurately and confidently?
The tests can also record suggestions and insights from participants on issues of branding, relation to competitors, quality of content and areas for improvement.
The results of the tests are documented and analysed. Participants’ actions and their comments are weighed up carefully to develop recommendations that will improve website usability for all customers.
Remote user testing
Briarbird can also set up remote user testing. This provides a usability test that participants are invited to take online from their home or office. Participants provide feedback through tasks and survey. Remote testing is ideal for getting wide feedback in a short timeframe.
Training for your web team
We can provide a full-day usability training course for your web team. Training covers:
- Understanding users – what’s the value of research?
- Planning your research – what technique is appropriate.
- Recruiting participants.
- Preparing and conducting activities (focus group and collaborative design workshop, one-on-one usability testing).
- Reporting outcomes.
Need a quote?
It isn’t complicated. We can provide most quotes within 24 hours. Contact us and together we can discuss what you need and work out the answers to these questions:
- What do you want to test?
- What do you want to find out?
- How many participants should be involved?
- Why type of participants do you need? (audience segmentation)
- Where will the testing be held?
- When do you need the results?
