Usability testing can be a daunting task, but like any project, a meaningful usability testing effort can take many forms. Depending on the depth and breadth of your site, and the sensitivity of the data and functionality, your usability needs could range from complex to quite simple.

In the following guide, we lay out some steps for you to take, should you decide to start your own usability testing project.

Conduct Your Own Simple Usability Test – A How To Guide

Your website should allow your target audiences to efficiently navigate through information and accomplish key tasks. Usability tests are a great way to determine your site’s success in allowing your audience to do just that. There are software programs available to assist you in usability testing or, you may hire an agency to conduct these tests. However, you can also conduct your own quick test by following a few steps!

Step 1: Who?

Determine who your audiences are. Who is your site built for? You will likely have more than one audience. A University website, for example, may need to meet the needs of prospective students, current students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Step 2: Why?

Why are they visiting your site? For each audience you listed in Step 1, determine 5-10 key tasks they should be able to complete on the site. What is it they are looking for? Why are they coming to your site? Prospective students for a University may want to explore the various programs available, find entrance requirements, look up rates for tuition and fees, apply online, and contact the University. Although some key tasks may be shared among your varied audiences, each audience will have a unique list.

Step 3: Recruit and Test

Get down to business. Recruit 5-10 individuals that represent your target audiences. Explain how the tests will be performed, and how you will use the data from the test. Your volunteers should sign a consent form that clearly explains their rights and the use of their data. If possible, choose a mixture of individuals who are and are not familiar with your site. You’ll want to test each individual independently. Give the individual the list of key tasks and without any further guidance, ask them to accomplish those tasks and have them narrate out loud while you observe them. It’s important to remind people that there are no correct answers or comments and that you are simply interested in their feedback and how they use the site.

You can record your notes by hand or use testing software to capture keyboard clicks, video, and audio of their progress and comments about the navigation, visual appeal, and content as they perform each task.

Take advantage of a captive audience. It’s also a great idea to perform entrance and exit interviews with each individual. Ask open-ended questions geared towards unveiling their overall opinion of the layout, design, navigation, and content. Also ask for their suggestions! What would make the site easier to navigate and understand?

Step 4: Analyze & Act

Compile the information for each test and look for trends in behavior and commentary about the site overall.

Most importantly…ACT on the information you unveil. Work with your developer, designer, and content managers to address any issues.

It is important to perform usability testing before launching a new site, but it is also equally important to ensure as sites evolve over time, usability is not compromised. Depending on the degree to which your site is static or dynamic, your needs will vary; as a general rule, it is wise to re-conduct usability testing after any major update or redesign, or at least once every year.

Article written by Megan Walling and Andrea Richeson