User Testing

Many people make the mistake of assuming that once the initial design is completed, the website is done. After all, the goal was to create the site and have an online platform for their business. However, this should not be the case. The information presented on the site is subject to change; updates and revisions are as much a part of the process, and they will continue for the life of the site. What's more, business websites need to be streamlined, professional, and easy to use. This is one of the reasons why user testing is so important - so designers and business owners know their site is effective and well structured. There are many ways to conduct tests, but no matter how you choose to conduct them, they should:

Test site usability. User testing is good for more than just figuring out if people like the colors or the design. Although this is a part of the process and you can take suggestions, it's important not to take every single suggestion or give too much merit to opinion because everyone will have something different to say about the same element. What is important is paying attention to details that multiple users have a complaint about - especially if it has to do with layout, navigation, and usability. Watch them as they use the site; this is even more important than getting verbal feedback. By giving them a task to complete and watching them use the site, you can figure out where your weak spots are. If you notice more than one user struggling with the task, then you'll know you have to make some changes.

Choose a variety of users. It's best to have around five users try out your site. No matter how many users you have, however, you won't get rounded feedback unless you pick users from different backgrounds with various levels of computer experience. For example, a web design professional is bound to understand the site whereas a person with little experience surfing the web will be able to more properly convey the effectiveness of your site. Although it might seem strange to think that another web designer wouldn't be able to give you all the feedback you need, you have to keep in mind that designers know how to use the Internet and have had exposure to many different sites and designs. People who haven't used the web as much should be able to navigate your site and finish the task as easily as possible; it should be obvious to the average user as well.

Develop your site in iterations. There is nothing worse than working hard on a design only to find out that you need to reinvent the whole thing. Designers can get caught up in the process and shut out everything else, only zoning in on what looks good. However, what necessarily looks good artistically speaking does not always translate for practical use. Abstract designs are especially at risk. Users tend to like things laid out in a neat and predictable fashion; you don't want to do something they aren't expecting, like put the navigation bar to the right side of the screen and below a widget. The best way to avoid these pitfalls is to have users test your site as you develop it. That way, you will be able to make changes more easily and you aren't as attached to the final product. Don't be afraid of criticism or change - they are pertinent to the process.

User testing can sometimes be a long, difficult process. But the end result is worth the time and effort spent. You can contact a design company, like Codank Web Design, to find out more about user testing and what you can do for your website.


About CODANK Web Design

CODANK is a top rated Web Design and Internet Marketing firm located in Charlotte, NC. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality, cost effective custom software development services, delivering a broad range of business consulting and outsourcing services.

For more information, visit us at www.codank.com