Top 10 user testing methods

There’s a wide range of user tests you can conduct to improve your digital applicaties. We’ve selected our top 10 user testing methods.  

At the end of this article you will know:

✓   Which types of user tests methods there are

✓   Why you should use them

✓   Where to find more info on the different testing methods

Happy Labs top 10 User testing methods

1 – Concept Testing

The first thing you should do when launching a new application or functionality is testing the concept. This way you’ll have a quick and inexpensive way to find out whether it is even necessary to work it out. Testing your new concept can be done with different types of research such as interviews and surveys. Developing your concept in a low-threshold and inexpensive way is also a way to test the feasibility and need of your concept. For example, you can start building a simple website or start your concept on social media to test if there is a need for it within your target audience

Read more about Concept Testing.

2 – Interview

Interviewing your target group is an effective method for collecting qualitative data.It makes sense to conduct these  interviews in various phases of the development process. You can use interviews to learn more about the motives of your target group and to determine the customer journey. In later stages, interviews also make sense to find out what users think of your platform and where their problem areas are.

Read more about User Interviews.

3 – Survey

Using surveys with your target group is an excellent way to collect quantitative data. This data gives you valuable information about your concept, application, service or even functionality. By asking the same questions to a large group of people can paint a good picture of what the general consensus is within your target audience.

Read more about UX surveys.

4 – Card Sorting

Card sorting is an effective method that you can use when you get started with the information architecture of your digital application. During a session with the target group you let them come up with a structure that seems logical to them based on the main topics of your app or website. In this way, your information architecture is determined based on what your target group finds logical, rather than what you find logical. So you can test whether the architecture that you’ve figured out is also the most effective.

Read more about Card Sorting.

5 – Heuristic Evaluation

One of the founders of UX, Jakob Nielsen, has drawn up a list in the nineties with ten guidelines for the design of user interfaces. These guidelines help UX designers and researchers to test and evaluate their digital applications. Heuristic evaluations are often performed by external professionals in the field of UX. A heuristic evaluation is an effective method to remove errors from the design at an early stage before you switch to testing with your target group.

Read more about Heuristic Evaluations.

6 – Usability Test

A usability test is, as the name suggests, a test that checks whether the digital application is easy to learn and use. In a usability test, test persons are observed while performing specific tasks. While performing these tasks, attention is paid to their body language, facial expressions, emotions and test subjects are encouraged to talk aloud. By carrying this out with various test persons, qualitative and quantitative data can be collected to identify problems with the usability of the application.

Read more about Usability Testing.

7 – Unmoderated Usability Test

In recent years, a wide range of online platforms have emerged in which you can remotely test your applications. With an unmoderated usability test you set up a number of main questions that you want have answered. You let your respondents test these remotely via online platforms. This has a number of advantages such as saving costs, time and finding suitable respondents is easier. The big disadvantage compared to a moderated usability test is that you measure the qualitative data of your target group to a much lesser extent, such as body language and emotions that often say a lot about the experience they have with your application, in addition there are also fewer possibilities to ask questions.

Read more about Unmoderated Usability Testing.

8 – A/B Test

During an A/B test, your users test two different versions of a specific page or design. You can use an A/B test to find out which design is more user-friendly or which design has a higher conversion rate. Particularly within marketing, A/B testing is often used to see which copy, colors and buttons work better to achieve a conversion.

Read more about A/B Testing.

9 – Beta Test

When you are sure of your application and it has actually been developed by the development team, it is time for Beta Testing. During a Beta Test, the application is put in a test environment and users can test the ‘real’ application. This test is mainly performed to detect bugs in the code and get the latest flaws in the application before it finally goes live.

Read more about Beta Testing.

10 – Focus Groups

Focus groups have always been a popular method in market research and have also become more popular within user research. A focus group consists of a group of 5 to 10 people who work with a moderator / facilitator / researcher. The moderator asks questions from a script to the group. Their answers are recorded, analyzed and reported at the end of the process. Setting up one or more focus groups for your concept can provide interesting qualitative insights such as frustrations and motivations of your target group.

Read more about Focus Groups.

Start testing!

In Happy Stories # 4 we will go deeper into how and when you can best use the above methods in your development process. Do you want to start testing immediately? We’re happy to help in performing kick-ass user tests with a hassle-free experience! Click here for the possibilities.