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Website Usability Testing Methods and Importance

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Website Usability Testing

Usability is a term that indicates how easy a task is to achieve. Usability can be checked on multiple objects such as machines, tools, software, application, and websites. The easier an average person can achieve the goal with an object, the higher the usability of that object.

Usability is important because it motivates and promotes customer retention and attracts a new generation of customers as well.

This article is concerned with website usability so in easy words the easier your website is to use, the higher would be the usability rate. A website usability test is designed to judge several elements including sitemap, graphics, metadata, code grammar, and content. Every element that influences the functionality of the website and user experience is tested under the methods and techniques of website usability.

Why is website usability important?

Website usability is important to convert your visitors into customers and then to further retain your customers as well, especially if you own an e-e-commerce business.

 

 

As an e-commerce business, you can opt for effective marketing campaigns with appealing and massive inventory but if your customer can’t get through a simple layout and towards the cart then all is in vain.

In such instances, your customers will flock to your competitor with likely inventory but better website usability.

Website usability is an important aspect of website development and business growth. Below are some tools and techniques to test and improve your website usability. These are essential to help you reach a wider digital audience.

Website Usability Testing

Different Tools to Test Website Usability

Exploratory Testing:

Exploratory testing is used in the early development of the website to assess the usability of the primary design prototypes. The test helps build foundations of new prototypes from a user’s perspective. It is also cost-effective for businesses to assess the website’s usability before the live broadcast. Any website crashes experienced by the users will reduce the credibility of the business. Exploratory testing is important for websites with significant features and multiple pages so the last-minute edits are not time-consuming.

Assessment Testing:

Assessment testing is carried out in the mid-way of developing websites for technology evaluation. The assessment test is used to look into real-time trials, effectiveness, speed, and usability of the website. Assessment testing is important to finalize and move to the final steps of web development. Assessment testing results are also communicated to the clients as an update additionally it helps track the deadlines as well.

Assessment testing is the last chance a developer can avail before all the hard work goes in vain.

Hallway Testing:

The name hallway testing comes from the metaphor of stopping strangers in the hallway, handing them samples, and then recording their opinions. In the hallway usability test, several different participants are asked to navigate through the website as regular visitors. The navigation is then monitored to see where the user faced difficulty navigating through the website.

The data collected from this real-time test is then used to fix bugs such as page loading delays, User interface, navigational issues, layouts, and usability.

Some other elements that affect the website’s usability include colors, image use and placement, and digital fonts.

Remote Usability Testing:

Remote usability tests have the same concept as hallway testing. However, it is applied to a vast audience residing in different locations and times. Remote usability can be carried out at video conferences as well through software for monitoring. Remote testing also helps test usability from different perspectives of individuals. Geographically each tester has a different understanding of technology and remote testing usability helps to understand if the website is accessible and easily navigable for every user.

A/B Testing:

A/B testing is definitely the tool a developer can use to improve usability by judging the effects of minor changes in the website. The A/B test is carried out by offering two versions of the same website with one or more variations. Each variation signifies the effect of minor changes on the user’s usability. The test is used to pick a better layout and navigation path for the users. A/B testing is often carried out for pitching proposals as well for the established enterprises.

Elements to Consider for Improved Usability:

Accessibility:

Websites including e-commerce websites are obliged to meet the standards of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) designed for web content accessibility guidelines. Your website accessibility should be an equal opportunity for both bodily-abled and differently-abled individuals to surf your products and avail the benefits offered.

In simple words, your website accessibility should be accessible and usual for every user despite any biological shortcomings.

Responsiveness and Cross Performance:

The cross performance or cross browser performance refers to your website working effortlessly on google chrome as well as firefox and safari. In a usability test, a website is checked on multiple different platforms to check overall compatibility with the softwares. Responsiveness is tested to check how well the website responds among multiple factors.

SEO:

Website Usability Testing

Seo is highly important if you want to be recognized by google bots. Seo strategies enhance the traffic to your website and improve visibility on the search engines, some of the SEO practices include backlinking, Page speeds, image optimization, page indexing, and content optimization.