Web Site Usability Testing
[Description] [Pros]
[Cons] [Common Uses] [Resources]
Individual interviews are conducted to assess of how user friendly a Web site is, prior to launching a site. The interviewees often are asked to complete some type of task (such as searching for information) that reflects the intended use of the Web site and to give feedback on the process (qualitative data).
Usability is a combination of factors that affect the user’s experience with the site, including:
- Ease of learning: How fast can a user who has never seen the user interface before learn it sufficiently well to accomplish basic tasks?
- Efficiency of use: Once an experienced user has learned to use the site, how fast can he or she accomplish tasks?
- Memorable: Can the user remember enough about the site to use it effectively the next time or does the user have to start over again learning everything?
- Error frequency and severity: How often do users make errors while using the site, how serious are these errors, and how do users recover from these errors?
- User satisfaction: How much does the user like using the site?
Interviews can be conducted in person (with a computer), or the interviewee can do tasks at home on their computer and complete a paper questionnaire. Some interview facilities have the capacity to videotape both the respondent and the screen, so that the interaction can be recorded.
Observe how users actually interact with the Web site
In-person interviews requires computer equipment
- Test an informational Web site to assess if users can find needed information
- Test a section of a Web site that requires complex navigation
Usability.gov: National Cancer Institute http://usability.gov