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Web Tests – What Are They?
Website Usability Testing is the process of observing user whilst they are completing tasks on a given website. The same principle can also be applied to software testing. The basic premise is that developers think in a different way to end users and the only real way to design and develop working systems is to observe the people who will be actually using the solution.
Website Usability – Can I do it?
The best advice that anyone could give an aspiring web developer is to involve your users early on in the design process. Ask them what they think. Watch them using their website. Set them tasks to do. Can you find this? Or What do you think you should do next? This is the basis of Website Usability Testing so if you are a small business and have read this far then I’m sure you could develop a few simple tests yourself to maximize the potential of your website.
Software Usability Testing vs Website User Testing?
So how does software testing compare to website testing? The principles are similar. The objectives of desktop application testing may be to improve staff productivity may reducing user frustration at completing tasks. Website Usability Testing also involves making it easier for the end user by improving the navigation, making next steps more obvious and making the website meet the expectations of the user.
User testing should be part of your online strategy
The chances are that certain improvements can be made to improve the usability of a given website. This can only really be done by observation. Even when guidelines are following, usability is rarely perfect on a newly build website. User testing is, therefore an ongoing process.
