What Exactly is User-based Testing?
User-based testing refers to the testing method used in the design process to assess a product or particular UX feature with real users. User-based testing involves watching users working with your product so that you can make improvements based on how they perform.
User testing provides you with invaluable insights into how your users behave with your product. By observing how your audience behaves, you can create much more effective UX elements. After all, getting the data directly from your users is a much better way of doing UX design than guessing or arguing about features among your team.
Why User-Based Testing Is Important For Successful UX Tests
- Cost efficiency. To be effective, user-based testing doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive or take place in a lab. Also, by knowing for sure which UX elements are the most effective, you can save development time (and money).
- Accessibility. User-based testing can be done both in-person and remotely.
- Flexibility. User-based testing can be implemented at any stage of the user experience design process. There’s no need to wait until you have a UX prototype to carry out user testing.
- Customer perspective. User-based testing allows you to design UX elements concerning a unique customer perspective. You receive insightful feedback from a real user to help you determine the best way forward.
How to set up user testing for successful UX tests?
Now, as you’ve discovered different user-based testing methods, let’s learn which steps you need to take to set up user testing for UX.
- Creating a test plan
Any user-based testing starts with creating a test plan. This includes defining testing objectives and goals, as well as choosing the type of user-based method you will implement.
Testing objectives will vary depending on your product type and goals. Here are just a few examples of testing objectives to help you get started:
- Success rate. Can your users successfully complete the task you’ve asked them to?
- Error rate. How many users have encountered the same issue?
- Flow efficiency. Can users easily navigate through particular elements?
- Time to complete a task. How much time does it take for users to complete the action?