Here are some more information
regarding the usability testing and tools behind the process.
In my previous post (Part 1), I have
covered 'What is Usability Testing', 'Some Usability Testing Aspects' and 'Usability
Testing Categories' which we are normally used when doing a usability test. So
finally, I came up with three categories and now I am going to describe those
categories bit:
1. Testing based on the results
which generated by tools - Colour tools, content tools and browser tools, etc can
be used to correct the issues regarding the application features (Mainly UI)
which needs to be represent in order to cater all the user
groups.
2. Testing based on the anonymous
user data which collected by tools - These tools and techniques can be used
mainly for sites such as e-commerce web sites, company sites, personal blogs,
etc to capture the anonymous user data. These tools collect data from the
website visitors and help mainly to understand the user interactions. User
clicks, mouse movements, key strokes, form filed information, geographic locations, different browser types,
number of visits, session information, content information are the data which will
be collected using these tools. These information are very vital for web
applications to fine tune the application in order to give a better service to
its customers and visitors.
3. Testing based on the real user
participation – This is another technique
which can be used to accomplish different set of usability requirements. This
technique can be categorized as moderated and unmoderated. In moderated testing, the participant
can be closely monitored and observed, and can gather vital information
regarding participant’s emotional response, user satisfaction etc.
But unmoderated testing technique
is used for remote users. They cannot be observed while the test is in
progress. Once the usability test is created by the testers, a link is
generated and the link (URL) is sent to the participant in a remote location.
The participant use this link to access the test and finally get the test data.
Some usability testing tools as follows:
1. ClickTale (http://www.clicktale.com/default.aspx) -
ClickTale is a tracking usability
testing tool which captures user mouse moves, user clicks and scrolls around a web page.
2. Google analytics (http://www.google.com/analytics/) -
Google Analytics is an easy to use,
free, and very handy usability testing tool that provides a comprehensive set
of web site data tracking and analysis tools.
3. Usabilla (http://www.usabilla.com/) -
Usabilla is an unmoderated remote
usability testing tool that enables to collect valuable user feedback about the
web site by testing new features in an early stage of development.
4. Loop 11 (http://www.loop11.com/) -
Loop11 is also a remote usability
and user experience testing tool, allowing individuals and companies to conduct
unmoderated user experience testing on websites.
5. Morae (http://www.techsmith.com/morae.html) -
Morae is a fully moderated usability
testing tool that consist some features such as Record user interactions,
efficiently analyze results, and instantly share your findings with anyone,
anywhere.
I want to thank Tharinda Liyanage who helped me lot to write this post.
Next post (in Part 3), I’ll explain what is the process we need to have in order to carry out a successful moderated usability testing assignment.
