Usability Test

A usability test allows us to identify users' difficulties in using a Web site, Intranet, mobile device or software.

What is a usability test?

A usability test consists of the analysis of the main elements (information architecture, design, etc.) of a Web site, Intranet or software, through the interaction with real users (customers, employees, etc.).

These tests provide the following information:

  • Users' main goals in using that application
  • If these goals can be achieved in a satisfactory way
  • Ways in which the design can be improved
  • Improvements needed to achieve these goals
  • Users’ experience with the site

The purpose of doing these tests is to identify usability problems and to suggest possible solutions to optimize interfaces, creating a better experience with users and, consequently, increasing a website, intranet or application’s success.

Usability tests provide short and long-term results. In the short term, these result in a list of general and specific ideas for improvement.

The long-term benefit is a better understanding of how to design easy-to-use interfaces based on information given by end-users.

Usability test is beneficial by:

  • Minimizing production costs. Total time and cost of development will be reduced by identifying usability flaws and correcting them before a Web site is launched, avoiding re-design and reducing the number of changes required in the interface.
  • Improving the quality of the product. User-centered design results in better quality and more competitive products in a market that demands easy-to-use products.
  • Reducing maintenance and support costs. Easy-to-use systems require less training, less customer support and less maintenance.
  • Reducing costs. Better usability improves users' productivity. It allows for optimal use of time and of the whole system.