Ep5. User testing the kitchen sink

The Web Usability Podcast

Summary

In this episode, Lucy, Sophie and Ken discus the benefits of testing with users and shares examples of different types of testing they have conducted over the years. The key themes that emerge from their testing experiences are the importance of testing early with users, the value of user testing in both digital and physical spaces, and the difference between behavioural and attitudinal insights. Testing anything that will be used by customers ensures that the end result is built on user evidence and incorporates changes based on user behaviors and expectations.

Keywords

user testing, benefits of testing, early testing, digital testing, physical testing, behavioral insights, attitudinal insights

Takeaways

• Testing with users is a worthwhile exercise that can provide valuable insights for improving the user experience.
• Testing early with users can save time and money by identifying issues and making changes before a product is fully developed.
• User testing is applicable to both digital and physical spaces, and can provide insights into user behaviors and attitudes.
• Behavioural and attitudinal insights are both important in understanding user experiences and preferences.
• Testing anything that will be used by customers ensures that the end result is built on user evidence and incorporates changes based on user behaviors and expectations.

Titles

• The Benefits of Testing with Users
• Testing Early: Saving Time and Money

Sound Bites

• "Put it in front of someone, anyone you can, anyone who's not been involved in building it, especially someone who is from a different demographic or different level of experience, digital experience, or another, put it in front of them and you will get useful feedback."
• "The earlier you test with them, the better the end result's going to be. You're going to save yourself time. You're going to save yourself money if you involve them at that early stage."
• "Watch what people do, listen to what they say, and bear in mind that the two things don't always match up. And in fact, more often than not, don't match up."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:09 Testing Finished Websites and Apps

02:06 Testing at the End of the Development Process

03:23 Testing at the Early Stages

04:46 Testing Wireframes and Prototypes

05:42 Testing Marketing Campaigns

07:28 Testing Physical Products and Spaces

10:43 Testing the Weird and Wonderful

13:29 Common Themes and Findings

26:00 The Benefits of Testing with Users

26:29 Testing Early: Saving Time and Money

27:26 User Testing in Digital and Physical Spaces

28:47 Behavioral Insights vs. Attitudinal Insights

29:43 Testing Anything for Better User Experiences