Introduction
What are Usability Tests
Usability tests were traditionally conducted by large companies such as AT&T, Apple, Microsoft, or HP. The practice of usability testing later grew in the early 90s, with many books and articles popularising this method of testing. The arrival of digital products increased the popularity of usability testing, since it was, and is considered, to be one of the most effective ways of getting valuable input from real users.
Usability tests are an essential part of any UX practice since they help us identify bottlenecks in the design of a website.
Unmoderated vs. Moderated Testing
Moderated Testing
Unmoderated Testing
Advantages of Moderated Usability Testing
When it comes to the advantages of moderated usability testing, you only get the most efficient results when there is maximum interaction between you and the participant. Since moderated usability testing is a lot like having a conversation with the consumer in real-time, you should consider all the things necessary for such an interaction in real life. Moderated testing is a great method to use when you’re gauging a new concept or limited functionality process, providing you with the interaction that is necessary to complete a thorough study. In this way, moderated usability testing is a great way to gain an understanding of the consumer’s journey.
Moderated usability testing is also an effective way to pick up subtle responses and behaviours, such as body language. It gives the moderator an opportunity to discover the problem that the participant is facing if they seem confused, helping to establish a more thorough report by getting real-time feedback from the participant.
Advantages of Unmoderated Usability Testing
Unmoderated usability testing is shorter and brings faster results. It’s also cheaper, allowing you to involve more participants in the testing process. This is one of the main reasons why this testing process is commonly used to validate design concepts before taking them mainstream.
Unmoderated usability testing is also a great option if you have certain test questions you need answers to. However, if you really want to make the most of your unmoderated usability tests, then you’re going to need a large enough sample and specific questions to ask your participants.
Disadvantages of Moderated Usability Testing
Disadvantages of Unmoderated Usability Testing
Ending Note
Both moderated and unmoderated usability testing have their pros and cons. Moderated UX testing allows testers to interact with their target audience directly, bringing a deeper understanding of the user’s pain points, which can then be addressed explicitly.
Unmoderated UX testing is considered to be a quick and effective way to gauge data from users; With an immediate turnaround, it allows businesses to recruit a larger number of participants for a larger test sample. The only downside to this is the risk of misreceived tests instructions by participants, leading to unknown effects on test results.
Both moderated and unmoderated usability testing have their uses in different contexts. A clear understanding of the implications of these testing methods is necessary for yielding the most useful results. To find out more about personalising your usability testing, contact us at REO for bespoke advice.
