How can you test the usability and accessibility of your mobile app?

1 Define your goals and metrics

Before you start testing, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how you will measure it. You should define your target users, their needs, expectations, and pain points, and the key tasks and scenarios they will perform with your app. You should also set some specific and measurable goals and metrics for your app's usability and accessibility, such as completion rates, error rates, satisfaction scores, or compliance with standards and guidelines.

2 Conduct user research

User research is the process of gathering and analyzing data from your potential and existing users to understand their behavior, preferences, and feedback. You can use various methods and tools to conduct user research, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, observation, or analytics. User research can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your app, validate your assumptions, and discover new opportunities and insights.

3 Perform usability testing

Usability testing is the process of evaluating your app with real or representative users in realistic settings and tasks. You can perform usability testing at different stages of your app development, from low-fidelity prototypes to high-fidelity versions. You can use various methods and tools to perform usability testing, such as moderated or unmoderated testing, remote or in-person testing, or A/B testing. Usability testing can help you measure your app's performance, identify usability issues, and collect user feedback.

4 Implement accessibility testing

Accessibility testing is the process of checking your app's compatibility with assistive technologies and devices, such as screen readers, magnifiers, or keyboards. You can implement accessibility testing at different levels of your app development, from code to design to content. You can use various methods and tools to implement accessibility testing, such as manual or automated testing, accessibility audits, or accessibility checklists. Accessibility testing can help you ensure your app's compliance with accessibility standards and guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

5 Analyze and report results

After you have conducted your usability and accessibility testing, you need to analyze and report the results in a clear and actionable way. You should summarize the main findings, highlight the positive and negative aspects, and prioritize the recommendations for improvement. You should also communicate the results to your stakeholders, such as developers, designers, or clients, and involve them in the decision-making process.

6 Iterate and improve

Testing your app's usability and accessibility is not a one-time activity, but a continuous cycle of improvement. You should always monitor your app's performance, user feedback, and market trends, and make adjustments accordingly. You should also repeat the testing process whenever you make significant changes to your app, or introduce new features or functionalities. By iterating and improving your app's usability and accessibility, you can enhance your user satisfaction, retention, and loyalty.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?