You’re developing software. How can you be sure it’s user-friendly?

In my experience, ensuring software is user-friendly involves conducting iterative usability testing with representative users throughout the development process, incorporating feedback, and adhering to established UX principles and best practices.

Do not write a single line of code (or a single AI prompt, if you're there) until you have spoken to REAL living breathing end-users. More than 7 of them. Take special care to seek out users that have the least collective power in the total system. Build for them first.

Even before goes to usability testing and get users try our software, my experience lot of development didn't follow latest expected application behavior which should already a common standards i.e searching should give 'like' results instead of 'as is'. This kind of basic requirements should already fulfilled before taking lot of time from users in testing usability in a low quality application.

There are many ways to ensure that a product is user-friendly for potential users: 1. Conduct user research before developing the product. 2. Create user personas based on the research findings to represent different types of users. This will help in designing features and functionalities. 3. Design the user interface in a way that is intuitive and easy to navigate. 4. Conduct usability testing. 5. Provide clear instructions and help buttons to help users understand how to use it effectively. 6. Gather feedback to improve usability continuously. By following these steps, software developers can ensure their products are user-friendly for potential users, ultimately leading to higher satisfaction and adoption rates.

A tip when running raw usability tests: It's important that testers are given as little prior instruction or explanation as possible. Their experience should match how you expect real users to encounter your product. I've seen researchers showing videos to testers in order to provide them with context about apps we were building. This contaminated the results because the video included subtle instructions on how some of the core interactions worked. A very good approach is to try and figure out an end goal for the user. eg: if testing a drawing application, you might show the tester a reference image and say: 'Try to recreate this picture and save it as a PNG.'

Usability testing also prevents rework in product development. It avoids flaws to be coded and corrected afterwards. There’s a business case here, which infact I used to get the usability lab budget approved.

I have found when people ask about usability testing they mean user research. User research is essential in first understanding people's behaviors and desired outcomes that are meaningful to them in their context. The more attuned we are to behaviors and points of friction within these behaviors, agnostic of any (product) solution, the better we can articulate problems, and solve some of them. Usability testing is method in user research with three variations - formative usability (while you are forming the product to verify concepts align to behaviors and needs), summative usability (pre-launch to vaildate the solution solves needs raised by behaviors), and usability benchmarking (post launch to understand how people use the product).

Hosting a dinner party is a lot like developing software. Before the big event, you'd want to taste-test your dishes, right? That's usability testing in the tech world. It's about giving your users a sample of your software and watching their reactions, just like watching friends taste your cooking. This step is vital because it uncovers what works and what doesn't, straight from the people who matter most. By collecting this feedback early, you can tweak and improve, ensuring that when your software finally launches, it's like serving a perfectly seasoned meal that everyone enjoys. In essence, usability testing ensures your software delights users from the first bite.

Porque é como vai ser utilizado, precisa atender alguns requisitos e necessidades, fazendo com que o usuário sinta-se bem ao utilizar, tendo retornos rápidos facilitando o dia-a-dia dele. Ao fazer um teste desse temos a certeza de que cada bug encontrado, é um descontentamento a menos, por parte de quem usa.

To develop a product that has a wide range of customers with different age groups and calibre. It is important to improve usability of your screen as per needs. A great design can be fruitful for your product. Creativity is add ons while performing usability testing with constant feedbacks.

The best kind of usability testing happens when your intended audience uses the real, live product. However, it is usually unwise to wait this long to do testing (unless the time needed for implementation is trivial). Paper prototypes, which can be simple click-throughs, or even non-interactive images are very useful for understanding whether or not user's grasp overall functionality and purpose. Real-world testing of services that are similar to yours are invaluable. They show you where you can get an edge over your competition.

Here are some wild and not-so-wild thoughts. First, give different drafts of the product (even if made with cardboard) to non-expert users and observe them in action. Note their struggles, frustrations, and other reactions. Second, you need a team of empathetic, keen observers. People blessed with the art of noticing are key to capturing and categorizing insights and usability issues. Third, you need some budget to take your product designers on fancy experiences where they get to be on the receiving end of excellent service (fine dining, boutique hotels, handcrafts,...). Then ask them to re-design new UX/product concepts that translate these fine experiences in software terms. Ask them to be detailed and pedantic. And have fun.

In this part I miss the practical tips like: make users feel at ease by having a short conversation at the start of the test. Also, record the facial expressions during the test and/or make sure you have enough observers who can make notes so the facilitator can focus on the test. Also, if the respondent asks questions, ask a question back rather than give the answer. It can also help to have someone else than the designer of the product facilitating the test, so the respondent is free to give his unsalted opinion.

Conducting usability testing in software development is hard work and can be done in different ways, so this is the method I would recommend: - Define objectives. - Plan how the application will be tested. - Identify users. - Create tasks for users to complete. - Write the method. - Define the data to measure such as task success rate. - Define data collection techniques and tools. - Design and write protocols. - Prepare the test environment and equipment. - Asign roles. - Make the preparations and proccess of the test. - Write the user testing planning document. - Gather candidates. - Perform a pilot test. - Carry out the user testing. - Organize and analyze the collected data. - Write a results report.

Firstly, It's advisable to write down the goals of your testing so you'll have a structured pattern of how you want it to progress, and it'll help you not to miss anything out. An example of user testing goal might look like, "I want to know if users find my product easy to navigate through". Secondly, you'll need to select your target users. E.g. if I'm testing a product that solves accommodation issues, the users I'll focus on are those who are house hunting or those who have had first hand experience. Thirdly, after the testing you'll need to collate your results and visit your objectives to see if they properly align. Lastly, present your documented findings to stakeholders and revisit the products for additions/subtractions.

There are many great platforms available today to make usability testing easier but in the early days of software design, a table and two chairs, one for the participant and one for the observer, was all that was needed. Don’t let lack of a sophisticated platform stop you from testing your products. As the saying goes, where there’s a will, there’s a way.

None (if you are new to it). Start your first test with no fancy tools. Just meet with the closest to a real user you can get –hopefully it's not your mom; but if it is, bring the old lady to it!– and ask to perform 1 relevant task with the least intervention possible. You will be surprised by the results. You will get better software after proving the value of testing

I've been there too! Sifting through features, pricing, and reviews searching platforms for rapid prototyping and in-depth sessions. Here's what I learned from my usability testing adventures... #Maze which I preferred go-to for beautiful interfaces, flexible testing options, and seamless user recruitment. Perfect for iterating quickly and getting user feedback at different stages of my design process. And #Lookback for capturing raw user sessions with screen recordings and real-time feedback. Great for uncovering emotional responses and understanding user journeys in depth. My learning: It's not about finding the perfect platform, but the one that helps you understand your users and build a better product.

UserTesting: Comprehensive platform for moderated or unmoderated tests. Large and diverse user panel for recruiting participants. Provides video, audio, and written feedback. UserZoom: Specializes in quantitative and benchmarking tests (surveys, card sorting, tree testing, click testing). Offers in-depth insights and analytics for usability studies. Lookback: Focuses on moderated and live tests. Enables real-time observation and communication with users. Userlytics: Supports both moderated and unmoderated tests. Includes tasks, questions, surveys, video, audio, and written feedback. Offers analytics for comprehensive insights.

Feeling overwhelmed by all the usability testing platforms out there? Don't sweat it! Think of it like choosing a workout buddy—each platform has its strengths. Here's a quick breakdown: * Need user recordings & insights? Try Lookback for screen capture magic. * Want moderated tests with diverse users?UserTesting is your go-to for guided feedback. ? * Prefer quick, bite-sized tests? Maze lets you design tasks & get results fast. ?? * More into surveys & first impressions? UsabilityHub is your playground for quick user insights. Remember, the best platform depends on your needs & budget. So, what kind of “workout” are you looking for?

Define Objectives: Clearly outline your test goals and objectives. Data and Feedback Needs: Identify the type of data and feedback required. Measurement and Evaluation: Ensure the platform supports your preferred evaluation criteria. Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data: Determine if you need qualitative insights or quantitative data. Budget Constraints: Compare pricing models and align with your budget. Usability of the Platform: Assess platform ease of use for a streamlined process. Flexibility and Customization: Check for customization options to tailor the testing process. Reliability and Security: Ensure the platform handles data securely. Speed and Responsiveness: Evaluate platform speed and responsiveness.

To ensure user-friendliness in software development, I would suggest a holistic approach that integrates user feedback, usability testing, and intuitive design principles. By conducting thorough user research, we can gain insights into user preferences, pain points, and expectations. This allows to iteratively refine the user interface and experience, ensuring that the software is intuitive and easy to navigate. #UserExperience #SoftwareDevelopment #UserCentricDesign

Para escolher a plataforma correta, é preciso primeiro segmentar qual o nicho e público. Nem todas as plataformas medem de forma igual ou medem a mesma coisa. Por isso precisa ter um ponto de partida e em seguida verificar no mercado o que outros profissionais tiveram de resultados com elas. N?o se apegue a plataforma, se apegue ao público do seu projeto.

it totally depends on your needs and goals most teams go with moderated usability labs to track each nitty gritty of users their emotions and their ways of reaching the target but it is expensive on the other hand you can go with unmoderate mode also as this is cheap and both modes have their pros and cons .

Picking the right platform for software usability testing is like choosing the perfect outfit for a first appointment - gotta make a good impression! Here's the cheat sheet: 1. Know your goals: Quick tests? In-depth feedback? Remote or in-person? Figure out what you're aiming for. 2. Consider your budget: Free trials are great, but some platforms pack more features for a price. 3. Think about your users: Can the platform recruit the right audience for your software? 4. Usability matters too: Is the platform itself easy and intuitive to use? 5. Read reviews & ask around: Get the inside scoop from other testers! Remember, there's no “one size fits all” answer. Take your time, and find the platform that makes your testing a breeze!

Whenever you're designing any software, there are certain things you should always consider. Like: 1. Understand your target audience, their needs, and pain points. 2. Identify strengths and weaknesses of existing solutions. 3. Recruit users to test prototypes and iterate based on their feedback. 4. Ensure the software is usable by people with diverse abilities. 5. Guide users through potential errors gracefully and provide helpful solutions. Remember, the most important aspect is to always keep the user's needs and perspective at the forefront of your development process.

In my opinion two ideas may help. - Something like A/B testing is good. - Prepare usability scenarios not led the users is good rather than functional scenarios. Something like you have moves, let's update your address rather than go to profile and update the address.

Para que un software sea fácil de usar debe ser fácil de entenderse; para lo cual se debe de tener en cuenta elementos como: - Ofrecer una navegación sencilla para que los usuarios sin mucha experiencia puedan hacer uso del sistema. - Emplear nombres estandarizados para las categorías de la navegación y las funcionalidades. - Mantener constante la distribución y ubicación de los elementos estructurales que contienen las páginas o ventanas. - Mantener similitud entre tareas, diálogos y formularios. - Utilizar nombres adecuados de los botones de los formularios dependiendo de la acción que realiza. - Mostrar mensajes de error en texto plano entendibles para los usuarios. - Usar una URL clara y fácil de recordar.

Identifying all the end users and segmenting them, then conducting a focused testing will also help. This can be achieved through segmented requirements and later testing for this. For example, an e-commerce website can have different category of users with slightly different expectations.

Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics are a great starting point for functional and user testing scripts. Equally good as feedback questions ....