How can you test mobile usability across multiple platforms and devices?

1 Choose your target platforms and devices

Before you start testing, you need to define your target platforms and devices. These are the ones that your users are most likely to use, based on your audience research, analytics data, and business goals. You can use tools like Google Analytics, StatCounter, or DeviceAtlas to find out the most popular platforms and devices among your users. You should also consider the diversity of screen sizes, resolutions, orientations, and input methods that your website needs to support.

3 Test on real devices and emulators

To test mobile usability, you need to use both real devices and emulators. Real devices are the actual physical devices that your users use, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, or desktops. Emulators are software applications that simulate the behavior and appearance of different devices on your computer. Both methods have their pros and cons, so you should use them in combination to get a comprehensive view of your website's performance and usability. You can use tools like BrowserStack, LambdaTest, or Chrome DevTools to access various real devices and emulators online.

5 Collect and analyze feedback and data

To test mobile usability, you need to collect and analyze feedback and data. Feedback is the qualitative information that your users provide about their experience and satisfaction with your website, such as comments, ratings, or suggestions. Data is the quantitative information that you measure and track about your website's performance and usability, such as load time, bounce rate, conversion rate, or error rate. You should use both feedback and data to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your website, and to prioritize and implement improvements. You can use tools like Hotjar, Google Forms, or Google Optimize to collect and analyze feedback and data.

6 Keep testing and improving

To test mobile usability, you need to keep testing and improving. Mobile usability testing is not a one-time event, but a continuous process that requires regular monitoring and evaluation. As your website evolves, so do your users' needs, expectations, and behaviors. You should also keep up with the latest trends and developments in mobile web design, such as new devices, browsers, features, or standards. You should always test your website on multiple platforms and devices, and use the feedback and data to make informed and user-centered decisions.

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?