Website Usability - a typical testing day

Today we're running lab-based user testing with our eye-tracking equipment. We have four participants booked to come in this afternoon and to run through a series of tasks comparing different homepage designs. Here's how a day of user testing breaks down.

8.30am
First up we need to check that the site is working properly. As we're testing three versions of the same page the content needs to be up to date and the same on each page. All links need to be tested and going to the same location for each page.

9.30am
Confirm with participants that they're still attending. There is usually at least one drop out on the day so it's good to know as soon as possible as it may be that a replacement can be found at short notice.

10.30am
Updating and personalising testing documents. Pre-test surveys, consent forms and thank you letters all need to be reviewed, updated with client information and printed ready for participants arrival.

11.30am
Check test set up - having set up the test on our eyetracking equipment earlier in the week this is the last chance to make any changes and be sure that everything works as it should.

1.00pm
Review test protocol. The easiest way to put participants at their ease to ensure they know exactly what's expected of them. Explaining the format of the testing and making it clear that it is the site that's being tested, not the participant, is very important. There is a standard protocol but it may need altering slightly for different tests.

3.00pm
Final testing. Grabbing a colleague to run a full final test is the last stage. Everything is checked from protocol to technical issues to content.

4.00pm
The client arrives. It's always nice for the client to watch at least some of the testing first hand. Most clients are new to user testing and so it's usually an eye opening experience.

4.30pm
The first participant arrives. They are talked through how the test works and asked to "think out loud", as even the smallest comment can be revealing. Testing starts!

5.30pm
Unfortunately one of the participants has cancelled at the last minute so we're left with an hour to spare before the next one arrives. This time is quickly filled with discussion of the first test; what was surprising, what wasn't, issues that need fixing, design that needs reviewing and questions that should be asked to the remaining participants.

6.30pm
Participants 2 and 3 arrive and run through the set tasks. Already trends and the major barriers users find frustrating are starting to show themselves. With each participant the urge to run off and start fixing simple issues straight away grows but it's important to collate all the data before recommending changes.

8.30pm
The last participant has gone home and discussion turns to the second set of testing and what we hope it will achieve. But for now it's time to lock up the lab and go home. Tomorrow is another important day as there are notes to be written up, footage to be reviewed and data to be analysed...