What is user experience testing? Whilst it may sound a little on the technical side, and has various other names including user testing, usability testing and UX testing, it’s actually a straightforward concept that involves testing to understand what people do, and why they do it. It allows researchers to really get to the bottom of everything a consumer thinks and feels when using a website or app, and how good or bad their experience is. If the overall experience is poor, confusing or frustrating, consumers will be more likely to look elsewhere. This means it’s vital for brands to nail user testing to make sure experiences are as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Here are some guidelines on what you can expect if you take part in paid market research for user experience testing.
How does user experience testing work?
If you take part in a user experience test, you will be observed whilst undertaking various tasks on a website or app. You may be watched firsthand by a researcher, or specialist software will capture your behaviour on your browser, allowing for a more relaxed and natural experience. Testing in this way is incredibly important because it offers businesses vital insights about your likes and dislikes, what you are buying and why – and, most importantly, why you might leave a website empty-handed and head straight to their competitors instead. All of these insights are hugely valuable, as user experience can make or break a company now that so much of our lives are conducted online.
How long does it take?
Though it might seem like navigating around a website will be the matter of a few minutes, the researchers will want to gain a thorough understanding of your behaviour, and look closely at at the way you interact with a website or app, so the research will usually take between 30-60 minutes (as well as being useful for the business, it can also be a fascinating insight into your own behaviour when online!). If you are travelling to a venue to take part in the research, you should also factor this into how long it will take. However, a number of UX tests now take place remotely, which means you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home to take part!
Why should I take part in paid market research?
As with all paid market research, you will receive an incentive as a thank you for taking part. This could range from £10 to £100 depending on the amount of time it takes, and will be paid in money, vouchers, cheque or bank transfer (your incentive will be confirmed before you take part). However, user experience testing isn’t just about the money! Taking part in research like this is a fascinating look at how businesses and brands hone their user experience to make it as smooth as possible, and allows you to make a genuine contribution. For example, you might love a particular brand but find their website really hard to use. Taking part in a usability test gives you a chance to share your feedback and change this for the better. In a nutshell, it’s about telling big brands how you feel about their site – what’s good, what’s bad and what they can improve on.
If you fancy getting involved with user experience testing, this type of paid market research could be perfect for you. Register with us today and have your opinions heard!
