UX & Usability Test Assignment
This is the second in a series of three in-depth analyses reports in my Intro to Web Publishing course. It follows the assignment requiring each student to learn about a specific website, in this case SneakerBarDetroit.com, that site's business industry, as well as some core site SEO elements, such as traffic and popularity. This assignment gave students the chance to learn the basics of User Experience (UX) by conducting a usability test.
There were three assignments tied into this learning process, and this was the first of the three:
-
UX / Usability Test Assignment (this one!)
-
SEO Analysis & Keyword Research Assignment
​
This assignment is from Spring 2021 when students studied the website SneakerBarDetroit.com, with the assistance of the site's strongest content contributor, Rashone Bryant (aka African Ceasar).
​
​
UX & Usability Test Assignment
This assignment required students to conduct at least two usability tests following Steve Krug's script and usability test guidelines.
​
The assignment followed this outline:
-
Test Preparation
-
Choosing Participants
-
Tester Details
-
Test Results, summarized and detailed
-
Plus a recommendation to improve the user experience of a page tested
Support Page for this Assignment
Like all assignments, there were so many elements and details, a support page was required. This one included usability testing examples, links to Steve Krug support materials, and suggestions for free usability testing tools.
​
Several links have been removed since they linked to NWMSU data storage. The references remain to maintain structure to the assignment support tools provided.
​
There are support sources for both the SneakerBar Detroit assignment and the LaurenBateman.com assignment during the 2021/2022 school year.
General usability test paper resources:
-
Things a Therapist Would Say — this is how you solve problems during your actual test
-
Here’s Steve Krug’s video, showing how he conducts a usability test
-
Here’s the Excel template that has the assignment tables pre-made. (This link is no longer valid.)
-
Here are the card sort cards, in Excel format, that I handed out in class. Print them out and cut them into individual cards, as I did to the cards I handed out in class.
-
Here is a link to Jakob Neilsen’s 10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design.
Card sorting and content structure resources:
​
Remote Usability Testing:
For remote usability testing, use either Zoom or Lookback.io, which is software made for remote usability testing.
Whether you use Zoom or Lookback:
-
Only conduct a test with one person at a time.
-
Be sure the participant has their camera on — it’s important to see their facial expressions and body language.
-
Of course, the participant will be sharing their screen.
-
Be sure that you record the session so that you can embed a screenshot, if you choose.
You’ll use the same script and procedure wether the usability test is conducted in person or remotely.
Zoom screenshare demo:
The simplest way to conduct a remote usability test is by using Zoom. The key is to ensure your session is set up to allow participants to screen share, and that your tester’s video is on so you can see their facial expressions. You’ll conduct the test the same as if you were in person, according to class instructions and your script.
​
See this 30-second video that explains how to allow others to share their screens.
Lookback testing demo:
Lookback live is made specifically for remote usability testing. You do not have to enter a credit card for a free 14-day trial. Be sure to use the “live” lookback product so you can moderate the test. And, you need their video on so you can see their facial reactions. Here’s a demo, and there’s also one on their site.
For help deciding which UX improvements you could recommend:
Best sources from this link are UXmovement.com and Baymard Institute; here are a few pre-selected pages, but you should also look through the site for items that match your testing observations:
For help with best UX practices for search tools, try these sources:
Wireframing…
If you have access to Sketch or Balsamiq wireframing software, you can use it for this assignment. Otherwise, you can use any software to simulate your ideas. Here are some online tools for building wireframe layout, each of these has free trial only:
For screenshot demos:
If you want to know more about Usability testing…
If you want to know more about becoming a UX designer…
… check out JacquieLamer.com/so-you-want-to-be-a-ux-professional.