Testing your site with 'real' users is one of the quickest and easiest ways to get immediate feedback about any major stumbling blocks in your site. The fact is: users who can't complete tasks on your site will leave it. And that leads directly to your bottom line.

• Make sites easier to use.
  Our usability tests will ensure that your site more closely meets the needs of its users, and that those users can complete tasks. Designing a site based on user needs rather than internal opinions will lead to happier customers.
  
  
• Increase revenue and site loyalty.
  Sites that are easy to use keep visitors coming back. Creating an effortless online experience for your users will lead to higher rates of task completion and purchasing.
  
  
• Decrease in site attrition and abandonment.
  Sites that clearly guide users through a process or task lead to higher rates of success and completion. Users will quickly abandon your site if they feel confused about their next step or if they feel uncomfortable completing online transactions. Ease of use and confidence in your company -accomplished through improved usability-will decrease site attrition and abandonment rates.
  
  
• Decrease development costs.
  Performing iterative usability testing throughout a product's development cycle identifies potential hurdles and issues early and solves them before extensive research is needed. Testing early and often assures a better site.
  
  
• Rise above your competitors.
  It's likely there are dozens -maybe hundreds- of sites out there that offer the same products or services that you do. Making your site easier to use means customers will prefer doing business with you.
  
  
• Decrease customer support costs by increasing customer satisfaction.
  Sites that make more sense and provide what users are looking for result in users who are happier with their online experience. Happy users in turn require less assistance from your company's support staff. And that translates directly into more satisfied customers and less overhead.

1. Define your business objectives and purpose.
   In order for us to understand and prioritize which tasks users are to be tested with, we need to have a clear understanding of the business reasons behind each task. When each task clearly supports a business goal, the test results and recommendations will be appropriately geared to address your business objectives.
   
   
2. Define your user profile and recruit users.
   If the tasks identified in the business objectives require that a specific type of user be tested, we create a user profile. We then recruit users who match the criteria identified. If, however, the goals of the testing relate to general rather than user-specific issues, a user profile is not needed and we use general Web users for the testing process.
   
   
3. Create a test plan.
   A test plan is an overview of the testing to be done. It includes a detailed task scenario, which is a "typical" list of tasks that a Web site user might complete while visiting your site. These tasks are built from -and are designed to reflect- the business goals for the outcome of the test.
   
   
4. Conduct testing.
   During testing, subjects are guided and observed in a one-on-one situation. The tester remains objective when guiding and questioning users, prompting them to "think aloud" as much as possible, recording all actions and key decisions that take place.
   
   
5. Compile test results and prepare final report.
   Notes taken during testing are reviewed and patterns of common issues are identified. We then create a final report that summarizes the study, points out critical barriers to usability for the tested site, and gives recommendations for improving the problems.

Contact us today to learn more about how usability evaluation and testing can benefit your site.