We use this and it is as Dana says, about evaluation,testing and great design. I think that the method of Alpha to Beta to release is key to success in any web application. Usertesting benchmarks the experience and I think you are right not to be a fan of this. I am for the before launch and after launch approach which emplys actually user information, market research and post launch click heat mapping.
If you are a small company and dont really have the resources for such a large scale usability test, would you just carry out in house usability testing for a new piece of software or invite a select number of your regular customers to test the software online and give you feedback. As an online company its kind of difficult to set up a testing environment where you can visually see how people react, you can only get written feedback via a form. Where I think asking the right questions will determine how good and useful that feedback will be.
For those that are looking to get feedback on your websites, I would recommend trying www.usertesting.com. I do not own this site, however, I am one of the testers that review websites. The site shows website owners how visitors (such as myself)view/would use their website through the power of video. Site owners write out task that they want the testers to complete. The testers complete the tasks and send their videos to the site owner.
23 Reader Comments
Back to the Articlemetalfrogstudios
We use this and it is as Dana says, about evaluation,testing and great design. I think that the method of Alpha to Beta to release is key to success in any web application. Usertesting benchmarks the experience and I think you are right not to be a fan of this. I am for the before launch and after launch approach which emplys actually user information, market research and post launch click heat mapping.
Beadstalk
If you are a small company and dont really have the resources for such a large scale usability test, would you just carry out in house usability testing for a new piece of software or invite a select number of your regular customers to test the software online and give you feedback. As an online company its kind of difficult to set up a testing environment where you can visually see how people react, you can only get written feedback via a form. Where I think asking the right questions will determine how good and useful that feedback will be.
Santos 100
For those that are looking to get feedback on your websites, I would recommend trying www.usertesting.com. I do not own this site, however, I am one of the testers that review websites. The site shows website owners how visitors (such as myself)view/would use their website through the power of video. Site owners write out task that they want the testers to complete. The testers complete the tasks and send their videos to the site owner.