Usability Testing Methods For Ecommerce Websites

In various studies it has been found that if more time is spent on evaluation of usability of any ecommerce web site then it helps such business grow further. Usability refers to the ease with which visitors coming to your can browse it as well as purchase from it.

The better usability a site has; the better conversions it can expect. In this context let us look at some of the common website usability testing methods which can be used to further optimize your e-commerce web site.

Ecommerce Usability Testing

Hallway Testing

In this technique random set of users are asked to test the site instead of people who normally test websites on regular basis and are trained in how to do such tests. This technique is known to be quite effective for new ecommerce sites right at the time of development.

Remote Testing

Here tests are performed with the help of people situated in different time zones and countries. In such website usability testing the clicks is recorded to check whether any type of critical incident occurred during the time they were on the site.

In addition to it, the feedback submitted by the user is also checked. This is considered to be an effective method since it is conducted in normal environment rather than in controlled lab conditions.

Expert Reviews

Here experts in any specific field are requested to check usability features of the site. Oftentimes, these tests are conducted within a testing facility and the experts are asked to visit the facility for the test.

In other situations usability testing checklist is created and the tests are done remotely and results are recorded and then sent to the development team for review.

Paper Prototype Testing

In this type of test rough drawings of any specific interface are utilized as prototype for the ecommerce site design. The user is then asked to undertake certain tasks by going through such kind of prototypes helps the designers test their work at very low cost and well before any type of coding starts.

Questionnaires and Interviews

In this form of ecommerce usability testing one on one interview is conducted and help tester make direct questions to person taking the test.

Likewise testers can also utilize questionnaires for asking questions. The benefit of this method is that it provides structured data to be used for improving usability aspects of the e-commerce web site.

DIY Walkthrough

Here a usability testing checklist is developed and the tester creates a test situation where realistic scenarios are utilized. After that the tester himself conducts those tests as any other user would do.

Many times a group walkthrough is done where several attendees can part in the process and perform the tests together.