Products today are getting increasingly competitive in providing enjoyable user experience (UX). In order to develop products that resonate well with users, UX designers must go beyond aesthetic choices and dive deeper into understanding user behavior and needs. Hence, user research becomes valuable as it allows companies to explore user interactions with a product, and insights can be derived to help UX designers make informed decisions that enhance usability, accessibility, and overall satisfaction. 

User research can be done at multiple stages, at any point of the product development lifecycle, and even after launch. Specific user research tools or methods can be used, depending on whichever stage of the design process you are at. With reference to the Double Diamond framework, user research methods such as customer journey mapping, card sorting, tree testing or first click tests can be used in the discovery and defining stage of the design process. When the product is in the developing or delivery phase, methods such as prototyping and usability testing come in handy.

Here are some improvements that user research can bring to UX design:

1. User research allows a company to identify user pain points. 

User pain points are the problems, frustrations or bottlenecks that users experience when using a product. Through user research methods such as usability testing, surveys or interviews, pain points of users can be identified. User research will no doubt bring forward some negative findings about a product, but it should be embraced as these negative findings are what drives design improvement. From user research findings, UX designers will have a clearer picture of the challenges and pain points that users face and can formulate new design solutions to address these issues directly, enhancing the overall UX of the product to meet user needs.

2. User research is useful to validate design hypotheses or inform UX design decisions. 

A ‘good’ and ‘bad’ product can be differentiated by how it actually appeals to the people it was developed for. By gathering feedback on prototypes and early designs through user research, UX designers can test assumptions and refine designs based on real user interactions and feedback. As mentioned earlier, user research can be done anywhere in the product life cycle – this iterative process of user research can help to ensure that UX designers are on the right direction, and they can work towards creating a better design of the final product that aligns with user preferences and behaviors.

3. User research can help improve accessibility of your product.

Accessibility is one important aspect of UX design, and user research is able to play a crucial role in ensuring that products are usable by everyone in the target audience. By doing user research with persons with disabilities, UX designers can identify certain accessibility issues, as well as discuss potential solutions to those issues. If needed, new features can be designed to accommodate a wider range of needs, which enhances inclusivity and broadens the product’s reach, making it more accessible.

4. User research can give rise to new innovative discoveries

By conducting user research, opportunities for discovering new innovations can arise. Conversing with users and observing their interactions with a product can often reveal unmet needs, or emerging trend preferences that designers may not have considered before. Some insights gained can help UX designers understand how to improve UX, which may not have been filled by anyone in the market yet. Keeping the design and aesthetics of your product ahead of the curve is important and user research can help UX designers determine what is most suitable for the target audience currently.

Incorporating user research into the UX design process is not merely a best practice but a fundamental necessity for creating products that truly meet user needs and expectations. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the insights gained from user research will remain a cornerstone of successful UX design, guiding designers in creating experiences that are not only functional and inclusive but also forward-thinking and user-centered.