Design & Product
Dive into the steps for setting up tests, picking the right tools, and recruiting the best participants—all from the comfort of your own space!
UX Researcher
Remote usability testing can help you gather valuable insights about your product and target audience from different geographical locations without any limitations. They also cost just a fraction of traditional usability tests, and are more convenient for participants!
Not sure what remote usability tests are? They refer to tests that are taken while participants and researchers are spread across multiple geographical locations. This is different from in-person usability testing, where participants would be in the same room as researchers.
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With improvements in technology and innovation, as well as the availability of research platforms like UXArmy, remote usability testing can either be moderated by a researcher or self-reported (unmoderated usability testing).
There are 2 forms of remote usability testing – moderated and unmoderated.
Remote moderated usability testing has a similarity to an in-person study, where there is real-time interaction in a session involving a researcher and participants. The researcher and participants will be communicating with each other at the same time, but they are not in the same physical setting. Remote moderated usability testing sessions can involve more than one participant at a time, such as in a dyad, triad or focus group.
Remote moderated usability testing is usually conducted via a video-conference tool. This form of testing works well when there is a higher budget or more time available, and when researchers need to ask participants follow-up questions in present time.
Scenario: You are a researcher living and working in the United States, and want to conduct a research interview with a participant from your target audience in India.
Remote unmoderated usability testing does not require a moderator to be present. The researcher will create tasks and instructions for participants via a remote-testing tool, while the participant attempts the test on their own at their convenience, while recording their screen and voice, whichever is deemed necessary by the researcher.
Remote unmoderated usability tests involve only one participant at a time, although many individuals could be taking the test at the same time.
This form of testing brings about some advantages is useful when:
Scenario: You are a researcher based in Europe, who wants to test out your high-fidelity prototype of your app quickly, in many places around Southeast Asia where people are living in a different timezone.
A mix of the two methods can be used as well; it is not necessarily one or the other. Sometimes, a combination of the two approaches can complement findings and meet research objectives.
There are many options of remote usability tools to choose from, depending on your budget and research needs. We recommend choosing tools based on the functionalities and features you require for your project.
Here are some of the best tools for remote usability testing:
When choosing a tool, pay attention to reviews, installation requirements, pricing plan, and features they offer.
UXArmy offers a whole suite of tools that collects qualitative and quantitative feedback in a quick and cost-effective manner.
The UXArmy platform offers a range of solutions:
UXArmy also offers recruitment services with a panel of tens of thousands of verified testers.
Before planning the remote usability test tasks or questions, ensure that:
Based on your target audience, it is important that remote unmoderated usability tests are prepared and catered to their level, especially since there will be no moderators to help or provide guidance. One way to ensure this is to create tests in the local language of your target audience. Also make sure simple language is used, instead of technical jargon.
A great way to conduct an effective remote usability test is to first perform internal dry runs (or trials/rehearsals) of the test script and tasks. Dry runs are done to ensure that tasks make sense to participants, all links or prototypes used in the test are working, and no questions are missed out.
For remote moderated usability testing, test scripts should be rehearsed to make sure all questions and tasks can be completed within the planned time frame. Doing a dry run could help a researcher be more efficient after familiarizing themselves with a new tool, or prevent errors on the actual day after getting used to the usability test guide..
For remote unmoderated usability testing, doing dry runs before launch are crucial since participants will receive no help or guidance when they take on the tests at their own time.
To achieve your research objectives, it is key to recruit the right participants for your remote usability tests.
You can also utilize a trusted user panel to source for the right participants. UXArmy provides versatile and comprehensive recruitment services with quick turnaround, for both moderated and unmoderated user testing.
Upon the completion of your usability test, you can proceed to analyze and act on the results.
Join countless professionals in simplifying your user research process and delivering results that matter
To ensure you are making the best use of time and resources, seek advice or support from trusted sources: UXArmy has a qualified team of highly experienced user researchers and usability experts that can assist you in deciding on methodologies for your research projects or provide advice for recruitment
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