Better days: Prototype, Usability Testing, and App Development
The Usability Testing process
“Disclaimer: I do not work for C-Care. This project was purely used for learning and improving my skills as a graphic designer.”
Usability testing
Goals
“For the 2nd part of the project usability testing will be conducted to comprehend how actual users interact with the app website/mobile so that changes can be made in response to the findings.”
But why? (list what to achieve by running the usability tests.)
A usability test’s primary goal is to collect data needed to identify usability issues and improve the design of a website or app.
Usability testing can be beneficial even with the best design team and developer as it enables us to identify the trouble spots and areas where the users get confused or stuck while navigating through the app.
- Identify bugs & issues with the product.
So that we can improve the UI/UX quality for a better user experience and decrease the chance of losing a potential client/user to our competitors.
- Test product concept with your target audience.
To observe and understand how the targeted audience actually interacts with the app and make appropriate changes accordingly.
- Reveal friction points and confusing experiences.
So that, the app can be adjusted and changed to the audience's liking and improve the app for a better user experience.
Methodology
Outreach & Screening
The users participating in this testing are peers and people surrounding me from different age groups to have a better overview of how the mass audience would react to the app.
The best way to conduct this testing was through remote testing, as the app itself is a self-service kind of app, where the user will have to book and do certain activities on their own.
While conducting the remote testing, the moderator will develop a testing plan and ask the users to complete a series of tasks in their own environment, with their attempts to complete tasks being recorded using a browser webcam (zoom platform — via webinar or conference call technology), followed by a series of questions on their personal experience when navigating the app.
Eight people were asked to participate in the user testing process.
Testing Setup, Moderation & Post-Test Questions.
1. Introduction
The first step of your testing process. Regarding the product/app, the participants were briefly explained about the app and its purpose before testing the prototype.
2. Tasks
List the tasks you asked your participants to perform here.
- Log in to the web app/mobile app
- Find specific content, page, button, etc.
- Complete an entire task from start to finish: in this case, it would be for the “book now” feature and the “tracking” feature in the app.
3. Post-Test Questions
The questions were asked to participants after the test to gain a deeper understanding of how they felt about the product overall.
- Link to the video testing :
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GJgXZuUq-8&t=3s&ab_channel=NehaLP
“The testing starts at 00 05. After each test, there were questions asked of the user for proper feedback and an overview of the app prototype.”
Here is an overview of the feedback received from the user testers:
This testing was conducted by the UX Researcher & Usability Test Facilitator, (completed by the developer) — The stage 1 app.
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGdHkJ-H9zg&t=3s&ab_channel=NehaLP
“ After all of the testing being executed, there was another feedback session held with deeper analysis of what can be done for the betterment of the BetterDays app.”
Improvements to be made:
- To work on the design and color palette throughout the app.
- To put indications on how and where to navigate ( makes it easier for the user)
- Put positive feedback at the end of each activity on the My track feature to make it more engaging.
- The initial web app prototype link:
- The initial mobile app prototype link:
https://www.figma.com/proto/BGJulVEY5jpxt6vADMwjbU/mobile?page-id=0%3A1&node-id=1%3A2&viewport=0%2C0%2C1&scaling=scale-down&starting-point-node-id=1%3A2&show-proto-sidebar=1
- The final web app prototype link:
Public link to final website application
Link to the final BetterDays web app:
Future potential
How analytics may be utilised to measure engagement?
Consumption time on the app
- Length of Sessions: How long do customers spend using your app throughout each session?
- Session Interval: How long does it take for each app session to complete?
To consider reviewing and refining the flow of the user experience if the app provides a significant amount of high-quality information and features but the session length appears short. This could be an indication of technical or usability flaws. (4 essential KPIs for measuring mobile app engagement 2020)
Repeated usage
- Stability and loyalty: How many people return to your app after their initial visit?
How many people come back to your app on a monthly basis?
To observe and analyze how many users return on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The features that could help to collect this data who be the Online consultation feature; the users regularly booking an appointment and the My track feature; where data can be collected on how frequently the users engage and complete their weekly activities. (4 essential KPIs for measuring mobile app engagement 2020)
Exit rate
- Screening Views: The number of pages or screens users view in a session.
- Cancellation frequency: The number of users who remove the app in a particular period of time.
To examine the exit rates and find any pages with unusually high exit frequencies. then pay attention to these web pages and question why users are quitting at this specific moment.(4 essential KPIs for measuring mobile app engagement 2020)
“All of the this could imply that users are simply bored if the session length is getting shorter over time. It could be an indication to rethink the app design interfaces, integrate new social functions, or make navigation easier in light of this.”
How usability testing may be conducted at a future stage to improve existing app functionality or introduce new app features.
- A feedback system that allows the users to leave reviews online so that in the future we would be able to adapt and find solutions for any other issues found in the process.
- Encouraging the consumption of the app. Integrate user-generated content and customized push alerts to promote app usage and encourage frequent use. (Team, The Top App Engagement Metrics to measure your app’s performance 2022)
Better days: UX research and analysis
Link to the first part of the blog :
https://nehalakshana.medium.com/better-days-ux-research-and-analysis-ccc68e951594
Reference list
“Free Vector: Sign in Page Abstract Concept Illustration.” Freepik, December 16, 2020. https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/sign-page-abstract-concept-illustration_11668754.htm.
“Free Vector: Attention Attraction. Important Announcement or Warning, Information Sharing, Latest News. Loudspeaker, Megaphone, Bullhorn with Exclamation Mark.” Freepik, December 16, 2020. https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/attention-attraction-important-announcement-warning-information-sharing-latest-news-loudspeaker-megaphone-bullhorn-with-exclamation-mark_11669171.htm.
“Free Vector: Project Management. Business Process and Planning, Workflow Organization. Colleagues Working Together, Teamwork.” Freepik, December 16, 2020. https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/project-management-business-process-planning-workflow-organization-colleagues-working-together-teamwork_11669308.htm.
“Free Vector: Website Maintenance Abstract Concept Vector Illustration. Website Service, Webpage SEO Maintenance, Web Design, Corporate Site Professional Support, Security Analysis, Update Abstract Metaphor.” Freepik, December 16, 2020. https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/website-maintenance-abstract-concept-vector-illustration-website-service-webpage-seo-maintenance-web-design-corporate-site-professional-support-security-analysis-update-abstract-metaphor_11668822.htm.
Team, Amity. 2022. “The Top App Engagement Metrics to Measure Your App’s Performance.” RSS. Amity. July 22. https://www.amity.co/blog/top-app-engagement-metrics-to-measure-apps-performance#:~:text=Engagement%20metrics%20are%20a%20subset,they%20are%20deriving%20from%20it.
“4 Essential Kpis for Measuring Mobile App Engagement.” 2020. Digital Analytics Blog. August 20. https://blog.atinternet.com/en/4-essential-kpis-for-measuring-mobile-app-engagement/.
