First Insights - Lab based Usability Testing

Usability testing is ideal when you are looking to gather rich qualitative feedback from your customers and learn about the navigation, branding, functionality, value proposition and content of an interface. Our team has conducted usability research on Websites, Intranets, software applications, widgets, social media tools and handheld devices. People often ask us when to test and it’s really a function of timing and budget as we’ve done testing with paper prototypes, at the early HTML prototype stage, Beta sites a few days before launch and on live sites to gather benchmark commentary.

To accommodate our clients we’ve done usability testing in three types of settings:

Lab based at testing facilities around the US and Europe
Office based for in-house Intranets and internal applications
Remote testing for tight budgets

Feel free to watch video clips from one of our usability studies to learn more.

A usability test will help your company…

Learn whether your users understand the value proposition of an interface
Pinpoint specific areas of an interface (e.g. navigation, content, functionality) that require modifications
Gain an understanding of shifts in customer perceptions, buying habits and attitudes regarding your brand
Feel empowered during the decision making process regarding the next phase of development
Save development time and avoid the expense of major post-launch revisions
Improve acquisition and retention rates
Uncover critical glitches that might cause site abandonment
Minimize the risk of launching a site that does not adequately address user needs

Common Questions

1. Where can testing be conducted?

Almost anywhere. First Insights has conducted lab based usability tests in over 15 cities in the US and Europe. We maintain our own package of mobile digital video equipment and can also set up one-on-one interviews remotely or in a quiet office at your location. Either way, we take care of all the logistical planning.

2. How much does usability testing cost?

Although there are various types of test formats, a good rule of thumb is to spend about 10% of your total Website / interface development budget on usability testing. Contact us for more pricing details.

3. How much time does a standard project take from start to finish?

A typically usability testing project involves the following:

Preparation: 7 – 10 days for recruitment, interface review, moderator’s guide developing & facility selection
Testing: 1 – 3 days of actual testing sessions with six to eight participants per day
Results: 7 – 8 days of report preparation and delivery

4. Is usability testing just for Websites?

Nope. Usability testing is a critical exercise when developing an Intranet, Extranet, widget, social media tool, mobile device or proprietary software solution.

5. What if I don’t have the time or budget for usability testing?

You may want to try a heuristic evaluation. These 5 - 7 day projects are an excellent way of gathering feedback on a Web site or Intranet. Typically we have two specialists complete heuristic evaluations and base their findings on a standard set of "heuristics" or generally accepted principles that apply to a well-built interface.

For more on our services or methodology feel free to contact us with any questions.