Media: UIE on Getting it Wrong

"Seven Common Usability Testing Mistakes" by Jared M. Spool goes back to basics to bring to attention pitfalls at different stages in the testing process.

'Years ago, we helped with a study of Ikea.com, looking at how people found products on the site. When we got there, they'd already started the testing process and were using tasks like "Find a bookcase." Interestingly, every participant did exactly the same thing: they went to the search box and typed "bookcase".

Upon our suggestion, the team made a subtle change to the instructions they were giving their participants: "You have 200+ books in your fiction collection, currently in boxes strewn around your living room. Find a way to organize them."

We instantly saw a change in how the participants behaved with the design. Most clicked through the various categories, looking for some sort of storage solution. Few used Search, typing in phrases like "Shelves" and "Storage Systems". And, nobody searched on "bookcase".'

Nothing new here for the experienced professional but a good reminder of what's at stake.

Associated Link: UIE: Seven Common Usability Testing Mistakes

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