Shizucor

Usability testing is important for any web project that’s in the development or finishing phase. Sometimes, it can be costly but there are cheap alternatives! One (free) example I’d like to mention today is five second test – A simple online usability test.

Create a Test

There are three versions of the five second test: Classic, Compare, and Sentiment. For the Classic option, you just upload an image of your interface and then testers will have to view the image for five seconds and list 5 features they can remember. With the second option, Compare, you upload two different pictures and testers have 2 and a half seconds to view each image. Then they decide which image they prefer. With the Sentiment option, testers have five seconds to view your interface and then they decide which one is their least favorite feature and most favorite feature.

Do a Random Test

This is fun! I’ve done all three tests and I can’t for the life me remember the features every time I do the classic or sentiment tests. If the design is successful, however, I can list all five features that stood out to me. Make a designer happy and do a random test!

I have yet to upload a project but I definitely will future projects both personal and work related. Have you tried five second test? If not, how do you or your company conduct usability testing?