It is more often that we need to do a last minute testing before the application is ready to be delivered to the users( clients).Time is very short and there is much to be completed within that schedule. Usability testing may still be in To DO list at that time.
As part of Quality assurance of a project, testing early in your development process and testing often along the way are key for success. We can’t run a tenth minute testing at the end and make the whole project run success.
Here are some steps which help in last minute testing
1) Go through your interface and ask yourself(Mobile web application)
- Can users easily tap on links? Links or buttons may be too close together or too small to allow for comfortable tapping.
- Can users complete tasks on the mobile screen? Form elements can obscure the keyboard, making it impossible to complete account creation or check out on an e-tail site.
2) Call-to-Action
Your homepage or the first page users land on should explain to the user what they can use your site for, and how to get started. Check whether your main pages have a clear “Get Started” or “Do This Now” indicator. If not, users will leave your site promptly or wander around aimlessly.
3) Page layout
Items that belong together should be placed close to each other. Make sure that labels and instructions for input fields, such as a phone number format example, appear close to the input field. Dropdown arrows for accordion elements should be next to the section title rather than all the way off to the side.
4) Instructions
Users don’t like to read. Provide only relevant information, and provide it at the right time. The most common mistake in this category is to omit password creation rules. If your account creation process has password creation restrictions make sure to show the information upfront; don’t wait until the user has created an invalid password.
5) Consistent terminology
This one really is low hanging fruit since it only requires text changes – and it can pay off big time. Once you’ve labeled an item, stick with that word. If your site deals with contracts and you are labeling them ‘Plans’ on your site, ask your user for their ‘Plan number’ not their ‘Contract number.’ If you have any related resources outside of your site, such as paper contracts or email communication, make sure that your terminology is consistent across the board. If that means your site needs to use the word ‘contract’ instead of ‘plan,’ so be it.
Image Credit: alisdair on Flickr
2 comments
Good points. Here are a few more:
1. Terminology- assure that the terms/words used are familiar to the target market. For instance, if marketing a site to Americans use words like ‘contact us’ instead of ‘enquiry’.
2. Assure that terms/words are spelled right! Spelling counts!
3. If a site allows for online filing of information, assure there is an email contact or live text option. Do not leave only phone number contacts. (Especially if targeted to Americans, who probably would prefer live chat or email to phone calls.)
Great list of tips, Rinju…
Last minute testing request come up on a frequent basis due to agile methodologies being implemented; these tips are helpful in catering to such requests…