User tests are a form of qualitative research where users independently complete pre-defined tasks on a live website or product, without the guidance or presence of a moderator. This method allows participants to engage with your product in their own environment and at their own pace, reflecting more natural, unbiased behavior. By removing the presence of a moderator, unmoderated user tests can uncover genuine user interactions, giving you clear insights into how your audience navigates your product without external influence.
In this article, we've covered:
Use cases
- Diagnose and resolve website navigation issues
Set up a user test with a task requiring participants to find a specific product or piece of information on your website. Analyze the success rate and average time taken to complete the task. A low success rate or long completion time may indicate navigation issues. Review the video recordings to pinpoint where users struggle and identify specific areas for improvement.
- Evaluate the clarity and effectiveness of onboarding processes
Design a user test that guides new users through a key onboarding process, such as setting up an account or completing a tutorial. Use rating scales in follow-up questions to assess user understanding and satisfaction. Analyze video recordings to identify confusion or frustration during the process.
- Assess user reactions to new features or design changes
Before launching a new feature or design update, create a user test to gather feedback from a targeted group of users. Provide access to a prototype or staging environment where they can interact with the new feature. Include follow-up questions to collect feedback on usability, aesthetics, and perceived value.
- Assess whether users can smoothly navigate through the checkout process
Run a user test focused on the checkout process, from adding items to the cart through to completing payment. Analyze where users abandon the process or get stuck on certain pages. Use metrics like the drop-off rate and time spent on each step to identify points of friction.
- Test users’ ability to complete specific tasks
Design user tests around key tasks like purchasing a product or filling out a registration form. Track the time taken to complete the task, success rates, and any user comments on difficulties they encounter. By reviewing the session recordings, you can identify pain points where users struggle.
- Test different versions of your site
Conduct A/B testing by showing different versions of your site or specific pages to users. Measure engagement metrics like time on page, click-through rates, and conversion rates for each version.
Key features of User Tests
- Set up a test by following a simple process that includes creating a welcome message, defining tasks, adding follow-up questions, and closing with a thank you message.
- Run multi-task tests to uncover patterns and behaviors across various scenarios.
- Choose from multiple question types, including rating scales for quantitative data and text-based responses for detailed qualitative feedback.
- Offer compensation to participants, with guidance from the platform to help you set appropriate compensation levels.
- Conduct tests on live websites or prototypes to observe real-world user behavior and uncover usability issues.
- Capture detailed session recordings that include participants' screen interactions and audio, allowing you to analyze user behavior after the test.
- Keep your data secure with Hotjar's compliance with data protection regulations, ensuring participant privacy throughout the process.
- Track performance metrics such as task success rates and average completion times to quickly identify areas for improvement.
- Visualize responses using bar graphs for rating scales and word clouds for open-text responses, making it easy to understand participant feedback.