Neuroscience researchers has confirmed that mobile loading time is more gut-wrenching than watching a horror movie (Ericsson). Only a few apps are downloaded thousands of times, while many languish in their stores.
While an app may suffer from unappealing content, in all likelihood, poor user experience (UX) is the prime reason behind low downloadability rates and limited daily use.
UX incorporates all areas of end-user interaction with your site or app. Failing to do thorough end-user testing or user acceptance testing (UAT) will lead to your app lingering longer at the store or even worse, it may create a negative image of your company.
This blog will discuss the ins and outs of your mobile app usability testing.
When asked about the rationale for mobile app uninstalls, users have common complaints, among which the most frequent are:
Here is some statistical food for thought:
You are probably familiar with the experience of trying to make a purchase via a mobile app which renders no results. You press the place order button, but it just doesn’t click.
The crux of the matter: the difference between a good and bad mobile experience is in the quality of UX which all begins with the client. Usability testing for mobile apps is part and parcel of a successful development company.
User Acceptance Testing or UAT is a verification process. It helps to make sure that a software solution is functional. UAT is also called beta testing (or application testing). It refers to software development. A group of testers “use” the mobile application to see how it works.
Good comments and reviews are crucial. They help the app to be approved on the app store. Early users share their experience with the developers. Then, final touches are applied to roll the mobile app out to the market.
There are several layers of testing: functional testing, integration testing, system testing, and remote usability testing of mobile applications among many others that test applications.
UX testing addresses the following issues:
The ultimate goal of mobile user experience testing: the app has to meet a user’s expectations. Software artisans should avoid situations when the user:
It’s needed as the client should be left satisfied, not frustrated. The users usually become exasperated because:
We’ve all been there, right? Even if the app crashes once, we tend to uninstall it from our phone immediately.
UAT verifies if the required mobile app functions are working in the “real world.” Tested mobile phone apps are more likely to be used on a daily basis.
Eventually, both the end client and the development team will benefit if the topnotch mobile app design is produced. The time input in UAT cycles increases the usefulness of the mobile App.
What are some benefits of User Acceptance Testing (UAT)?
When all is said and done: a highly-functional app increases the happiness of end-users and, therefore, increases the app’s popularity.
If there’s no usability testing strategy for mobile apps, then it’s more likely to become bogged down in user analytics. The following UX test questions help to test the application on a deeper level:
1. Setting parameters for your end-user testing on mobiles:
2. Making specific tasks for users:
3. Creating the documents with tests:
4. Recruiting user-testers:
5. Implementing the testing methodology
6. Reporting the usability discovery
Let’s examine the elements of design that need to be tested.
There are a few cornerstones that constitute what is considered “good design.” Usability refers not only to exceptional design but also functionality. If the design is ignored during the development process, it can lead to your mobile app being deleted or even worse; it can start generating negative reviews.
It includes designs that anticipate ways to improve UX. The attempt is made here to anticipate the users’ unconscious needs in advance. This practically means simplification of your app’s UX to such a degree that you are always one step ahead of users. A user might not be aware of hidden desires for their app, but you already know them.
Cognitive load describes how much our brain power is necessary for completing a certain task. The human brain is limited in its processing capacity and can slow down when faced with too much information. Two things have to be considered when practicing cognitive design:
Cluttering is enemy number one of a good design. You can overload users with too much information, so decluttering needs to happen. A good designer tries to incorporate fewer buttons, images, and icons, making the app as simple as possible.
Predictability is the core principle of UX design. When a user’s expectations are met, then the app’s enjoyment increases. They feel in control of it. The intuitive approach allows us to use our prior knowledge to learn the app faster and interact with it more efficiently.
What a joy it is when the app has smart features such as autocomplete for completing the form. We all remember the frustration of trying to fill out a form on a small screen.
An ideal mobile interface has big targets for users to tap them quickly. Research shows that the ideal button size is 10mm x 100mm on mobile devices.
Visual hierarchy emphasizes the primary action on each screen. Call-to-action buttons should always be easily accessible and visible.
Read also: Cost to Design a Mobile App
There is a multitude of UX testing platforms, tools, and equipment. Among such user testing tools are Userlytics, UserTesting, UserZoom, UXtweak, and others.
These usability testing tools for mobile apps help test different features of the app. In such a way real-time feedback is accumulated. This testing shows how to optimize the app.
UAT decreases the odds of issues appearing. It also reduces the amount of development and maintenance work. You’ll reap rich dividends increasing customer satisfaction.
Now you can go two routes from mobile application usability testing. Either you can try to master mobile UX testing tools yourself, or you can entrust your app to a trustworthy development company. They will do the testing for you, saving your time and sparing you some trouble. What will you choose? We are here to serve you!