What it remote usability testing and when you should use it

You need to know how people interact with your product. Otherwise, how do you know if they're any good? With usability testing, you can do just that and get down to the nitty gritty for what customers think and how they’re interested with your products and services. 

But how does it all work? That’s the purpose of this guide, which looks specifically at remote usability testing and when you should use it. 

What is remote usability testing?

In the past, usability testing generally involved bringing users into a controlled space to perform tests and observe their behavior. More recently though, technology and the increasing familiarity with distributed working has made remote usability testing a popular and effective alternative.

It involves testing as a way of gathering the information and insight you need on a product or service while embracing the flexibility and opportunities that modern technology brings. A researcher can observe and record user interactions, typically through screen sharing, video conferencing, or specialized testing platforms.

There are two main types of remote usability testing:

Moderated: A researcher is present to ask questions, guide test users and generally observe how the test is going. The advantage here is that research can be guided on the fly, with reactive questioning and more organic interactions with the test users. This is at the detriment of time and/or cost, with a researcher needed for every test.

Unmoderated: Participants complete the tasks they’ve been allotted independently. They do this in their own time, without a researcher being present. This offers a cost-effective way to gather a large amount of test data in a short time. This is especially useful when specialized testing platforms are used. One consideration is that there’s no chance for direction or contextual questioning during a test.

With both methods the tests and actions taken are recorded for later analysis, allowing researchers to dig deeper into key areas as and when they need to.

Key benefits of remote usability testing

Remote usability testing offers several advantages over traditional in-person testing:

Cost-effective

By going remote, you eliminate the need for a physical lab space and travel expenses for participants and researchers. Plus, you can allocate more of your budget towards fairly compensating participants for their time.

Time-efficient

It allows for rapid testing, iteration and analysis.   

Wider reach

You can recruit participants from anywhere in the world, allowing a global view or localization, as you need.

Natural environment

Participants are more likely to be comfortable and relaxed in their own work or leisure space, leading to a more natural response to your test.

Flexibility

With moderated tests you can organise times which suit your research team or draw in the most participants. With unmoderated tests you can simply allow a timeframe for the participants to complete what they are set in their own time.

When to use remote usability testing

Remote usability testing is suitable for a wide range of projects and situations, including:

Early-stage product development

Quickly identify potential usability issues and insights before you ramp up development spend.

Iterative design

 Use at each stage to get feedback on design changes and improvements.

Testing different user groups

Design a range of targeted user groups to see how your product is received in different markets and audience segments.   

Limited budget

Conduct cost-effective testing for a much lower outlay.

While remote testing offers many benefits it's important to consider the nature of your project. Some tasks are perfect for remote testing, while others might benefit from in-person testing. As with most things, honestly assessing your needs before designing your study goes a long way towards making the decision for you.

How to run a remote usability test

1. Define your goals. Clearly outline the objectives of your test, the scenarios you’d like to assess and the information you hope to gather.
2. Recruit participants. Identify your target audience and recruit participants who represent your ideal users. This can be most quickly and effectively be done with an online platform like Prolific. 
3. Choose a testing platform. Select a platform that suits your needs and budget. Popular options include Maze and Useberry.
4. Create test scenarios. Develop tasks that represent the typical user goals and behaviours your product is aiming to serve and address.
5. Develop a script. If you’re conducting moderated test, prepare a robust script for researchers to help guide conversations and ensure a consistent approach to each test user.
6. Conduct the test. Follow your test plan and observe participants as they interact with your product or service.
7. Analyze results. Review recordings, participant feedback, and the key performance metrics you have decided to identify usability issues and areas for improvement.
8. Iterate. Use your findings to update your designs and then set up a new batch of tests to gauge the effectiveness of your design updates.

Tips for success

It’s not all over once you have a robust testing plan, an ideal set of test participants and a range of well-scripted scenarios – there are a few more things which can elevate your testing process:

• Clear instructions. Provide clear and concise instructions to participants.
• Build a rapport. Create a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for participants.   
• Active listening. Pay attention to participants' verbal and nonverbal cues.
• Data analysis. Use qualitative and quantitative data to inform your design decisions.

By following these steps and using the benefits of remote usability testing, you can gain valuable insights into your users' experience of your product, allowing you to create experiences which truly serve their needs.