This information is in relation to ARRAY Express newsletter issue #10, titled “Analyzing Online Distributor Behavior.”
Read it online at www.ARRAYexpress.com/newsletter/10/newsletter10.html.
Testers. As many testers as your budget/time allows. But, if you’re pressed on either of those, 4–8 testers from your site audience will be helpful, ranging from inexperienced computer users to experienced (depending on your audience, these testers may be from your sales force, or from your customer base, or often both; but whatever you do, don’t use people inside the company!!).
Incentives to bring users to the place of testing, usually your corporate office ($30–50 cash or free company products, plus a thank you note). Unless you can afford to fly testers in from the expanses of your company’s geographical reach, local testers are usually quite adequate. Don’t forget refreshments (comfort food) to keep your testers calm and happy.
Test script. When we tested our own corporate site (idiglobal.com) two years ago, we came up with a list of goals and requirements we expected to accomplish during testing. From that list, we created a full script/questionnaire that was completed by each tester. That way, we weren’t just asking random questions to hopefully find something out that was cool. We sought specific data we knew we needed to somehow improve our corporate site. Do the same for yours!
Video camera. Record the testing session(s) so you can show other people within the company that need to see it. This is also the better alternative to having 10 other people in the room, making the testers nervous. It can also be helpful if later you want to review a certain part of the testing that was particularly insightful. (There is a chance, however, that you won't ever watch the tape again, so don’t worry if this seems like a hassle as you prepare.)
Review additional resources available online to help structure your testing (www.uie.com, www.useit.com, etc).
A friendly moderator. Your inexperienced users may get frustrated and will need support and understanding to help them through it.
Finally, you'll need a little humility—be open to the feedback you receive, and be willing to change what needs to be changed, whether big or small.
Copyright © 2003 Internet Development Inc (IDI).