What are the Evaluation Methods and When Should I Implement Them?

The key to developing highly usable sites is employing user-centered design. The expression, "test early and often", is particularly appropriate when it comes to usability testing. As part of UCD you can and should test as early as possible in the process and the variety of methods available allow you to assist in the development of content, Information architecture, visual design, interaction design, and general user satisfaction.

Opportunities for testing include:

  • Baseline usability testing on an existing site
  • Focus groups, surveys, or interviews to establish user goals
  • Card Sort testing to assist with IA development
  • Wireframe testing to evaluate navigation
  • First click testing to make sure your users go down the right path
  • Usability testing to gauge the user interaction end-to-end and
  • Satisfaction surveys to see how the site fares in the real world.

Any one or a combination of these tests will radically improve the usability of your site, system, or application.