Character Website; User Tests Script

Due to the current world pandemic and lock-down in Ireland, I had to do my user-tests for the "Take Outs" site virtually. To support this, I sent the users an email that explained how to download Castify and record themselves. The main benefit of this is that the user is alone and not influenced by my presence. The clickstream analysis is still preserved by their self recording so there is no loss in value there.

For 2/3 tests I added a personalised brief for them to read in my absence and to give the user some context. I cannot talk to them, and hopefully this encourages them to use the site in a way that will help me learn something new and shines light on working flows.

Above is the introduction to the user test. After introducing myself and the project, I explain why I am doing the user test and the intention behind the test. I go into the brief I am working on and reassure the user I am testing the prototype and now them. Hopefully this relieves some nerves and gives the user confidence. Letting them know the recording will only be seen by my mentor and I to reduce stage fright and increase their sense of security when recording themselves. It's a very personal thing to do, so it's important information. They had the choice to fill out the answers in writing if they did not want to speak into their microphones.I request the user speaks out loud and provide prompts on ways to think about the site setting them in an observant mindset. By mentioning my feelings will not be hurt by their opinion, the user is reminded to be honest, and assured I won't take the review of the prototype personally.

The next stage of the script I inquire about the user. I ask questions about them and how much they use the internet to get an idea of their user experience and expectations. I ask if they book experiences online, or are interested in joining communities. Here I am gauging how interested this person would be to use an online platform to book a service or to join a community.

I move on to introducing the user to the prototype. Assuming they have not used one before, I make them aware of limitations it will have such as not being able to submit information. I want the user to focus on getting to the goal of booking an option, and not the limitations of a prototype.

Firstly, I ask them to take in the homepage before doing anything else. They have no context of what the site is about at this point so they are asked to decipher the sites purpose with just the homepage. My user is then prompted with questions. This gives me an idea of whether the website is reading as the client's website and whether its purpose is obvious. The questions are specific to give their feedback a focus and in case the user is more of an introvert and doesn't naturally create feedback easily.

Finally, the user is assigned a task with context. They are given a narrative and the role of someone looking to use what the website has to offer. I let them know how the character is feeling and why they want to use the site. This is where I will evaluate my user flow and see if they follow the sets to submit a booking easily. The user is then asked some follow up questions to provide more feedback and let them speak freely about the site positively and negatively. The user is thanked for their participation!

When the users provide their tests back to me, I will take note of;

- the key findings from the test.

- did the test accomplish the goals I wanted to find out?

- did the findings confirm the design goals?

- areas I can improve/change about the site.

Cover image source