Are you a company struggling with the decision to set up your own User Testing team? There are many reasons why organizations hesitate to take the leap into User Testing, with concerns about expense and complexity topping the list. However, these concerns are often unfounded and can actually be easily refuted. Let's explore 4 top reasons for hesitancy and debunk them one by one.
Reason #1: Expensive
Many organizations believe that setting up a User Testing team will be expensive. However, this is not necessarily true. Hiring out third party lab testing and analysis can be pricey but having an in-house testing team reduces the financial outlay, as well as keeping learnings in-house. While there may be some initial investment required for tools and training, the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs. A User Testing team can help improve the overall user experience, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. In addition, the insights gained from User Testing can inform future product development, reducing development cycles and throw away work, ultimately saving the company time and money in the long run.
Reason #2: Complicated
Some companies fear that setting up a User Testing team will be complicated and time-consuming. However, with the right tools and resources, user testing can be streamlined and efficient. There are many user testing platforms available that make the process simple and straightforward. Additionally, there are plenty of resources and training materials available to help guide the team through the process. (I've written a blog post: Lab Testing vs Online Platform Remote Testing. Which is better?)
Reason #3: How to Resource
Finding people resources to drive User Testing are readily available and can actually work hand in hand with your web analytics team to identify enhancement opportunities, in addition to supporting development driven testing. The other concern in resourcing is finding the test subjects. With the rise of remote work and virtual collaboration tools, it is easier than ever to access a pool of potential users for testing. Many user testing platforms offer access to a diverse pool of participants, making it easy to find the right users for your testing needs.
Reason #4: Time-consuming, Will Slow Down Development
Some organizations worry that setting up a User Testing team will be a drag development timelines. However, User Testing can actually save time in the long run by identifying and addressing potential issues early in the development process. There is a misconception that tests have to include dozens of users, taking weeks to perform and analyze. However, the number of users needed for statistically relevant results can vary depending on the specific goals of the testing. In general, a sample size of 5 users can often provide valuable insights for focused areas of functionality, and larger sample sizes may not always be necessary. This is particularly the case in a Lean UX environment of testing often in small chunks throughout the development process.
The concerns about expense and complexity of setting up a user testing team are often unfounded. With the right tools and resources, user testing can be streamlined and efficient, ultimately leading to improved user experience and cost savings for the organization. By addressing these concerns head-on, companies can overcome their hesitancy and harness the power of user testing to drive success.