Is your mobile application showing a lot of usability issues? Read our blog to know how rigorous usability testing can help your app meet users’ expectations. https://www.webguru-india.com/blog/a-comprehensive-guide-to-mobile-app-usability-testing/

1. A Comprehensive Guide to Mobile App Usability Testing
The growing number of mobile app users across the globe is a testimony to the
important role mobile apps play in our daily lives. And given the exclusive user
experiences and conveniences offered by such apps, customer expectations are
also on the rise. In fact, more companies are launching applications based on
innovative ideas supporting their business models and designs to offer suitable
solutions. These may cover a wide range of domains such as eCommerce, games,
banking and finance, utility, entertainment, hospitality, and many others.
However, it is proving hard to survive the competition for mobile applications
that have usability issues. Consequently, mobile app planning and execution are
receiving more attention from major mobile app development service providers
to ensure the apps’ usability is top-notch. Hence, if you have a mobile

2. application with usability nowhere near the standard benchmark, it’s time you
focus on this area and get it addressed quickly.
Continue reading the blog in the below-mentioned segments to know more
about mobile app usability. Additionally, should you be interested in knowing
more about the mobile app development process, you may read our blog.
Mobile App Usability Testing
Usability tests for mobile applications are conducted by getting users to use
your applications. These tests are conducted to study the users’ interactions,
behaviour patterns, responses and reactions to your application and give you
the insights to make suitable changes.
For conducting the test, you need to devise a plan that will help you to proceed
effectively. To create a sound plan, you may read the below-mentioned sections
that are usually followed by top mobile app development services:
 Set up the test purpose, goal, and objectives
 Research questions
 Characteristics of the test participants
 Test methods
 List of tasks for the participants
 Test the equipment, environment, and logistics
 Role of the facilitator
 Data to be collected and measured for evaluating
 Presentation and reports
Steps to consider before conducting the mobile app usability test
The steps needed to be considered before conducting the mobile app usability
test are:
# Test Objectives
Setting up the test objectives at the beginning is important, for the objectives
shall determine the outcome of the test. So, you can set up the questions for
asking the development team to explore important areas like markets,
competitors, opportunities, users, ideal app roadmaps, timing, and research,
among others. Any feedback from the team to your questions will help you

3. identify your goals and more importantly, set specific, prioritised, and
measurable goals.
# Performing Tasks
After the goal is set, you need to set up the appropriate tasks so that the test
results are genuine and help you to take the right action after the conduct of the
test. This is why, you must ensure setting a task that is more like natural
interactions that users, in general, have with mobile applications. For example,
the participants can be assigned tasks like signing up or uploading photos,
registering an account or sending a friend request to anyone, etc.
# Test documents for App usability
The app usability test requires a few documents like the consent forms of the
participants. Also, the post-test questionnaire is required to be set up according
to the standard of SUS (System Usability Scale) and PSSUQ (Post-Study
Usability Questionnaire).
# Participants in the test
The motive of the user-oriented test is to achieve quality results. Thus,
gathering the right participants to interact with the application is important
and therefore, you need to keep the following things in mind:
 The user must be a representative of the target audience
 The user owns a device that runs on the same operating system the
application is designed to run
 Participants must show confidentiality and have the expertise to use the
application, which can be in its initial stage of development
 The participant must be available at the time and place of testing
 The participant must agree to the compensation terms before
participating in the usability test
 The participant should be ready to sign the consent form for the usability
test
Acknowledging these aspects will help you gather the right candidates for the
test and ensure the test process is synchronised to offer optimum results.
# Test Methodologies

4. There are mainly two test methodologies: In-person and Remote testing
methods following moderated and unmoderated ways. It is important to choose
the right methodologies for conducting the mobile app usability tests. We have
discussed the methodologies later in this blog.
Factors Guiding Mobile Application Usability Testing
Before conducting mobile app usability testing, you need to consider different
factors to get the desired result.
# Your Idea
Every mobile application is built upon an idea. You also have an idea behind
building the mobile application. The idea helps to understand the kind of
facilities that you will offer to your users and how it can be distinguished from
other existing mobile applications in the domain. So, before you consider
testing your mobile application, you must take note of the idea you have. This
will help to conduct an effective test and obtain a genuine outcome.
# Target Audience
You need to identify the audience that you want to serve. The age group, gender,
and location of your prospects are a few determining factors that will help you
acknowledge the ideal group of your target audience. Identifying the right
group of the audience will help you understand what they expect from a mobile
application, how powerfully your application can serve the group and make a
difference, and accordingly, you can draw the conclusion and take action. One
important aspect you need to realise is that the group of test participants you
select must be from your target audience.
# Cost factor
The amount you want to invest to conduct the test is an important factor to be
considered.
Mobile Application Usability Testing Methodologies
As discussed above, let’s discuss two methods of evaluating your mobile
application:

5. # In-person Testing Method- Here, the participants are required to gather at a
definite location to participate in the test.
Moderated Way
The moderated way of conducting the test simply denotes the involvement of a
moderator involved who guides the participants throughout the test. The
presence of a moderator can help gather more information on the participants
since the moderator can probe the latter by asking questions or letting them
share their experiences. There can be two approaches to this –
-Lab testing method- Under this method, a group of participants is asked to
perform a task in a controlled environment. The task is assigned accordingly to
understand how easily the participants can perform the task with the
application. And right after the task, the participants are asked to share their
experiences individually.
-Guerrilla testing- Under this method, the participants are selected randomly
from public places like a mall, coffee shops, or airports, etc. Then they are asked
to perform a usability test in exchange for a small award like gift coupons etc.
This method helps to get your app’s usability tested comprehensively and lets
you gather genuine reactions to your app. A moderator is present to guide the
participants to perform the test.
Unmoderated Way
No moderator is present in this case. The test is not conducted under any
supervision and so, the participants are allowed to interact with your
application without any external inputs.
-Observation testing- Under this method, the participants freely interact with
the application and their interaction is observed independently. Since no
direction is given to the participants, this method helps to discover various app
usability issues.
# Remote Testing Method- In this method, participants are not required to
gather at any place and can join the usability test from anywhere.
Moderated Way

6. Under the moderated remote app usability test, there are two approaches:
-Video or Phone interviews- The test is either conducted over a phone or
video call. The participants are guided by the moderator and are assigned to
complete a task, that is then recorded. This helps to study the participant’s
behaviour and interaction pattern with the app. This is a less expensive method
than conducting an in-person usability test and helps to collect data expansively
across geographical areas.
-Card sorting- Another useful remote and moderated way of conducting app
usability tests is through the card sorting method. Here, the participants are
asked to categorise virtual cards representing items or categories from the
navigation of the app according to their choices and comfort. Card sorting helps
to identify the user’s preferences and design a suitable navigation system that is
preferred by users.
Unmoderated Way
-Session Recordings- Under the session recording mobile app testing option,
user sessions are audio and video recorded. Since this method is not controlled,
the participants are free to operate the app and interact with it, which helps in
understanding their choices.
Conclusion
For mobile apps, usability is the key to delivering the best user experience to
your customers. No wonder, usability testing should be made an integral part of
the development cum delivery pipeline. Should you be thinking of fixing your
app’s usability issues, you may get in touch with a top mobile app development
company.
Resource: https://www.webguru-india.com/blog/a-comprehensive-guide-to-mobile-app-usability-
testing/
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Kolkata-700091, India
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