An insight into how we conduct mobile usability testing at Zabisco and a review of best practise.

1. user experience agency

2. Usability Testing for Mobile Devices

3. • Best practise usability testing is carried out during development stages of a new
website design, to evaluate its functionality and the user experience.
• This evaluation early on helps to iron out any issues before implementation of
the new design, minimising the risk of failure when launched and costly changes
being needed at a later stage.
• Mobile Usability Testing is different to desktop usability testing, because mobiles
have fundamental differences to desktops.
• Mobile internet is used in different contexts and mobiles have different physical
and functional characteristics. This must be accounted for in testing.
Usability Testing for Mobile

4. Evaluate
How to do lab usability testing for mobile

5. • Lab testing does not factor in contextual issues surrounding mobile internet
usage, such as user location and activity, lighting and noise.
• It does enable observation of the user whilst they are testing the new site, any
clarification needed by either participant or researcher and allows the
opportunity for probing questions.
General Setup Advice
• Set out the testing desks in an L-shape with participant and researcher facing
each other. This allows observation and communication without the researcher
seeming obtrusive, putting the participant at ease.
• Test on the user’s own mobile device; then they are testing the site alone. Using
an unfamiliar device will interfere with the user experience.
• Use appropriate testing equipment…
Lab Mobile Usability Testing

6. • A common method of carrying out
mobile usability testing is using a
‘sled’.
• This equipment allows recording of
the screen and user actions when
interacting with the site.
• Another webcam is set up to
record users’ facial expressions.
Observation of this can indicate
moments of
frustration, clarity, confusion, p
leasure and displeasure with
the site.
Other examples of equipment used to conduct mobile usability testing

7. • The problem of using a sled is it can • It changes the weight and shape of
change the natural usage of the the device, which may alter the
mobile device and ultimately effect user’s handling and comfort.
the user experience. e.g. it may appear awkward
for a user to operate the
site, but this is an effect of
the sled.
Issues of equipment

8. • As outlined in the Zabisco blog on
mobile usability testing, a
freestanding object that the webcam
can be attached to and angled is a
beneficial method of recording the
screen and user actions.
• This allows the user to hold the
mobile device alone and interact
with it naturally. In this lab test, a SatNav holder operates as
• A separate webcam placed infront of the webcam equipment; a relatively
the participant records their facial easy, effective option.
expressions, as mentioned on slide 6.
Zabisco Mobile Usability Testing Lab

9. How we do Mobile Usability Testing:
• L-shaped desk setup
• Freestanding webcam for screen
• Webcam recording user’s face
• Morae observation software
Zabisco Mobile Usability Testing Lab

10. Thank you!
Natalie Moore
natalie@zabisco.com
0115 9484 454