Questions to Ask A Usability Testing Vendor

When engaging the services of a usability testing vendor, businesses should have a good sense of their business profile and history of operations. If a testing company has not handled projects for a particular vertical, it is probably going to be new territory for them, making it necessary to ensure the right methods are used for usability testing. Choosing a supplier is a question of trust, that is built through engagement.

We have prepared a list of questions that a business can ask a usability testing services company before enlisting their support:

What methods do you use for conducting user research?

It is important to know how many users will be part of the research. The usability tester may have a lot more users than you require. The number of users has a bearing on the costs of research. The next thing to know is how the users are recruited. The criteria for users should be one that gets the ideal target audience of the product. Ask about the vendors’ backup plan in case the expected users do not turn up as per the registration figures. Find out about the professional designated to carry out the user research and do an internet search on them to assess their experience. Do not forget to check the company’s reviews and rankings on the digital medium.

How are the usability tests planned?

The company offering usability testing solutions should tailor tests according to the project requirements. Inquire about their willingness to work closely with you. Hear their quick feedback on your existing app design before sitting down for initiating a rigorous testing setup. Experienced usability testers can diagnose issues promptly. Do not be reluctant to ask for specifics of expertise the professionals have in research and testing. Check if the company allows you to watch the usability tests as a part of understanding their test planning. Viewing options can be in person or from a remote location.

Can we see samples of tests and reports?

Ask for videos of past tests to assess the usability testing vendor’s work. A sample usability report will give a sense of the degree of problems the vendor is capable of handling, their findings, and recommendations. The presentation of the report is a good indicator of the vendor’s capabilities. If screenshots and visuals are used to illustrate problems, and bullets and headings are added, it shows the testers have made full effort to prepare a comprehensive report. If the vendor is not providing a report, ask for the details employed in testing processes for general projects to get a sense of common objectives, diagnosed problems, and solutions. References from past clients is a good deciding factor when selecting from the many usability testing vendors.

The number of questions different businesses can ask a usability tester can go on. The better the communication, the better will be the project results. However, every project is bound by time. So, one has to narrow down their questions according to the scope of their project. We suggest going over our checklist so you don’t miss out on any relevant area of inquiry.