The usability test is the most cost effective tool for locating and resolving problems both with general site issues and specific site tasks. Whether designing a new site or enhancing an existing site, usability testing can be a powerful tool for guiding design efforts to a successful outcome.

A usability test can take many forms. Usually a small group of the target audience is gathered in a controlled environment and given specific tasks to complete. A tester will monitor and evaluate the subject's progress through the tasks and with a simple conversation, uncover areas of confusion in a site or site processes. Invaluable insight into the desires of potential clients will allow companies to spend development dollars on the specific areas and features that will generate and increase customer retention and expansion.

General usability testing will observe users performing common tasks and can quickly identify problems with an information architecture, labeling, button titles, instruction text and screen layout. Scenario-based usability tests on a specific task intensive area of the site, such as a shopping cart checkout, can locate expensive site problem areas.

Reports can be generated from these tests to guide the future development of a web presence.

Reports will include:

• The number of times the task was not started within a task flow
• The number of times the task flow stopped while the task was in progress
• The number of times the task was completed successfully
• The number of times the task was failed
• Labels or instructions that confused the user
• Site transitions that confused the user
• Overall user satisfaction with the task process