What is User testing?

• User testing is a technique used to evaluate a product by observing real users as they actually use the product.
• It allows to test whether or not users are able to use the product, assess the product’s ease of use, and find issues as the users try to achieve specific goals within a specific context.
• The result is an actionable plan to remove friction points in the user interface, in order to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction.
• User testing and Usability testing are terms often used interchangeably.

The principles of performing User testing?

• Can be done both for introducing a new product or for a new feature in the product
• Can be done either in the laboratory in-person (for example over the shoulder) or in a remote testing session (more common)
• Either moderated which involves a facilitator leading users through tasks and observing their interactions, or, unmoderated which allows users to interact with a product autonomously
• Use a tool to record the users' behavior and actions (e.g., session recording, heat maps, eye tracking, verbal responses, facial expressions, etc.)
• Usually done on a small number of users
• Five users should be enough to uncover 80% of the issues, but make sure it is the right users for the particular test
• The session should not take more than 30 or 40 minutes maximum
• It is possible to give some symbolic reward such as a gift card in Amazon