The world of mobile apps is vast and constantly evolving, with an estimated 4.5 billion users worldwide relying on their devices for daily interactions. As businesses shift their focus towards mobile development, creating a seamless user experience is crucial to stand out in the competitive app market.

The Importance of App User Experience

When it comes to mobile applications, ease of use is paramount. A recent study reveals that US phone users spend 86% of their time using smartphones exclusively on apps, with 80% of that time dedicated to just five frequently used apps. In fact, Forbes estimates that by next year, users will download nearly 270 billion applications. To get into the top five daily usage apps, app usability is as vital as the content and idea itself.

Defining App Usability

So, what makes an app user-friendly? The general trend among popular mobile apps is that users perceive them intuitively as easy to use, convenient, and less time-consuming to complete tasks. However, despite its importance, there is no agreed-upon manual for usability principles. Therefore, the best way to evaluate app usability is through usability testing.

Conducting Usability Testing

Before conducting a usability test, it's essential to develop a test plan that outlines:

  • Goals and objectives of the test
  • Research questions
  • Application characteristics
  • Testing method
  • Task list
  • Test environment, equipment, and logistics
  • Assessment data and measures
  • Report presentation

Setting Goals

The first step in any usability testing is setting goals. What hypothesis do you want to test? What questions do you want to answer? To set goals, ask a few questions to interested parties (including developers):

  • Road map of the application
  • Users and markets targeted by the application (target audience)
  • Competitors' applications
  • Research already completed
  • Potential impact of above studies
  • Timing and scope

Tasks That the Application Will Perform

Once goals are set, it's time to move on to tasks. The wording should consist of interactions that users will perform, such as:

  • Registering an account
  • Logging in to an account
  • Uploading a photo
  • Accepting friend requests

Tasks must be converted into scripts, providing more context for the testing participant and mimicking natural user interactions.

Test Participants

Usability testing is user-oriented, meaning real users perform realistic tasks related to the application. Although testing with real users is more resource-intensive, it provides more accurate results. We recommend recruiting test participants who use their devices for at least 3 months, as this will overcome any difficulties associated with device usage and not app-specific issues.

Usability Testing Methods

There are two main methods for usability testing:

  • Laboratory testing usability
  • Remote usability testing

In this article, we focus on laboratory testing usability, which allows you to test mobile applications with real users using real devices. This method provides accurate results and enables drawing the right conclusions.

Conclusion

Optimizing app user experience is crucial in today's competitive market. By understanding the importance of ease of use, setting clear goals, defining tasks, selecting test participants, and choosing the right usability testing methods, you can ensure your mobile application stands out from the crowd.