How to Conduct Effective Usability Testing for Mobile Apps in Financial Services
Mobile apps have become an essential tool for financial services. In the current era of technology, customers use mobile apps to access their accounts, aid in the transfer of funds, and also perform various other financial transactions on the go.
Since the mobile app has become a regular thing for many users, if not all, it is vital to ensure that mobile apps are user-friendly, more automatic, and, most importantly, meet the customers’ needs.
Effective usability testing is an excellent way to ensure the app meets user needs and functions as intended. In this article, we will discuss five methods to conduct effective usability testing for mobile apps in financial services.
Identify Your Target Audience
The first step in conducting effective usability testing is to identify your target audience, which may vary in the type of financial service the app provides.
For example, whereas a mobile app for personal banking may target individuals, a mobile app for corporate banking may target businesses.
All you need to do is identify your target audience and then recruit participants that meet a representation figure to the audience targeted. Recruiting participants who are not representatives of the target audience may result in inaccurate test results.
Define Your Testing Goals
The second step in conducting effective usability testing is to define the testing goals. The testing goals should be specific, measurable, and achievable.
For example, suppose your sole purpose through testing is evaluating the mobile app’s user interface. In that case, you need to base your testing criteria on how easy the app is to navigate, the effectiveness of the app design, and the overall user experience.
However, you need to communicate these testing goals to the participants before the testing begins. Clear communication of the testing goals will ensure that the participants understand what is expected during the testing.
Create Realistic Testing Scenarios
Creating realistic testing scenarios is the third step in conducting effective usability testing. You should base your mobile testing scenarios on real-world encounters or issues that may befall your target audience while using the app.
For instance, if the app is designed for personal banking, a realistic testing scenario may be to transfer funds between accounts. The testing scenarios should be prepared to test the specific testing goals.
Creating real testing scenarios will provide valuable feedback on the app’s functionality and usability. You can always outsource services from trusted companies to help in conducting thorough mobile testing for your app.
Check for reviews and previous tasks accomplished to gauge the quality provided and the results produced.
Observe the Participants
The fourth step in conducting effective usability testing is to observe the participants. Watching the participants can provide valuable insights into the app’s use and where improvements can be made.
Monitoring the participants navigating through the app and performing the testing scenarios is essential. Observing the participants can also provide insight into how the app is used outside the testing scenarios.
You should document these observations and use the feedback to improve the app’s functionality and usability.
Analyze the Test Results
The fifth step in conducting effective usability testing is to analyze the test results. The test results should be analyzed to determine whether the testing goals were achieved. The analysis should include both qualitative and quantitative data.
Qualitative data can provide insights into the participants’ thought processes and perceptions of the app while quantitative data can provide statistical data on how the app performed during the testing.
You should use the analysis to identify the areas you need to work on for improvement and to develop a plan to address these areas.
Conclusion
Conducting effective usability testing is critical to ensuring that mobile apps in financial services meet the target audience’s needs.
By following the above-described steps, you, as a financial service provider, will ensure your mobile apps are user-friendly for customers and meet their customers’ needs.