HECO17: Online tools for content and user research

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1. Online tools for content and user research Amy Grace Wells, Content Strategist/UX Research Graceful Content Higher Ed Content Conference ~ #HECO17
2. what you think users do what users actually do WUGTVGUVKPI JGNRUTGXGCNVJKU
3. User Research Facts • A typical usability test can cost $12,000 to $18,000 depending on the agency. • Usability testing only requires five to eight subjects to find 80% of issues. • The average site has 11 usability catastrophes. (design elements that prevent users from completing test tasks) Source: Nielsen Norman Group #HECO17 @amygracewells
4. Know before you start It can take 39 hours to usability test a website the first time you try. The process includes planning the test, defining test tasks, recruiting test users, conducting a test with five users, analyzing the results, and writing the report. With experience, web user tests can be completed in two work days . Source: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/cost-of-user-testing-a-website/ #HECO17 @amygracewells
5. Usability and Content Issue Effects • In a NNGroup study, 48% of users didn’t realize that the university offered the program that they were looking for. – Fewer applications – More help inquiries • More dependence on search • Unable to complete key tasks Source: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/university-sites/ #HECO17 @amygracewells
7. Optimal Workshop optimalworkshop.com #HECO17 @amygracewells
8. Optimal Workshop #HECO17 @amygracewells • Options start with a free account for small studies. 50% discount offered for education! • Best for card sorts or tree testing. • Excellent reporting options including results matrix
9. Hotjar hotjar.com • Options start with a free basic plan that tops out at 2K page views/day. They offer non- profit discounts. • All features track and work on desktop, mobile and tablet versions. • Best for heatmaps, form analysis, and visitor recordings. #HECO17 @amygracewells
10. Hotjar #HECO17 @amygracewells
11. Validately validately.com • Perhaps the priciest of these tools, but still below $2500/year. Unsure if they offer discounts. • Their motto is “Take the pain out of user testing” and it is true! • Test on mobile or desktop. Moderated or unmoderated. • Screen and sound recording. #HECO17 @amygracewells
12. Validately #HECO17 @amygracewells
13. Hemingway App hemingwayapp.com • Free browser-based version or buy the desktop app for $20. • It highlights wordy sentences in yellow and more egregious ones in red. It provides reading level and highlights adverbs, passive voice, and dull, complicated words. • Great to use with academic stakeholders or in a UX review. #HECO17 @amygracewells
14. Hemingway App #HECO17 @amygracewells
15. BoardThing boardthing.com • Free accounts • Functionality includes creating cards with text or images, move/arrange cards on collaborative boards, organize into groups, export in multiples ways. • Great for visual look at content audits and IA structures. • Include goals, key functionality, or quotes from users #HECO17 @amygracewells
16. BoardThing #HECO17 @amygracewells Photo credit: @redsesame
17. BoardThing #HECO17 @amygracewells Photo credit: @redsesame
18. Mural mural.co • Go beyond Basecamp collaboration! • University teachers and students can use for free. (I assume this includes administrators.) • Online visual brainstorming, idea evaluation, and planning. A combination of whiteboard and bulletin board. #HECO17 @amygracewells
19. Mural #HECO17 @amygracewells