Quick and dirty usability testing
I just came across a really cool (free) online usability test called fivesecondtest.
You can do a few things on the site: 1) upload an image to test or 2) participate in tests.
I participated in a handful of tests and they are pretty addictive. You’re shown an image for 5 seconds and then must write down 5 things you remember seeing. Or, on some images, you are told to click on the things that stand out and then identify what those things are. I didn’t try uploading an image for feedback, but will plan to in the future.
It’s amazing how an effective page design will help a user remember key elements in a short span of time. I looked at some images and 5 seconds later couldn’t remember a thing. On others, I could clearly recall things like a call to action to sign up for a newsletter or search or even what the Unique Value Proposition on that page was.
This is a great tool for a designer looking for objective UI feedback on a new comp or for someone that wants quick, raw feedback on a page that might not be converting very well.
