UX research methods have practically become impossible to overlook in the design process; even more so in 2024. They help designers understand their users' behaviours, preferences, and expectations. Designers must pinpoint user needs to align the right budget to the project and ensure their product or service is successful in the long run. 

Before understanding the crucial elements of user behaviour, designers must identify the right research methodology to adopt. There are various ways to gather this information, but what are the standout methods? 

Surveys and Questionnaires

Surveys and questionnaires are considered the most traditional approach to gaining customer or client feedback, but they’re still as effective. Surveys and questionnaires allow designers to gain direct feedback and insights from customers and clients on specific issues including overall app performance and usability. From this information, UX designers can work on the areas that require improvement. 

Now, although the idea of a questionnaire or survey is insightful, having easy-to-answer and open-ended questions will help highlight the areas users are struggling with, or on the other hand, enjoy about the product or service. 

Sample questions to include: 

•    How do you navigate through our website or app? 
•    Did you find what you were looking for when you visited our website? 
•    How would you rate your overall experience on a scale of 1-10? 
•    Where are the main areas of improvement for a better experience? 

Usability testing 

Usability testing can be one of the most effective ways to judge user behaviours when engaging with your app. In this case, a group of participants will be gathered and observed while they use the app or website. This is a great chance to identify the stumbling blocks or difficulties they face, that may not necessarily be visible to the designer. 

In terms of the type of testing, this can be achieved in two ways. You have A/B Testing which allows designers to compare two versions of their website or app, to see which one performs better in regards to user experience. There is also Comparative Usability Testing which explores how consumers experience the product in hand compared to competitors. It’s important to remember that the usability testing has been completed, and gathering feedback from customers is the next important step. This can be done in the form of email surveys or some cases, opting for a user testing software to do the task. 

First-click testing 

The best websites or apps usually have clear call-to-action points. First-click testing allows designers to identify what exactly users click on when they first visit your app or website. One of the most effective ways designers can carry out this method of testing is to give users a specific task on the website and record their first click. How easy was it for them to find what they were looking for? This helps understand how easily users find it to interact with different elements of the website or application. This can be very helpful when it comes to optimizing the layout of the website, making it more user-friendly as a result. 

A/B testing 

As highlighted earlier, A/B testing is one of the most effective research methods because you’re getting real-time results based on two different versions of the same app or website. This can help designers make informed decisions about design changes, and ultimately improve the overall user experience. A/B testing is effective, but it’s also valuable to understand the reasons behind users’ choice of website, or why they make certain decisions, or the time it takes to complete certain tasks. This overall will provide better insight into future changes. 

User Testing 

This brings us to the final UX research method: User testing. User testing offers a deeper understanding of the user’s thought process and motivations. It involves observing and gathering feedback from real users as they complete tasks on your website or app, giving you valuable insights into their behavior, pain points, and preferences. 

By combining user testing and A/B testing, designers can get a better understanding of users’ needs and preferences, leading to increased satisfaction. 

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