Being a millennial means I’m nostalgic about a lot of things, but one thing I miss a lot? The old Instagram. Back when my feed was filled with posts from actual friends and family—in the order they were posted. There was no algorithm deciding what I should see and no random influencer content clogging up my timeline. Just a simple, predictable experience that made sense.

Then, in 2016, Instagram decided it knew better. The chronological feed vanished, replaced by an algorithm prioritizing “relevant” content—which, let’s be real, just means more ads and posts from people I didn’t know (that are also somehow still ads???). Suddenly, I was missing updates from my cousin’s trip to Thailand while being bombarded with content I never asked for. And I couldn’t figure out how to see my feed in chronological order because that option wasn’t possible.

Fast forward to 2022, and they finally brought back the option for a chronological feed—six years after users started asking for it. Instagram survived because, well, it’s Instagram. But most companies can’t afford to take that long to address user frustrations. Bad usability can kill engagement, drive people away, and even tank a product entirely. Ignoring usability issues can quite literally be the difference between success and failure.

And, as you might have guessed, that’s where usability testing comes in. It helps catch these kinds of problems before they drive users away.

So, what is usability testing? Here’s a complete guide of everything you need to know—what it is, how it’s done, and how it’s used in the real world.

Table of Contents

• What Is Usability Testing?
• The Six Types of Usability Testing
• The Steps of Usability Testing
• When Does Usability Testing Happen?
• Real World Applications of Usability Testing
• How to Learn Usability Testing

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What is Usability Testing?

Sometimes your app needs a reality check before it hits the real world. It’s not about what looks good on paper or what the product development team thinks is intuitive, or even how you feel about it after months of working on it. It’s about how actual users interact with it. Watching people struggle with what was supposed to be a simple feature is definitely…humbling, but that’s the point: to catch those frustrating moments early and fix them.

Usability testing evaluates how easily users interact with a product, website, or app. Can they navigate it easily? Can they complete their tasks? It’s an important part of quality assurance (QA) engineering and the broader software development life cycle (SDLC). QA engineers run functional tests to check what an app does, while non-functional testing—like usability testing—focuses on how well it does it. Take a music app, for example. It might technically work and play music, but if users have to dig through five menus just to add a song to a playlist, that’s a problem.

When companies put out a new app or software, usability testing makes sure the product works for real people in real scenarios before it reaches the masses. And the earlier usability issues are caught, the easier (and cheaper) they are to fix. Whether it’s a new app, a website redesign, or a software update, QA engineers run usability tests to ensure that users don’t have to struggle to do what should be simple. If they can’t figure it out, they won’t use it at all.

User Testing vs. Usability Testing

Mixing up usability testing and user testing is easy, but they’re not the same thing. Usability testing is focused on the product—how easy it is to use, how efficiently users can complete specific tasks, and where they struggle. User testing is about understanding the people themselves—user needs, behaviors, and what influences their decisions.

For example, take a travel booking website. Usability testing would involve watching a user search for a flight and tracking how easily they navigate the filters and checkout process. If they get stuck or frustrated, that’s valuable insight for improving the interface. User tests, however, take a further step back, and might involve A/B testing to compare two different homepage designs to see which one leads to more bookings.

Both are important to user experience, but they answer different questions; one about the product, the other about user behavior. Usability testing fine-tunes the product experience while user testing helps shape the overall strategy. Together, they make sure a product works well and resonates with the user.

The Six Types of Usability Testing

Imagine you’re building something—whether it’s a website, app, or product—and you want to make sure it’s not just functional but enjoyable/easy/etc. to use. That’s what usability testing is for. It’s not just about whether someone can click a button or fill out a form. It’s about understanding the why behind their every move and how you can smooth out the bumps in their experience.

The different types of usability testing methods allow you to zero in on specific aspects of the user experience, so let’s break down the six main types.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Testing

First, we have qualitative or quantitative testing, two very different but complementary approaches. Qualitative usability testing is for getting into the human side of things. You’re trying to understand why people act the way they do. Picture a “think-aloud” test, where users talk through their thought process as they navigate a website. You’re listening to their pain points, their “aha” moments, and everything in-between. This approach digs deep, often with smaller sample sizes because you really want to focus on the individual experience.

Quantitative usability testing is all about the numbers. You’re looking at metrics like how long it takes someone to complete a task, how many people get stuck, or how many users click the right button. It’s less about feelings and more about data; perfect for when you need to spot patterns or make decisions backed by hard evidence.

Moderated vs. Unmoderated Testing

In moderated usability testing, you’re not just a passive observer. You’re guiding the user, watching their reactions, and asking follow-up questions in real-time. This gives you the chance to probe deeper, ask questions, or even change directions based on what you’re seeing. It’s like having a conversation with the user while they work through the test. But unmoderated usability testing flips that on its head. Here, users go off on their own, completing tasks without you there. You’re collecting valuable data, but in a more hands-off way, which means you can scale up the number of test participants easily. Tools like screen recorders or session replays help you track every click, scroll, and pause. Plus, the user will be on their own in most real-world scenarios, so you can see how they might interact with your product without your interference.

Remote vs. In-person Testing

And finally, there’s the choice between remote vs. in-person testing. Remote testing is literally like having the world as your testing playground. Users can participate from wherever they are, making it easy to reach diverse audiences. Whether you’re hosting a video call or recording their screen as they complete tasks, remote testing offers flexibility and accessibility. But there’s something irreplaceable about in-person testing. It’s where you can pick up on subtle body language, see their expressions up close, and get into details without any tech barriers, like a bad wifi connection. Plus, being in the same room adds a layer of connection, so the whole testing process feels more personal and engaging.

So whether you’re after rich, qualitative feedback, or cold, hard data; whether you want to chat with users in real-time or let them run the show on their own; and whether you’re testing locally or from across the world—understanding the different testing methods will help you pick the best one for your project.

In the end, there’s usually no “right or wrong,” usability testing approach. It all depends on what kind of insights you’re looking for and getting the insights that’ll lead to better experiences—and ultimately, happier users.

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The Steps of Usability Testing

The purpose of usability testing is to create a better user experience. You’re stepping into their shoes, seeing through their eyes, and learning what works (and what doesn’t). But before you can start asking them to click around and give feedback, there’s a bit of groundwork you need to lay down. Here’s how you could approach it, step-by-step, using a graphic design tool like Canva as an example.

1. Define the Test Objectives

Before you start testing, you need a plan. What exactly are you trying to improve? For Canva, let’s say the goal is to make designing an Instagram post easier. The scope here is specific—testing only the steps to create a post. But what does success mean for your user? Task success might mean people can complete it without getting stuck, finish quickly, and feel happy about the experience. Metrics like task completion rate and user satisfaction will tell you if you’re hitting the mark.

2. Develop Test Scenarios

Once you’ve got your goal, it’s time to get realistic. Design scenarios where your users can naturally interact with the product. Think of it as though you’re creating a story. For Canva, the scenario might be: “You’re a social media manager for a bakery, and you need to create a post about a new cupcake flavor.” Break this down into easy-to-follow tasks, like: “Choose an Instagram template.” “Swap the template image for your new cupcake,” or “Change the text to include your bakery’s name.” The tasks should be clear, simple, and measurable.

3. Recruit Participants

Next, who’s going to take your test? You need people who match the profile of your target audience—a.k.a. those who will actually use your product in the real world. For Canva, you might recruit small business owners, social media managers, or people with some basic design experience—or honestly, anyone who wants to try their hand at designing a quick invite for their birthday party. You also need to decide how many people are enough to get meaningful data, but typically five to eight testers is a good place to start.

4. Create a Test Plan

Planning is everything. Write down everything you’ll do—from the step-by-step procedure to the tools you’ll need. If you’re conducting a moderated test, create a testing script that guides the facilitator through the process—introductions, task instructions, follow-up questions, etc. No, this isn’t a Broadway play, but having a script will come in handy and keep your test on track. Then, decide on the tech. Will you use screen-sharing software for remote testing or software for tracking clicks and recording screen actions?

5. Conduct the Usability Test

It’s finally test time! This is where you’ll see how people interact with your product in real time. Set up the test environment to be comfortable and distraction-free. Walk users through the process, and let them know that you’re testing the product, not them. It helps! For moderated tests, guide them through the tasks and observe their behavior while asking questions. For example, you might ask, “Why did you click that button?” and “What were you expecting to happen?” Capture their actions—everything from clicks to frustrated sighs—and record their actions and feedback for later analysis. Afterward, have the participants fill out a survey to capture their overall impressions and satisfaction.

6. Analyze the Data

Review the test results, recordings, and notes you’ve collected. What patterns stand out? Did most users struggle with the same tasks? How long did they take? How many issues popped up? You’ll need quantitative data, too. Metrics like task success rates, time on task, and error frequency will give you a better picture, but don’t just look at numbers. Categorize the usability problems based on severity. Were they major or just minor issues? Generally you’ll want to fix major issues first and work your way down the line.

7. Report Findings and Recommendations

You’ve got the data, now it’s time to make sense of it. Summarize the key takeaways: what worked? What didn’t? What changes will make the biggest difference? For Canva, maybe users had a tough time finding the image upload button, or maybe they were confused by placing elements into their designs.

A job in usability testing would be to translate the information into actionable insights and recommendations—“Make the upload button easier to find” or “Make color palettes easier to find.” Present these findings to the product development team so they can start improving the experience. And it doesn’t stop there! After the fixes are made, you’ll need to run another round of testing to make sure those changes actually worked.

When Does Usability Testing Happen?

Usability testing isn’t a checkbox you mark off once during the development process. It’s a repetitive process that keeps a product from turning into a frustrating mess. Yes, it can be time-consuming and expensive, but catching usability issues as early as possible saves even more time and money in the future. Just imagine how much money you’d have to spend to redesign a newly launched product—not including how many users you’d have to win back. And perhaps even more importantly, usability testing ensures your users get a great experience the second a product launches. Usability testing makes the biggest impact:

• During Development
  Testing early means catching usability issues before they become expensive problems. It helps refine features, validate ideas, and ensures the product is intuitive — not just functional.
• Before Launch
  This is the last line of defense before your product goes live. A final usability test helps spot any lingering issues that could annoy users and ensures everything is polished for the real world.
• After Major Updates
  Every big change—new features, redesigned workflows, or user interface (UI) tweaks—should get tested to make sure it actually improves the experience instead of making things worse.
• At the Start of a Redesign
  A fresh look is great, but if it doesn’t align with what users want and need, it’s pointless. Testing before and during a redesign ensures your changes are purposeful and user-focused.

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Real World Applications of Usability Testing

What I’ve really been trying to emphasize since the beginning of the article is this: usability testing is meant to keep your digital products (websites, software, and apps) from feeling difficult and frustrating to use. Companies don’t—well, shouldn’t—just guess what works. They’re not mind readers, no matter how smart the C-suite is. They need to test, tweak, and test again to make sure their users don’t run into problems. But, it’s always easier to understand these concepts as they relate to our lives, so, here are a few real-world applications of how some of the biggest companies might fine-tune their products with usability testing.

Example 1: E-commerce Websites

Have you ever added something to your cart and then bailed before buying it? Companies like Amazon want fewer people doing that. To improve checkout, they might run A/B tests that compare a single-page checkout to a multi-step process. They could track conversion rates, checkout time, and error rates to see which design gets people through the process faster and with less frustration. More completed purchases and fewer abandoned carts—that’s the goal.

Example 2: Banking Apps

Transferring your money between accounts should be quick, not confusing. Banks like Chase can test this by running moderated remote usability tests where users share their screens while completing a transfer (although not with their actual account information). A moderator observes, asks questions, and takes notes on where users hesitate or struggle. If someone’s confused or unclear, that’s a sign for Chase to fix it because nobody wants to stress over moving their own money.

Example 3: Education Platforms

If you’re a student taking an online course, you might give up (and not enroll in future classes) if you can’t easily find your assignments or track your progress. A platform like Coursera can avoid that with unmoderated remote testing sessions by gathering data through screen recordings, heatmaps, and click tracking. If users spend way too much time looking for things, Coursera should tweak the layout to make everything easier to find. Your courses might be challenging, but the platform shouldn’t be.

Example 4: Social Media Apps

When you’re so used to using an app every day, nobody wants a confusing update. Before rolling out changes to a direct message feature, social media platforms might run a hybrid usability test—giving a small percentage of users first access while tracking their usage data. At the same time, they run surveys and focus groups to get real user feedback on what works and what doesn’t. This way, they can refine the design before a full release—and hopefully avoid a ton of complaints.

Every usability test saves users from frustration and keeps companies ahead of problems before they escalate. The best products aren’t just functional, they’re intuitive. And usability testing is how they get there.

How to Learn Usability Testing

Usability testing isn’t just for designers or QA engineers. It’s a skill anyone building digital products should know. If people can’t navigate your app or website without problems, they’re not sticking around. Fortunately, learning usability testing doesn’t have to be complicated, and you don’t need a fancy setup to get started.

First, get familiar with UX principles and usability testing. All you have to do is sign up for Skillcrush’s Break Into Tech program and enroll in the UI/UX design track where you’ll learn everything from user research and data collection to building prototypes and wireframes.

Next, try out usability testing tools like UserTesting.com or HotJar to record real user interactions and spot problem areas. But don’t just rely on tools—conduct usability testing yourself. Ask your friends or family to complete a task on an app or website while you watch them. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at spotting usability issues and making data-driven recommendations that companies are willing to pay top dollar for.