Mobile Usability Testing

What Does Mobile Usability Testing Mean?

Mobile usability testing refers to the usability testing performed on mobile products running on mobile platforms. Usability testing involves testing products according to what end users experience.

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Techopedia Explains Mobile Usability Testing

Mobile usability testing can be performed in various ways. Generally, researchers try to determine how end users perceive a mobile app or product. This is done either in a usability laboratory or in the field, using a prototype.

Mobile usability testing has its own challenges and is of utmost importance to the mobile app market. Compared to earlier types of technologies, with mobile products, there is a big focus on 24/7 connection, comprehensive end-user accommodation and versatile use of a mobile app or product. Mobile products also have to work on specific platforms supported by smartphone manufacturers.

One general principle in mobile usability testing is to do research and catch problems early. For example, some companies recommend creating actual prototypes of mobile applications on paper, with analog simulations, and testing them on audiences before they are created.

In addition, companies need to determine the most effective way to do usability testing — for example, whether to hire qualified and credentialed consultants, or get a sample group of "random" individuals to test a prototype. All of these is becoming extremely important in a market that really caters to diverse and dynamic audiences; mobile users use mobile products in their everyday lives, not just at work.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…