Online Usability Testing!
I just discovered a suite of online usability tests provided by some company called Optimal Workshop. They offer three different types of tests:
- Online card sorting: participants generate categories for a list of items. Useful for designing information architecture.
- Tree testing: see how easy (or difficult) it is for participants to find a topic in your site structure. The opposite of card sorting.
- First impression testing: upload a wireframe or mockup and find out where participants are most likely to click first, given a task.
They charge a f*cking $109/month for each test, but there’s a free plan (with limits) which I have availed myself of.