An article published by usability expert Jakob Nielsen recounts examples of how even a tiny amount of actual test data is better than guessing at what works best on the web.
We may think we know how hard or easy a site will be to use, but until we check with people who aren’t involved in the project you can never be sure.
Jakob observers:
When we actually study real users, we see how slowly they learn about technology and how little their ability to use fancy websites has improved. And, most important, we see how little users care about learning fancy Web techniques. People just want to get in, get their stuff done, and get out. They don’t want to learn.
Usability testing may cost a little more, but the payoffs can be enormous. Read the article here.
(Image courtesy of ChrisL_AK)