User testing — sometimes referred to as usability testing — is, as the name implies, the process of evaluating the usability, functionality, and design of a website, app, service, or other product by allowing individual people ("end users") to use the product to try and complete a list of tasks under observation of the program developers, managers, and/or analysts. User testing and usability testing are very similar but have slight differences in their scope. User testing focuses on gathering feedback based on how users feel about using a product and how it satisfies (or fails to satisfy) their needs, while usability testing focuses more narrowly on the ease of use of the end product, while documenting any errors or issues discovered along the way.
The goal of user testing is to identify any issues, errors, and points of confusion encountered by the users, and to receive direct feedback on the usability, ease of navigation, and appeal of the end product. Developers can use the feedback gathered by user testing participants to improve the usability and navigation of the product, as well as correct any problems encountered along the way. User testing should ideally be completed multiple times throughout the development stage, as the earlier a problem is detected, the easier (and in many cases, cheaper) it is to implement a solution.
How user testing is conducted and who completes the tests can impact the feedback received. While the most effective user testing could likely take place in a controlled environment — such as a computer lab with active moderators — it is not necessary to carry out every user test the same way. Hotjar.com lists 4 types of usability testing and how each one is carried out:
These types of usability testing are not mutually exclusive, as a test may be moderated or unmoderated while also being carried remotely or in-person.
Cross-browser testing occurs when a web page or application is tested multiple times across several different browsers and versions of browsers and operating systems to ensure the design and functionality remain as consistent as possible. The studying of factors such as screen resolution and size are crucial to cross-browser testing, as a web page or application should ideally be accessible from any kind of browser on any kind of device, from desktop computers and laptops to smartphones, e-readers, and even video game consoles. Cross-browser testing goes hand in hand with progressive enhancement to ensure the core elements of a web page remain accessible across multiple browsers, regardless of if the browser is not commonly used or the version used is out of date and cannot handle newer web features. When carrying out cross-browser testing, it is important to test as many combinations of devices, browsers, operating system versions, and browser versions as possible to make sure no combination of these factors results in a significantly degraded user experience for any individual.