Mobile Usability Testing – 5 tools (and tips) available to anyone In any industry or business sector, efficiency is a key factor in keeping prices down, while retaining a high standard of quality. The usability and user experience space is no exception, with some agencies using inefficient methodologies, which, in turn, keep the price of services artificially high. As an organisation, it is possible to cut your own costs by conducting certain elements of usability and user experience testing, in-house. Here are 5 tools available to everybody that can help your mobile products provide a better user experience. 1. Solidify Solidify is a fast and easy method of prototyping UIs for testing. It allows you to upload and hotlink a series of mock-ups, which are then put through their paces by real users. Test reports provide feedback, allowing you to identify issues and areas where user experience problems may arise. Solidify supports all platforms, so you can test for mobile, tablet or desktop. 2. FiveSecondTest Users often go with gut feelings, as opposed to thinking decisions through, which means it's important that they find the solution to a problem, or need, with ease. If it's not readily available, a prospect may look elsewhere. FiveSecondTest helps you design landing pages that encourage users to make the right decisions, by showing participants a screenshot or mock-up for five seconds only, then asking a series of questions you've set. Detailed reports allow you to ensure your message is being clearly communicated. 3. Mouseflow There's a fast and easy way of recording how a user interacts with your mobile site or app, without the need for external cameras, or physical observation – either of which may subconsciously affect how a user responds. Mouseflow tracks actions, scrolling, keystrokes, and form usage. Generated heatmaps, extremely useful in mobile usability testing, give you valuable insight into user behaviour, and show you where on-page optimisation can be improved. 4. Feedback Army It is said that the best results in usability testing can be achieved with no more than five participants. Feedback Army offers a quick method of gauging user experience, by allowing you to submit questions about your product to a small number of remote online reviewers. With a global network of participant available at any time, you can get quick feedback and ensure your mobile or desktop application/website remains on the right track. 5. Treejack A handy way to prove the information architecture of your mobile site, without the visual distractions that can cloud judgement. Treejack allows you to input the sitemap so that it is rendered in its simplest form as a tree. You then set up tasks for participants to complete, giving you an insight into the usability of your site structure, and providing useful intelligence on where issues may arise. So there you have it. 5 tools that can help you improve mobile usability.