What Does a User Practitioner Do?
A user practitioner is someone who uses their skills to determine the ways in which a product reaches customers effectively. One of their jobs is to document their testing sessions. Often, people are brought in and tested to find out the ways in which they interact with websites. Information such as links or features clicked, and amount of time spent on one web page as opposed to another are critical pieces to the puzzle. This type of information is used for a number of reasons. Once it is determined which web pages gain the most notoriety, then those same principles and techniques can be used on other pages.
Another key role of the user practitioner, is to remain up to date regarding the latest news and technology. There are a few reasons this is important. For one, new technologies might make your current products seem outdated or not worthy of sale for customers. Additionally, your competition will have a leg-up if you do not remain current with what is popular or desired in the product. Reliable blogs and manufacturer websites are the best places to do research regarding the latest technological advances. Make sure that the site has a history of reporting legitimate technology news.
Preparing testing materials for a client is another vital role of the practitioner. Clients will contact a professional to develop testing materials for target groups of people. Under these circumstances, communication is a major factor. Clients need to be assured that their vision will be recognised during testing. Improper testing techniques lead to results which are not valid or conclusive. As a result, time is wasted in the process. Communication is essential. Constant communication regarding adjustments to testing procedures allows adaptation. Conclusive results mean the difference between success and failure.
Quality lab environments are essential. These labs must contain the latest testing materials to ensure a valid test. The lab environment absolutely must be free of distractions. Testing conditions are optimal when the tests are developed and implemented in a manner consistent with what the client desires. Once the lab environment is set, it must not be altered in any way.
Use of the latest eye tracking devices to see what customers see when they visit a website is important. These devices take some time to operate and understand, but the data gathered from them is valuable. Consider how helpful it is to know exactly what a customer sees when he or she visits a website. Knowing what the eyes are gravitating toward ultimately helps people to determine the best measures for future success. Eye tracking allows you to tailor your business to meet the needs of various groups of people.