UX designers use diverse UX research techniques to analyze the competitive environment of businesses. Every UX research methodology has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Businesses should evaluate each methodology while availing UX/UI consulting services to make the best choice. The choice will also depend on allocated budgets dues to the costs associated with different UX research techniques.
A comprehensive user research plan demands more resources and financial support in contrast to informal tests that provide quick findings. Whether you use extensive techniques or rapid brainstorming sessions, the primary objective of UX research is to build intuitive digital designs.
This blog post explores ten different and effective design techniques used by UX research and design services providers. They are essential in building web interfaces that balance the digital requirements of businesses and their users.
Analysis of Different UX Research Techniques
UX Research Techniques |
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
1. Analytics |
– Google Analytics is a quick way to extract meaningful performance metrics of your web interface.
– The automated statistics enable UX researchers to focus more on other design stages. |
– The major drawback of analytical data is that it only answers “what is wrong” and does not tell “how to improve it”.
– The parameters underlying automated analytics are not industry appropriate. Thus, they fall short in improving the user experience.
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2. UX Benchmarking |
– Useful in providing in-depth data about the usability of the design.
– Enables businesses to identify ideal industry practices and set benchmarks accordingly. |
– A time-consuming and expensive method, not suitable for short deadlines.
– Requires UX research professionals who are adept in setting the necessary systems and tasks to conduct the survey. |
3. Contextual Research |
– It studies user behavior in a contextual manner. Thus giving businesses narrow-focused results about user needs and preferences. |
– It is cost and time intensive which is unsuitable for projects with low budgets and/or tight deadlines. |
4. User Experience Mapping |
– A quick and easy method to experience the navigation through a user’s perspective. |
– Definite and well-defined user personas or stories are prerequisites of this method. Hence, becomes lengthy and time-consuming. |
5. Ideation Workshops |
– Developing a shared project vision for UX.
– Stakeholders and UX designers can collectively provide their inputs and formulate design strategies. |
– Conducting workshops requires a planned set of arrangements.
– Depends on the availability of clients. In most cases, stakeholders prefer a long-distance approach, thus leaving designers to brainstorm among themselves. |
6. Guerrilla Usability Tests |
– Involves real users who interact with the existing site.
– Provides instant feedback about the needs, challenges, and preferences of the users. |
– Difficult to match the interests of stakeholders and users.
– Provides specific results and may miss out on broader issues. |
7. Information Architecture |
– Outlines the content, functionality, and page alignment of web interfaces.
– It is essential to have a holistic view of the entire project before entering into the design phase. |
– Designers may face challenges in creating the Information Architecture for large business set-ups that involve hundreds of pages and relative data.
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8. Requirement Planning Workshops |
– The best way to understand highly complex projects, clients and teams. |
– Resource requirements are heavy and may not be useful for small budget/ or tight deadline projects. |
9. Stakeholder Interviews |
– Good for developing a thorough understanding of the project with inputs from decision makers. |
– Time-consuming and may be inappropriate for tight deadlines.– Complex project requirements and misleading inputs confuse the designers and results in Bad UX practices. |
10. Task Modeling |
– Provides a high degree of confidence in the UX. – Gives strong insights into the process at the user level. |
– Can be expensive and time-consuming |
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Role of UX Research Technique in UX/UI Consulting Services
A well-organized UX research builds a solid foundation for intuitive, engaging, and effective digital interfaces. It is critical for UX research consultants to visualize the needs of businesses and their users early in the designing process. Therefore, UX research methodologies require concentrated efforts by all project stakeholders to achieve quality user experience.
The UX research consultants at Oodles Studio conduct in-depth research about the digital requirements of multiple industry businesses across the globe. Our UX research services include definite User Personas, Competitive Analysis Reports, Information Architecture Diagrams, and other UX reports. Talk to our UX/UI design team to build intuitive and effective digital interfaces for your business.
