ARTICLE SUMMARY: We know that the best way to improve user experience is by talking to the people who actually use your product. But designers know that isn’t always possible and can be a little frustrating.
People are busy, their time is precious and even if they do engage most times it halfheartedly. But just because we can’t always conduct traditional usability interviews doesn’t mean we’re stuck with no data or insights, there’s more than one way to skin a cat.
“When traditional user research isn’t an option: non-traditional ways to collect insights” by Richers gives you a plan to get the user research data you need to effectively solve their problems and provide a positive user experience. Some of the ways to do that includes
- Join Sales Demo
- Leverage the Service Desk
- Use Webinars to Engage Users
Using non-traditional methods to collect insights in design can unlock deeper, more nuanced understanding of users and their experiences. Also, traditional surveys and interviews may lead to predictable or constrained responses, while unconventional methods like diary studies, cultural probes, or role-playing can reveal insights users may not consciously articulate.
Richers also talks about analytics and how it reflects how users actually interact with a product or service rather than how they say they do, eliminating response bias inherent in surveys or interviews. It captures actions, such as clicks, navigation paths, and time spent on tasks, offering a detailed picture of user behavior in real-world settings.
Richers says, “Just because direct access to users can be challenging doesn’t mean you should take “no” for an answer. There are always ways to get creative and tap into less obvious sources of insights,” This article will help you do that.
This is a great article for new and seasoned designers alike, let us know what you think in the comments.
