Week 3 – Usability Testing

Overview

In Week 3, we conducted think-aloud usability testing using our low-fidelity sketches. The goal was to observe how real users interpreted our design and identify areas of confusion before moving into higher-fidelity designs.

Testing Method

Participants: 5 users (peers)

Approach: Think-aloud testing

Tasks Given

• Navigate the homepage
• Open and use the hamburger menu
• Modify a setting on the account page
• Search for an item
• Use search filters
• View an item listing
• Create a post

Key Observations

What Worked Well

• Users consistently understood and navigated the homepage easily
• Item listing pages were clear and contained useful information
• General layout and spacing were seen as clean and modern

Where Users Struggled

• Search results lacked context (no text, only images)
• Filter button was difficult to identify and mistaken for a back button
• Hamburger menu contained too many unclear options
• Account page was confusing—users could not tell whose profile it was
• Search page purpose was unclear due to lack of labels
• Users did not understand how pages connected together
• Social/post page felt unnecessary and disconnected

User Feedback Highlights

• “I had no idea this was here.” (filter button)
• “Is this my account or somebody else’s?”
• “None of this makes sense except the homepage.”
• “This is way too much here.” (menu options)
• “How would I find this?”

Design Changes

1. Improve Search Results Clarity

Problem: Users could not understand search results without text.

Change: Add title, price, and category to each listing.

Why: Provides context and improves decision-making.

2. Simplify Hamburger Menu

Problem: Menu had too many confusing options.

Change: Reduce and group menu items more clearly.

Why: Reduces cognitive load and improves navigation.

3. Clarify Account Page

Problem: Users didn’t know whose account they were viewing.

Change: Label as “Your Account” and add edit indicators.

Why: Improves clarity and user confidence.

4. Redesign Filter Button

Problem: Filter button was mistaken for a back button.

Change: Add label “Filter Results” and clearer icon.

Why: Improves discoverability and usability.

5. Add Back Navigation

Problem: No clear way to navigate backward.

Change: Add a visible back button.

Why: Supports user control and navigation flow.

6. Remove Social/Post Feature

Problem: Feature felt disconnected and unnecessary.

Change: Remove feature from design.

Why: Simplifies interface and reduces confusion.