Week 7 – Prototype Usability Testing

Overview

In Week 7, we evaluated our high-fidelity prototype through usability testing with real users. The goal was to observe how users interact with the interface and identify areas of confusion before final refinement.

My Role

I observed user navigation behavior during testing, focusing on how participants moved through the interface, where they hesitated, and how they interpreted key interactions.

Participants

• P1 (18–22): No experience with Craigslist
• P2 (18–22): Moderate experience with similar apps
• P3 (18–22): Familiar with platforms like Amazon

Testing Tasks

• Switch from light mode to dark mode
• View recent notifications
• Find a vehicle and message the seller
• Locate a specific listing (2020 Honda Accord)

Key Findings

What Worked Well

• All users successfully completed all tasks
• Search and messaging features were intuitive
• Interface felt familiar and easy to navigate

Where Users Struggled

• Notifications were unclear and not labeled
• Back navigation was confusing or missing
• Dark mode toggle lacked clear visual feedback
• Some difficulty scanning listings quickly
• Popup interactions caused temporary confusion

User Feedback

Users described the interface as clean, familiar, and easy to use, comparing it to platforms like Amazon and Facebook Marketplace. However, they noted that certain features—such as notifications, navigation controls, and dark mode—needed clearer labeling and feedback.

Design Improvements

Improve Notification Visibility

Problem: Users were unsure if they completed the task.

Solution: Add clear labels or icons for notifications.

Add Clear Navigation Controls

Problem: Users struggled to navigate back.

Solution: Add a visible back button or breadcrumb navigation.

Clarify Dark Mode Toggle

Problem: Toggle lacked clear feedback.

Solution: Use icons (sun/moon) or labels to indicate state.

Improve Listing Scanability

Problem: Users had slight difficulty scanning listings.

Solution: Improve spacing, grouping, and visual hierarchy.

Refine Popup Behavior

Problem: Popups blocked interaction.

Solution: Add clear close actions and feedback messaging.

Conclusion

Overall, the prototype performed well, with all users completing tasks successfully. The design is largely intuitive, but improvements in navigation clarity, labeling, and feedback will further enhance usability and reduce user confusion.