![\"laptop](\"http:\/\/juneux.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/laptop_hug-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/p>\nUntil a better mousetrap is invented, my preferred method for conducting a remote mobile usability study is using Zoom and the \u201claptop hug\u201d method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Almost everyone has a laptop these days (it seems like it anyway) \u2014 which handily includes a built-in webcam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
I love this method\u00a0for 2 main reasons: I get to see my participant and their environment (artifacts you almost never collect in a remote desktop study or phone interview), and observe how the participant holds their phone.<\/p>\n
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Here are the 4 steps in my process:<\/p>\n
Typically, I look for specific types of behaviors on mobile, not just whether they own a smartphone. For example, I\u2019ll ask about recent tasks — including red herrings and analogous tasks to the site I\u2019m actually testing.<\/p>\n
By red herring, I mean I might throw in 2 questions about photo usage \u2014 when that\u2019s not at all what the study will be about. Gratuity-seekers will be intent on answering what they \u201cthink\u201d is the right answer, rather than just telling the truth.<\/p>\n
The newest tool in my UX toolbox is Calendly. This nifty tool removes the headache of scheduling multiple participants across multiple time zones and days of the week. No one ever picks up their phone anymore (unrecognized caller ID), so scheduling by email is much more efficient.<\/p>\n
Calendly has some pretty advanced functionality built-in, including blackout dates and times, customizable data collection fields, and the ability to set buffers. Plus, the tool automatically sends reminders to your participants \u2014\u00a0one less task for me. Yay!<\/p>\n
You can only set up one \u201cevent\u201d for free at a time. To get more, a monthly subscription is super cheap.<\/p>\n
I always use Zoom to conduct remote usability studies.<\/p>\n
To prepare for a Zoom session, I do 2 specific things:<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t recommend conducting remote mobile studies if you\u2019re not very familiar with the site or there are detailed nuances that you want to test. You won\u2019t be able to see the participant\u2019s screen with a 100% clarity all of the time.<\/p>\n
I have a 17-inch laptop, so it\u2019s pretty convenient for me to take notes right next to my Zoom session. If you\u2019re not so lucky, you\u2019ll need access to a second computer or take notes by hand.<\/p>\n
I take notes in Word, as Google Docs can be too glitchy. Then, I transfer my findings to Excel \u2014 tracking the page, the participant #, the usability issue, and the issue type into a sortable, filterable masterpiece.<\/p>\n
From there, I assemble the\u00a0findings report \u2014 a “How I Work” post for another day.<\/p>\n\n\n