Friction Logs and Usability Testing
A friction log is a simple record of every point where using your site feels awkward, confusing or slow. Usability testing takes this further by watching real people attempt real tasks and noting where they struggle.
Both methods reveal problems that are invisible to you because you know your own site too well. A fresh user, thinking aloud, quickly exposes the rough edges you have stopped noticing.
How to Run a Simple Usability Test
- Choose a realistic task, such as making an enquiry.
- Ask a representative person to complete it.
- Watch without helping, and ask them to think aloud.
- Note every hesitation, error and point of confusion.
You Don't Need Many People
Testing with just five users typically uncovers the majority of serious usability problems. You do not need a large, expensive study to find the issues that are costing you conversions — a handful of sessions is enough to start.
From Observation to Action
Each point of friction becomes a candidate improvement. Prioritise the obstacles that affect the most people on the most important journeys, fix those first, and then test again to confirm the experience has improved.
If you need a hand with any of this, your Progressive Robot delivery team is ready to help. Raise a ticket from the Support area of your client portal or speak to your account manager and we will guide you through the next steps.