Stage 4 - Website development and user experience (usability) testing

The fourth stage of the web development lifecycle includes the construction of the website based on the final specifications. This stage may also include usability testing of the first iteration of the site with a representative sample of the target audience. The testing of the constructed website with real users identifies potential usability issues in the processes and functionality which would not have been identified.

The purpose of user experience testing is to identify the problem issues which stop the user achieving their goals and the marketing objectives. The process identifies structural, functional and visual elements which need to change to ensure the website is operating efficiently, effectively and resulting in customer satisfaction.

During the website development and user experience testing the following may occur:

• Website design finalisation and template creation
• Website construction and the integration of the developed technology
• Search engine optimisation of the website
• User experience testing in either a lab setting or online usability groups using Additional View’s Group Quality software
• Acceptance testing to ensure the application side of the website is performing to the software specification
• Integration of all tracking code and metrics measurement tools

Stage 5 - Website deployment, marketing and review >>