{"id":2958,"date":"2025-02-13T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fdswebdesign.com\/?p=2958"},"modified":"2025-02-18T23:33:58","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T23:33:58","slug":"how-to-test-and-measure-content-in-ux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fdswebdesign.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/13\/how-to-test-and-measure-content-in-ux\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Test And Measure Content In UX"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>              <title>How To Test And Measure Content In UX<\/title><\/p>\n<article>\n<header>\n<h1>How To Test And Measure Content In UX<\/h1>\n<address>Vitaly Friedman<\/address>\n<p>                  2025-02-13T08:00:00+00:00<br \/>\n                  2025-02-18T23:17:29+00:00<br \/>\n                <\/header>\n<p><strong>Content testing<\/strong> is a simple way to test the clarity and understanding of the content on a page &mdash; be it a paragraph of text, a user flow, a dashboard, or anything in between. Our goal is to understand how well users actually perceive the content that we present to them.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not only about finding pain points and things that cause confusion or hinder users from finding the right answer on a page but also about if our content <strong>clearly and precisely articulates<\/strong> what we actually want to communicate.<\/p>\n<p>.course-intro{&#8211;shadow-color:206deg 31% 60%;background-color:#eaf6ff;border:1px solid #ecf4ff;box-shadow:0 .5px .6px hsl(var(&#8211;shadow-color) \/ .36),0 1.7px 1.9px -.8px hsl(var(&#8211;shadow-color) \/ .36),0 4.2px 4.7px -1.7px hsl(var(&#8211;shadow-color) \/ .36),.1px 10.3px 11.6px -2.5px hsl(var(&#8211;shadow-color) \/ .36);border-radius:11px;padding:1.35rem 1.65rem}@media (prefers-color-scheme:dark){.course-intro{&#8211;shadow-color:199deg 63% 6%;border-color:var(&#8211;block-separator-color,#244654);background-color:var(&#8211;accent-box-color,#19313c)}}<\/p>\n<p class=\"course-intro\">This article is <strong>part of our ongoing series<\/strong> on <a href=\"\/category\/ux\">UX<\/a>. You can find more details on <strong>design patterns and UX strategy<\/strong> in <a style=\"font-weight:700\" href=\"https:\/\/smart-interface-design-patterns.com\/\">Smart Interface Design Patterns<\/a>&nbsp;\ud83c\udf63 &mdash; with live UX training coming up soon. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jhZ3el3n-u0\">Free preview<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Banana Testing<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"\n  \n  \n  \"><\/p>\n<p>    <a href=\"https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/how-to-test-and-measure-content-in-ux\/banana-testing-opt.png\"><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"511\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Banana testing: Replace all key actions with the word Banana, then ask users to suggest what it could be.\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/indysigner\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_80\/w_400\/https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/how-to-test-and-measure-content-in-ux\/banana-testing-opt.png\"><\/p>\n<p>    <\/a><figcaption class=\"op-vertical-bottom\">\n      Banana Testing: Replace all key actions with the word \u201cBanana,\u201d then ask users to suggest what it could be. (<a href=\"https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/how-to-test-and-measure-content-in-ux\/banana-testing-opt.png\">Large preview<\/a>)<br \/>\n    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A great way to test how well your design matches a user\u2019s <strong>mental model<\/strong> is Banana Testing. We replace all key actions with the word \u201cBanana,\u201d then ask users to suggest what each action could prompt.<\/p>\n<p>Not only does it tell you if key actions are <strong>understood immediately<\/strong> and if they are in the right place but also if your icons are helpful and if interactive elements such as links or buttons are perceived as such.<\/p>\n<h2>Content Heatmapping<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"\n  \n  \n  \"><\/p>\n<p>    <a href=\"https:\/\/userresearch.blog.gov.uk\/2014\/09\/02\/a-simple-technique-for-evaluating-content\/\"><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"721\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Content heatmapping, a simple technique to evaluate content and how well it performs.\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/indysigner\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_80\/w_400\/https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/how-to-test-and-measure-content-in-ux\/heatmapping-opt.png\"><\/p>\n<p>    <\/a><figcaption class=\"op-vertical-bottom\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/userresearch.blog.gov.uk\/2014\/09\/02\/a-simple-technique-for-evaluating-content\/\">Content heatmapping<\/a>, a simple technique to evaluate content and how well it performs. (<a href=\"https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/how-to-test-and-measure-content-in-ux\/heatmapping-opt.png\">Large preview<\/a>)<br \/>\n    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One reliable technique to assess content is <a href=\"https:\/\/userresearch.blog.gov.uk\/2014\/09\/02\/a-simple-technique-for-evaluating-content\/\">content heatmapping<\/a>. The way we would use it is by giving participants a task, then asking them to <strong>highlight things that are clear or confusing<\/strong>. We could define any other dimensions or style lenses as well: e.g., phrases that bring more confidence and less confidence.<\/p>\n<p>Then we map all highlights into a <strong>heatmap<\/strong> to identify patterns and trends. You could run it with print-outs in person, but it could also happen in Figjam or in Miro remotely &mdash; as long as your tool of choice has a highlighter feature.<\/p>\n<h2>Run Moderated Testing Sessions<\/h2>\n<p>These little techniques above help you discover content issues, but they <strong>don\u2019t tell you what is missing<\/strong> in the content and what doubts, concerns, and issues users have with it. For that, we need to uncover user needs in more detail.<\/p>\n<p>Too often, users say that a page is \u201c<strong>clear and well-organized<\/strong>,\u201d but when you ask them specific questions, you notice that their understanding is vastly different from what you were trying to bring into spotlight.<\/p>\n<p>Such insights rarely surface in unmoderated sessions &mdash; it\u2019s much more effective to <strong>observe behavior<\/strong> and ask questions on the spot, be it in person or remote.<\/p>\n<h2>Test Concepts, Not Words<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"\n  \n  \n  \"><\/p>\n<p>    <a href=\"https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/how-to-test-and-measure-content-in-ux\/concept-testing-opt.png\"><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"527\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Removing doubts before they happen with front-loading key details.\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/indysigner\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_80\/w_400\/https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/how-to-test-and-measure-content-in-ux\/concept-testing-opt.png\"><\/p>\n<p>    <\/a><figcaption class=\"op-vertical-bottom\">\n      Removing doubts before they happen with front-loading key details. (<a href=\"https:\/\/files.smashing.media\/articles\/how-to-test-and-measure-content-in-ux\/concept-testing-opt.png\">Large preview<\/a>)<br \/>\n    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Before testing, we need to know what we want to learn. First, write up a plan with goals, customers, questions, script. Don\u2019t tweak words alone &mdash; broader is better. In the session, avoid speaking aloud as it\u2019s usually not how people consume content. <strong>Ask questions and wait silently<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>After the task is completed, ask users to explain the product, flow, and concepts to you. But: don\u2019t ask them what they like, prefer, feel, or think. And whenever possible, <strong>avoid the word \u201ccontent\u201d<\/strong> in testing as users often perceive it differently.<\/p>\n<h2>Choosing The Right Way To Test<\/h2>\n<p>There are plenty of different tests that you could use:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Banana test<\/strong> \ud83c\udf4c<br \/>Replace key actions with \u201cbananas,\u201d ask to explain.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cloze test<\/strong> \ud83d\udd73\ufe0f<br \/>Remove words from your copy, ask users to fill in the blanks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reaction cards<\/strong> \ud83e\udd14<br \/>Write up emotions on 25 cards, ask users to choose.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Card sorting<\/strong> \ud83c\udccf<br \/>Ask users to group topics into meaningful categories.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Highlighting<\/strong> \ud83d\udd8d\ufe0f<br \/>Ask users to highlight helpful or confusing words.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Competitive testing<\/strong> \ud83e\udd4a<br \/>Ask users to explain competitors\u2019 pages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When choosing the right way to test, consider the following guidelines:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Do users understand?<\/strong><br \/>Interviews, highlighting, Cloze test<\/li>\n<li><strong>Do we match the mental model?<\/strong><br \/>Banana testing, Cloze test<\/li>\n<li><strong>What word works best?<\/strong><br \/>Card sorting, A\/B testing, tree testing<\/li>\n<li><strong>Why doesn\u2019t it work?<\/strong><br \/>Interviews, highlighting, walkthroughs<\/li>\n<li><strong>Do we know user needs?<\/strong><br \/>Competitive testing, process mapping<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Wrapping Up<\/h2>\n<p>In many tasks, there is rarely anything more impactful than the careful selection of words on a page. However, it\u2019s not only the words alone that are being used but the <strong>voice and tone<\/strong> that you choose to communicate with customers.<\/p>\n<p>Use the techniques above to test and measure how well people perceive content but also check how they perceive the <strong>end-to-end experience<\/strong> on the site.<\/p>\n<p>Quite often, the right words used incorrectly on a key page can convey a wrong message or provide a suboptimal experience. Even though the rest of the product might perform remarkably well, <strong>if a user is blocked<\/strong> on a critical page, they will be gone before you even blink.<\/p>\n<h2>Useful Resources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/contentdesign.intuit.com\/foundations\/content-testing\/\">Practical Guide To Content Testing<\/a>, by Intuit<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nngroup.com\/articles\/testing-content-websites\/\">How To Test Content With Users<\/a>, by Kate Moran<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/@jsaito\/5-fun-ways-to-test-words-f132af5a8456\">Five Fun Ways To Test Words<\/a>, by John Saito<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/userresearch.blog.gov.uk\/2014\/09\/02\/a-simple-technique-for-evaluating-content\/\">A Simple Technique For Evaluating Content<\/a>, by Pete Gale<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>New: How To Measure UX And Design Impact<\/h2>\n<p>Meet Measure UX &amp; Design Impact (8h), a new practical guide for designers and UX leads to measure and show your UX impact on business. Use the code \ud83c\udf9f <code>IMPACT<\/code> to save 20% off today. <a href=\"https:\/\/measure-ux.com\/\">Jump to the details<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"margin-bottom:0;padding-bottom:0\" class=\"article__image break-out\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/measure-ux.com\/\" title=\"How To Measure UX and Design Impact, with Vitaly Friedman\"><br \/>\n    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"466\" style=\"border-radius: 11px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"How to Measure UX and Design Impact, with Vitaly Friedman.\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/fdswebdesign.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/measure-ux-and-design-impact-course.png\"><br \/>\n    <\/a><br \/>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"book-cta__inverted\">\n<div class=\"book-cta\" data-handler=\"ContentTabs\" data-mq=\"(max-width: 480px)\">\n<nav class=\"content-tabs content-tabs--books\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"content-tab\"><a href=\"#\"><button class=\"btn btn--small btn--white btn--white--bordered\"><br \/>\nVideo + UX Training<\/button><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"content-tab\"><a href=\"#\"><button class=\"btn btn--small btn--white btn--white--bordered\">Video only<\/button><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<div class=\"book-cta__col book-cta__hardcover content-tab--content\">\n<h3 class=\"book-cta__title\"><span>Video + UX Training<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"book-cta__price\"><span><span class=\"\"><span class=\"currency-sign\">$<\/span>&nbsp;<span>495<span class=\"sup\">.00<\/span><\/span><\/span> <span class=\"book-cta__price--old\"><span class=\"currency-sign\">$<\/span>&nbsp;<span>799<span class=\"sup\">.00<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/smart-interface-design-patterns.thinkific.com\/enroll\/3081832?price_id=3951439\" class=\"btn btn--full btn--medium btn--text-shadow\"><br \/>\nGet Video + UX Training<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"book-cta__desc\">25 video lessons (8h) + <a href=\"https:\/\/smashingconf.com\/online-workshops\/workshops\/vitaly-friedman-impact-design\/\">Live UX Training<\/a>.<br \/>100 days money-back-guarantee.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"book-cta__col book-cta__ebook content-tab--content\">\n<h3 class=\"book-cta__title\"><span>Video only<\/span><\/h3>\n<div data-audience=\"anonymous free supporter\" data-remove=\"true\"><span class=\"book-cta__price\" data-handler=\"PriceTag\"><span><span class=\"\"><span class=\"currency-sign\">$<\/span>&nbsp;<span>250<span class=\"sup\">.00<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"book-cta__price--old\"><span class=\"currency-sign\">$<\/span>&nbsp;<span>395<span class=\"sup\">.00<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/smart-interface-design-patterns.thinkific.com\/enroll\/3081832?price_id=3950630\" class=\"btn btn--full btn--medium btn--text-shadow\"><br \/>\nGet the video course<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"book-cta__desc\" data-audience=\"anonymous free supporter\" data-remove=\"true\">25 video lessons (8h). Updated yearly.<br \/>Also available as a <a href=\"https:\/\/smart-interface-design-patterns.thinkific.com\/enroll\/3082557?price_id=3951421\">UX Bundle with 2 video courses.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"signature\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" alt=\"Smashing Editorial\" width=\"35\" height=\"46\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.smashingmagazine.com\/images\/logo\/logo--red.png\"><br \/>\n  <span>(cm, vf, il)<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How To Test And Measure Content In UX How To Test And Measure Content In UX Vitaly Friedman 2025-02-13T08:00:00+00:00 2025-02-18T23:17:29+00:00 Content testing is a simple way to test the clarity and understanding of the content on a page &mdash; be it a paragraph of text, a user flow, a dashboard, or anything in between. Our&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":538,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ux"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fdswebdesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2958","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fdswebdesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fdswebdesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fdswebdesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fdswebdesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2958"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/fdswebdesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2958\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2960,"href":"https:\/\/fdswebdesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2958\/revisions\/2960"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fdswebdesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fdswebdesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fdswebdesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fdswebdesign.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}