pilot testing
briefing
student / recently graduated
with a partner
first apartment - two room apartment, duplex
location: helsinki
budget: 220 000
move in time: no hurry - months
1. think aloud
2. guided, tell which sections to use (categories, search, etc.)
testing
person 1. free browsing
start 10:51 chose "ASUNNOT" link form main page
confused about inconsistency -> different layout
uses search: all apts, entered price range, pondered and entered the area "uusimaa", typed helsinki
did not type minimum.
got price of 251€ as sell price on first item. no picture. confusing -> too cheap, no trust, too suspicious
realized these apts can be anything -> must clarify search criteria
opened advanced search
chose 2 rooms checkbox -> no other search criteria added
fast search results.
apartments seem too cheap -> "asumisoikeusmaksu" -> need explanation (not fault of site, anything in help???)
map was first useless, but later appeared to be working
back, back, to search results
changed search criteria
after 30 seconds, found link to change search criteria -> added min/max price crit
found an apartment with lots of pictures -> is pleased
11:01 Details: Herttoniemi, porttimopolku 3b, blockhouse/apt building, 42m2, 152 000€, 2h+kk+kh, 10 minutes map still difficult to navigate and use. coordinates as php variables, back button hassle
person 2. controlled actions/methods (browse categories, search, use help) Browse through the apartments matching the size criteria (~few rooms, nothing big)
chose apartments on sale -> blockhouses -> found too many results -> must use search box and at least some criteria
Use search to find the apartment
added price and location criteria to the search boxes -> test1
Use advanced search to find the apartment
seems clear -> test1
link to help#search section
Check help on how to find apartments
opened help and checked instruction, found them easily -> test1
questions
person 1
what was difficult/confusing/irritating to use?
advanced search difficut to find after initial search
logo in front page irritating
inconsistency between front page and apartment section
where is the help??? (in bottom right)
grey text is dull
how was the search?
relatively easy
difficult to find the search criteria modification link
person 2
how is help?
help offers clear instructions on how to use search etc. but does not offer explanations on the terms appearing in the search results
advices that not all criteria need to be entered in the search