Usability testing template
Usability testing templates are more than just a time-saver – they’re essential tools that provide structure and clarity to your research process. Whether you’re a seasoned UX professional or new to testing, templates help streamline your efforts, offering a ready-made framework to make sure that your tests are thorough, consistent, and effective. In this chapter, we’ve rounded up the top usability testing templates to suit various testing needs, from basic design preferences to advanced prototype testing. These templates will help you gather actionable feedback efficiently, freeing you up to focus on improving your product’s user experience. What’s not to like about that? Let’s jump right in.
Usability testing guide
Why use a usability testing template?
A usability testing template simplifies your testing process, providing structure and consistency. Using templates can also be a huge advantage when working with limited resources, helping you make sure that you don’t miss critical steps that could affect your findings.
Let’s look at some of the other benefits of using a usability testing template.
Benefit #1: Saves time and effort
Creating a usability test from scratch takes time – time you could spend analyzing results or refining your designs. A template provides a ready-made structure that covers all the essentials, from setting goals to outlining tasks. So you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time you conduct a test!
Benefit #2: Ensures consistency and reliability
With a template, every test follows a standardized process, ensuring consistency across different testing sessions. This makes comparing results, identifying patterns, and drawing reliable conclusions easier. Consistent testing methods also mean more reliable data – crucial when you’re presenting findings to stakeholders or making key design decisions.
Benefit #3: Works well on a budget
Usability testing doesn’t have to be expensive. With a solid template, you can make the most of free or low-cost usability testing tools, so you get valuable feedback without the big bill..
Benefit #4: Improves collaboration
A standardized template makes it easier for teams to collaborate. Everyone can follow the same format, understand the test goals, and contribute effectively. It reduces confusion and ensures all team members – from designers to developers – are aligned on the testing process and expected outcomes.
Benefit #5: Helps new team members
Templates can be particularly helpful for onboarding new team members or stakeholders unfamiliar with usability testing. They provide a clear roadmap of what needs to be done, making it easier for newcomers to understand the process and jump in without extensive training.
These benefits make usability testing templates an essential tool for anyone looking to streamline their testing process, save time, and get the most reliable and actionable data possible.
Usability testing made easy with Lyssna's template library
Ready to enhance your usability testing process? Our template library offers a wealth of resources to streamline your efforts. From first click testing to card sorting, you'll find expertly crafted templates for every stage of your project.
12 best usability testing templates
Usability testing templates can save you time and help create thorough and consistent testing sessions.
Here, we’ve compiled 12 of the best templates to optimize your product’s usability process. Each template offers a unique approach to gathering valuable data depending on your goals,.
Then, we’ll give you some tips for choosing the best template and how to mix and match them for maximum impact. Excited? You should be! Let’s get started …
Template #1: First click testing for website UI intuitiveness
This first click testing template is designed to help you find out how intuitive your website's UI is. By giving real users a simple task (like locating customer support), you can see where they click first and identify how easily they navigate your site. This template supports different design formats, from wireframes to live site screenshots, and presents results through click maps and heatmaps to highlight user behavior.
What this will help you discover:
Ease of navigation and visibility of key elements.
Points of confusion or frustration in the interface.
Clarity and visual appeal of the layout.
Whether the UI meets user expectations and needs.
See an example of the results.
How to use this template:
Click “Use this template” and log in to Lyssna.
Customize the test according to your needs.
Preview, save, and recruit your participants.
Set the test live, wait for your results to come in, and then analyze your results.
Template #2: First click testing for feature discoverability
Use this first click testing template to understand how easily users can find and use key features in your product. Analyzing where users click first gives you an understanding of feature visibility and whether the design aligns with their expectations. This helps you to prioritize improvements and align development with user preferences.
What this will help you discover:
How visible and accessible product features are.
If user clicks match expected actions.
Whether users show interest in features.
Usability issues like hidden or poorly positioned features.
See an example of the results.
How to use this template:
Click “Use this template” and log in to Lyssna.
Customize the test according to your needs.
Preview, save, and recruit your participants.
Set the test live, wait for your results to come in, and then analyze your results.
Template #3: Five second testing for home page impressions
Use this five second testing template to gauge the effectiveness of your home page design quickly. This test focuses on whether your home page captures user attention in the first five seconds and helps you understand what elements – like images, colors, and taglines – leave a lasting impression.
What this will help you discover:
Visual appeal and attention-grabbing elements.
Key elements that users remember.
If your message and brand are clear within seconds.
How well your design aligns with your brand identity.
See an example of the results.
How to use this template:
Click "Use this template" and log in to Lyssna.
Customize the test according to your needs.
Preview, save, and recruit your participants.
Set the test live, wait for your results to come in, and then analyze your results.
Template #4: Five second testing for quick design feedback
This five second testing template gives you rapid feedback on specific design elements like logos, typography, and call-to-action buttons. By understanding what users remember and their initial impressions, you can iteratively refine your designs to meet user expectations better and improve overall impact.
What this will help you discover:
Users' immediate reactions to your design.
How effective specific design elements are at grabbing attention.
Clarity of your design and messaging.
Recognition and recall of brand elements.
See an example of the results.
How to use this template:
Click "Use this template" and log in to Lyssna.
Customize the test according to your needs.
Preview, save, and recruit your participants.
Set the test live, wait for your results to come in, and then analyze your results.
Template #5: Preference testing for feature evaluation
Use this preference testing template to prioritize product features based on user feedback. This is ideal if you’re a product manager working with limited resources and need to align your product roadmap with what truly matters to your audience.
What this will help you discover:
The most appealing features to focus on.
Relative importance of different features for prioritization.
Specific user expectations and needs.
How your feature preferences stack up against competitors.
See an example of the results.
How to use this template:
Click "Use this template" and log in to Lyssna.
Customize the test according to your needs.
Preview, save, and recruit your participants.
Set the test live, wait for your results to come in, and then analyze your results.
Template #6: Tagline impact testing
This preference testing template helps you decide which tagline resonates best with your audience for a brand message that's impactful and drives conversions. Participants choose their preferred tagline and provide feedback, helping you identify the most engaging and memorable options.
What this will help you discover:
The most resonant tagline for your audience.
Which taglines make the strongest impressions.
Taglines that generate the most engagement.
Emotional responses to strengthen audience connection.
See an example of the results.
How to use this template:
Click "Use this template" and log in to Lyssna.
Customize the test according to your needs.
Preview, save, and recruit your participants.
Set the test live, wait for your results to come in, and then analyze your results.
Template #7: Website form usability testing
Presenting different form designs allows you to gather feedback on elements like field placements, labels, and error messages to make sure your forms are intuitive and easy to use.
What this will help you discover:
Where to place the form for ease of navigation.
Clarity of form field labels and comprehension.
Potential pain points in the form design.
Opportunities to optimize form functionality.
See an example of the results.
How to use this template:
Click "Use this template" and log in to Lyssna.
Customize the test according to your needs.
Preview, save, and recruit your participants.
Set the test live, wait for your results to come in, and then analyze your results.
Template #8: Prototype testing for early designs
Use this prototype testing template to evaluate early-stage app or website prototypes and gather crucial user insights. Participants navigate through your Figma prototype while answering questions about their experience, helping you validate design choices and streamline workflows.
What this will help you discover:
Usability issues and navigation challenges.
First impressions and user reactions.
Effectiveness of design decisions.
Overall user experience and areas for improvement.
See an example of the results.
How to use this template:
Click "Use this template" and log in to Lyssna.
Customize the test according to your needs.
Preview, save, and recruit your participants.
Set the test live, wait for your results to come in, and then analyze your results.
Template #9: Task flow testing for conversion optimization
This task flow prototype testing template helps you optimize your website’s conversion flow by identifying issues in navigation, CTAs, and messaging. Ideal for final design stages, it lets you see where users get stuck or drop off, enabling you to make targeted improvements that increase conversions.
What this will help you discover:
Friction points and areas of confusion.
Clarity and effectiveness of CTAs.
User preferences and insights into behavior.
Opportunities to improve the conversion funnel.
See an example of the results.
How to use this template:
Click "Use this template" and log in to Lyssna.
Customize the test according to your needs.
Preview, save, and recruit your participants.
Set the test live, wait for your results to come in, and then analyze your results.
Template #10: Task flow testing for checkout process
Refine your checkout process with this task flow prototype testing template. By guiding participants to complete a purchase or task, you can identify bottlenecks, usability issues, and areas for improvement. The result? Better conversions and happier customers.
What this will help you discover:
Usability issues causing confusion or frustration.
Clarity of information during the checkout process.
User experience pain points and potential enhancements.
Effectiveness and speed of the checkout flow.
See an example of the results.
How to use this template:
Click "Use this template" and log in to Lyssna.
Customize the test according to your needs.
Preview, save, and recruit your participants.
Set the test live, wait for your results to come in, and then analyze your results.
Template #11: SUS score calculation for evaluating usability
The System Usability Scale (SUS) offers a quick way to gauge user satisfaction through a 10-statement survey with a Likert scale, helping you measure how users feel about your product's ease of use, consistency, and overall experience.
How to calculate your SUS score manually
Collect responses: After your usability test, participants respond to 10 SUS statements on a Likert scale from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree).
Score the responses:
For odd-numbered statements (1, 3, 5, 7, 9): Subtract 1 from the participant's score. Formula: [Participant rating] - 1
For even-numbered statements (2, 4, 6, 8, 10): Subtract the participant's score from 5. Formula: 5 - [Participant rating]
Calculate individual SUS scores:
Add up the new values for each participant. This gives a score out of 40.
Multiply this total by 2.5 to get the individual SUS score out of 100. Formula: (Sum of adjusted scores) * 2.5
Average the scores: Once you have all the individual SUS scores, calculate the average to get an overall SUS score for your product.
Calculate your SUS score using our Google Sheets template
To simplify the calculation, download your SUS results as a CSV and import them into our Google Sheets template. The template automatically calculates each participant’s SUS score for you, saving time and reducing the chance of errors. Click here to make a copy of the Google Sheets template.
What’s a good SUS score?
An average SUS score is 68. Scores above 68 are considered above average, while scores below 68 are below average. To get a more detailed understanding, convert your SUS score into a percentile rank, which helps you compare your product's usability against industry benchmarks. For more information, read our article on the System Usability Scale.
What this will help you discover:
Your product's SUS score for usability improvements.
How your product stacks up against industry standards.
User feedback on areas of ease and difficulty.
Overall user sentiment after product interaction.
Here’s an example of the results in Lyssna, as well as an example of the SUS score calculation using our Google Sheets template.
How to use this template:
Click “Use this template” and log in to Lyssna.
Modify the prototype test section as needed.
Preview, save, and recruit your participants.
Set the test live and collect your results.
Download your results as a CSV and calculate scores using our Google Sheets template.
Template #12: Navigation testing for wireframes or prototypes
By setting specific tasks like finding information or completing a purchase, you can understand user behavior and identify any navigation issues.
What this will help you discover:
Whether navigation is straightforward or confusing.
Clarity and meaning of navigation labels.
User preferences for navigation design.
Usability issues like broken links or complex paths.
Time taken for users to complete tasks.
See an example of the results.
How to use this template:
Click “Use this template” and log in.
Customize the test according to your needs.
Preview, save, and recruit your participants.
Set the test live, wait for your results to come in, and then analyze your results.
Tips for choosing the right usability testing template
Define your project goals: Are you validating new concepts, refining features, or improving the user experience? Choose templates and methods that align with these goals.
Match the development stage:
Early stages: Use free flow prototype testing or preference testing to explore user reactions and gather broad feedback on initial designs.
Later stages: Opt for task flow prototype testing to evaluate specific user journeys and identify detailed usability issues in more refined designs.
Understand your audience: Consider your target user demographics. Are they tech-savvy or new to your product? Choose templates that suit your audience's experience level and expectations for the most relevant feedback.
Assess available resources:
Time and budget constraints: Templates like the SUS score calculation require more time for setup and data analysis, while five second testing offers quick, actionable feedback.
Team expertise: Make sure your team is comfortable using the selected templates and analyzing the results.
How to combine templates for comprehensive usability testing
Start with a broad overview:
Begin with a SUS score template to measure overall usability. This gives you a baseline score to understand user sentiment and satisfaction.
Dive deeper with specific tests:
Use a navigation testing template to pinpoint where users struggle with site or app navigation. This helps you identify specific areas needing refinement.
Pair complementary templates:
Combine preference testing with first click testing to explore user preferences and initial reactions to key features. This combo provides both qualitative and quantitative data.
Iterate and validate:
After making improvements based on initial tests, conduct follow-up tests, like a five second test or prototype test, to validate changes and make sure they align with user needs.
This structured approach means that you’re using the right tools at the right time for a thorough, data-driven design process.
Streamline usability testing with Lyssna templates
Whether you’re fine-tuning your checkout flow or testing if your new tagline is a hit, there’s a template here that’s got your back.
Remember, it’s not just about gathering data; it’s about learning, iterating, and – dare we say – having a bit of fun along the way. So dive into Lyssna’s toolbox, grab a template (or three), and start turning insights into action! Your users will thank you.