When Should I Test My Website?

[Treehouse presents] 0:00 [Quick Tips: When Should I Test My Website? - with Dan Gorgone] 0:03 Many people assume that the time to test your website 0:05 is right before it launches. That sort of makes sense. 0:08 Before something goes live, you want to ensure 0:11 that it's working the way it's supposed to. 0:13 However, this is one of the most difficult times to test, 0:15 because time is short, and the pressure is on. 0:19 Don't leave testing until the last minute. 0:22 Instead, consider a plan to test from the very beginning. 0:25 When you have your initial idea, 0:28 you'll probably be tempted to draw some rough sketches, 0:31 maybe even produce some wireframes to get started. 0:34 Anything you create is worth testing, 0:36 which can be simple as sitting down with someone and asking them 0:39 what they make of your design. 0:42 A quick walk around your office, coffee shop, or sharing a picture online 0:45 can yield helpful feedback. 0:49 Why test so early? 0:51 Because these results can have an immediate positive effect on your project. 0:53 Finding issues before you build anything means not having to tear it down later. 0:58 As you're building a site, that's a good time to test, too. 1:03 The same principle applies. 1:07 Getting someone else's perspective is an extremely valuable research tool. 1:09 As you're building a site, that's a good time to test, too. 1:13 The same principle applies. 1:16 Getting someone else's perspective is an extremely valuable research tool. 1:18 As you begin to build the pieces or design elements that go into 1:22 a finished website, these can be shown to test users 1:26 in working and non-working ways. 1:30 Remember, you can test web designs using screen shots, 1:32 a projector, even simple printouts. 1:36 Sure, the experience isn't exactly what you would like it to be. 1:39 But asking the right questions will get you the answers you need. 1:42 And, of course, you want to test after your site has been launched. 1:46 In fact, come up with a plan to test every one or two months 1:50 to ensure that the site continues to work as intended. 1:54 Times will change. So will your industry, as well as your users' needs. 1:58 Plan on changing with it, and figure out how 2:03 by doing some testing along the way. 2:06

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