Articles > web site testing
This doesn't have to be complicated—call five of your friends and have them look over the web site prototype. Try to choose people close to your target audience. Ask them if the site appeals to them, if they had any problems navigating it, and if anything struck them as odd or out of place. Ask them if they had any questions that weren't answered, or that they had a hard time finding the answer to. Have them describe what sense they get about the company and the products or service, and see if they match what you wanted to convey.
If you are selling a product, have them complete the purchase process. You can refund their money in your merchant account control panel.
If they didn't get it, don't bother trying to explain it to them—you won't get that chance with your real visitors. Go back and tweak the content or the presentation until it clearly delivers the message.
