10 Do’s & Don’ts Of User Research That Will Save Your Life

Posted On
16th January 2025
Estimated Reading Time
6 Minutes
Category
User Research
Written By
Arpan Roy

Book a call and get unlimited revisions for your project!

Book A Call
A stylized pink thunderbolt or lightning icon
Get Instant Response

User research is an important part of web design, where we try to keep the end user in mind. User research can be done through user interviews, surveys and field studies. Read this article to find out more about these methods.

Ask users what they want

Asking users what they want is a great way to get feedback on your product or service. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when doing so. First, don’t ask leading questions. This will bias the results of your research.

Second, make sure you have the time and resources to properly analyze the feedback you receive. Otherwise, you may not be able to act on it in a meaningful way. Finally, don’t forget that users’ needs change over time – so make sure to keep asking them what they want!

Conduct user testing when you find things

User testing is one of the most important steps in the user research process. By conducting user tests, you can uncover issues and problems that users may have with your product or service. User testing can also help you to understand how users interact with your product or service, and what they think of it.

There are a few things to keep in mind when conducting user tests:

1. Make sure to test with actual users.

It’s important to test with people who will actually be using your product or service. This way, you’ll get accurate feedback about how users will interact with your product or service.

2. Give users specific tasks to complete.

When testing, give users specific tasks to complete, such as signing up for an account or completing a purchase. This will help you to see how well users can complete these tasks, and where they run into trouble.

3. Observe and take notes during the user test.

Be sure to observe users while they are testing your product or service, and take notes on their behavior. This will help you to identify any areas where users are having difficulty, and make changes accordingly.

4. Ask questions after the user test is completed.

Once the user test is complete, be sure to ask users about their experience. This feedback can be invaluable in making improvements to your product or service

Don’t just think about it, document it

When it comes to user research, one of the most important things you can do is document your findings. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people forget to do this – or simply don’t think it’s necessary.

But trust us, it is. Documentation allows you to track your progress, refer back to previous findings, and see how far you’ve come. It also makes it easier to share your findings with others on your team.

So what exactly should you document? Here are a few key things:

The problem you’re trying to solve: What are you hoping to learn from your user research? Documenting the problem will help keep you focused on finding a solution.

Your research goals: What does success look like for this project? What specific answers are you hoping to find? Write down your goals so you can reference them later and make sure you’re on track.

Your research methodology: How are you conducting your user research? Which methods are you using? Why did you choose these methods? Documenting your methodology will help ensure that your research is reliable and reproducible.

Your findings: This is the heart of your documentation – the actual data and insights that you glean from your user research. Be as detailed as possible here, including quotes, screenshots, and anything else that will help paint a picture of what users are saying and doing.

Your recommendations: What should be done with your findings? What changes should be made to the product or service in question? Be as specific as possible here so that your team can take action on your research.

Keep an open mind

User research is all about learning from your users – and that means being open to what they have to say. No matter how much you think you know about a problem or a product, there’s always more to learn.

This can be a tough pill to swallow for some people, but it’s important to keep an open mind throughout the research process. Whether you’re conducting interviews, usability tests, or surveys, it’s important to listen carefully and take everything users to say to heart – even if it doesn’t line up with your preconceived notions.

The goal of user research is to understand how real people use your products and services, not to confirm your own biases. So keep an open mind, and you may just learn something new along the way.

Visualize the answers to your questions and conduct surveys

It’s important to be able to visualize the answers to your questions and conduct surveys in order to get accurate information from your users. There are a few things to keep in mind when doing this:

– Make sure the questions you’re asking are clear and concise. Users should be able to understand what you’re asking without any confusion.

– Keep the survey short and sweet. No one wants to spend their time filling out a long, tedious survey.

– Make sure the questions are relevant to your research goals. Don’t ask irrelevant questions just for the sake of asking them.

– Be sure to thank users for their time and participation once they’ve completed the survey. This will show that you appreciate their help and are more likely to get future participation from them.

Choose your tools wisely

When it comes to user research, choosing the right tools is essential to getting accurate and actionable insights. Here are some things to keep in mind when selecting your research tools:

– Make sure the tool allows you to collect data from your target audience. There’s no point in using a tool that can’t reach the people you want to research.

– Think about what type of data you need. Some tools are better suited for qualitative data, while others are better for quantitative data.

– Consider ease of use. You don’t want to spend hours trying to figure out how to use a complex research tool. Look for something that’s intuitive and easy to use.

– Cost is also an important consideration. Some research tools can be quite expensive, so make sure it fits within your budget.

Go global or regional, but do not exclude idioms

When localizing your product for a new market, it is important to consider not only the language but also the culture. That means taking into account things like idioms, which can be very regional. For example, in English we might say “that’s a hard pill to swallow” to describe something that is difficult to accept. This idiom would not make sense in many other languages, so it’s important to be aware of these kinds of things when localization.

At the same time, don’t exclude idioms entirely. They can be a great way to show that you are invested in the local market and understand the culture. Just be careful not to overdo it or use them inappropriately.

Observe for the insights that researcher will miss on their own

There are countless insights that researcher will miss on their own if they do not take the time to observe their users. By observing users, researchers can gain invaluable insights into their needs, wants, and how they interact with your product or service.

One of the most important things to observe is how users interact with your product or service. What are their first impressions? Do they use it the way you expect them to? Are there any areas where they seem to struggle?

In addition to observing user behavior, it is also important to listen to what users have to say. What are their thoughts on your product or service? Do they have any suggestions for improvements? What do they like/dislike about it?

Finally, don’t forget to pay attention to your own reactions and observations. Take note of anything that surprises you, confuses you, or makes you think twice. These are all valuable insights that can help improve your product or service.

Start with a plan that changes as you go

When starting out with user research, it’s important to have a plan in place that can be flexible as your needs change. This will help ensure that you’re able to get the most accurate and helpful information from your research subjects.

Some things to keep in mind when developing your research plan:

-What are your goals for the research? What do you hope to learn?

-Who are your target users? How many users do you need to interview?

-What methods will you use to collect data? How will you administer surveys or interviews?

-How will you analyze the data you collect? What tools will you use?

-How often will you conduct research? What timeline do you need to adhere to?

Heading 1

Heading 2

Heading 3

Heading 4

Heading 5
Heading 6

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Block quote

Ordered list

  1. Item 1
  2. Item 2
  3. Item 3

Unordered list

  • Item A
  • Item B
  • Item C

Text link

Bold text

Emphasis

Superscript

Subscript

Book a call and get unlimited revisions for your project!

Book A Call
A stylized pink thunderbolt or lightning icon
Get Instant Response
Let’s Build Something Great
Portrait photo of Rishabh Jain, Founder of Confetti, smiling and sitting down.
Rishabh Jain's signature
Rishabh Jain
Founder @Confetti
Get Started
A stylized pink thunderbolt or lightning icon
Get Instant Response
We’re looking forward to talk to you!
There was an error in form submission.
Please try to submit the form again.
Our Designs Are Loved Globally
The logo for the publication PACKAGING OF THE WORLD, featuring the word 'PACKAGING' in bold black capital letters and 'OF THE WORLD' in a smaller font size.
ITC Bingo Chatpat Kairi is featured in ‘Packaging Of The World', 2025
A product photograph showing a green bottle of 'Bingo! Chatpat Kairi' drink, surrounded by glasses of mango juice, a woven basket filled with raw green mangoes, and slices of mango.
The logo for the World Brand Design Society, which includes a black geometric symbol, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom, and the words 'WORLD BRAND DESIGN SOCIETY'.
WhatABite is featured in ‘World Brand Design Society’, 2025
Close-up of a bag of orange-red 'WhatABite Chicken Chips (Barbecue)' resting on a bright yellow surface, surrounded by a laptop, an open book, a black vintage-style camera, a red thermos, and a small white bowl holding some of the chips.
The logo for the packaging editorial Dieline, represented by a black circle containing a stylized white 'D' shape.
AIM Nutrition is featured on ‘Dieline, 2025’, a globally reputed packaging editorial
A flat lay photograph of several products from AIM Nutrition's 'MeltinStrips' line, including blue boxes for 'Sleep' and white boxes for 'Beauty,' along with small orange sachets for 'Energy,' all scattered on a light background
The logo for the publication PACKAGING OF THE WORLD, featuring the word 'PACKAGING' in bold black capital letters and 'OF THE WORLD' in a smaller font size.
ITC B Natural is featured in ‘Packaging Of The World', 2025
A light green bottle of B Natural Tender Coconut Water sits on a blue and white patterned tile table next to a half coconut shell filled with a drink and garnished with a grapefruit slice and rosemary. The background is a bright seaside landscape with a blue ocean and distant cliffs.
The logo for the publication PACKAGING OF THE WORLD, featuring the word 'PACKAGING' in bold black capital letters and 'OF THE WORLD' in a smaller font size.
Pawsible Foods is featured in ‘Packaging Of The World', 2025
A smiling Golden Retriever dog wearing a green tag, leaning on a table next to a large green box of Pawsible Foods Core Wellbeing Nutritional Topper and a stainless steel bowl containing the food. The background is a blurred, lush green outdoor setting.
The logo for the publication PACKAGING OF THE WORLD, featuring the word 'PACKAGING' in bold black capital letters and 'OF THE WORLD' in a smaller font size.
Miduty is featured in ‘Packaging Of The World', 2025
A set of three black-lidded supplement bottles from the Miduty brand, labeled Estrogen Balance, Liver Detox, and Methyl B-12 & Folate, displayed against a sleek, light blue, clinical-style background.
The logo for the publication PACKAGING OF THE WORLD, featuring the word 'PACKAGING' in bold black capital letters and 'OF THE WORLD' in a smaller font size.
Swizzle is featured in ‘Packaging Of The World', 2025
A visually striking product photo featuring three cans of Swizzle Premium Mocktails (Pineapple Mojito, Blue Lagoon, and Desi Lemonade), each bearing a polar bear mascot wearing sunglasses. They are arranged on a pink surface next to a red cloth and a bowl of salad, with a hand reaching for the can on the right.
The logo for the publication PACKAGING OF THE WORLD, featuring the word 'PACKAGING' in bold black capital letters and 'OF THE WORLD' in a smaller font size.
ITC Bingo Chatpat Kairi is featured in ‘Packaging Of The World', 2025
A product photograph showing a green bottle of 'Bingo! Chatpat Kairi' drink, surrounded by glasses of mango juice, a woven basket filled with raw green mangoes, and slices of mango.