Invite Network participant experience

This article applies to: UserTesting 

On this page:

• The invitation
• UserTesting app installation
• Testing experience
  • Think-out-loud experience
  • Interaction test experience
  • Survey experience
  • Live Conversation experience
• Troubleshooting

The invitation

• You can invite participants by sending them the test link via email, Slack, company intranet, instant messenger, etc.
• Include any information you'd like to share along with the link to grant them access to the test.
  • In the Classic UserTesting experience: An email template is provided when you create the test. You can also include the UserTesting Terms of Use.
    

  • In the New UserTesting experience: Just the test link and the Confidentiality terms are provided. You can copy and edit the following message body:

    Invitation message (click to see more)

    Hello!
    
    We're working on a [product, feature, or experience] and would love to get your feedback. We're partnering with UserTesting to ask you what you think about our experience.
    
    For this test, we'd like you to give feedback on a computer. It will take you an estimated 15 minutes to complete. In return, we'd like to offer you [compensation] for your time.
    
    As you do the tasks, we'll record what you say and do. That's why it's important to check your sound settings, and make sure you speak clearly throughout.
    
    How to get started
    First, find somewhere quiet and distraction-free. Then, start the test here [hyperlink], or paste this link into your internet browser.

     

     

UserTesting app installation

• If your participants are using a desktop:
  • They do not need to download anything if taking a test in the UserTesting Classic experience.
    • The UserTesting seamless recorder allows desktop participants to click on a link and immediately start taking a test. The same applies to Invite Network participants who use Zoom for Live Conversations.
  • In the New UserTesting experience, participants will need to install the UserTesting Browser Recorder Extension (the test will prompt them to do this).
    
• If your participants are using a mobile device: 
  • They will need to install the UserTesting mobile app for their iOS or Android device.
  • After a participants clicks the test link, they'll be guided through the appropriate steps.
    

Testing experience

• Regardless of test type or device, all Invite Network participants go through the same pre-test setup before their session begins. 
• They'll receive brief tips on using the recorder, disabling notifications, and setting up their microphone. Once setup is complete, the experience varies depending on the test type they've been invited to take. 

• After any test type, participants are thanked for their time and notified that their session has been submitted.
   

   

Think-out-loud experience

• In a think-out-loud test, participants complete a series of tasks while narrating their thoughts, reactions, and decisions as they go. 
• Depending on if the participant is taking a Classic think-out-loud or a New think-out-loud test, on desktop or on mobile, the experience will differ slightly.

Desktop experience

• Desktop participants on the UserTesting Classic experience don't need to download anything. The seamless recorder lets them click the test link and begin immediately, recording their screen and audio through the browser. 
• Participants using the Classic experience use the "two tab" experience: one tab for the task instructions, and another tab for the test experience.
• Desktop participants on the UserTesting New experience will be prompted to install the UserTesting Browser Recorder Extension.
• Participants using the New experience will complete their test all within the same browser tab. 

Mobile experience

• Regardless of which recorder version a participant encounters, mobile participants will need to install the UserTesting app for iOS or Android before they can begin. 
• After clicking the test link, they'll be guided through the appropriate download steps automatically.

Interaction test experience

• The test setup follows the same flow as any test type in the New experience.
• In an interaction test, participants are given a specific task to complete. 
• They attempt the task on a live website or prototype while thinking out loud, and the recorder captures their screen and audio throughout.
• Each task is presented one at a time with a clear prompt. Participants are encouraged to narrate what they're looking for, what they notice, and what they'd expect to happen as they click through.

• The flow is similar to the updated think-out-loud (see previous section).
  
   

   

Survey experience

• The test setup follows the same flow as any test type in the New experience.
• In a survey test, participants answer a series of questions rather than completing tasks on a website or prototype. Questions may include multiple choice, rating scales (such as a 1–10 numeric scale or a 5-star rating), and open-text responses.
• Participants move through questions one at a time using Next and Back buttons. A progress indicator shows them how far along they are. The Next button remains inactive until they've answered the current question, so no responses can be accidentally skipped.
• Survey tests are available on both desktop and mobile and do not require screen recording or audio. Participants complete surveys entirely within the browser or the UserTesting app.
  

Live Conversation experience

• Live Conversations are moderated sessions where a researcher speaks directly with a participant over video call. Unlike think-out-loud or interaction tests, there are no pre-recorded tasks. The researcher guides the conversation in real time.
• Desktop: Invite Network participants join Live Conversations via Zoom. No additional download is required beyond what Zoom provides. Learn more about Live Conversations with Invite Network participants →
• Mobile: Participants join via the UserTesting mobile app. They'll need the app installed before the session begins, following the same steps outlined in the UserTesting app installation section above. Learn more about adding a mobile device to a Live Conversation →
• Before the session, participants receive a confirmation with the scheduled time and joining instructions. 

Troubleshooting

Update browser extension

• If a participant has taken a test with UserTesting before, they may encounter a message prompting them to update the browser extension.

• If the update is not successful, the participant can remove the extension from their browser.
  
• They may need to exit the test setup flow and reenter it again. They should then see a step to install the extension. 
  
• Follow the instructions to install the extension. The step will update to show that the extension has been successfully installed.
   

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