Usability Testing Checklist
Your Name:
Your Role: (Student, Instructor, or Staff/Administration):
The Website you are reviewing:
Bite, Snack, Meal
Redish advises us to organize a website in the “Bite, Snack, Meal” style—The “bite” is the
headline, the “snack” is an abstract or overview that introduces all of the main points, and the
“meal” is the in-depth report (134-138). Here, we’ll be addressing the “snack.” You can answer
these questions on the website document itself.
1. Does the abstract/overview/first section provide all of the essential information? If
not, what do you think should be added?
2. Is the “snack” engaging and exciting? Does it make you want to read more or get
involved? If so, what language inspires you here? If not, what might be added or
changed?
3. Finally, is there any information here that is not necessary for you, as a reader? What
might be edited out?
Heading and Heading Styles
You will begin the usability test by reviewing the Headings that the website uses. Please
answer the following questions:
1. Does the website use appropriate headings and subheadings? (E.g. Heading 1, Heading
2, etc.?) If not, where do they need to adjust these?
2. Read over the headings themselves. Which ones work for you, as a reader? Which ones
are confusing or dull?
What Works
Areas for Improvement
3. Reviewing the “Seven guidelines for headlines that work well” (Redish 158). For each
question, make notes about which headings work well and which ones could be
improved.
 Guidelines 1, 2, and 3: “Use your site visitors’ words;” “Be clear instead of
cute” and “Think about your global audience” (158-160). Does the website use
the “site visitor’s words”? That is, as someone who doesn’t know anything about
the topic, are all of these words familiar and clear? Do you have good associations
with all of these words, or would you recommend changing some of them? Does the
heading provide a clear overview of the content?
What Works

Areas for Improvement
Guideline 4 and 5: “Try for a Medium Length (about 8 words)” and “Use a
statement, question, or call to action” (160-161). Are all headings between 7-12
words? If not, are there headings that could be expanded or revised? Do the
headings work as a strong statement (placing the key message first), a question
(letting the site visitor start the conversation), or a call to action (using verb
phrases to encourage action)? Do they use verbs whenever possible? If not, how
would you revise them?

Heading (List headings in
order here):
Statement, Question, or
Call to Action? Or none of
the above (NOTA)?
Revision suggestions?
Content:
I recommend making your comments about content on the document itself. Read over
each section and answer the following questions:
NOTE: When you comment on content, try to use “I” statements to emphasize your role as
a reader. E.g. “As a student, I felt confused by _________” or “As an administrator, I felt like
_______ section was overly cluttered.”
1. Does this section feel like a conversation? If not, what could the team add to make
you feel more involved?
i. Pronoun use—does the website use “we” and “you?”
2. As a user, do you feel like all of your major questions are answered in this section?
If not, what questions do you have? Note those questions on the site itself.
3. Are there any places where there is too much information—information that you
don’t need to read? If so, how might the website be edited?
Style:
As you’re thinking about content, you’ll also consider style and mechanics—the clarity
and correctness of the sentences themselves. As you read through, make note of any
sentences that feel awkward or difficult. Then, go back and see if you have any
suggestions. (If you don’t, that’s okay, too. The writer might just need to know that it’s
an awkward sentence.)
As a reminder, here are my recommendations from last week’s lecture on the 4 C’s (Be
Clear, Concise, Considerate, and Correct)
Going Deeper: Website as Conversation and Impetus to Act
Once again, consider your role as a student, instructor, or staff/administrator, and
answer the following questions on the document itself:
1. At the end of the website, do you have enough information about how you could
continue this work? Why or why not?
2. Do you feel inspired to continue this work? Is the website energizing? Why or why
not?