SignUpGenius - Usability Study

Usability Study Header Image

Problem

“Our goal is to take away the hassle of organizing groups so that your organization can impact your community. Because it doesn't take a top-secret scientist to change the world... it just takes a little organization!” (SignUpGenius.com)

 SignUpGenius has positioned itself in the marketplace of apps to provide users with a way to organize their events – whether that includes finding volunteers for activities, shifts, or to RSVP for a dinner party. As part of a usability study, I sought to investigate how effectively the current design of SignUpGenius allows users to understand the purpose of the app, its functionality, and responsiveness.

 

Approach

A user study was developed to assess the overall first-run experience and the usability of three high-level functions of the SignUpGenius app:

  1. Users must be able to receive and provide customizable responses to event invitations utilizing the app.

  2. Users must be able to utilize the tools provided in the app to add events and RSVPs to their personal device’s calendar.

  3. Users must be able to edit their previous RSVPs and submit changes utilizing the app.

 Participants were recruited and selected using a screener document for the study. All participants were experienced smartphone and app users, utilized their smartphone calendar apps, are experienced in completing web forms, regularly participate in group events, and are self-reported problem solvers.

 3 tasks were developed to address the first-run experience and high-level site functions of the SignUpGenius app. A moderated, mobile usability study was conducted with nine participants using their own devices to observe any issues or points of confusion experienced while completing typical tasks using the app. Adhering to industry standards, utilizing a small group of participants has been demonstrated to uncover more than 85% of usability issues.

 Users were prompted to think aloud while completing tasks to offer further insight into their thought processes, decision rationale, and overall emotional state while interacting with the app and its features.

 

Findings and Recommendations

  • Lack of an onboarding pattern contributes to user error/confusion and lack of knowledge regarding the app’s functions. It was recommended that the app incorporate an onboarding pattern that demonstrates the purpose of the app and functionality of its tools.

Usability Study - First-Run Insights Excerpt

  • Affordances and clickability of the app’s elements are not effectively demonstrated. More explicit indications of interactive app elements/links that are clickable or that offer affordances should be included.

Usability Report Excerpt

  • Users do not want to create an account before using/exploring the app. In order to increase user interaction and account creation, users should be able to utilize and explore the app without having to first create an account.

  • Mobile gestures and functionality of screen elements are not consistently supported. It is recommended that standardized mobile gestures such as swiping or clicking on form fields be adopted.

  • Form fields and elements, as well as icons and buttons are not consistently labeled or represented. Employ a standardized labeling and iconography for elements throughout all app pages.

Usability Report Task Insights Excerpt

  • Functional elements (such as buttons) are not consistently located in the locations users typically first look. Incorporate functional elements (such as buttons) in the areas users most consistently visit to complete common tasks.

Usability Report Task 2 Insights Excerpt

 

Lessons Learned

  • Observing users interacting with app/site elements while completing basic tasks can illuminate potential functionality issues. Long-term user buy-in can be negatively impacted when they experience pain points with common tasks.

  • A great onboarding pattern can make a new user excited about using an app and informed about how to accomplish their goals.

  • Apps need to offer clear functionality to users of all experience and technology expertise levels. Issues that are uncovered with target users are extremely likely to manifest with new or novice users. User testing throughout the development process should be incorporated to ensure universality of accessibility and functionality for different user populations.