UX research and testing replaces opinion with evidence. I talk to your customers and watch them use your product, so you make design decisions based on what people actually do, not what the team assumes they do.

What UX research and testing is

UX research is a set of methods for understanding the people who use your product: what they’re trying to do, what gets in their way and what they expect. Usability testing is the most practical of these. You give real people real tasks and watch where they struggle.

It’s the quickest way to settle internal debates, and the cheapest way to find problems before you spend money building the wrong thing.

Who it’s for

  • Teams planning a redesign who want to know what to keep and what to change.
  • Founders testing a new product or feature idea before investing in development.
  • Product teams with low adoption of a feature they believed customers wanted.
  • Businesses where opinions clash and decisions keep stalling.
  • Anyone whose customers have changed since the product was first designed.

What’s included

  • A research plan and participant brief, agreed with you before we start.
  • Customer and stakeholder interviews to understand needs, goals and frustrations.
  • Moderated and unmoderated usability testing of your live website or product.
  • Prototype testing of new ideas before they’re built.
  • A findings report with clear recommendations, ranked so you know what to act on first.

How it works

1. Plan. We agree the questions you need answered, who we should talk to and which method fits best.

2. Research. I run the interviews or test sessions and capture what people do and say.

3. Act. I turn the findings into practical recommendations and, if you want, design and test the changes with you.

Results

  • 25+ years designing websites, apps and digital products.
  • 100% of clients say the process worked and would choose Layer2 again.

Questions people ask

What’s the difference between moderated and unmoderated testing?

In moderated testing, I run each session live and can ask follow-up questions. Unmoderated testing lets participants complete tasks on their own time, which is quicker for simpler questions. Many projects use both.

How many people do we need to test with?

Fewer than most people expect. A small round of sessions usually shows the biggest problems clearly. It’s often better to test, fix and test again than to run one large study.

Can you test something that isn’t built yet?

Yes. Testing a clickable prototype is one of the best uses of research, because changes cost far less before development starts.

Who takes part in the research?

We agree that together in the plan. Usually it’s a mix of your existing customers and people who match the customers you want to attract.

How much does it cost?

It depends on the method and the number of sessions. After a short call, I’ll give you a clear scope and quote before any work begins.

Do you only work in Dorset?

No. I’m based in Gillingham, Dorset and work with clients across the UK.

Next step

Tell me what you need to find out and what decision it will help you make. Get in touch and I’ll reply within 1 working day.