What are effective mobile UX research methods for global audiences?

Mobile UX research is the process of understanding how users interact with mobile devices, apps, and services. It can help you design better products, improve user satisfaction, and increase conversions. But how do you conduct mobile UX research for global audiences, who may have different needs, preferences, and contexts than your local users? In this article, we'll explore some effective methods and tips for conducting mobile UX research across different regions and cultures.

1 Remote usability testing

Remote usability testing is a method where you ask users to perform tasks on your mobile app or website, while you observe and record their behavior, feedback, and issues. You can use tools like Zoom, UserTesting, or Lookback to conduct remote usability testing with global users. This method can help you evaluate the usability, functionality, and performance of your mobile product, as well as identify pain points, bugs, and opportunities for improvement.

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Asif Hashmi

LinkedIn Top Voice | Product Manager @ Languify | UX Research & Strategy | NIT Bhopal'22
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As a Product Manager, I rely on a combination of surveys, analytics, remote usability testing, and localized beta testing to research mobile UX for global audiences. This approach allows me to gather both broad data and in-depth insights across different regions efficiently, ensuring our product meets diverse user needs worldwide.

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Tony .

UI/UX Designer at Gemraj Technologies Ltd | Intuitive design 🦾 | User Experience Designer
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Remote usability testing serves as a valuable method for understanding mobile user experiences on a global scale. By utilizing platforms such as Zoom, UserTesting, or Lookback, UX designers can engage with users from diverse cultural contexts and geographical locations. This approach enables designers to gather feedback on mobile apps or websites from users who may have varying levels of technological proficiency, language skills, and cultural norms. Additionally, remote usability testing allows for flexibility in scheduling sessions across different time zones, ensuring inclusivity and representation of global audiences in the research process.

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Raphael Schmidt

Senior Product Designer | UI/UX Design Lead | Web Designer | Front-end | Digital Maker, pode-se dizer um desbravador de novos caminhos.
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O teste de usabilidade remoto é um verdadeiro game-changer. Imagine poder ver como usuários do outro lado do mundo usam seu app ou site em tempo real. Ferramentas como Zoom ou UserTesting não só tornam isso possível, mas também super prático. É uma forma de captar feedbacks, identificar bugs e melhorar seu produto sem precisar sair do seu escritório. 👉🏼 Lista de algumas feramentas: • Maze • Lookback • Optimal Workshop • UsabilityHub • UserZoom • Loop11 • Userfeel • Lyssna Um jeito eficiente de garantir que seu app ou site seja amigável para todos, independentemente de onde estejam.

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2 Surveys and interviews

Surveys and interviews are methods where you ask users to answer questions or share their opinions about your mobile product, either through online forms or live conversations. You can use tools like Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, or Typeform to create and distribute surveys, or tools like Skype, WhatsApp, or Calendly to schedule and conduct interviews. These methods can help you gather quantitative and qualitative data about your users' needs, goals, motivations, expectations, and satisfaction.

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Raphael Schmidt

Senior Product Designer | UI/UX Design Lead | Web Designer | Front-end | Digital Maker, pode-se dizer um desbravador de novos caminhos.
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Mergulhar nas pesquisas e entrevistas nos dá aquele insight direto do que tá rolando na cabeça dos nossos usuários. É como ter uma conversa sincera, sabe? Seja jogando algumas perguntas no Google Forms ou batendo um papo via Skype/WhatsApp, o objetivo é o mesmo: entender o que nossos usuários querem, precisam e esperam do nosso app. É o tipo de feedback que vale ouro, pois ajuda a direcionar nossos esforços para o que realmente importa para eles.

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Tony .

UI/UX Designer at Gemraj Technologies Ltd | Intuitive design 🦾 | User Experience Designer
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Surveys and interviews offer UX designers invaluable opportunities to connect with global audiences and gain insights into their mobile user experiences. Surveys, conducted through platforms like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey, allow designers to gather quantitative data on user preferences, behaviors, and satisfaction levels at scale. Meanwhile, interviews conducted via platforms such as Skype or WhatsApp facilitate deeper conversations with users, providing qualitative insights into their motivations, pain points, and cultural nuances

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3 Contextual inquiry

Contextual inquiry is a method where you observe and interview users in their natural environment, where they use your mobile product. You can use tools like Ethnio, Dscout, or UserZoom to recruit and screen users, or tools like GoPro, EyeSee, or MobileEye to capture video and audio data. This method can help you understand the context, behavior, and emotions of your users, as well as the challenges and opportunities they face in their daily lives.

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4 Diary study

Diary study is a method where you ask users to document their experiences with your mobile product over a period of time, using tools like email, SMS, or apps. You can use tools like ExperienceFellow, dScout, or Paco to create and manage diary studies, or tools like Nvivo, Dedoose, or Airtable to analyze the data. This method can help you gain insights into the long-term usage, engagement, and retention of your mobile product, as well as the changes and trends in your users' needs and behavior.

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5 Cultural probe

Cultural probe is a method where you send users a kit of materials and tasks that encourage them to express their thoughts, feelings, and values about your mobile product. You can use tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Slack to collect and share the materials, or tools like Miro, Mural, or Adobe Spark to create and visualize the tasks. This method can help you explore the cultural and emotional aspects of your users, as well as the meaning and value they attach to your mobile product.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are effective mobile UX research methods for global audiences?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Remote usability testing

2 Surveys and interviews

3 Contextual inquiry

4 Diary study

5 Cultural probe

6 Here’s what else to consider

User Research

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What are effective mobile UX research methods for global audiences?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Remote usability testing

2 Surveys and interviews

3 Contextual inquiry

4 Diary study

5 Cultural probe

6 Here’s what else to consider

User Research

Rate this article

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