Usability testing is one of the most classic test types: you sit down with a user and learn how he really uses your website or product. You determine some tasks that he needs to perform and watch to see if he has difficulties at some point. This is the ideal type of test for making strategic decisions and to create product improvement hypotheses.
Recording the session can help you further when you are going to discuss what you have learnt with your client, or even to remember the problems that users had when proposing improvements to the interface.
- Moderate usability testing: This is the most traditional type of test, and can happen in person or remotely (via video). Large companies here in Silicon Valley (and also in Brazil) have immense laboratories equipped with cameras, screen-recording software, and one-way mirrors so project stakeholders can follow the test without the participant knowing and feeling pressured. The moderator guides the user through the test...