Usability Testing of WhatsApp Web

A Usability Test on WhatsApp Web

Last Updated on September 4, 2023 by UX World

Usability Testing of WhatsApp Web

WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a messaging service for mobile phones and the web that allows you to send text messages, images, audio and video through the internet. WhatsApp is being used worldwide and is the most popular online messaging app.

WhatsApp desktop version is also very convenient to use and send messages to your contacts while working on your system. However, when tested with users it reveals a few pain points that they face while using certain features.

This article presents the details and results of a Guerrilla usability test along with a few recommendations.

Objective

To identify the users’ pain points on WhatsApp web.

Testing Parameters

  • What has tested: Two most commonly used tasks in WhatsApp web
  • With whom it is tested: 3 users with 2 new users of WhatsApp web
  • How it is tested: Through observations and interviews

Process Followed

The process of Guerilla usability testing is followed to test the identified tasks on WhatsApp. This involves the following stages.

usability testing stages
Usability Testing Stages
 

1. Identify User Tasks

A list of tasks is created that a user is able to perform using WhatsApp web.

2. Prioritize Tasks

Tasks are prioritized based on how frequently a user will perform them.

Each task is marked with a point from 1 to 3.

Most commonly used tasks are given 3 points, tasks that are performed occasionally are marked with 2 points, and tasks that are done in a while are given 1 point.

Two tasks are identified as the most commonly used, and given 3 points.

  1. Send a message to your friend
  2. Share photos with your friend

3. Perform Testing

The selected tasks are given to users along with instructions. Two methods are followed to collect their feedback.

  • Users are observed while performing actions
  • They talked about their experience when they are performing certain tasks

Below is the user flow of each task along with an indication of their expressions at that point.

Task 1: Send a message to your friend

User flow task 1
User flow for Task 1: Send Message
 

Task 2: Share photos with your friend

User flow task 2
User flow for Task 2: Send Photos

4. Analyze Pain Points and Recommend Solutions

Pain Point 1: Finding a Contact

There are two ways to start a new chat: (i) Search within the Chats list, (ii) Go to the New Chat icon on top and search for a contact. The user was not clear to differentiate between these two options.

Searching in the Chats list gives an assumption that the search will run through the Chats list only, and in fact, it works for both Chats and Contacts. On the other side, the New Chat option also provides a list of Chats as well as Contacts. This requires some kind of clarity.

WhatsApp New Chat original
Current WhatsApp image to start a new chat
 

Recommendation:

A clear separation between Chats and Contacts needs to be provided. This can be done by giving a filter option in the Contact list, or a single list can be sorted based on Recent Chats or Contact names.

First option filter at bottom
The first way provides a filter at the bottom of the Contact list

 

Filter on top
Another option is to provide filters in a drop-down on top of the Contact list

 

Pain Point 2: Viewing Message Info

In the Message Info pane, the area showing message status is merged with the Message pane. Also, it is not clear that the user is viewing the status of which message. Also, it took time for the user to find the Close icon on top of the Message Info pane.

WhatsApp Message Info original
Current WhatsApp Message Info pane
 

Recommendation:

The area of the Message info pane and Message pane needs to be differentiated clearly. Since this is the desktop version and the Message area is still visible when the Info pane is opened, the link between the message and its info could be made more prominent. The selected message is shown as highlighted.

Recommended Message Info panel
Recommended Message Info pane
 

Pain Point 3: Using the Attach Option

The Attach menu and tooltips do not match with the UI. It gives a totally different theme and experience on the current screen.

WhatsApp Menu
Current WhatsApp Attach option
 

Recommendation:

Menu placement and theme are made consistent with UI. Instead of Tooltips, the option names along with icons seem more helpful.

Attach Media icon at bottom
An attachment icon is recommended to display closer to the Message box
 
Attach Media option
The Attach menu with a more user-friendly layout
 

Pain Point 4: Attaching Photos

The close icon with the Preview title is confusing. The user clicked it just to close the preview of selected photos, but it discards all the selected photos.

Adding more files option is not clear. The Attach icon still displays on top, but it is not functional. The user clicked on that icon first.

It is difficult to navigate a large number of selected files.

Attach Photo original
Current WhatsApp image to view selected Photos

 

Recommendation:

The Preview area is renamed to Attachments to avoid any confusion for the user. Scrolling is provided in the thumbnails area. Users can add more files by clicking the Add icon with the Caption box.

Attach Photo UX
Recommended changes in the Photo Attachment feature

 

Few More Observations

  • Using a scrollbar requires high accuracy to hold the bar and scroll it. The cursor got changed to resize when the user tried to scroll the Message pane. Scrolling cannot be done using the keyboard in the Contacts pane and Contact/Group Info pane.
  • Notifications in response to an action display on the bottom left corner of the Contact list where the user skipped it multiple times.
  • Status cannot be updated on the desktop version, neither user can delete his status. Also, the user is not able to see the viewers of status.

Final Thoughts…

The purpose of this article is to provide user feedback about WhatsApp Web. There is no questions on the innovative user experience that WhatsApp is providing to its users, and I hope this exercise will help to further enhance it.

Happy WhatsApping !!


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