Avoiding Pitfalls: 7 Fails in Test User Recruitment for UX Studies

Let's kick things off with the classic mistake - inaccurate user criteria. Picture this: you need test users who plan to renovate their homes soon. Be crystal clear in your criteria; otherwise, you risk misinterpretation. This clarity becomes especially paramount when partnering with a test user recruitment platform such as TestingTime. Instead of vague terms like "soon," specify a time frame.

Ah, the 'Friday panic' scenario – realizing you need test users for your Monday study. We've all been there, and to steer clear of this mistake, ensure you include test user recruitment in your UX research planning.

For those conducting studies with a very busy target group, B2B participants, and other hard-to-reach participants, empathize with your target group and provide time slots when they are available.

Picture this scenario: You find yourself in a well-appointed meeting room with ten stakeholders, all eagerly awaiting the start of your user test. However, there's a hitch - your user test is running behind schedule. The reason? The test user is struggling with an unfamiliar tool, wrestling with its complexity, or, in a worst-case scenario, encountering technical difficulties that threaten to hinder the entire test. Naturally, your stakeholders' patience is wearing thin, and the situation becomes rather uncomfortable.

Another common mistake when creating your own screener questions is using yes/no answers when asking for specific criteria. Instead, use open-ended questions with various answer possibilities. For more tips on crafting good screener questions, check out the guide on how to write screener questions like a pro.

❌ Do you like chocolate ice-cream?

Yes

No

✅ What's your favourite ice-cream flavour?

Vanilla

Strawberry

Mango

Chocolate

Lemon

Cookies & Cream

None-of the above

I don’t like ice-cream

Okay, let's talk about something we all do at some point: going overboard with criteria. You know, like trying to find that one-in-a-million unicorn participant for your research. But hey, sometimes, you don't need a unicorn; a friendly neighborhood horse will do just fine.

So, here's the deal: Keep it simple. Ask yourself, "Do I really, really need those super-specific participants?" Sometimes, your research can groove along just fine with the good general population. Every extra criterion you add is like searching for Waldo in a haystack - it makes life harder than it needs to be.

When it comes to compensation in user testing, it's crucial to strike the right balance between motivating participants and aligning with your research budget. When dealing with hard-to-get participants, fair compensation takes on even greater significance. These individuals may be busy professionals, industry experts, or individuals with unique characteristics that make them challenging to recruit. To effectively engage and retain such participants, consider the following points: