Usability testing of our library’s new website

Abstract

Since the University of Zurich required all departments to use the same content management system, a makeover
of our Main Library’s website was planned for 2017. Following Steve Krug’s book Don’t make me think, revisited,
we reduced the contents and tried to build an easy to understand and straightforward navigation for the users. To
verify our concept, we arranged “do-it-yourself” usability tests. Three test sessions with three persons each were
sufficient to find out what had to be improved on the website, and were more helpful than hours of discussion
among the team. Usability testing helped us to understand our customers' search behaviour and expectations for
navigation. It was also entertaining and a novel way of interacting with our customers.