Content testing is a simple way to test the clarity and understanding of the content on a page be it a paragraph of text, a user flow, a dashboard, or anything in between. Our goal is to understand how well users actually perceive the content that we present to them.Its not only about finding pain points and things that cause confusion or hinder users from finding the right answer on a page but also about if our content clearly and precisely articulates what we actually want to communicate.This article is part of our ongoing series on UX. You can find more details on design patterns and UX strategy in Smart Interface Design Patterns with live UX training coming up soon. Free preview.Banana TestingA great way to test how well your design matches a users mental model is Banana Testing. We replace all key actions with the word Banana, then ask users to suggest what each action could prompt.Not only does it tell you if key actions are understood immediately and if they are in the right place but also if your icons are helpful and if interactive elements such as links or buttons are perceived as such.Content HeatmappingOne reliable technique to assess content is content heatmapping. The way we would use it is by giving participants a task, then asking them to highlight things that are clear or confusing. We could define any other dimensions or style lenses as well: e.g., phrases that bring more confidence and less confidence.Then we map all highlights into a heatmap to identify patterns and trends. You could run it with print-outs in person, but it could also happen in Figjam or in Miro remotely as long as your tool of choice has a highlighter feature.Run Moderated Testing SessionsThese little techniques above help you discover content issues, but they dont tell you what is missing in the content and what doubts, concerns, and issues users have with it. For that, we need to uncover user needs in more detail.Too often, users say that a page is clear and well-organized, but when you ask them specific questions, you notice that their understanding is vastly different from what you were trying to bring into spotlight.Such insights rarely surface in unmoderated sessions its much more effective to observe behavior and ask questions on the spot, be it in person or remote.Test Concepts, Not WordsBefore testing, we need to know what we want to learn. First, write up a plan with goals, customers, questions, script. Dont tweak words alone broader is better. In the session, avoid speaking aloud as its usually not how people consume content. Ask questions and wait silently.After the task is completed, ask users to explain the product, flow, and concepts to you. But: dont ask them what they like, prefer, feel, or think. And whenever possible, avoid the word content in testing as users often perceive it differently.Choosing The Right Way To TestThere are plenty of different tests that you could use:Banana test Replace key actions with bananas, ask to explain.Cloze test Remove words from your copy, ask users to fill in the blanks.Reaction cards Write up emotions on 25 cards, ask users to choose.Card sorting Ask users to group topics into meaningful categories.Highlighting Ask users to highlight helpful or confusing words.Competitive testing Ask users to explain competitors pages.When choosing the right way to test, consider the following guidelines:Do users understand?Interviews, highlighting, Cloze testDo we match the mental model?Banana testing, Cloze testWhat word works best?Card sorting, A/B testing, tree testingWhy doesnt it work?Interviews, highlighting, walkthroughsDo we know user needs?Competitive testing, process mappingWrapping UpIn many tasks, there is rarely anything more impactful than the careful selection of words on a page. However, its not only the words alone that are being used but the voice and tone that you choose to communicate with customers.Use the techniques above to test and measure how well people perceive content but also check how they perceive the end-to-end experience on the site.Quite often, the right words used incorrectly on a key page can convey a wrong message or provide a suboptimal experience. Even though the rest of the product might perform remarkably well, if a user is blocked on a critical page, they will be gone before you even blink.Useful ResourcesPractical Guide To Content Testing, by IntuitHow To Test Content With Users, by Kate MoranFive Fun Ways To Test Words, by John SaitoA Simple Technique For Evaluating Content, by Pete GaleNew: How To Measure UX And Design ImpactMeet Measure UX & Design Impact (8h), a new practical guide for designers and UX leads to measure and show your UX impact on business. Use the code IMPACT to save 20% off today. Jump to the details. 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