Inês' Tips: How to run usability tests for UX/UI in IT companies
Working as a UX/UI Designer in an IT company can often feel like a guessing game, with countless questions narrowing down to one core challenge: how do you truly understand what users need?
In this article, Gamer Inês Sá, UX/UI Designer on Fabamaq’s Web Gaming team, shares practical insights from her own experience on how to run simple and effective usability tests within a tech company using accessible resources and creating real impact on user experience.
When she entered the tech industry, Inês Sá believed that designers had a kind of mind-reading superpower. That perception shifted when she discovered the books by Steve Krug, such as "Don’t Make Me Think" and "Rocket Surgery Made Easy". In these books, the Fabamaq Gamer found a practical approach to user testing that is easy to apply in any IT company, even with budget constraints. This methodology is especially valuable in a casino game development company like Fabamaq, which creates products for the global market within this industry.
In this edition of Gamer Tips, we share her insights on how to start testing in 2025 and improve user experience across digital solutions in different areas.
How to start usability testing with limited resources
The path to running usability tests efficiently and effectively can be broken down into five key steps. This handful of practical tips applies to any context, whether you are working in a startup, a larger company, or a software house specialised in casino games like Fabamaq.
Let’s take a closer look at the process:
1. Simple planning
• Choose realistic and relevant tasks for users to complete.
• Examples include finding a specific piece of information or completing a checkout process on your website or app.
2. Fast recruitment
• Invite users with some experience in the type of product you're developing.
•The goal is to keep recruitment simple and avoid building overly complex demographic profiles.
Pro tip: Involve stakeholders as observers in your sessions. Watching real users interact with a product helps drive faster decision-making and strengthens a user-centred culture.
3. Running the test
• Provide clear instructions to participants
• Ask them to think aloud while using the interface
• Avoid helping them; the goal is to observe natural behaviours and pain points
• Look for patterns and behaviours that reveal usability issues
4. Documentation and analysis
• Record sessions, review the footage, and take note of major blockers and user feedback
• Use this information to prioritise design changes
5. Rapid iteration
• Make relevant changes and repeat the testing process.
• In any IT company working on digital products, continuous improvement through iteration is key to a better user experience.
Why usability testing matters in tech companies
The way we think about and build interfaces can be profoundly influenced by usability testing. For any tech company, gaming business, or digital product team, usability testing can be a transformative factor, bringing key benefits such as:
• Cost-effectiveness: No need for expensive labs or tools
• Speed: Tests can be simple to run and deliver quick insights
• Team engagement: Encourages collaboration and fosters a user-focused mindset across teams
At Fabamaq, a tech company based in Porto operating in the competitive global gaming market, usability testing is part of the creative process behind casino game development.
A free tool to get started with usability testing
UX/UI professionals working in IT companies who are looking to start usability testing have several tools available.. Maze.co can be an ideal solution for initial testing, especially in organisations that are uncertain about running in-person sessions. This platform allows remote usability testing and provides detailed automated reports. It also makes it easier to present results to teams and stakeholders, even in large companies.
The free version of Maze is more than enough to get started and test simple user flows, making the testing process accessible for IT companies focused on delivering great digital experiences.
How to improve user experience through simple testing
You don’t need the perfect setup to begin. What matters most is getting started, whether you’re in a large tech company or a small startup. Listening to users can transform the way you work and accelerate results in the market.
As Steve Krug puts it:
"Some usability testing is always better than none."
If you're working in a tech company and looking to learn from real-life experience, don’t miss our Gamer Tips from Juliana Costa, where she shares insights on AI, tech communities, and continuous improvement. At Fabamaq, a growth mindset is part of our daily game.
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