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title: First Steps - Testing Procedure
description: Here's how to quickly get started with UX testing
---
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1. [RapidUsertests Testing Guide](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge?hsLang=en)
2. [My first usability test](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/my-first-usability-test?hsLang=en)
# First Steps - Testing Procedure
## Here's how to quickly get started with UX testing
If you've never created a usability test before, you may not know quite how to get started and how much time to schedule. So here's a step-by-step guide with time estimates for each phase. If you follow these tips, you can't really go wrong :)
Note: The time estimates are for self-service. You will save many hours of time if you choose our full service. [You can find more information here.](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/let-our-experts-evaluate-the-test-full-service?hsLang=en)
### Step 1: Define the goal (5 minutes)
- What questions do you want the test to answer?
- What are your expectations of the test results? Do you want to uncover optimization potentials or convince stakeholders?
- With your goals in mind, you then create the test concept.
### Step 2: Determine the sample and write test items (10-60 minutes)
Even without the full-service package, you can have unmoderated tests created by a UX expert: [Should you set up the test yourself or have it created by experts?](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/let-our-experts-create-your-test?hsLang=en)
**If you create the test yourself these links will be helpful:**
- [How many testers do you need?](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/how-many-testers-do-i-need?hsLang=en)
- [How should the target group be narrowed down?](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/who-do-you-want-your-testers-to-be?hsLang=en)
- [Formulation of the test items (basics)](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/writing-test-items-for-unmoderated-tests-basics?hsLang=en)
- [Our guide to creating successful test concepts](https://resources.rapidusertests.com/en/fragen-formulieren-remote-interviews-usability-tests?hsLang=en)
In the case of moderated tests and interviews, you now also schedule the dates on which your sessions are to take place.
### Step 3: Testing phase
#### Unmoderated testing (approx. 24h).
- How long it takes to receive all videos depends on the test size and the target group.
- However, you will usually receive the first videos after a few hours.
- Use the waiting time to plan and prepare the evaluation and optimization phase (step 4 + 5). This will make the rest of the test process less stressful.
#### Moderated tests & interviews (approx. 3 days)
- How long it takes until all appointments are assigned, and the sessions are conducted depends on the test size and target group.
- You will usually receive the first appointments within 24h, the more slots you provide the faster appointments will be made.
- Use the waiting time to optimize your test or interview guide and to plan and prepare the evaluation and optimization phase (step 4 + 5). This will make the rest of the testing process less stressful. While you are conducting the tests, you can take notes and assign tags, so you save a lot of time during the evaluation. [More on moderated tests & interviews.](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/how-to-create-moderated-rapiduser-tests-and-live-interviews?hsLang=en)
### Step 4: Evaluation and follow-up of the tests (test duration\*1.5)
[Should I do the evaluation myself or use experts?](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/let-our-experts-evaluate-the-test-full-service?hsLang=en)
**If you evaluate yourself:**
- Be sure to schedule enough time!
- Rule of thumb: 30 minutes per video
- How to get the most out of your evaluation
Please also rate the tester after you have watched a video. This helps our invitation algorithm, because testers with a high average rating are invited to tests more often. In addition, we replace test subjects if you were dissatisfied. [Read more about our 100% satisfaction guarantee here.](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/our-100-satisfaction-guarantee?hsLang=en)
### Step 5: Implement optimizations (duration depends on scope and effort).
- **Identify usability problems:** In any case, expect the test to reveal usability problems that need to be fixed.
- **Identify involved departments:** It is best to think about which departments might be involved in the optimizations before the evaluation and prepare them for this.
- **Customize interface:** Make the necessary changes to the interface. If needed, our UX experts are also on hand to advise you.
### Next Steps: Retest your optimizations
To make sure that your optimizations hit the spot, you should always test them again – either in the form of a prototype (which we recommend) or when they are live.
With RapidUsertests you can also test specific areas of your website/app, prototypes, newsletters, ads and much more. [Learn what else you can test and optimize.](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/what-can-you-test?hsLang=en)
- [My first usability test](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/my-first-usability-test?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Creating the test concept](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/my-first-usability-test?hsLang=en#creating-the-test-concept)
- [Special features of moderated RapidUsertests](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/my-first-usability-test?hsLang=en#special-features-of-moderated-rapidusertests)
- [Achieving the best results possible](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/achieving-the-best-results-possible?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Usability test evaluation](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/achieving-the-best-results-possible?hsLang=en#usability-test-evaluation)
- [Moderated RapidUsertests & Interviews](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/achieving-the-best-results-possible?hsLang=en#moderated-rapidusertests-interviews)
- [Share the results with your company](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/achieving-the-best-results-possible?hsLang=en#share-the-results-with-your-company)
- [Test creation for experienced users and UX professionals](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/achieving-the-best-results-possible?hsLang=en#test-creation-for-experienced-users-and-ux-professionals)
- [Different test types](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/different-test-types?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [You can test (almost) everything](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/different-test-types?hsLang=en#you-can-test-almost-everything)
- [RapidUsertests Premium](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/rapidusertests-premium?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Premium Features](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/rapidusertests-premium?hsLang=en#premium-features)
- [Account & Setup](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/account-setup?hsLang=en)
- [Tips for our testers](https://knowledge.rapidusertests.com/en/knowledge/tips-for-our-testers?hsLang=en)
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