Investigating the effectiveness of user onboarding solutions with eye-tracking methodology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15170/MM.2021.55.KSZ.01.08Keywords:
eye-tracking, user onboarding, user experience, software ergonomicsAbstract
THE AIMS OF THE PAPER
This research describes the experience when a user uses a software at the first time (also known as onboarding period) through the example of Paint 3D using an empirical study to explore the effectiveness of different user onboarding solutions.
METHODOLOGY
The research was conducted with 18 patricipants (classified into 3 groups) with a series of usability experiments supported by eye-tracking technology. Multiple metrics were measure during this study including the number of errors, the severitiy of errors and task completion time which allowed to quantify the collected information thus the effectiveness of user onboarding solutions became comparable to the reference group by statistical calculations. Furthermore user’s feedback on the onboarding solutions were explored as part of a series of interviews.
MOST IMPORTANT RESULTS
The results showed that onboarding methods seem more effective, so it is worthy to apply these solutions to software products for an easier learning experience and to increase the whole user experience. In cases where onboarding supported task solution, more conscious task solutions were created which could be visually verified by applying the method of eye-tracking. Moreover the interviews highlighted that the onboarding solutions were helpful during task solving concluding that the general judgement of these methods is also positive. The definiton and the process of software onboarding and the examination of diffrent onboarding solutions effectivness via emperical studies are uncharted areas in the littreature concluding that the study topic is also scientifically novel.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The software operators market is worthwhile to apply onboarding solutions to support new users activity and to increase the value of the products.
Acknowledgments: The research and this study was supported by the New National Excellence Program of the Ministry of Human Capacities.
