Get in touch!
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
January 21, 2025
It seems the competitive landscape of UX research tools is only growing. Choosing the right UX research platform for your project can be daunting, especially when many companies seem to offer platforms that cover the same research methods. The UX research platform you choose can significantly impact the quality, speed, and success of your project. On the other side, you might be tempted to get a souped-up platform with every feature they offer, but could very well be over-purchasing for your own needs.
With all of the available options, and new offerings from companies coming out every year, how are you supposed to determine the best platform for your project?
The CXperts are here to share the key factors to keep in mind when choosing a UX research platform. We have learned plenty from our own experiences, so hopefully we can offer this guide and save you some time.
Every project starts with research goals and objectives. Clarifying the project goals with your team or client will help you narrow down your choices. Depending on what you are trying to learn, your project will require specific research methods. This could range from usability tests, moderated or unmoderated interviews, surveys, and more. You need a platform that supports the research method you plan to use.
Secondly, you need to know how you will recruit participants. With recruiting, ensure that the tool you choose allows for link sharing of your study or a bring your own participant system. If you want to recruit from the research tool’s participant pool, conduct research to evaluate the robustness of the participant panel, the demographic criteria you can screen for, and the ability for custom screening questions.
Also consider the timing of your project. Do you need to meet a deadline and need participant recruitment to go fast? That’s when choosing tools with larger participant pools and quicker turnaround times might be better than doing self-recruiting, which may take longer to get participants to respond and get scheduled.
One of the biggest considerations will be pricing. Is this a one time project? Or are you looking for a larger subscription to a UX research tool? Many of the big name research companies are turning towards subscription models, but there are still companies that are easy to do one-time projects with. User Interviews, Userlytics, and Lyssna all come to mind for one-off, project-based pricing. Be sure to consider all the costs that might add up, like starter vs. organizational plans, project management fees, or even increased costs for more specific audience requirements or the length of your study.
You should also consider how long you may need a subscription for. For example, if you expect to complete the project in one month, you can account for one month of the paid subscription (at the monthly rate, not the annual rate). This can help you estimate overall hard costs for your project.
Many of these companies have teams that can help you. In fact, with some platforms the only way to get pricing is by speaking with someone from their sales team. With the variety of subscription models, paid plans, and recruiting fees it can be difficult to get all of the information.
While the sales teams are obviously there to sell you the tool, they are nevertheless a helpful resource in ensuring the right features and plan. You should ask about platform demos, tool capabilities, feasibility of audience recruiting, and even recommendations on how to run your study.
Finally, you can make a decision about which platform is best for you. If it supports the type of UX research you are trying to conduct and fits within your budget, then it’s now time to consider key features you will need in order to perform the best research possible. What does it offer in terms of collaboration or multiple team members / accounts? What does the output of data look like? Does it fit your needs for data collection and analysis? Are there integrations with other software management or design tools you plan to use? Be sure these factors play into your decision making process.
Ultimately, your job as a UX Researcher is to get the most value out of the research study as possible. That comes from choosing the right method, asking the right questions, but also choosing the right platform.
It may seem overwhelming, but with experience you will start to learn the different platforms and their capabilities. It’s an ever changing landscape, so if you need help or are looking for recommendations, reach out to CXperts. We’d be happy to help!
.png){kind=logo}
