The first click test is a UX research method that allows us to see if users can find the first step in finishing a task or accomplishing a goal in an interface. This is a relatively easy method of research and can usually be done with a low number of participants. But the data can be very valuable and can give you quick insight if the design of an interface is easy or difficult to understand. The tools used for the tests can be done using screenshots, sketches, wire-frames, prototypes, and mock-ups. Allowing you to test in any design phase. Since the end goal of most websites, apps, and software are to be user-friendly, this test can help give unbiased results that developers may not notice when reviewing their own work.

This method gives users a simple task to accomplish by asking them a question, this could be “How would you add a product to the cart?” or “Where would you go to find our contact information?”. Users are then shown a prototype of the interface to see if they can indeed complete the task. From there, the data is collected about where their first click was on the screen and if that was correct or not. We can also see how long it took for them to click and ask them what led them in that direction. From the results, designers can see if changes are needed, and they can continue to redesign and retest from there.

The first step in using this method would be to prepare a prototype which will simulate the task users will have to perform. Then you should carefully word the task question in a way that does not lead users one way or another, it should be neutral and be brief. Once the prototype is in front of the user, ask them to complete the task and log their results. If the results show that users are not completing the task, then the design team should rework. If users are completing the task correctly than hooray…your interface is well built!

The first research study of a first click test was in 2006 by Bob Bailey and Cari Wolfson, where they found that if the first click is correct, the chance of users completing the task correctly was 87%! This means that if the first click was wrong, users have less than a 50% chance of successful completion. Their findings were based on a variety of website designs, mostly interpreting the clicks done on a homepage. They found that users may click in a variety of places, usually unexpected. In their test, there were multiple right answers, and they found that no matter which correct button was selected, the user’s chances of correct completion were about the same. Meaning the first step and the first few seconds are the most important.

Another great example is when eBay conducted this test to help them improve search and navigation within their site. After a complete redesign of the homepage, they tested to see if users could find products easier and with less mistakes by improving the layout and search bar. They asked users to find a specific product and tracked their first click to determine if the product was in the right place and if users were in the right category. They found out that people that clicked on the correct category the first time completed the task 40% faster within this new interface. They also reported higher satisfaction with the new website and with this, eBay was able to help new and existing customers.

The first click test is a great method to see if your users can carry out a given task within a reasonable time frame. Unlike other UX methods, a lot can be found out with a low number of participants and minimal resources. Now that we know users need to get it right the first time, it is even more critical to optimize the initial interaction you have with them. If you don’t, the first time interacting with them could be the last.