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What is SiteChek?
SiteChek is a set of focus groups and/or in-depth interviews uniquely designed to evaluate and test a Web site at any stage of development, from a beta-phase site to one that is live.  It’s a great way to test new design ideas, explore the performance of existing site elements or test competitors’ sites.  Respondents are given a “guided tour” of the site by an experienced moderator and asked to perform tasks and gather information in order to test the appeal and effectiveness of the site.  The level of explanation and assistance the moderator offers can be varied in accordance with the aims of the project.  Throughout the process, the discussion remains open-ended, allowing the moderator to explore respondents’ reactions in detail and pursue new topics as they arise.

SiteChek interviews are one-on-one discussions that usually last 40-60 minutes and provide an in-depth look at the way users view and use a site.  Interviews can be held at any facility with Internet access.  A typical SiteChek arrangement includes a monitor in the client viewing room that mirrors the respondent’s monitor, allowing clients to see first-hand how a user moves through the site.  

SiteChek groups are smaller than traditional focus groups and usually last about one hour.  Taking advantage of a network of partnerships, National Market Measures can offer our clients a unique set-up for SiteChek groups in which each respondent in the focus group tests the site on his or her own computer and monitor.  In addition, the signal from each respondent’s monitor is fed to monitors in the viewing room, along with a special camera shot of the respondent’s face as he or she moves through the site.  National Market Measures can also arrange to use special tracking software that keeps track of which elements of the site get the most traffic.

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Why Use SiteChek?

Ø      Reality Check –  SiteChek groups or interviews put you in touch with real Internet users.  What our clients get from SiteChek research is information to grow on – immediate, practical applications as well as far-reaching behavioral insights into site use, based on the reactions of actual users.  Whether you’re testing a concept, design, or looking for a disaster check, SiteChek delivers real user insights, unclouded by industry bias.

Ø      Quick Turn-Around – National Market Measures can conduct up to five SiteChek groups or up to ten interviews (using two moderators) in one evening.  Topline results can usually  be delivered within the same week.  Depending on recruiting specifics, entire project turn-around can be less than four weeks.

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Is SiteChek Right for You?
SiteChek is the ideal methodology for exploring users’ reactions to a Web sites in any stage of development.  For beta-phase sites, these groups offer a unique opportunity to explore the site’s concept, design themes or specific features/design elements of the site.  SiteChek research is also an excellent way to identify glitches before site launch.  SiteChek is ideal for uncovering performance issues in existing sites and assessing competitive sites.

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Case Study
Over a three-day period, National Market Measures conducted usability testing with 100 users of a Web site in the beta phase of development.  The testing included concept acceptance, likelihood to use and problem identification.  At the end of the test, every respondent completed a survey about the site to provide our client with quantitative feedback that they could use to argue their case in pursuing additional investment capital.

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