VTMKZOOM: how we optimized a children’s app with user testing

Test with kids and parents

Flemish kids’ channel VTMKZOOM created an app for children up to 12 years old, with custom-made content.

But would kids like what the app had to offer? Would they be able to use it? And what would the parents think about the content and the functionalities?

To find the answers to these questions, VTMKZOOM contacted AGConsult.

In VTMKZOOM’s case, we got 12 children to play with the app for about half an hour. Our moderator observed how they interacted with it and what their responses were to our questions.

We got feedback from their parents as well. Because especially with younger children, the parents often interact with the app as well. And they of course need to approve of it. So getting their feedback was vital, too.

Optimize first, then launch

We did the user tests before the app launched. That way, VTMKZOOM already learned a lot about the way the app would be used by both children and parents before it was even officially out.

That’s the best way to go with user testing: test before you launch so you can optimize beforehand.

It avoids a lot of user irritation and expensive fixes later down the road.

Act on the user test results

Our user tests quickly pinpointed the weaker elements of the app. The team at VTMKZOOM really took the results of the user testing to heart. They worked hard to resolve these issues.

And with great results: the app became a huge success.

Kim Gils, Advertising TV & Online Researcher at VTMKZOOM’s parent company Medialaan:

“Thanks to the user tests we carried out together with AGConsult, we gained valuable insights into what worked and what didn’t work for children and their parents”, he says. “We are very happy with the results. The number of people that install our app exceeds all our expectations, as does the effective use of the app.”

Product owners and usability experts don’t know everything

As always, the user tests brought some interesting and unexpected points to the surface.

User tests not only expose the flaws in your site, intranet or app. They also expose your own biases.

As usability experts, you think you know your stuff. But then you do a user test on a specific app with a specific audience, and the opposite turns out to be true.

An example? The tests pointed out that children had no problem with the vertical scrolling the app sometimes required.

But their parents found it quite difficult. They really had trouble figuring out how to handle that particular feature.

It’s exactly that type of insight that makes user testing so valuable.

User tests not only expose the flaws in your website, intranet or app. They also expose your own biases as experts or as product owners.

User feedback requires an open mind

Nothing beats user testing when you want to detect a product’s issues and problems.

But.

Yep, there’s a but.

But it is something you have to open your mind to. Because what your users have to say isn’t always nice to hear. Sometimes, the criticism you get from users is quite harsh.

Yes, even from 12-year-old kids.

VTMKZOOM’s success did not come about by coincidence. It’s a testament to the open-mindedness of their team, their willingness to set aside personal opinions and to really listen to users.

Short and long-term success

Shortly after our user tests, the VTMKZOOM app was modified and launched. We are proud to say it did exceptionally well. Both in terms of number of downloads and active users.

But that’s not the whole story.

The tests also gave VTMKZOOM plenty of ideas for future improvements. So it was a great result, both in the short and long term.

Do you also want a more successful website, intranet or app?
A user test gives you immediate insight in where you can do better.