The Best Way to Do Remote User Research

Today's UX teams rely heavily on remote UX research methods to understand their users. Remote user research is all about understanding your users from afar. It's a way to gather insights, test designs, and improve user experiences without being in the same room as your participants. With the right remote user research tools and methods, you can tap into user behaviors, needs, and pain points from anywhere in the world.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about remote UX research, from choosing the best remote user research methods to following remote UX research best practices.

What is remote user research?

Remote user research is a way to study how people use products or services without being in the same room. It uses online tools to watch, talk to, and learn from users wherever they are.

There are three main types of rremote UX research methods.

Remote user research

This involves studying user behavior and gathering feedback using online tools. It can include surveys, interviews, and usability tests conducted over the internet.

Remote facilitating and presenting

This refers to leading research sessions or presenting findings to stakeholders using video conferencing tools. It allows researchers to guide participants through tasks or share results with team members, no matter where they are.

Remote collaboration and brainstorming

This involves working with team members to analyze data, generate ideas, or plan research using online collaboration tools. It enables teams to work together effectively, even when they're not in the same physical space.

When is remote user research the right answer?

Remote user research shines in several situations:

• When your users are spread out geographically
• If you need to test with a large number of users quickly
• When you're working with tight budgets (it can be cheaper than in-person research)
• If you need to test in the user's natural environment
• During times when in-person meetings aren't possible (like during a pandemic)

Translating an in-person study design for remote research

Moving from in-person to remote research? It's important to choose the right tools that mimic in-person interactions as closely as possible. 

You'll need to adjust your timeline, as remote sessions often take longer. Some in-person tasks might not work remotely, so be creative in redesigning them. Always prepare for tech issues by having a backup plan for when technology hiccups occur.

How to conduct user research remotely

Conducting remote user research involves several steps:

1. Define your research goals. What do you want to learn? Be specific.
2. Choose your research method. Decide between interviews, surveys, usability tests, etc. based on your goals.
3. Select your remote research tools. Pick tools that fit your method and budget.
4. Recruit participants. Use online recruitment platforms or your existing user base.
5. Prepare your research materials. Create your interview guide, survey questions, or test tasks.
6. Conduct the research. Run your sessions, being mindful of time zones and potential tech issues.
7. Analyze your data. Look for patterns and insights in your collected data.
8. Share your findings. Present your results to stakeholders in a clear, actionable format.

Remember, the key is to make the process as smooth as possible for your participants. Clear instructions and easy-to-use tools are crucial.

What are the remote research methods?

Remote research opens up a world of possibilities for understanding users. Each method offers unique advantages and can be mixed with others to create a complete picture of your users' needs, behaviors, and pain points. Let's explore the full range of remote research methods available to UX researchers today.

1. Remote user interviews

One-on-one interviews over video calls remain the gold standard for in-depth qualitative research. These conversations typically last 30-60 minutes and let researchers probe deeply into users' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They're perfect for understanding complex user journeys or gathering detailed feedback on new concepts.

To get the most from remote interviews, prepare a solid discussion guide but stay flexible enough to follow interesting threads. Use screen sharing to show prototypes or designs, and consider having participants complete small tasks while thinking aloud. Tools like Zoom or Google Meet work well for basic interviews, while specialized platforms like Looppanel can help with recording, transcription, and analysis.

2. Remote usability testing

Remote usability testing comes in two flavors: moderated and unmoderated. In moderated tests, you watch and guide users through specific tasks in real-time via screen sharing. This approach lets you ask follow-up questions and understand users' thought processes as they encounter problems.

Unmoderated tests, on the other hand, let users complete tasks on their own time while recording their screen and voice. While you lose the ability to probe deeper in the moment, unmoderated tests are great for collecting data from many users quickly and cost-effectively. Tools like Maze or UserTesting can automate much of the remote usability testing process.

3. Diary studies

Diary studies provide a window into users' lives over time, rather than just a snapshot. Participants log their experiences, thoughts, and actions related to your product or service over days or weeks. This method is particularly valuable for understanding long-term usage patterns and identifying pain points that might not surface in a single session.

Modern remote diary studies can use mobile apps or simple forms for participants to submit text, photos, or videos of their experiences. They're especially useful for understanding how products fit into users' daily lives or tracking behavior changes over time.

4. Remote focus groups

While sometimes criticized, remote focus groups can be valuable for gathering multiple perspectives quickly. These moderated discussions typically involve 5-8 participants and work well for concept feedback or exploring shared experiences. Video platforms with breakout rooms let you split larger groups for more focused discussions.

The key to successful remote focus groups is strong facilitation. Make sure everyone has a chance to speak, and use collaborative tools like Miro or MURAL to make the session more interactive. Remember to record sessions for later analysis and consider having a separate note-taker to capture key points.

5. Remote card sorting

Card sorting helps understand how users organize and categorize information. In remote sessions, participants use digital tools to group items into categories that make sense to them. This method is crucial for information architecture design and menu structure decisions.

Both open card sorting (where users create their own categories) and closed card sorting (where categories are predefined) can be conducted remotely using tools like OptimalSort or Maze. Consider running a hybrid approach where you start with open sorting to understand users' mental models, then validate with closed sorting.

6. Remote surveys and questionnaires

Online surveys can reach hundreds or thousands of users quickly. But their real power lies in mixing quantitative and qualitative questions to build a rich picture of user needs and behaviors. For example, you might use rating scales to measure satisfaction, then follow up with open-ended questions to understand the "why" behind the ratings.

The key to great surveys is asking the right questions in the right way. Keep surveys focused and respect users' time - aim for 5-10 minutes to complete. Tools like SurveyMonkey or Google Forms work well for basic surveys, while platforms like Qualtrics offer more advanced features for complex research needs.

7. Tree testing

Tree testing helps validate your navigation structure before building it. Users try to find specific items within your proposed site structure, showing you where they get lost or confused. It's like a reverse card sort - instead of having users create categories, they work through your proposed organization.

This method works particularly well remotely since users can complete tests on their own time. Tools like Treejack or Optimal Workshop make it easy to set up tests and analyze the results. Pay special attention to tasks where users take unusual paths or fail to find items - these point to areas needing improvement.

8. A/B Testing

A/B testing compares two versions of a design to see which performs better with real users. While technically simple - show version A to some users and version B to others - the key is choosing meaningful metrics and running tests long enough to get statistically significant results.

Remote A/B testing can test everything from button colors to entire page layouts. Tools like Optimizely or VWO handle the technical side, while analytics platforms help measure impact. Remember to test only one change at a time unless you're running multivariate tests, and always have a clear hypothesis about why one version might perform better.

9. Click testing

First-click testing shows where users first click when trying to complete a task on your interface. Since research shows that users who get the first click right are much more likely to complete tasks successfully, this method helps optimize important user paths.

Remote click testing tools like Maze or UsabilityHub let you upload designs and track where users click. They can also measure how long users take to make decisions. This method works well early in the design process to validate navigation and call-to-action placement.

10. Remote contextual inquiry

While traditionally done in person, contextual inquiry can work remotely by having users share their screen or phone camera while going about their normal tasks. This method helps understand how users interact with products in their natural environment.

The key is making users comfortable enough to behave naturally while being observed. Have them narrate their actions and thoughts, and use video to capture their environment when relevant. Tools like Lookback or Validately can help manage these sessions and record the results for later analysis.

Each of these methods has its strengths and ideal use cases. The best research often combines multiple methods to build a complete picture of user needs and behaviors. Remember to choose methods based on your research questions, timeline, and resources - not just what's trendy or easy to do.

Remote user research examples

Here are a few examples of effective remote user research.

• A food delivery app conducts remote usability tests to see how easily users can place an order. Participants share their screens while talking through their thought process.
• An e-learning platform uses online surveys to gather feedback on course content and user experience.
• A social media company runs a remote diary study to understand how people use their app throughout the day. Participants log their usage and thoughts over a week.
• A software company conducts remote interviews with business users to understand their needs for a new feature.
• An e-commerce site uses A/B testing to compare two versions of their checkout process, measuring which leads to more completed purchases.

Remote UX research tools to try out

Let's explore some popular tools for remote user research in more detail.

Conducting User Research

For Remote, Moderated Sessions

1. Looppanel

Best for: Analyzing and synthesizing data from user interviews

Looppanel is a research analysis and repository tool that captures your user interviews, generating transcripts and AI-powered notes within minutes. Plus, it automatically creates affinity maps and spreadsheet-style views to make analyzing user interviews a breeze.

Key features:

• Looppanel’s transcription is top-notch, boasting over 90% accuracy across various accents and regions.
• The AI-powered notes are fantastic. Forget the hassle of manual note-taking and let Looppanel save you hours.
• Take collaborative notes with your team during interviews.
• Quickly create and share video clips of user frustrations (far more impactful than a report!).
• Looppanel automatically tags data into themes and issues.
• Best of all, you can perform Google-like searches across your workspace to find any data snippet or quote instantly!

Pricing: Starts at $30/month for individuals

2. Zoom / Google Meet

Best for: Conducting live interviews and usability tests

Google Meet is popular because it’s often included in company plans or available for free, and participants can join meetings without downloading extra software.

However, the audio and video quality can be just average, so if your participants are tech-savvy, Zoom might be a better option. Additionally, call recording is only available on Google Meet’s paid plans.

Zoom is a versatile video conferencing app that works well for focus groups, moderated interviews, and usability tests. While it’s not specifically designed for researchers, it stands out as one of the most useful tools for UX research

Key features:

• Video conferencing with screen sharing
• Meeting recording
• Breakout rooms for group sessions
• Virtual whiteboard (Zoom)

Pricing: Free, both offer free plans with paid options for more features

For Remote, Unmoderated Sessions

3. Lookback

Best for: Researchers conducting usability tests and one-on-one interviews, both moderated and unmoderated.

Key Features:

• Conduct usability tests with your own users, including mobile testing.
• Collaborate with stakeholders through live notes, highlight reels, and call transcripts.
• Observer mode allows team members to watch sessions without the participant knowing.
• Integrates with User Interviews and Respondent for seamless participant recruitment.

Pricing: Lookback offers a free trial, with various paid plans depending on team size and feature requirements.

Pricing: Starts at $25/month for freelancers with 10 sessions per year.

4. Maze

Best for: Unmoderated testing of new products or prototypes, including usability tests, website testing, and surveys.

Key Features:

• Supports unmoderated usability tests, prototype testing, tree testing, card sorting, and surveys.
• Integrates with prototyping tools like Figma, AdobeXD, and Invision, allowing you to easily import and test your prototypes.
• Automatically generates shareable reports from tests, saving time on reporting.

Pricing: Maze offers a free plan for small tests with 1 study per month. The Starter plan at $99/month with more features.

Facilitating and Presenting

5. Miro

Best for: Flexible visual organization, card sorting, and collaborative analysis of user research data.

Key Features:

• Adaptable for open, closed, and hybrid card sorting activities.
• Collaborative features and templates support affinity mapping and user story creation.
• Real-time collaboration for easy teamwork and remote sessions.

Pricing: Miro offers a free plan with essential features, while paid plans start at $8/month for more advanced capabilities.

6. SurveyMonkey

Best for: Conducting surveys across multiple platforms, including email, web, and social media, with support for various languages.

Key Features:

• Create and distribute surveys via email, web links, embedded forms, or social media.
• Multi-language support for global research.
• Ready-made templates and basic analytical tools for quick setup and data collection.

Pricing: SurveyMonkey offers a free basic plan, with individual plans starting at $25/month for unlimited surveys. 

Collaborating and Brainstorming

7. Mural

Best for: Remote workshops and brainstorming sessions

Key features:

• Digital workspace for visual collaboration
• Templates for design thinking and agile workflows
• Facilitation tools like timers and voting
• Integration with Microsoft Teams and Zoom

Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans start at $9.99/member/month

8. Trello

Best for: Project management and organizing research tasks

Key features:

• Kanban-style boards
• Task management
• Team collaboration
• Power-Ups for added functionality

Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans start at $5/user/month

How to Select the Best UX Research Tool

Choosing the right tool depends on your specific needs. Consider:

• Your research goals: What type of data do you need to collect?
• Your budget: How much can you afford to spend on tools?
• The size of your team: Do you need collaboration features?
• The types of studies you conduct most often: Do you need specialized features for certain methods?
• Integration with your existing tools: Will it work well with your current tech stack?
• Ease of use for both researchers and participants: Is it intuitive and user-friendly?

Test drive a few options before committing. Many tools offer free trials, so take advantage of these to find the best fit for your remote user research needs.

Best Practices and Tips

Moderated remote research best practices

• Test your tech before each session: Ensure all tools are working properly.
• Have a backup plan for tech issues: Know what to do if your primary tools fail.
• Build rapport with participants: Start with casual conversation to make participants comfortable.
• Use clear, concise instructions: Be explicit about what you want participants to do.
• Allow extra time for each session: Remote sessions often take longer than in-person ones.
• Pay attention to non-verbal cues: Watch for facial expressions and body language, even through video.
• Take breaks between sessions: Give yourself time to recharge and prepare for the next participant.

Unmoderated research best practices

• Write clear, detailed instructions: Participants won't have you there to clarify, so be thorough.
• Pilot test your study: Run through it yourself and with a small group to catch any issues.
• Keep tasks short and focused: Maintain participant engagement with concise activities.
• Use screener questions: Ensure you're getting the right participants for your study.
• Provide a way for participants to give feedback: Allow them to report any issues or ask questions.
• Analyze your data as it comes in: Spot and address any problems early in the process.

The pros and cons of remote user research

Like any approach, remote user research has its upsides and downsides. 

On the positive side, it allows you to reach a wider, more diverse pool of participants, is often more cost-effective than in-person research, allows testing in the user's natural environment, can be quicker to set up and run, and makes it easier to record and share sessions with stakeholders. 

However, it also comes with challenges such as less personal interaction with participants, potential for technical difficulties, difficulty in reading non-verbal cues, and the possibility of missing out on spontaneous insights that come from in-person interaction.

By following these remote UX research best practices and leveraging the right remote user research tools, you can conduct effective studies that yield valuable insights. Remember, the key to successful remote user research is preparation, clear communication, and a willingness to adapt to the unique challenges and opportunities of the digital research environment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does a remote researcher do?

A remote researcher conducts user research remote, using online tools to study how people interact with products or services. They plan and execute remote user research methods, analyze data, and share findings with their team and stakeholders, all from a distance. Remote UX research allows them to gather insights from users worldwide without the need for travel.

Do UX researchers work remotely?

Yes, many UX researchers work remotely, especially since the rise of digital collaboration tools. Remote UX research has become increasingly common, allowing researchers to connect with users globally and work with international teams. This shift has made user research remote more accessible and cost-effective for many organizations.

How do I become a remote researcher?

To become a remote researcher:

1. Master remote UX research methods and tools
2. Gain experience with remote UX research techniques
3. Build a portfolio showcasing your remote user research skills
4. Network with other UX professionals in online communities
5. Look for remote UX research positions or freelance opportunities
6. Stay updated on remote UX research best practices

What is a user research tool?

A user research tool is software that aids in planning, conducting, and analyzing remote user research. These remote user research tools can handle tasks like recruiting participants, running surveys, recording user sessions, and analyzing data. They're essential for effective remote UX research, helping researchers gather and make sense of user insights from afar.

How much does a user research study cost?

The cost of a remote user research study varies based on its scope, method, and number of participants. A small study using basic remote user research tools might cost a few hundred dollars, while a large, in-depth study could cost tens of thousands. Factors like participant incentives, subscriptions to remote UX research platforms, and researcher time all contribute to the total cost.

What are the five steps of UX research?

While approaches can vary, a typical remote UX research process often includes these five steps:

1. Objectives: Define your remote user research goals and questions
2. Hypotheses: Form educated guesses about what you might find
3. Methods: Choose and plan your remote user research methods
4. Conduct: Carry out your remote UX research study
5. Synthesize: Analyze your data and form actionable insights

Remember, remote user research is often iterative, so you might cycle through these steps multiple times during a project. Always keep remote UX research best practices in mind throughout the process to ensure high-quality results.