Ever wonder what a new visitor to your blog thinks about your site usability?
Peek allows you to hear first hand what a new visitor "sees" when they look at your blog.
Accessing Your Site Usability
What is Peek?
- A FREE service provided by UserTesting.
- Submit your website, blog, Social Media profile, landing page or even competitor's page and receive back a video of a REAL person visiting your site for the first time.
- The video shows their computer screen and what it looks like on their computer. You can see their mouse move and hear their voice talking about what they see.
- They answer questions about site usability such as what do they notice first, where do they want to click, what happens when they do that and would they return to the site.
- The video is emailed to you when its ready which can be from hours to a few days.
- The videos seem to average 5-10 minutes in length.
- You can run 3 tests/month.
Why You Need to Use Peek
- It's not just another blogger visiting your site, it's a random "regular" person who has only basic knowledge (or perhaps less) of blogs and has never been to your site before.
- The visitor sees things you don't notice on your blog such as confusing navigation, broken links and inconsistencies.
- It confirms what you are doing right and tells you where you might need to make improvements in a considerate and helpful manner.
My Testing Experience
I tested two of my blogs so far and am happy with the results I got back.
I was emailed a link to the video.
For some reason it wouldn't play in the browser for me but there is a way to download the video as well which I did so I was still able to view it.
It was really eye opening and not as scary because I don't know the person critiquing my site.
I'm a sensitive person and have shied away from asking other bloggers what they think of my sites because I'm afraid I'll hear all bad.
Having a random person from some random place made it less scary.
Also because they are seeing it from a computer that's probably never been there before, it revealed things that don't show that way to me such as errors in plugins and the welcome message I've set for new visitors but don't see myself and so forget to update.
It also revealed that one of my categories has no content showing when you click on it.
The tester wasn't another blogger so she pointed out things I wouldn't have thought of as being confusing.
She didn't know you can click on a post title to get to rest of the post and my Callista's Ramblings theme doesn't say "Read More."
She also was confused over what the 72p means in Intense Debate comments.
She also picked up that the blog is Callista's Ramblings and the About Me section talks about me but doesn't say for sure if I'm Callista or not.
Also she pointed out that she didn't know what Girl Guide Leader was and she assumed SAHM was stay at home mom but that if her husband had been on my blog for instance, he would have no idea what that meant.
It was very enlightening and I will be requesting more tests for sure!
Your Turn
Get a Free Peek Into YOUR Blog!
*I did not receive anything for writing about Peek. I am just sharing because I think it's a great tool.
Jennifer says
Thanks for the code! Doing this now and crossing my fingers it's not too brutal!! 😉
Kathleen Garber says
You're welcome!
susan says
This seems like such a great site, but I would be scared at the outcome, who knows what they would say?
Kathleen Garber says
Trust me it's not as scary as it seems, try it!
francine says
Never heard of Peek but I am intrigued, Going to check it out.
Ellen Christian says
I really need to check into this. I think it would be really helpful.
Pam says
This sounds like a really cool thing to have done. It's nice to hear from people who aren't bloggers, but just the average person.
Kathleen Garber says
Yes that's what makes it so great. When you surround yourself with other bloggers, you forget what it was like before you knew a lot about the internet let alone blogs.
Tammy Litke says
I think I'm a little too thin skinned to try this, LOL. I should put it on my list of things to do though.
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Kathleen Garber says
I was worried too, I'm very sensitive and am afraid of being told everything is horrible but it was great. They were constructive with their criticism and had lots of positive things to say.
Laura O says
This is an interesting concept as someone new to the website is exactly who I'd want to hear from when deciding upon changes.
@MyChaos says
That is so interesting, I would love to get an outside opinion like this. Sometimes we are so used to what we see, we could overlook a lot!
Kathleen Garber says
Exactly!
shaunatorres says
Wow, this does sound really cool. I have never heard of it and am curious what they would say about my blog. Will have to check it out. Thanks so much
Jenn says
I've never heard of this before, I might have to check it out! I have only had positive feedback from readers so far, so hopefully if I do it, it will be helpful and not just mean.
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Kathleen Garber says
Well in 3 tests I've done so far I haven't had anything even remotely mean so I think you'll be good.
Coffee with Julie says
Holy cow! I had no idea such a thing existed! This sounds like invaluable information. I need to do this now! (and I'm glad to hear from you that even though you are sensitive, you didn't find it to be devastating experience!)
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emily says
awesome!!! I just sent my blog in and now my company's website ( who already got their review back and it was great) . this is SOOOOO cool!!!!!
strangedazeindeed says
That's eye-opening for sure. I welcome this type of thing. I just need to fix a few things, then I will definitely try it. Thanks!
Kathleen Garber says
You can do 3 a month so you could get it done, then fix some things, and then submit again. You'll get a different person usually so you will also get another opinion.
keikilanij says
This really sounds great. Getting an outside view from someone that doesn't know the business will give such a unique perspective.
Little Miss Kate says
I have heard interested feed back on this, I might have to give it a try
Olivia says
I've been thinking about trying this, thanks for the kick in the butt! I hope the person who reviews my site is just as constructive as yours.
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brett says
well, i just need to build up courage to submit and i can get feedback too. eek.
Liz Mays says
You took the scare out of it with your experience. It sounds like it told you some easily fixable things!
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Kristen says
I did this a couple weeks ago. Still haven't looked at my Peek yet.
Kathleen Garber says
Don't be scared - take a look! It takes less than 10 minutes!
Amber Edwards says
I've considered this, but again was super scared cause I am also a sensitive type. But it doesn't seem too bad. As long as they really are constructive and not just being mean! I think I'm going to try it out...at least once!
April says
This is so cool. Thanks for sharingz
Dawn Lopez says
Wow, this is so cool! Love the feedback she gave you, that is so interesting to be able to get feedback from a random person. I am totally intrigued (and nervous, lol). Thanks for sharing this site!
Amy Desrosiers says
Sounds like an awesome service, but I'd be so nervous to hear an expert's feedback!
Toni Patton says
I did this. I was really happy with my results. I kind of want to do it again just to see if I get anything different.
adashofsanity says
I think this may be super helpful to me, I will have to check into this more.
Stefani Tolson says
This sounds really neat. I am off to go checkout the site for myself.
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@SnyMed says
What a unique service - I've never heard of anything similar offered! It sounds like there's constructive criticism to be had.
canadianbloghouse says
I forgot all about this! Thanks for the reminder. I'm planning on tweaking my blog a little soon, so after I do, I will definitely try this out to see what they say. Great service!
Debi says
I did it once and the girls seemed very confused what my site was. She kept saying she thought it might be a blog or something. I learned a few things though
Kathleen Garber says
I know it's hard to believe some people don't understand blogs! You can resubmit and get another person too though, maybe get different feedback.
Kristin Wheeler says
Never heard of this before! I would like feedback but a little afraid of it too! =)
Stephanie says
Sounds like a great way to get feedback. I tried to request a peek (with the express code) and it says you need a "company email address"? What? I have a gmail address for my blog. Any suggestions/help?
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Kathleen Garber says
It asks for an email address but I don't remember it asking for a company one. I used a cogeco email address so you should be okay with gmail. Try again and let me know how it goes.
Kayla Leigh says
This is awesome! I cannot wait to give this a shot. I'm in hopes its not just an automated myself and 580 others got the same video that day, but optimistic and willing to give it a good shot before judging! Thanks for the share!
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