Expert view: Testing, testing, 1. 2. 3...

Door4 managing director Leon Calverley explains why testing is crucial to validate your website design, interface and performance.

Have you thought about whether your users can find their way around it, work out how to use the search, or explore your rich content?

Remember that if somebody can't use your website, they are unlikely to ever tell you.

Independent user testing

This is fascinating insight into how users interact with your site, and makes most website owners want to reach out and help the user at the other end when they realise the sticking points that can be easily remedied!

Mouse tracking

Got a problem with nobody clicking 'contact us'? Perhaps it's in a place where nobody looks.

Wondering why you don't receive many completed enquiry forms? This tool will show you a funnel, analysing which fields ion your form cause drop-out. This is fundamental on e-commerce check-outs and sign-up forms, and employed by most major online businesses.

Everybody wants webpages to load quickly. Why wouldn't they?

Each of the above tests is low-cost, and can make a significant difference to the performance of your website.