UX FAQs

Quick, plain-language answers to informational, comparative, and problem-based UX questions. If you want help with a specific project or product, you can also book a consulting session on our Services page.

Informational UX

What does UX stand for?

UX stands for “user experience”. It describes how someone feels when interacting with a product, system, or service. This includes how clear, efficient, and predictable the experience is, not just how it looks. UX applies to websites, apps, software, and digital tools of all kinds.

What is UX research?

UX research is the process of studying users to understand their needs, behaviors, goals, and pain points. It helps teams make better decisions based on evidence instead of assumptions. UX research can include interviews, usability testing, surveys, analytics, and other methods used to improve websites, apps, and digital products.

What does a UX researcher do?

A UX researcher plans and runs studies to understand how users think, behave, and interact with a product. This can include interviews, usability tests, surveys, and analysis of user feedback or behavior data. The goal is to identify patterns, uncover problems, and provide insights that help teams improve the user experience.

What can I test in UX research?

You can test websites, apps, prototypes, user flows, navigation, forms, onboarding, and other digital experiences. UX testing helps identify where users get confused, hesitate, or drop off. It can be used for both existing products and ideas that are still in development.

What does a typical UX project look like?

A typical UX project includes planning, recruitment, research or testing, analysis, and presentation of findings. Depending on the size and scope, projects often take between 2 and 8 weeks. Smaller studies can move faster, while larger projects may include multiple rounds of testing, stakeholder alignment, and deeper analysis.

Why is UX important for websites?

UX is important because it directly affects whether users stay, engage, or leave. When a website is confusing or slow to understand, users abandon it quickly. Good UX helps visitors find information faster, trust the site, and complete actions such as signing up or purchasing.
Find more information in our article on why UX research is a must.

Comparative UX

What is the difference between UX research and UX design?

UX research focuses on understanding user needs, behaviors, and problems, while UX design focuses on creating solutions based on those insights. Research helps teams learn what users need; design turns that knowledge into flows, structures, and interfaces. In practice, both work closely together and often inform each other throughout a project.

What is the difference between UX and UI design?

UX design focuses on how a product works and how users move through it, while UI design focuses on how the product looks. UX addresses structure, usability, and flows; UI addresses layout, colors, and visual details. UX decisions usually come first and guide the UI.
For a deeper explanation, see our article on UX vs UI.

UX vs product design: What’s the difference?

UX design focuses specifically on user behavior and usability, while product design balances user needs with business goals and technical constraints. Product design often includes UX work but also involves prioritization, delivery, and long-term product decisions. In smaller teams, the same person may cover both roles.

What is the difference between UX and CX?

UX focuses on interactions with a specific product or interface, while CX (customer experience) covers the entire relationship with a company. UX is one part of CX, alongside support, marketing, onboarding, and post-purchase experiences. Improving UX can improve CX, but CX usually spans more touchpoints.

Problem-based UX

How many testers do I need for UX testing?

The number of testers depends on the project, but even a small number can reveal important usability issues. For focused usability tests, 5 to 8 participants are often enough to identify recurring patterns. Larger or more complex projects may require more participants depending on the audience and scope.

Do I need to recruit testers myself?

No, not necessarily. Test participants can either be recruited by us or provided by your company, depending on the project. Some businesses use their own customer base, internal panels, or employees, while other projects require external recruitment. The right approach depends on your target group, timeline, and research goals.

Why do users leave a website quickly?

Users leave when they do not immediately understand what the site offers, how to navigate it, or what to do next. Common causes include unclear messaging, overwhelming layouts, slow load times, and poor mobile usability. First impressions in the first few seconds matter most.

What are common UX problems on websites?

Common UX problems include confusing navigation, inconsistent layouts, unclear calls to action, and content that is hard to scan. Many sites also fail on mobile, making basic actions difficult. These issues often go unnoticed without usability testing or user feedback.

How do you identify UX issues on a website?

UX issues are identified by observing how real users interact with the site. This can include usability testing, reviewing analytics, session recordings, and collecting user feedback. Patterns across multiple users are more important than individual opinions.

Can bad UX hurt conversions?

Yes, bad UX creates friction that prevents users from completing actions. If forms are confusing, steps feel unnecessary, or information is hard to find, users abandon the process. Even small usability issues can have a measurable impact on conversion rates.
Have a look at our article on the ROI of UX research.

How do you know if a website needs a UX redesign?

A website likely needs a UX redesign if users struggle to complete key tasks, bounce rates are high, or the site no longer supports current business goals. Feedback from users and performance data often reveal problems long before visual design feels outdated. A quick UX audit can usually confirm what to fix first.
Book your next UX audit directly here.

Need help with your UX?

If you want feedback on a specific website, app, or prototype, start with a short consulting session or a UX audit.

View our services