Overcoming Mobile Usability Testing Hurdles: A Mobile Payments Case Study

For many, the idea of using a mobile phone for day-to-day payments seems like a far-off fantasy. However, mobile payments are certainly nothing new. By 1999, PayPal, iMode, and Nordea had all launched various mobile payment solutions targeted at their specific locales. Nonetheless, today there are still a lot of hurdles in the way of realizing the dream of never having to carry a wallet. Among other things, an m-commerce system needs to be safe, easy to use, and compelling. However, the success of a mobile product lies not just in being able to build the solution, but also in being able to effectively test it. When trying to usability test a mobile application, several unique hurdles need to be overcome.