With No Budget
You know testing prototypes is essential, but paying participants is out of reach. Fortunately, user testing doesn’t have to drain the budget—meaningful feedback can come through these three low-cost, ethical methods.
1. Reach Out to Your Network
People interested in your field are waiting to volunteer and give thoughtful feedback. Alumni groups, LISTSERVs, or fan networks are purpose-built to create communities interested in any given topic. These communities are full of people who want to contribute to projects they feel connected to. People genuinely invested in your work are more likely to volunteer and provide higher quality feedback through their knowledge and experience in the field. Potential testers gather in online forums, Slack groups, and community events. Meet them there, and you reduce barriers to participation. A single post in the right place can bring in testers who are engaged and excited to help.
Example: A digital humanities mapping project posted a call for testers in a local history Facebook group and quickly recruited six people who were familiar with the field, highly qualified, and were excited to help improve the tool.
2. Focus on Quality Feedback, Not Quantity
Research shows that 3–5 participants can uncover the majority of critical usability problems. Quality feedback comes from deep listening, follow-up questions, and observing subtle patterns in behavior. A small group of testers gives each participant more focus, which finds deeper issues in the design. One thoughtful conversation can reveal more than a dozen surface-level tests, because the tester is allowed space to explain their reasoning.
In addition to running one or two in-depth sessions, offering an asynchronous option, such as a short survey that includes one or more open-ended questions, creates more flexibility in scheduling. To ensure quality, remember to follow up for details.
Fewer sessions mean spending less time and money—perfect for smaller teams. By focusing on depth over breadth, you gain all the advantages of testing with a fraction of the cost.Example: One digital archive team ran a single 45-minute session with a scholar in their field. Her detailed walk-through uncovered three navigation problems that hadn’t shown up in earlier surface-level tests.
3. Low-Cost Incentives
Respect is a form of currency. When people feel their time is valued, they become more willing to offer help. Incentives aren’t limited to cash; recognition, clear expectations, and professionalism can be just as motivating. Participants who feel seen and appreciated are more likely to give honest, thoughtful feedback. Treating your participants well leaves them open to future collaboration.
Clear communication about expectations signals professionalism and trustworthiness. Make it clear how long the test will take, what kind of feedback is needed, and how their contribution will be used. In digital humanities, your participants will be found in communities you are already a part of (e.g., students, scholars, or local groups). Remember that how testers are treated will reflect on your reputation, so act with trustworthiness and professionalism. Be transparent about time commitments and stick to them. Treating your volunteers well strengthens relationships and builds goodwill that extends beyond a single study.
Offer rewards that align with your tester’s interests: early access to the project, acknowledgment as a contributor, or small institution-specific perks (like a café voucher).
Example: A transcription platform offered testers early access to new features and credited their names on the project site. Goodwill boosted recruitment for future studies.
What Should I Do Now?
Start small! Choose one strategy and try it this week. Post in your university Slack, offer early access, or schedule a single in-depth session. Track the time spent and the insights gained, and you will be surprised how quickly your project will improve.