Exploratory Testing of cars.ng: A User Journey Analysis

Introduction

cars.ng is an online platform designed to help users find and purchase vehicles with ease in Nigeria. To ensure a seamless user experience, I conducted exploratory testing on its core functionalities, focusing on search, navigation, and usability. This blog post highlights the testing process, key findings, and recommendations for improving the platform.

Methodology

The testing was performed on both desktop and mobile views using the latest versions of Google Chrome and Firefox. The key focus areas included:

Search Functionality: Ensuring accurate and relevant results.

Navigation & Filtering: Checking how intuitive the browsing experience is.

Bug Identification: Documenting errors, inconsistencies, and usability issues.

Performance Testing: Evaluating load time and responsiveness.

I documented findings using a structured bug report sheet with descriptions, screenshots, and severity categorizations.

Findings

During the exploratory testing, I identified several key issues:

1. Search Does Not Return Relevant Results (Medium Severity)

Issue: Searching for specifics imputing amounts and location (e.g., "2 million, Abuja") sometimes returns unrelated listings.

Impact: Makes it difficult for users to find relevant cars, reducing platform reliability.

Screenshot:Image description

1. *Filtering Issues *(Medium Severity)

Issue: Filters for browsing by brand or car types do not function correctly.

Price filter input field has limitations and does not work as expected.

Impact: Users struggle to refine searches effectively, leading to frustration and a poor user experience.

Screenshot: https://www.awesomescreenshot.com/video/36278127?key=4af6e0830a5323c9b9b9a7ca5c50dedf

1. *Missing Car Details *(Medium Severity)

Issue: Some car listings lack essential details such as specifications or reviews.

Impact: Users may not have enough information to make informed purchasing decisions.

Screenshot: https://www.awesomescreenshot.com/video/36279465?key=55f70202a17a1531de166bfda13c6c7f

1. Inconsistent Car Prices (High Severity)

Issue: Prices displayed for the same car model vary significantly across different sections of the site.

Impact: Can lead to confusion and mistrust among potential buyers.

Screenshot: https://www.awesomescreenshot.com/video/36281279?key=9db072e6a8c45230350fcf8d42b62054

1. *Outdated Listings in "Recently Added Cars" Section *(Medium Severity)

Issue: Some listings in the "Recently Added Cars" section are outdated and no longer available.

Impact: Gives users an inaccurate perception of available inventory.

Screenshot: https://www.awesomescreenshot.com/video/36281882?key=22993cffd405ac47a9505e2c8a1286cc

1. Images Not Displayed in Some Sections (Medium Severity)

Issue: Certain listings or pages fail to load images properly.

Impact: Reduces visual appeal and affects user engagement.

Screenshot:

For a complete list of bugs and visual proof, refer to the detailed bug report here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r2DkyrwoRnlLFddFaVHeTlcRaJMq61WUnuu8jAKkwF8/edit?usp=sharing

Recommendations

Based on these findings, I recommend the following improvements:

**Improve Search Accuracy – **Enhance the search algorithm to return only relevant results based on user input.

**Fix Filtering Issues – **Ensure all filters function correctly, particularly brand and price selection.

**Ensure Complete Car Listings – **Standardize required details for each car listing to improve user decision-making.

**Address Price Inconsistencies – **Implement a pricing validation system to prevent discrepancies.

**Update and Maintain Listings – **Regularly review and remove outdated car listings to maintain accurate inventory.

**Fix Image Loading Issues – **Ensure all images load correctly across the platform to enhance user experience.

Suggested Improvements

In addition to fixing existing bugs, I identified five key improvements that could enhance usability and user satisfaction:

Enhance Search Filtering Capabilities – Implement advanced filtering options such as year range, mileage, and fuel type to refine search results.

Introduce a Saved Search Feature – Allow users to save their searches and receive notifications when relevant listings are added.

Improve Mobile Responsiveness – Optimize mobile design for a smoother and more intuitive browsing experience.

Enable User Reviews and Ratings – Allow buyers to leave reviews on car listings to improve transparency and trust.

Implement a Price Comparison Tool – Provide users with a feature that compares prices across similar listings for better decision-making.

These improvements, along with resolving the documented bugs, would significantly enhance the overall functionality, accessibility, and user engagement of Cars.ng.

Conclusion

Exploratory testing revealed critical usability and functional issues that could impact user satisfaction on Cars.ng. Addressing these concerns will significantly enhance the platform’s reliability, performance, and user experience.

For more details, visit https://cars.ng/ and explore its features. Feel free to share your thoughts or report additional issues in the comments!