What to user research and when

Understanding the needs, preferences, and experiences of your beneficiaries is fundamental to enhancing the impact your charity has. User research is a powerful tool that can empower charities to make informed decisions, cultivate empathy, and ultimately, deliver more effective and targeted support and services.

In this article, we'll delve into what aspects charities should conduct user research on and when, providing guidance for maximising the positive change that can be achieved. 

What should I research? 

It can be a challenge to decide what to conduct research on. From understanding broad user needs to seeing a user move step-by-step through your donation journey, there are many great areas to focus your research on. 

User needs: 

User interviews provide direct opportunities to your donors and beneficiaries. By engaging in meaningful conversations, you can gain a deeper understanding of their needs, challenges, and aspirations. This insight is crucial for tailoring your charity's programs and services to better meet the real and evolving needs of the community you serve. If you haven’t started conducting user research yet, this is the best place to begin. 

Example questions: 

• What are the main challenges you currently face with [charity topic]? 
• When you need help with [charity topic],