User Research in Germany
Remote or lab-based user research in Germany, with real customers and local, Senior UX Researchers
Germany is one of the worlds richest economies and so we are often asked to organise UX research or user research in Germany for our clients. We are a global design research agency that operates with our own team of Senior UX Researchers, not through other agencies. All our Senior UX Researchers have been evaluated as part of their joining process. This ensures they have the skills, capabilities and experience to deliver user research and UX Research to the high standards we expect. Our team in Germany consists of nearly ten, senior and experienced UX Researchers and Germany is the 2nd largest team we have.
Remote and lab-based user research in Germany
We run user research and UX Research in Germany using remote and lab-based facilities. Remote methodologies use online screen sharing technologies and in Germany, as with other European countries, we use Zoom.
Germans and participant recruiters in Germany, are particularly focused on privacy. Compliance with GDPR legislation is of particular importance. Informed consent forms are used to ensure participants have given permission to be recorded. These forms must comply with the GDPR legislation and we have all the documentation required available in both English language and German versions.
For lab based testing Germany presents some interesting options. Whilst Berlin is the capital, and tends to be considered a “Digital hub”, the population is only 3.275 million. Other major cities are therefore also popular destinations for running user research in Germany such as: Hamburg (pop. 1.69m); Munich (pop 1.86m); and Cologne (pop 0.97m). Research facilities are available in all these cities and others so we can cater for the entire country if required.
In all case we provide a viewing experience that includes picture-in-picture video and where required, simultaneous translation into whatever your native language is. Recordings of the sessions are also provided with your local language as well as with the German original.
Finally, our Senior UX Researchers provide a detailed analysis from the session. Our deliverables include observations and issues together with analysis and actionable recommendations. Our team also speak English so we are able to deliver a playback session with you either in German or English.
So, what are you waiting for? If you want to conduct user research in Germany, we can help.
Pictures from the lab when user research in Germany
Quick facts about Germany:
- Main language/s spoken: German
- Population: 84,014,313 (2021 est.)
- Capital City: Berlin
- Secondary Cities: Hamburg, Munich, Cologne
- Currency / monetary units used: Euro
- Literacy: 99% (2003 est.)
UX Research and User Research in Germany
Germany prides itself on timekeeping and efficiency, so punctual, well run research sessions are essential. This helps with planning as participants will arrive on time so smaller gaps between sessions is possible.
Germans are aware of their privacy rights and will require that you have followed GDPR guidance and are compliant. However, it is a myth that German participants won’t let you record them as is evidenced by the many projects we have run successfully, user research in Germany.
Small talk at the beginning of a session is also popular, warming up participants for the work ahead. Setting up an informal pre-session meeting can help improve the quality of the feedback.
Oktoberfest is a folk festival and funfair held in Munich from late September until the first weekend in October. There are also festivals throughout the year in other major cities, such as Cologne so research when these are before planning sessions. German Christmas markets are also very popular and if you have research taking place late November/ December allow time in your evening for a visit.
Credit card ownership among Germans is low and payment online is generally made through Klarna or invoice ion delivery.
The following are the main holidays in Germany. There are additional holidays specific to certain states, such as Women’s Day on 8th March in Berlin, but we will confirm with you any impact on your timeline.
| 1st January | New Year’s Day |
| 2 days before Easter Sunday | Good Friday |
| The day after Easter Sunday | Easter Monday |
| 1st May | Labour Day |
| 39 days after Easter Sunday | Ascension Day |
| 50 days after Easter | Whit Monday |
| 3rd October | German Unity Day |
| 31st October | Reformation Day |
| 25th December | Christmas Day |
| 26th December | Boxing Day |
Germany is just one of the markets where we organise and deliver international ux research and user research. If you have a requirement in Germany or any other market please get in touch using the form below and we will be happy to provide a no obligation quotation.
