Redesigning without research risks basing decisions on opinion, which can waste budget and fail to fix the real problems. The right UX research partner will ground your redesign in evidence, ensuring every change improves the user experience and delivers measurable results.

What the right partner will do

• Identify user needs and behaviours through UX research - They combine behavioural and attitudinal methods to uncover what users actually do, not just what they say.
• Map pain points to design opportunities - They connect usability issues and friction points to actionable improvements in navigation, layout, and content.
• Test concepts before building - They validate proposed changes with real users, reducing the risk of costly post-launch fixes.

How to evaluate them

• Proven track record in research-led redesigns - Look for case studies that show measurable outcomes from their work.
• Clear, repeatable methodology - Ensure they have a structured process for gathering and interpreting evidence.
• Ability to turn findings into actionable recommendations - They should deliver more than data, providing clear guidance on what to change and why.

Pitfalls to avoid

• Relying solely on analytics without qualitative context.
• Skipping research entirely and basing design on assumptions.