An in-home usage test (IHUT) puts a product in people's homes and asks them to use it as they normally would. Video makes the test much richer: you see the packaging opened, the instructions skipped, the product used in a real bathroom or kitchen, and the face at the first taste. On Zolensa, participants record each step on their phone, answer the same rating questions at each stage, and the team compares first impressions with the verdict after real use.
When to use an in-home product test
- New product development: check a prototype or new formula before launch.
- Packaging and opening: see whether people can open, close, store and reuse the pack.
- Instructions and preparation: watch whether people follow the steps, and where they go wrong.
- Product comparisons: send different versions to different groups and compare.
- Claims and benefits: hear in people's own words whether a benefit is noticed after a week.
How a study runs on Zolensa
- Split into groups. Put participants into groups, such as Product A and Product B, or one group per market. Each group gets its own tasks where needed.
- Plan the moments. Day 1: unboxing on video and first impressions. Day 2: first use. Days 3 to 10: short "every time you use it" entries. Last day: the verdict.
- Ask the same scales each time. Use the same rating or grid at first use and at the end, for example rows for scent, texture, ease of use and value, each on the same scale.
- Watch use in context. Ask for a video of where the product is kept and how it is used, not just an opinion.
- Follow up. Ask a participant why a rating dropped, in the same thread as their entry.
- Report. AI suggests themes with quotes and clips. Grid questions show how many people chose each answer in each row, ratings export to CSV for your charts, and highlight reels bring real use into the debrief.
Zolensa features that help
- Grid questions. Several attributes rated on the same scale in one question. On a phone, each row shows as a small card with buttons to tap.
- Repeatable tasks. Collect every use, up to the limit you set, without adding a task for each day.
- Groups and conditions. Send each cell its own tasks, and show a follow-up only after a certain answer.
- Photos and the gallery. Ask for photos of the product in place. Allow existing photos and videos only when you want them.
- Participant checks. Check that people are in the right country and take part only once, which matters when a product is shipped to them.
- Highlight reels. Join first reactions and later verdicts into one video with titles and subtitles.
Plan for these
- Shipping comes first. Plan the delivery so that day 1 starts when the product arrives. Day 1 starts when each participant signs the consent form, so invite people once their parcel is on its way.
- Film before opening. Ask for the unboxing video before people read the leaflet, so you see the real first reaction.
- Unbranded or blind tests. Remind people not to show other brands or their address labels on camera.
- Keep the effort fair. Short daily entries with one bigger task at the start and end work well.
- Respect safety rules. Food, cosmetics and health products may need safety wording in the consent form. Zolensa lets you add your own required tick boxes.
