Usability testing is not synonymous with user experience research. It is a crucial part of it. Unmoderated usability tests are a great way to get feedback from users about a design or prototype.
Advantages
Get feedback quickly
Cost-effective
Less time intensive to manage and analyze
Disadvantages
Unable to ask follow-up questions
Less qualitative insight into user challenges
Steps to designing usability test
Clarify your decision.
Reflect on the decision made based on what is planned to be learned.
Establish the scope
Clearly articulate what you are testing before designing prototypes and sourcing participants. Three to four tasks per study are recommended.
Determine the motivations.
Gather both action and attitudinal measures during testing.
Prepare the test
Ensure each participant has enough context as they complete a task.
Find the appropriate participants.
Test your test!
Tips and tricks
Keep it short and sweet.
Establish clear success criteria.
Make sure your tasks are simple.
References
Figma Tutorial: Remote User Testing with Figma and Maze https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qPMd7SuGfQ.
Usability Testing Best Practices: User Interviews
https://www.userinterviews.com/blog/usability-testing-best-practices.