Which aspect of web design can user testing directly influence?

User testing directly influences user interaction and experience because it provides valuable insights into how real users engage with a website. By observing user behavior and gathering feedback during testing sessions, designers can identify areas where users may struggle, become frustrated, or find navigation unclear. This feedback helps to tailor the design to better meet user needs, leading to a more intuitive and satisfying experience.

User interaction includes all elements that users experience when navigating a site, from the layout and content to responsiveness and accessibility features. Since user testing focuses on these aspects, it allows designers to make informed decisions that enhance usability, thus creating a more effective web experience.

In contrast, technical coding standards are often not influenced as directly since they are guided by industry standards and best practices rather than individual user preferences. Aesthetic decisions, while they can be informed by user feedback, are typically more about visual appeal rather than functional interaction. As for branding strategies, they are more aligned with marketing and business objectives than with user interaction, although they can also be indirectly influenced by how users perceive and interact with those brand elements on the site.