In the application development business, the primary goal of cross-platform testing is to ensure that the user experience is uniform across all browsers and platforms. While web browsers such as Google Chrome account for the vast majority of the global market, cross-platform testing exists to ensure that an app may be used on practically any browser available worldwide. The testers expose the multiple deadly flaws that were disguised during the development process.
As a result, cross-browser testing allows testers to locate all flaws and eliminate them quickly and accurately. User experience is critical, and businesses that are not concerned about device compatibility risk losing clients in a competitive market. Testers demand a single platform that fits all of the criteria for a successful web application.
Cross-browser testing tools are critical to the success of the entire development process. Developers must consider a variety of criteria while choosing browser tools. In this article, we’ll go over all of the essential factors that will help you pick the finest browser-testing solution for your company’s needs.
Cross Browser Testing: Definitions and Implementation
In today’s diversified web browser ecosystem, each browser uses a distinct rendering engine. When you access your website in multiple browsers, you may notice differences in design and operation, which might cause compatibility concerns.
The goal of cross-browser testing is to discover and resolve compatibility issues before making your website public. This guarantees that consumers get a consistent experience regardless of their browser. Organizations may broaden their reach, improve their reputation, and build a distinct online presence by guaranteeing a consistent and optimized user experience.
What is Cross Browser Testing?
Cross browser testing guarantees that websites and web apps are compatible across multiple web browsers. It is critical to ensure that all components, including text and multimedia, work together fluidly to provide an outstanding user experience.
Browsers process website components such as content, graphics, CSS, JavaScript, etc, differently. For example, CSS may appear differently in Mozilla Firefox than in Google Chrome, affecting the visual appearance. Cross-browser testing is required to discover and resolve such inconsistencies.
This non-functional testing form attempts to ensure that website parts work properly across several browser versions. It includes verifying HTML, JavaScript, plugins, and design components to ensure that they appear and behave consistently across browsers.
Cross Browser testing is a type of non-functional testing that lets you see if your website works accurately on:
- Browser-OS combinations like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari can be used on any operating system, such as iOS, macOS, Windows, and Android.
- Smart devices like smartphones, tablets, computers, and laptops.
- Assistive tools like screen readers for people with disabilities.
Cross browser testing enables businesses to ensure a consistent user experience across an ever-expanding range of browsers/devices.
Why Do Web Apps Need Cross-Browser Testing?
Web apps require cross-browser testing because various web browsers understand and render HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code differently. This is because web browsers are built by several vendors (e.g., Google, Mozilla, Microsoft, Apple), and each manufacturer may implement web standards or distinctly introduce proprietary features.
Even with web standards in place, such as those specified by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), there may be differences in how different browser companies interpret and apply these standards. Furthermore, various versions of the same browser may function differently since each update introduces new features or problem fixes.
Cross-browser testing ensures that a web application works and appears appropriately across a variety of common browsers and versions. Without thorough cross-browser testing, a web app may display flaws such as
- Layout and design inconsistencies: Certain browsers may display elements that are misaligned, overlapping, or missing altogether.
- Functionality issues: Features may not function properly or malfunction altogether in specific browsers or versions.
- Performance problems: Browsers can have considerable differences in load times, responsiveness, and general performance.
Developers may discover and fix compatibility issues by undertaking extensive cross-browser testing, ensuring that their web app offers a consistent and dependable experience for users regardless of the browser they use. This not only improves the web app’s overall quality but also increases user happiness and accessibility.
Cross-browser testing is critical in today’s diversified online environment, as consumers access web apps via a variety of devices and browsers. It is a necessary step towards providing a high-quality, compatible, and user-friendly online experience.
How to Choose Cross-Browser Testing Tools?
With so many different cross-browser web application testing tools available, it can be challenging to decide which ones are ideal for your purposes.
When you’re shortlisting, trying different tools, and narrowing down on cross-browser testing solutions, consider the following:
- What problem are you trying to solve – Begin by determining the cross-browser testing tool’s feature gap, which will help you explain the capabilities and functionality the tool must deliver.
- Who will need to use it – Consider who will use the program and how many licenses will be required when determining the cost and needs. You’ll need to decide if the QA web application testers or the entire organization will require access. When that’s evident, decide whether or not you should prioritize simplicity of use for everyone or speed for your cross-browser testing tool’s power users.
- What other tools does it need to work with – Clarify which technologies you’re replacing, which will remain, and which you’ll need to connect with, such as other web application testing tools, automation tools, or bug-tracking tools, etc. You must determine if the tools must be integrated or whether a single consolidated cross-browser testing solution may replace them.
- What outcomes are important – Consider the outcome that the web app must provide to be regarded as a success, in short, a success criteria. Consider what capabilities you wish to develop or enhance, as well as how you plan to measure progress. For example, one effect may be the capacity to have better visibility into performance. You may compare cross-browser testing tool features until you’re blue in the face, but if you don’t consider the results you want to achieve, you may be wasting a lot of time.
- How it would work within your organization – Consider web app choices in conjunction with your workflows and delivery approach. Evaluate what is functioning well and what areas are producing problems that must be addressed. Remember that every business is unique; don’t assume that just because a tool is popular, it will work for you.
Summary
Cross-browser testing is essential while developing a website or online application. The website/application must appear and operate consistently regardless of the browser or device used to access it. We hope this post helps you understand the essential elements to consider when choosing a cross-browser testing tool. Pcloudy is a cloud-based cross-browser testing tool that lets you test your website and applications across several browsers and devices on the cloud.
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