There are thousands of new websites and web pages being created every day. But only a small percentage of them remain active a few years down the road. Of over 4 million websites on the internet, less than half are actually active. Many of these are websites that sell services like mobile Spectrum internet. This means businesses need to keep them running well in order to leverage them for leads and sales. Cross-browser testing helps with this, but it can slow down web development timelines significantly. Unless you try following the tips below.
6 Ways to Reduce Cross Browser Testing Timelines
You can’t do that with a poorly designed website. Or with a website that does not work across popular browsers seamlessly. In fact, one of the biggest reasons websites often fail is that they lack compatibility with various browser applications. This is a big factor that impacts website usability and stability from the user’s perspective.
But testing across browsers isn’t always easy. There are several desktop browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. But there are also many other mobile browsing applications. Not to mention different types of mobile devices and operating systems. Testing can quickly develop into a complex and time-consuming process that shows no signs of ending. Here’s how to minimize the time you spend in cross-browser testing:
Define a Core Set of Browsers and Devices
The very first step is to define a set of high-priority devices and browsers that you will restrict your testing to. This may sound like a small step, but it is actually a big milestone that will set the parameters for subsequent testing processes. Your product data and research should help you identify your target audience or buyer persona. Use this to determine the devices and browsers most used by your buyers. From there, the road is clear. Why waste time and money testing on devices/browsers that your customers don’t even use? Instead, focus on the ones that see the most use.
Choose Good UI Testing Frameworks
Once you have determined the devices and browsers to test, the next step is to choose the right framework. A testing framework for user interfaces can help structure the testing process and speed it up. Using the right framework, you should be easily able to test your selected browsers and devices. This way, it becomes easier to deliver the same high-quality experience to all website users. You may need to choose different frameworks for desktop or mobile browsers.
Automate Certain Testing Aspects to Run in Parallel
When testing, the time it takes to execute a single test matters a lot. Shaving off any extra time can contribute to reducing the overall testing timeline. This is why most frameworks offer automated testing features. When testing across browsers and devices, there is likely a long list of tests to go through. While you test one type of browser/device, the automation can help run tests in parallel at the same time. That way, you can save time as the automated testing carries out certain procedures while you’re already working.
Test in Cloud Environments instead of On-Premises
Cloud testing environments are great for many reasons. The biggest one is that it allows teams of developers to conduct tests at any time. They don’t have to show up on-premises or be bound by business hours or time zones. Cloud testing offers 24/7 access to the test environment and lets geographically dispersed teams collaborate with ease. The right cloud platform could also help you save space that would otherwise be dedicated to a testing lab.
Use Scalable Testing Platforms
Of course, testing platforms are always a core part of the testing process. But not all testing platforms are the same. As your business (and website) continue to grow, the size and scope of further testing will also keep growing. That is why you need a scalable testing platform. It should help you scale up or down flexibly, as your testing needs change. Even if you do suddenly get a lot of testing work queued up and need more dev resources on it, the scalability ensures seamless additions to the testing project.
Look into AI-based UI Testing Tools
AI is used in all types of business functions these days. Web UI testing offers distinct value to businesses as well. It is almost impossible to not have bugs or errors in code in early application iterations. However, locating them can often take time. This can slow down dev timelines, but the use of AI testing promises to help. AI systems can offer “codeless” solutions that are far quicker and more likely to meet QA guidelines than manual ones. And as AI systems train in testing environments, they can start testing certain things autonomously.