crossbrowser testing

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Rapid technological advancements and digitalization is forcing businesses to develop the best web applications that are compatible across multiple devices, platforms, and browsers. At present most companies rely on digital presence for lead generation and revenue earning. It has created a massive demand for web applications compatible with different web browsers and mobile operating systems.

Businesses are investing in the development of highly responsive and intuitive applications that can attract potential customers. However, often companies make the mistake of skipping crossbrowser testing as it is a complex process. Developers need to go through an extensive procedure to integrate the testing methodologies in the development process. With minimal time for web development and changing customer preferences, most brands tend to skip this process.

Business owners are constantly looking for solutions that will help them develop compatible applications with multiple devices. If a business needs to engage more customers, cross-browser compatibility is the most effective channel for new buyers. However, there are various challenges associated with this approach. The entire development and quality assurance team have to work together to improve a web application’s responsiveness and compatibility.

Here we will discuss some of the significant challenges of cross-browser testing, compatibility issues, and possible solutions. Now let us first understand the purpose of cross-browser testing and its importance in web application development.

Definition of Cross-Browser Testing and Its Importance

Cross-browser testing helps to ensure that a web application is consistent in performance and functionality across different platforms. It involves a series of operating systems and browsers to test the compatibility and responsiveness of an application. Even though the concept of cross-browser testing is relatively simple, the testing procedure is quite complex.

Most developers use the shift-left methodology to test applications in the local environment before it is put into production. It is equally important to understand the necessity of cross-browser testing and its role in enhancing the overall user experience. The methodology helps to compare the UI design and usability across different platforms. Following are the benefits of cross-browser testing:

  • Adds consistency and compatibility to the application.
  • Customers get a more usable and feature-rich application.
  • The web application is accessible from different platforms. 
  • Customers get similar navigational features on every device.

Major Challenges Related to Cross Browser Testing and Their Solutions

Mobile users today have access to a host of web browsers, devices, and operating systems. Hence it is essential to develop applications that are compatible with different versions of web browsers. It makes the task of cross-browser testing quite complex. Below we will discuss the top cross-browser testing challenges faced by developers.

1. Development of In-House Infrastructure and Maintenance

Setting up in-house development architecture is quite tricky, particularly for startup businesses. Onsite application development has its own set of restrictions. Cloud-based approaches are more affordable and practical in real life. Web testing on a cloud environment offers a virtual platform that is a lot more affordable. Users also have access to a host of shared resources. Therefore cloud-based platforms are one of the best ways for developers to test their applications.

Solution: Integration of a Cloud-Based Service with Dependable Infrastructure

The most viable way of overcoming this challenge is to get a cloud-based testing platform without internal maintenance. It also comes with a host of modern tools and features for testing and hosting web applications.

2. Automated Cross-Browser Testing

Cross-browser testing is an extensive process that primarily impacts the pace of the development process. This testing is a multistage process, and most developers prefer to use functional tools like Selenium. Therefore automating the testing procedures with multiple browsers is quite complex.

Moreover, the effectiveness of the automation process is mainly dependent on the integration of testing tools. It is essential to check the efficiency of existing infrastructure for the automation of cross-browser testing. The latest testing tools come with a host of cross-browser testing functionalities.

Solution: Selection of Development Tools with Automated Browser 

Testing Features

The easiest way to deal with cross-browser testing is to select tools with automated testing features. Always make sure that the tool has a reliable inventory of browsers. It must be compatible with multiple web browsers for testing the application.

3. Regular Browser Update

Web browsers have evolved significantly, and new updates are added periodically. Moreover, every new version comes with a new set of features that changes their existing source code. It requires the testing team to repeatedly test applications and determine whether they are compatible with the most recent versions of web browsers. Some prefer to take the negative approach and update the site as per the latest browser versions.

Solution: Use Automation Testing for New Versions of Web Browsers

Automated browser testing is a challenge in itself, and it is also rewarding in many ways. Developers can keep up with the latest versions of web browsers through automation testing.

4. Testing Multiple Browsers

One of the significant challenges of cross-browser testing is the selection of browsers and their latest version. It is a challenging process for small businesses with a limited web development budget and infrastructure. Sometimes there is also a need for testing applications for older browsers to ensure a consistent customer experience. Therefore it is essential to select a specific set of browsers and versions for testing an application.

Solution: Use a Comprehensive Testing Tool Compatible with the Old and New Browsers

The best solution to this problem is to use tools that help test compatibility with the latest version and legacy of web browsers. Modern tools make use of visitor statistics for every browser. Based on the result, one can easily prioritize browser testing for maximum consistency. 

5. Testing Multiple OS Combinations

We already know how difficult it is to test applications for different browsers and their respective versions. Trying a web application for other operating systems is an equally difficult task. Checking the application’s compatibility with different devices is quite a daunting process, but developers can achieve satisfactory results without testing all operating systems.

Solution: Use Cloud-Based Services with Access to Multiple Operating Systems

One can easily access an extensive range of mobile and desktop operating systems with cloud-based services. Businesses no longer need to set up and meet the testing environment for every combination.

6. Simultaneous Testing on Multiple Browsers

It is another major challenge of cross-browser testing. Developers often perform parallel testing on browser testing tools. Test running applications on multiple browsers, operating systems, and browser versions at the same time reduce the testing time. It dramatically reduces execution time but increases testing coverage. However, executing parallel testing is quite tricky. It requires a lot of time and resources to run the test for different browser and OS combinations.

Solution: Quicker Parallel Testing with the Help of Automated Tools

Using modern testing tools for cross-browser testing can help in faster execution of the process. It will quickly identify the bugs in the application and save a lot of testing time. Developers can utilize this time for focusing on more critical aspects of the project. 

7. Testing Visual Bugs in Different Screen Resolutions

Testing the website for visual errors significantly impacts the performance of the application. It is necessary to recognize layouts for a web application with automation testing to address multiple aspects of every testing and management application as we know that testing an application for different combinations of browsers and operating systems is relatively quick. However, the inclusion of screen resolution makes the timetable more complicated. 

Solution: Use Reliable Testing Tools For Maintaining Consistency Of The User Interface.

Tools like Selenium come in handy in situations and help integrate smooth UI testing. Virtual testing involves various actions, and testing tools help understand an interface’s consistency across different resolutions. Developers can run a parallel test on screen resolution using cloud-based testing tools.

Now we know the significant challenges with cross-browser testing and ways to effectively overcome these issues with testing tools. Consistency of the user interface is one of the critical aspects of every web application. It also determines the success of a business in reaching more customers. However, it is not just that the interface determines the success of an application.

With the emergence of various operating systems, browsers, and devices, it is essential to check application compatibility repeatedly. Some web developers considered cross-browser testing as one of the most critical stages of app development. It is one of the most complex stages that help to understand the consistency of an application. From the above discussion, it is clear that even though there are several cross-browser testing challenges, there is an effective solution for each of the issues.

How to Increase the Effectiveness of your Cross-Browser Testing Environment with LambdaTest

Cross-browser web development has become one of the most dominant trends in the modern Software Development Industry. Almost all the major software development companies have adopted this growing technology. There are various platforms that developers can use to test the web application for cross-browser compatibility. 

However, they must choose the right tool to utilise the full potential of the testing environment. LambdaTest is a platform to perform automated cross-browser testing on a reliable Selenium grid. This platform provides an online Selenium grid to perform safe and Secure cross-browser testing. Millions of companies use LambdaTest to perform cross-browser testing on their applications.

This platform ensures that the companies do not alienate any segment of the industry depending upon browser incompatibility. The developers can use these Selenium test scripts to test the web application on thousands of browsers. 

LambdaTest also helps the developers verify the UI variation depending on the browser and its version. In simple terms, we can justify that LambdaTest ensures that developers can develop, test and deliver high-quality software to their loyal customers. Lastly, the easy bug-logging feature helps to detect all the errors on the website quickly. 

The Verdict

Businesses that have a dependable team of experts for application development can have complete peace of mind. Modern, cross-browser testing tools come with the most innovative features that enhance web application quality and performance across various devices, browsers, and operating systems. The modern business will eventually become more dependent on web applications as a primary mode of marketing. Cross-browser testing will help in overcoming the associated challenges.

By admin

Writing and blogging is my passion. Providing meaningful information to readers is my object.