Web applications enable your customers/users to perform specific functions on your website, whether that’s adding a product to their shopping cart, completing a contact form, or editing a video.
Your applications must align with the standard of quality you want to be known for. You don’t want any oversights to frustrate users or drive them away to a competitor.
Fortunately, you can save time and avoid potential mistakes with web application testing.
But first, you need to know what to look for so you can make the most of the testing process.
What is web testing?
Web testing involves checking your application or site before it goes live to locate bugs that could be lurking, ready to disrupt the user/customer experience.
Web testing generally covers:
- Functionality testing
- Usability testing
- Interface testing
- Compatibility testing
- Performance testing
- Security testing
- Crowd testing
Any issues you identify during web testing should be investigated and fixed as soon as possible. Addressing bugs or glitches before the web application/site goes live reduces the time and money needed to fix them later — by which point they may have already infuriated users and cost you valuable business.
Knowing how to test and what to test
Above, we listed the different types of web application testing. Now, let’s take a closer look at each:
Functionality testing
This is perhaps the most important type of web application testing. Why? Because you’ll be checking that your application actually does what it was built to do.
If you discover your product isn’t fulfilling its original purpose… well, that’s a problem.
Your functionality testing should look at every aspect of the essential functions:
- Can users click on products or resource links and reach the intended page, whether that’s on your site or an external one?
- Can they process payments without delays or failures?
- Do contact forms only submit once all mandatory data has been entered?
- Are cookies handled as they should be?
Essentially, functionality testing verifies that your application works properly from one end to the other.
Usability testing
Any good application or site must be user-friendly. That’s where (surprise, surprise) usability testing comes in.
Take the time to explore navigation. Menus, links, and buttons should all be easy to find and use.
Imagine you’re a customer visiting this site for the first time. Do you understand how to find what you need? Is the layout confusing?
Another key aspect of usability testing is checking the quality of your content. Text should be well written and free of typos.
Remember: you want to make a good first impression. Poor grammar or blocks of repetitive text won’t help.
On the subject of usability, remember that testing should be made as easy as possible for testers. They should be able to flag issues and provide feedback in a hassle-free way.
Adding a feedback button to your application enables them to do this without needing to exit or switch between devices. Feedback reports can also be configured to enter specific systems, such as Trello or Slack, to save time and maintain efficiency.
This leaves testers free to focus on their work.
Interface testing
This is where things get a tad more complex.
Web applications typically feature three components: a web server, web browser, and database. All three work harmoniously to ensure users can interact with the whole product and data reaches its destination safely.
Interface testing aims to check that connections between these components are effective. You’ll check that this communication processes properly, and ensure that any error messages will be displayed as they should.
Compatibility testing
Most of us use several devices to browse websites, consume media, and shop. To deliver the best experience, your application should perform well on desktop computers, laptops, tablets and mobile. It should also perform well in different browsers and on different operating systems.
Essentially, whether users use your web product through Chrome on their laptop or Firefox on their smartphone, your application should run smoothly.
Feedback buttons provide valuable data on testing conditions, including the OS, browser, device, screen resolution, and plugins.
This can help developers fix reported issues faster during compatibility testing. The ability for testers to add screenshots is another major benefit, especially for recognising layout or resolution flaws.
Performance testing
Performance testing determines how well your application or website copes in different situations. For example, you may receive much more traffic in the run up to Christmas or on Black Friday.
You need to test your product’s capabilities and confirm that it won’t stop functioning at crucial times.
Performance testing pushes your application to its limits, checks its response, and enables you to make necessary changes. Testing usually involves increasing the number of users at a specific time and experimenting with varying connection speeds.
Security testing
Online security is key. Consumers are more aware of online risks, and they want to know that the sites or applications they use are safe.
The average web application stores a wealth of data, some of which will be sensitive. Security testing roots out weaknesses by checking that secure pages can’t be accessed without authorisation and that sessions will end after a fixed period of inactivity.
Crowd testing
Crowd testing is just as it sounds.
A group of designated testers not affiliated with your product will check the application in everyday conditions to assess its usability, functionality, and overall user experience.
Crowd testing can generate more insightful feedback than relying on internal testing only. Various demographics may be considered, and certain flaws that might be missed by seasoned developers could be flagged.
Presenting the product to fresh eyes before launch can reduce the risk of oversights that cost money to fix later.
Web testing isn’t just vital before you put your application into action, it should continue long after launch
Problems may still arise and need to be resolved to maintain a quality product. Adding Saber Feedback’s feedback button to your site empowers testers and users to provide invaluable insights into elements that should be tweaked to deliver a better experience.
Try Saber Feedback on your website for FREE with our 30-day trial now!