As most businesses today are accessed using a web application or a website, it is therefore important to ensure that their web-apps and websites are fully functional and responsive across different system configurations, browsers, devices and interfaces. It is quite possible that customers or prospects might try to access a business’ service offerings from across anywhere on a browser or platform of their choice.
What is Cross-browser testing?
Cross browser testing is the process of testing the compatible run of web-apps and websites across different browsers, Operating Systems, platforms, and devices. Over the years cross-browser testing has become an important area for businesses to concentrate their focus on, and ensure how well their web based apps and websites are designed, developed, and tested. Also, since different browsers render websites differently, CBT becomes a crucial medium to ensure that their functionality remains as intended across these variations.
Cross-browser testing is done in two ways – manually as well as automatically. Manual testing is generally time-taking while automatic testing helps execute a larger number of tests across a combination of different platforms swiftly; although it still has its own limitations. Automated cross-browser testing is undoubtedly the best medium to execute repeated tests in-sync with different end user conditions. Leading software companies have gone ahead in investing huge amounts of money to address compatibility testing for their web based apps and in creating robust cross-browser test automation accelerator frameworks. These frameworks help them in scheduling and running automated tests for web and mobile apps on a variety of browsers, OS, and hand held devices.
Running cross-browser tests manually over every browser, operating system and various devices can be a tedious job. It isn’t just exhausting but also leads to a huge loss of time that can be invested in other developments and progress. Fortunately today, CBT has evolved beyond human capabilities and offers quick and reliable testing results, with little-to-none threats of compromising reliability. With the ongoing pace by which businesses are scaling across web-based platforms, if you desire to attain near 100% testing for your websites and apps, going fully automatic on cross-browser testing from a reliable source is the only viable way out. Herein below let us have a look at why automatic cross-browser testing is a better option.
Top 7 reasons why automating Cross-browser testing is a better option
Irrespective of what kind of (web-based) business you run, how many pages your website contains, the kind of layout and visibility it offers, or what web-apps you offer your clients to access your services from, automated CBT will bring in measurable benefits and accurate results. Let’s understand some benefits of automating cross-browser testing for your website.
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Quick simultaneous testing across different mediums in real time
One of the biggest challenges that manual testing faces is to carry out testing across all browsers, mediums, OS, devices and platforms. As testing deep dives it also needs to be carried across the different versions of each of these platform. Further ahead, as any build or hotfix emerges, it again requires running a test across various combinations of browsers and platforms all over again. Here is a quick glimpse of usage shares of the different browsers worldwide.
By means of automation all of this can be done automatically. Automatic cross-browser testing helps scale ‘n’ number of platforms, websites, OS and devices simultaneously in real time. Not just the results are more accurate with automated CBT, but the rate of testing is also swift and leaves nothing unattended.
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Automation gives more accurate test results
When it comes to automated testing, there’s nothing more accurate and precise. Manual testers can sometimes skip a few details here-and-there by oversighting or under strained testing conditions.
Cross-browser testing with automation on the other hand scans the smallest of small details, goes by the script and leaves nothing unturned. Unlike human emotions with automation there is no fatigue, or boredom by repetitive tasks, which makes it more accurate and reliable.
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More testing Vs manual efforts
Automated cross-browser testing offers you higher test coverage in a shorter time span of time than as compared to manually testing procedures. Also, one of the major challenges with manual CBT is in case of any reoccurrence of error(s), the entire testing needs to be repeated again across all browser types and devices that the tester was originally testing the website / apps on. Often in between two successive tests any error or including a newer combination of devices / platforms will require the tester to re-initiate the test start to end all over again.
Automating these procedures makes it efficient to conduct CBTs without having to worry about error occurrences or limited time spans. For instance, if a tester wishes to schedule a test for a two hour span across all internet browser types and hand-held devices, he can specify the particulars in the test script and begin the automated testing. The testing will proceed as per the test script and complete in its scheduled time.
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Excessive testing using lesser resources
Anywhere where automation comes into picture – both time and resources are saved. Similar is the case with CBT automation. For a tester to schedule manual tests on any regular day means putting ahead a combination of different platforms and devices to test. Further updates – to any versions within the platform on which the app is being tested or to the app itself – means revising the tests start-to-end all over again. Manual testing in proportion to speed would require more resources (testers) to be deployed. However, in the case of automated testing, a single test-script takes care of all the checkpoints across which the website or app needs to be tested.
Automation isn’t just quicker but also accurate as sometimes human attention can skip some minute details while undergoing rigorous testing.
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Saves time and money
Cross-browser testing often requires repeated testing, that if done manually can be boring and excessively time consuming. However by identifying the problem areas that need to be investigated companies can schedule automated testing that not just saves time but also all the resources – from office infrastructure to salaries – that go into testing manually. Automation thus provides a better ROI.
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Easy test reporting
Automation testing also allows you to create a reporting dashboard using APIs and capture the smallest of malfunctioning reports. These analytics can be then studied, improved and shared ahead with clients and responsible decision makers. The same becomes a tedious task from the perspective of manual testers, which otherwise with automation is normally very easy and efficient.
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Allows to run multiple tests
Automated cross-browser testing is of immense help while running multiple tests for an application. Often with addition of newer codes to the application the need for repeated tests arise. Manually addressing these needs require clearing off a buffer period and then running the tests. Considering there are – say 10 scenarios across which the new codes are to be tested – it would then require a handful of testers to effectively carry out these tests. With automated testing this buffer is significantly cut short and testing can be attained without any delay. Needless to say, the test results are also more accurate.
Additional Benefits of Automation
Automation within any industry has helped in providing better ROI with a lower operating cost. It has also made man-made tasks easier, more convenient, accurate and quicker by the day. With LambdaTest you can automate your Cross-browser testing for a quicker and seamless user experience.
Test on thousands of devices online with Selenium automation
Selenium automation grid tests in real time on over thousands of desktop and mobile devices. With such diverse multiple testing platform companies can focus on their development projects while automation takes on the testing responsibility full-fledged. The Selenium testing automaton is cloud-based and is scalable, secure and reliable. It tests applications across all possible test scenarios and spots all bugs and malfunctions.
Test effectively on most used mobile browsers
With automated testing procedures companies can increase their mobile browser coverage drastically by running Appium and Selenium automation tests scripts across several Android and iOS mobile browsers, ranging from the latest to the oldest in business.
Parallel testing with the Selenium grid
Automation also allows executing Selenium testing across hundreds of browsers and Operating Systems simultaneously. This allows catching all major to minor malfunctioning within the application. Another add on to the test procedure is that it allows shortening the test cycle by its multiple folds through parallel testing.
Geolocation testing from various countries across the globe
Automated testing takes over testing based on Geo Targeting, Geo Blocking and Geo Localization from across multiple countries on over thousands of browsers while assuring an error free and seamless experience.
Manual testing Vs Automation testing
Let us also have a quick comparative look at how Automaton remains better than manual testing scenarios.
| Manual Testing | Automation Testing |
| Less reliable and inaccurate – because of human errors | More reliable, more accurate – as testing is done using scripts & tools |
| More time taking | Swift |
| Ideal when tests are done once or twice & are generally not repeated | Ideal for scenarios where tests are repeated frequently |
| Cost of man power | No cost of man power. Just initial investment on software |
Conclusion
Such advantages of automated testing show how automation can be of best use to businesses across the world. With automation you can focus on the needful (development and enhancing your user experience) while the software takes care of the testing procedures.
The above listed points conclude how replacing manual efforts with automation can help businesses upscale without having to worry about the testing needs. Although several businesses prefer manual testing over automation, but as discussed here choosing automation can be a better choice.
