Why is cross-browser testing essential in 2023?

In recent years, we have been witnessing massive growth in the IT industry and the launch of many websites, mobile, and web apps to match the overwhelming demand from users. Statista forecasts that the worldwide app market may reach US$755.50 billion by 2027. With the rise in the number of app options, users install only those apps that provide exceptional functionality and user experience. 

In addition, people today have multiple options to access anything on the internet. So, if they want to open a shopping app, for example, they may open it on any browser they prefer, like Chrome, Safari, or Internet Explorer, or if they are on the go, they may access it on their laptops or smartphones. 

In such competitive times, the need to attract customers is greater than ever. So, as an app developer, testing your app on a single browser or device doesn’t make practical sense anymore. If your app works well on one browser and gives a lackluster performance on another, users will promptly uninstall it and move to your competitor’s app.

The solution to retain your customers and prevent them from switching to your rival’s products is to make cross-browser testing an integral part of your software development.

What is cross-browser testing, and why do you need to implement it?

Cross-browser testing is a technique that evaluates if your website works to expectations when accessed through different browsers, devices, or assistive tools. It aims to deliver users a uniform user experience.

As each browser interprets code differently, developers and testers must ensure the code is easily understood by both current and previous browser versions. Through testing, they can identify browser-specific compatibility issues and quickly resolve them. 

Users can leave your website and go to other better ones if they discover problems like slow load times or faulty display of images. Only by testing on different browsers can you get information about errors that occur when users navigate the site. 

Causes for the differences in appearance and function of a website on different browsers 

Here are some reasons for disparities in the appearance and functionality of websites on different platforms:

• Variations in user-defined settings like screen resolution
• Differences in the engines used for processing web instructions
• Usage of screen readers or other assistive technologies
• Variations in a browser or operating system’s default settings
• Differences in the functionality of hardware leading to variations in color balancing or screen resolution

Top reasons for implementing cross browser testing in 2023

By making cross browser testing a mandatory part of your testing, you provide your customers the best possible user experience. Let us examine why cross browser testing is so essential.

1.For uniform user experience

Cross browser testing ensures your website visitors get a positive and consistent experience. If not optimized for different browsers, your website may look and function differently, providing a flat and subpar user experience. 

2.To solve compatibility problems

Since each browser interprets and displays web pages differently, any website working well on one browser may perform poorly on another. With cross browser testing, testers can identify such issues early, allowing developers to rectify the issues and ensure the website performs consistently on all browsers.

3.To provide customer satisfaction

Every user expects a website to work seamlessly on all devices and browsers. A website functioning poorly on a specific browser can lead to user dissatisfaction and, in the long run, impact the organization’s business. Cross browser testing guarantees customers an optimal user experience while using a website, whatever browser they use. 

4.It is cost effective

Resolving compatibility issues after the launch of a website can be time-consuming and lead to huge expenses and losses. However, by performing cross browser testing early in the development process, developers can determine compatibility problems before the website goes live, saving money and time and preventing loss of reputation.

5.Code updates and optimization

With cross browser testing, you can identify the problems and inconsistencies in the code across different browsers, letting you update and optimize the code and provide a consistent experience to users.

Features analyzed in cross browser testing

Let us look at the essential features testers must analyze for cross browser testing.

• Basic functionalities

As a tester, you must ensure the website’s basic functionalities work on most browser-OS combinations. 

Examples of what you will need to verify:

• All menus and dialog boxes perform as intended
• The website manages first-party cookies appropriately
• Every form field accepts inputs after properly validating them
• Smooth touch operations in tables and mobiles
• Design

Assess if the website’s appearance, including fonts, images, and layout, matches the design team’s specifications.

• Responsiveness

Evaluate the website’s responsiveness on different screen sizes and orientations.

• Accessibility

Ensure the website is compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), allowing differently-abled users to access the website easily.

Best Practices for Cross-browser Testing

Keeping these pointers in mind will guarantee optimal results for your cross browser testing. 

1.Test on multiple browsers

Test on as many browsers as possible, including the most popular ones like Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox, and even on the lesser-known ones like Opera. 

2.Evaluate performance on different devices

In addition to browser compatibility, test your website on different devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Ensure its consistent performance across different resolutions and screen sizes.

3.Ensure to test throughout the development process

Cross browser testing is not something that needs to be done only at the end of the development stage. Identifying issues at every stage can prevent serious issues later on.

4.Leverage test automation

It would be prudent to perform cross browser testing with the help of automation testing tools rather than do manual testing. It is because manually performing cross browser testing across hundreds of different devices and browsers can be challenging for teams.

Conclusion

To ensure the best outcomes for your cross browser testing, you need to pick a reliable testing platform with robust cross-browsing testing capabilities and seamless access to devices and real browsers. TestGrid is an AI-powered codeless automation testing platform that organizations trust for cross browser testing that allows testers to run automated, AI-based browser testing on more than 1000 real browsers, devices, and OS.

TestGrid offers unique features like letting testers conduct cross browser testing from various IP locations to validate browser compatibility. Moreover, with TestGrid, you get an assurance that the infrastructure and all devices used in testing are fully secure. 

With TestGrid, you can test your applications with confidence, scale your testing efforts anytime you need, and release your perfect, error-free products early to the market.