It is very frustrating for website developers when all their development efforts go in vain because the website does not perform well in all browsers equally. Taking part in efficient cross-browser compatibility testing can resolve this problem. From our experience as a website development company in Kolkata, we are going to explore different aspects of cross-browser compatibility testing in this blog.
What is cross-browser compatibility testing?
Cross-browser compatibility testing ensures that your website is running smoothly in various browsers. This is a quality assurance process in website development that involves testing the website to ensure consistency across various browsers and versions. Since different browsers use different rendering engines, they also interpret HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code differently. Thus, developers must take part in cross-browser compatibility.
Importance of Cross-Browser Compatibility Testing
We, as an experienced website development company in Kolkata, always make sure that the websites we create are compatible with all browsers. We do this because of the following reasons:
Consistent user-experience
Poorly rendered websites from some specific browsers can increase the bounce rate of the websites. It is important to maintain consistency in the overall user experience for every user accessing it from various browsers or versions.
Market Reach
Different user access websites through different browsers, and not doing a constructive cross-browser compatibility test can make it difficult to access websites for a significant portion of the audience. Your website should work well on popular browsers to maximize market reach and accessibility.
Increasing credibility
A website that is compatible with various browsers is a favorable choice for users, whereas a website that is not accessible through different browsers might hamper a brand’s credibility and reputation.
Mobile devices
With the rise in the use of smartphones, your website must be compatible with mobile browsers. Your website should fit well with different screen sizes and device types, providing a seamless experience for all mobile users.
Considering SEO
Your website’s ranking can also fall if it is not accessible through different browsers or performs poorly through different browsers. If your ranking is going down, then your organic traffic will reduce significantly.
Support and maintenance
A website that has cross-browser compatibility requires a lot less ongoing support and maintenance. Developers do not need to put extra effort into updates or patches, overall saving time and resources.
Different types of cross-browser compatibility testing
As a website development company in Kolkata, we perform the following cross-browser compatibility tests in our website development projects:
Functional Testing: This is to ensure that all the functions and features of the website are working well and well across various browsers.
Visual Testing: It ensures that the visual appearance of the website is consistent across different browsers and devices.
Performance Testing: This test is to check the performance of a website, such as its loading and responsiveness, across various browsers and devices.
Cross-Device Testing: This testing is important to ensure that the website and its features are working properly on various devices, such as laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.
Cross-Platform Testing: It helps in making sure that the website is compatible across different operating systems and browsers.
Accessibility Testing: This is to ensure that the website is following all the standards given by WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) so that the website can be used by disabled people.
Security Testing: This is to check that the website’s security features, such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates, are correctly implemented, log-in forms are secure, and the security headers, like CSP (Content Security Policy), are effective. All the security protocols and features should work consistently across different browsers and platforms.
Some of the best practices for cross-browser compatibility testing
We, as a website development company in Kolkata, adhere to some of the best practices for cross-browser compatibility testing. These practices help us develop websites that are accessible from different devices and browsers while maintaining consistency in the user experience.
The first thing we do is target browsers that are commonly used by the specific audience. Then we prioritise the most popular browsers, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, and many others, as these browsers have a larger user base.
Besides making the website compatible with the most popularly used browser, we also constantly test for mobile friendliness. We make sure that the website is working properly when accessed through a mobile device.
We often use browser developer tools to inspect elements, debug JavaScript, and stimulate different browser environments so that it becomes easier to identify and fix issues. We often use cross-browser testing tools such as BrowserStack or Sauce Labs to ensure proper functioning and consistency across browsers.
It is also important to validate HTML and CSS, and for that, we use validation tools such as the W3C Markup Validation Service and the CSS Validator. This ensures the code’s compliance with web standards and renders valid code more quickly.
Automated testing with tools like Selenium, Puppeteer, or TestCafe allows you to create and run test scripts automatically across various browsers.
Esspesoft has been the best website development company in Kolkata, delivering seamless website development solutions for the last five years. Our experienced website developers in Kolkata can cater to your specific requirements and can implement them perfectly in their website development approaches. We are not just an agency; rather, we are your strategic partner, guiding you through the whole process of website development with valuable consultation. We maintain full transparency in our communication and provide good support throughout and after the website development lifecycle. Consult with us, let us know your website development requirements, and expect a stunning website for your business in no time. Check out our website and contact us for more information.