Behind The Scenes Of Web App Testing

When deploying a website or any digital entity, there are always certain risks involved in the process. These can be any bugs, security issues, navigation problems, or broken links. However, investing in an early and relevant test strategy allows complementing the quality of the web apps with effective risk mitigation.

Web app testing not only complements the functionality or performance but allows creating a product which is sustainable. More importantly, web app testing service complements the development lifecycle allowing early identification of underlying issues related to integrations, possible scope of breach, load issues, or compliance related challenges.

Since QA testers devote a significant part of their routine to testing web applications, there are so many challenges, responsibilities, and decisions that they need to make in their routine. In this article, we will highlight some behind the scenes activities that web app testing process involves. Besides, we will try to include some interesting insights from the industry experts underlining the thought process and approach to successful testing.

Let’s dive in.

Why Is Web App Testing Necessary?

Before we dig into learning the importance of web app testing, it is crucial to learn what makes web app testing necessary and how it complements the entire development lifecycle.

Web app testing is something that starts at the very beginning of the development lifecycle right from the time the coding is initiated for any feature. It not only helps complement the development process for delivering a bug-free solution but allows cutting the cost by preventing any faults that might hamper the project at later stages.

Besides, web app testing cuts off the chances of users reporting issues or dissatisfaction with any product which further helps to avoid loss of customers and reputation. Web app testing enables developers and testers to create products with zero critical flaws for added customer success and revenue generation.

The Uncertain Challenges Of Web Application Testing

When it comes to creating winning digital solutions, the testers and developers must learn to deal with uncertainties. These uncertainties come in the form of various challenges that need testers to be hyper-active with their test process and methodologies. Before we understand the essential practices that make the testing process simplified, it is important to understand all the challenges that make the process difficult.

• Browser Consistency: When it comes to modern-day web apps, they must be scalable and interactive. Any hurdles or struggle with navigation that an online user encounters while exploring a website across a browser is likely to develop a negative image of the brand. However, testing the app for cross-browser interactions and scalability allows fetching optimum usability.
• Connecting With Firewalls: One of the most significant challenges that testers encounter on their way to development is streamlining the app interactions with the firewalls. Most of the time, firewalls are likely to block a web application with compliance and security concerns. However, testing the web application for different firewalls allow preventing such scenarios.
• Performance Flaws: Any web application that runs slow or does not respond as per given set of commands is likely to kill the customer’s interest. Therefore, it becomes necessary that any app developed must be tested for maximum scalability and limitless performance.
• Security against breaches: With constant threat of cyber-attacks causing loss of sensitive user data, testers need to ensure effective security testing must be done to counter any DDoS attacks or potential areas of security intrusion.
• Web Services Validation: Most modern web apps are based on service layers that allow exchange of data across systems. Therefore, it becomes necessary to verify these web services to handle all the data without any significant problems.

Taking A Sneak Peek Into How Testers Keep Web App Testing Simplified

With all those insights into what makes web app testing a vital practice, we are all set to explore all the activities and tasks that web app testing require testers to follow. After a thorough discussion with Kanika Vatsyayan, VP, Delivery & Operations, BugRaptors and Sandeep Vashisht, VP, Quality Assurance, BugRaptors we have gained exposure to certain important behind the scenes web app testing practices that not only allows correct functioning of the applications but help attain the highest standards of quality.

• Requirement Analysis: Testing begins by understanding the project's requirements and user stories to define the scope of testing. According to Kanika and Sandeep, most of testing and developing a quality application is done at this stage only. Therefore, it is necessary that testers collaborate with stakeholders to gather necessary information at the earliest.
• Test Planning: A comprehensive test plan is vital for outlining the testing objectives, scope, resources, schedule, and test environment. Therefore, having a right plan defining different testing types and techniques to be used is an important area of interest for testers.
• Test Environment Setup: Testers prepare the test environment, which may include configuring browsers, databases, servers, and other components required to run the web application.
• Test Case Design: Testers design test cases based on requirements, user stories, and test scenarios. Since testers need to cover positive and negative test scenarios to ensure extensive coverage, the design stage is often consuming.
• Test Execution: Testers execute the test cases manually or using automated testing tools like Selenium. They simulate user interactions, such as clicking buttons, entering data, and navigating through the application.
• Defect Reporting: When issues are identified during testing, testers have to report them in a defect tracking system, providing detailed information on how to reproduce the problem. The more detailed the logged information is, the more effective the test output and product output are.
• Defect Retesting and Closure: After developers fix reported defects, testers retest to ensure the issues are resolved. Once all test cases pass, the testing phase is closed.
• Regression Testing: Whenever changes are made to the application, testers perform regression testing to verify that new updates do not adversely affect existing functionalities.
• Performance Testing: For web applications, performance testing is crucial to assess how well the application performs under different load conditions, ensuring it can handle user traffic efficiently.
• Security Testing: Testers conduct security testing to identify vulnerabilities and potential threats that could compromise the application's data and functionality.
• Usability Testing: Usability testing is performed to assess how user-friendly the web application is and whether it meets users' expectations and needs.
• Compatibility Testing: The application is tested on various devices, browsers, and operating systems to ensure it works seamlessly across different platforms.
• Test Summary Report: Testers prepare a test summary report summarizing the testing activities, test results, issues found, and overall test metrics.

Throughout these stages, effective communication and collaboration between testers, developers, and other team members are crucial for successful web app testing. On top of that, testers keeping a constant focus on quality engineering objectives with their web app testing procedures makes way for robust, secure, and excellent user experience.

The Crux

As the backbone of quality assurance in web development, web app testing plays a pivotal role in ensuring flawless user experiences and active functionality. Thus, delving into the realm of web app testing, we have gained valuable insights from industry experts that shed light on the critical processes taking place behind the scenes.

Besides, with technology and ever-evolving user landscape, it is noticeable that web app testing needs to evolve gaining the maximum out of automation and continuous testing. As we look to the future and the dynamic landscape of web app testing, it can only be said that early and focused testing are the essentials to building a more resilient and user-friendly digital world.