What is Web Testing?

To get into deep with the concept of web testing, first we need to address the concept of what a web application is.

A web application –or web app– is a software application which runs on a web server and is accessed through a web browser, provided an active network connection. Since web apps use a client-server model, they are services by definition. They differ from simple static or dynamic web pages in the sense that they’re designed to meet the requirements a desktop software application would usually meet, but also –among other things– to be responsive to different screen sizes (Responsive Web Design – RWD) –like in the case of mobile web apps, which run on touchscreen devices like smartphones, tablets, etc. Of course, web apps are served or contained within a web page, therefore, [conventional] static web pages, by being located –again, served– in a web server, using a client-server model and the HTTP protocol, are then considered services, even though they’re not web apps per se.

Web Testing then, is the process by which we perform tests to a web app or web page, be them functional, non-functional, manual or automated, before being released onto a production stage.

Because web apps run on web browsers –each having their own characteristics, special consideration must be taken with respect to:

  • Usability testing and the fact that apps must respond and be rendered correctly in almost every web browser, and possibly almost every operating system –it also relates to RWD.
  • Security testing. Delivering and running a system through the internet always entails potential risks. Approaches to assure reasonable security in web apps are a must.
  • Performance testing. No usability or security is good enough if our apps don’t deliver efficient results. Therefore, rigorous performance tests must be run in order to assess the real potential of our web apps –speed, load and stress endurance, etc.
  • API testing. A special part of web app integration tests, intended to determine if our web APIs are up to the expected functionality, reliability, performance, and level of security.

Within the functional aspects of the testing process we must of course check:

  • The clickable/tappable elements  –links, buttons, menus, etc, must work as expected.
  • The fillable elements, –forms and alphanumeric inputs in general, to check their boundary values, correct input types, etc.
  • The correct rendering across browsers/operating systems –all elements must be correctly displayed independent of the platform in which apps are running.
  • Cookies. Whether server or user side, they must correctly log/store user information/preferences when enabled, and vice versa when not enabled.

There are also non-functional aspects to web apps and pages testing:

  • Database testing. Web forms must execute the specified changes to a database when data is sent. This is more a backend testing task.
  • Performance. As we mentioned before, load, stress and speed are crucial variables in the assessment of the quality of an app, therefore, benchmarking of web servers is a common practice.
  • Compliance. Meeting the requirements of specific standards or regulations assures the compatibility, portability, and usually, the correct rendering of our apps.
  • Cosmetic. Typos, misspelling of words, bad translations, color choice, etc –things which impact rather in the user experience.

Automating is the way to go, also on web apps.

When we have a large website or application, performing test routines and maintaining test scripts becomes an arduous, almost heinous task to do manually –not to mention the error proneness. The tens of hours –man-hours– spent in writing, executing and reporting is something no company could –or rather should– afford today. Besides the eventual costs in training there also are costs in motivation, creativity and general qualitative aspects of the nature of a job.

Automating the “boring” stuff is undoubtedly an intelligent approach. What if we have a reasonably stable –but large– user interface? Automating is the answer. What if we have a huge form or set of forms –which usually receive the same type of data? Automating is the answer. And what if we had components which are usually subject to changes? Wouldn’t we like our testing tool to adapt to those? What if we didn’t need to be coders in order to be efficient testers?

Right job, right tools.

By this time one could imagine the reader has already answered the above questions, but there’s usually more to reality than what we think.

If we’d like to do our job right, we will need the right tool. And there are certainly lots of them in the market, however, not everyone offers transparency when it comes to pricing. Many of them lack quality customer support, and most of all, quality in itself overall.

Today’s web development requires tools that can cope with the present world demands.

A SaaS delivery model, a no code platform –no coding required, a GUI to record test scenarios then play them back, test script maintenance by AI, the use of AI to learn the UI changes, adapt to them and alert the QA team, cross-browser compatibility, including mobile devices, integration with Slack, Jenkins, TestRail, etc, built-in reporting –no third party tools and an exceptional tech customer support, are just some of the values Autify has to offer.

Autify rids maintenance inconveniences by using AI to learn the changes and adapt to them; hence, no more juggling with script maintenance, as it features a no-code solution.

When it comes to customer support, you don’t end up in a maze of help pages and visual media, but talking to real humans who understand human needs.

We invite you to check this customer story: The Secrets of Automating 88% of All Cross-Browser Tests, How Autify Became a Critical Part of the QA Process.

You can see other client’s success stories here: https://autify.com/why-autify

  • Autify is positioned to become the leader in Automation Testing Tools.
  • We got 10M in Series A in Oct 2021, and are growing super fast.

As we said, although there are lots of choices in the market, not all of them are transparent in their pricing, that’s why we suggest you check a few lists online.

At Autify we have different pricing options available in our plans: https://autify.com/pricing

  • Small (Free Trial). Offers 400~ test runs per month, 30 days of monthly test runs on 1 workspace.
  • Advance. Offers 1000~ test runs per month, 90~ days of monthly test runs on 1~ workspace.
  • Enterprise. Offers Custom test runs per month, custom days of monthly test runs and 2~ workspaces.

All plans invariably offer unlimited testing of apps and number of users.

We sincerely encourage you to request for our Free Trial and our Demo for both Web and Mobile products.