What is Cross-Browser Testing?

Cross-browser testing is the process of ensuring your web application or website is compatible with different browsers. Cross-browser testing can help you verify if your website works as expected across various browsers, operating systems, devices, and resolutions.?

Why is Cross-Browser Testing Important?

Cross-browser testing allows you to identify and fix any issues prior to release to ensure every customer has a positive user experience with your product. If a user comes to your site and the app (functionality) performs as intended, they get what they need and are likely to come back. That’s why the user experience is so critical. If a user has trouble with your app—it performs poorly, takes too long, or doesn’t work effectively on their chosen browser—you’re in a heap of trouble. They are likely to go elsewhere, never to return.

??To be successful, your web application must deliver a flawless user experience to your customers, giving them the digital confidence that will turn them into loyal users and truly set apart your product or service.

How Does Cross-Browser Testing Work?

It typically require a mix of manual and automated testing to identify differences and issues with a web application or website across multiple browser/OS/device combinations.

The following are some cross-browser test cases:

• Performance: Tests app/page loading times, image/video loading times, and other performance metrics.?
• Basic functionality: Tests basic functionality like dialogue boxes and menus, form fields, handling of first-party cookies, and seamless touch input for mobile devices.
• User interface: Checks that the application’s fonts, images, and layout match the product’s design specifications.
• Accessibility: Tests that users with disabilities can access the app in compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
• Responsiveness: Tests the app on different screen sizes/orientations/resolutions.

Automated vs. Manual Cross-Browser Testing:

With manual testing, a human tester performs the tests step by step and executes test scenarios without automated test scripts. This enables manual testers to check on application elements (such as look and feel, usability, etc.) that do not get easily highlighted with automated testing and better evaluate the product from an end-user viewpoint. Depending on the project, manual testing could take hours or weeks to accomplish.?

With automated testing, tests are executed automatically in Selenium, often using commercial test automation frameworks and tools. This allows you to shorten your release cycles and ship code faster. There are situations where both types of testing are needed, and a balanced test strategy includes both.

?This entire Article was made with taking knowledge/ notes from Sauce Labs websites for better understanding.