Cross-Platform & Cross-Browser Testing: The Right Way Towards Quality Software

by Anna Khrupa on 06/13/2018

uninterrupted process should follow your app from the very beginning of its creation until the end (as well as after its final release). The end users will feel it, and as a result, will reward you with their consistent use of your software product or service.

This is even more true for cross browser and cross platform testing, which have a direct impact on the way the product is received by the audience. This is why today we are going to talk about cross browser and cross device testing, as well as their place in the modern software testing process.

Cross-Platform & Cross-Browser Testing: Why It’s So Important

There are two common ways for users to use the app after it goes live; online through one of many internet browsers, or directly in their device, having the opportunity to use an app in offline mode. However, both of them have one golden rule — they need to have the uncompromising code and performance quality. It should be fast, smooth, and bug-free, offering the best product experience.

To achieve such results, there is a significant stage of development — Cross-platform & Cross-browser testing. To find out why cross browser and cross platform testing are so important and how to use this strategy without missing the release deadline or going over budget, keep reading.

What is Cross-platform testing?

Cross-platform testing requires that an application must run equally well (preferably perfectly) on all types of computer and mobile platforms and/or operating systems such as Windows, іOS, Android, Macintosh, Chrome OS, etc. There are many bases to cover if you want to guarantee good performance across all potential platforms your app will be used on.

Cross-platform testing determines all possible caching issues and the behavior of your mobile or web application in different environments and devices. Moreover, cross-platform testing helps you see your software product more extensively and independently, prevents functional crashes, and even can improve the overall app’s usability.

What is Cross-browser testing?

Compared to cross platform testing, cross-browser testing is more narrowly targeted towards the qualitative functioning of web applications/sites to provide an excellent user experience. This is perhaps the biggest difference between cross browser and cross platform testing. Most of the work here is related to front-end developers who must deliver a logical and pixel-perfect solution.

Testing of these apps plays a huge role in the further perception of your software product in the market. They should ideally work both on the most progressive browsers, and on more out-of-date systems. Cross-browser testing facilitates identifying issues that vary with platforms or configurations and ensures your business’s successful growth and prosperity.

Cross-platform & Cross-browser testing: Don’t miss the main points

Starting the development of software, keep in mind that what are used as working devices in your company (or personally), does not mean that the end user will also use them as well. Someone does not change PC or cell phone in years, while someone follows the latest technology trends. Devices might be different, but the quality of your app must be at the highest level always.

Therefore, we collected the most frequent points you need to remember while testing your app using cross-platform and cross-browser strategy:

Some browsers that are commonly used in your work may not support the latest, progressive CSS or JavaScript features.
The weak functionality of some platforms/browsers (especially if we are talking about less popular options) might have a negative influence on the general testing process. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, it’s just impossible to foresee all possible functional errors.
The negligent attitude of developers/testers to browsers specifications. Some devs can ignore or accidentally miss out their particularities.
The fast growth of software technologies and programming languages with their special libraries and frameworks which also deserve more attention during the software testing.
The emergence of new progressive gadgets that are not always available for the testing process.
People with disabilities, who need to be assisted with the special technologies like screen readers, or particular plugins for reading, writing, etc. — this is an important part of any software product development. Don’t lose sight of it during the testing of your mobile or web application as well.

Cross-platform & Cross-browser testing: How to deal with these issues

You don’t always need to monitor all those new software products or adjust to all browsers and platforms. There are too many of them to realistically track every single one. And this is not necessary. Perhaps your product was initially sent to a particular range of users or devices. Thus, prioritizing development for other platforms can be an unjustified waste of time and effort.

First of all, clarify your business goals, identify the range of your users, take advantage of IT consulting services, listen to experienced professionals, think carefully about each stage of your app development, and after that, you can plan a great job.

Nevertheless, some common points should be noted:

Use emulators. It helps reduce your software production cost and will also expand the reach of your future users, thereby boosting your market demand.
Collect data. It will determine the best way of reaching the maximum results from your software product (for this, we recommended using IT consulting services)
Make sure that the team of testers you work with consists of really responsible QA engineers.
When testing, do not limit yourself to one standard test method. Use both automatic and manual testing approaches.
Use efficient testing tools. It will increase the effectiveness of testing and will expand the QA team capabilities.
Keep in mind that software testing is a continuous process. Do not delay it to the final stages of development.

These are only the most important moments that we highlighted in our review of cross-platform and cross-browser testing. Of course, there are many more. Each project is a whole universe with its personal business logic and rules.

Our certified team of QA engineers will deliver you with a deep and detailed expertise to cover exactly your business needs — cross browser and cross device testing is just one of our specialties. We want to make your software project attractive and business proficiency over all platforms and browsers.

Want to find out more about the modern capabilities of the software testing? Read our relevant articles:

Banking software testing touch-and-go cases

5 reasons, why you should transfer testing to QA contractors

Types of regression testing or get over the groundhog day

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