Creating a website is a complex procedure where each team member performs specific actions. The final stage of the process is testing the website. QA plays an important role in creating the website (also called a resource), as the further life of the project depends on the quality of testing.
The main purpose of testing is to check that the resource is functioning in compliance with the requirements. But how can you check the site or software for errors if no one uses it first? It’s actually simple. QA Engineers create specific artificial situations that may arise in the future when a user is working with the resource. Then, a tester can analyze the behavior of the resource under the given conditions.
Testing can take place in various ways, but don't forget about the testing process and strategy, which determine the sequence of your actions. Website testing specialists use testing methods such as:
- Functional testing
- Performance testing
- Usability testing
- User interface testing
- Security testing
- Mobile testing
- Regression testing
Let's take a closer look at each type of testing.
Functionality Testing
This type of testing is used to find out if all the site features are working correctly. For example, if we are talking about an online store’s website, a functional tester would check the critical functions of choosing options, adding a product, and placing and editing orders. Also, they would pay special attention to the registration and authorization process. Additionally, functional testing checks whether all links lead to the correct pages and if they are in the right places.
Performance Testing
QA Engineers conduct performance testing to theoretically check the load that a website can withstand. Testers examine real possibilities with the help of special programs and assess the maximum capacity of the website and whether it continues to work properly under such a load. They also test page load speed, endurance, and resource performance by increasing the database.
Usability Testing
When it comes to the site's usability, it is worth evaluating from the user's point of view. A website can be helpful, but it may not be used just because the font is unreadable or there are a lot of unintelligible buttons. This type of testing is quite multifaceted, but it is possible to highlight the main points:
1. Easy and intuitive search.
2. Ease of use of essential and basic functions of the site.
3. General impression and desire to continue using the website.
User Interface Testing
This is another vital stage of testing that looks at the quality and relevance of the interface design. QA Engineers check the compatibility and display of the website in different browsers. All elements and blocks must remain proportional and be placed in appropriate locations. Another critical point is localization. This is the adaptation of the website for a specific audience and country. It is essential to check that the menu items, blocks, and sections are translated into other languages and display correctly.
Security Testing
This type of testing checks the reliability and level of protection against external attacks on the website. The main goal is to check whether there is confidentiality, which comprises protecting personal information, the ability to recover data, and a clear delineation of access to information. Site security is essential for uninterrupted operation and safe use without viruses. Moreover, eliminating such bugs will increase the performance of the site.
Mobile Testing
It’s no surprise that smartphones are becoming increasingly used to access websites. Therefore, testing mobile-device access is an important step if a website has a mobile version. Testers look at compatibility with popular smartphones and tablets, image optimization, keyboard functionality, and button size.
Regression Testing
QA Engineers use regression testing to make sure that existing features do not conflict with new ones and are not affected by changes in the code. The first thing they do is analyze the changes and identify areas where failures may have occurred. Then they check the serviceability of functions and, when bugs are found, describe them in the bug report so that developers can correct errors. This process is repeated again and again until the bugs are completely eliminated.
Conclusion
The tasks of QA Engineers are multifaceted: they need to understand the website's functions, how it should work, what tasks to solve, and what benefits users, and then re-examine all the functionality and capabilities of the website several times before releasing the project. Website testing is a complex process that affects the quality of the resource and the user's impression of the company. This stage of site creation can be called the “guarantor” of peace of mind for the customer and the team.