Cross Browser Compatibility Testing – What Browsers You should Test?

In recent years, cross browser compatibility testing has gained much traction as it helps ensure no customers are left behind after updates. Technological advancement has increased exponentially, leading to faster upgrades and changes.

However, not all people evolve as rapidly as they resist change, leading to outdated technology consisting of minor options, specifications, and less compatible ones. Such applications might slow down the entire system and cause customers to feel dissatisfied with their experience.

Cross browser compatibility testing helps ensure that no customer suffers the consequences of a forgotten update. Let us take a closer look at the benefits of cross-browser compatibility testing and how the process works.

What is Cross Browser Compatibility Testing?

Cross browser compatibility testing is a non-functional method that ensures your website enjoys proper functionality on different devices, tools, and browser-OS combinations. Since not all browsers work on the same settings and configuration, a difference in the versions can cause several problems. This is one of the biggest reasons consumers face adaptivity problems when using various OSs and devices.

However, as a service provider, you would never want a part of your target audience not to have access to certain features. This is where cross browser compatibility testing comes into the picture. By testing and debugging the website across several browsers and platforms, developers can ensure that such issues do not impact your business severely.

Read all about Compatibility Testing.

Why is Cross Browser Compatibility Testing Necessary?

This testing essentially helps ensure that a particular website or application works efficiently across several browsers and devices. Slightly older versions of a browser or a different or less popular browser might throw up errors while running software. As a developer, you ensure that your website or application works for as many people as possible.

Automated cross browser testing helps you ensure this by testing devices with different capabilities and limitations. The various circumstances where Cross Browser Compatibility Testing comes in handy are as follows;

1. Compatibility of older browsers that users have not updated

2. Browsers that do not support the latest JavaScript or CSS features

3. Less popular browsers that do not offer much support or features

4. Different devices, including tablets and older smartphones

5. Devices with different capabilities and uses, such as assistive technology-enabled devices for people with disabilities.

Importance of Cross Browser Compatibility Testing

In today’s diverse web browsing landscape, ensuring your website or application functions flawlessly across various browsers is no longer optional. This is where cross-browser compatibility testing comes in, playing a vital role in delivering a seamless and positive user experience for everyone. Here’s why it holds such importance:

1. Enhanced Brand Reputation: A flawless website on all browsers can show that your company is professional and pays attention to small details, which contributes significantly in fostering user trust— hence enhancing the image of your brand. Also note that catching and fixing compatibility issues early can help reduce the cost of developing a website.

2. The development of a good user experience (UX) is difficult for any design team. However, the task of ensuring cross-browser compatibility is identified as the most important element that leads to triumph.
   
   The situation that users find themselves in when they land on a site displayed wrongly or not working properly on their favorite browser— it makes them lose patience and confused; it can draw a negative picture of your brand in their mind forevermore. 

This is the purpose that cross-browser compatibility testing serves: providing every user with a uniform and seamless UX regardless of what web browser they prefer.

3. Make your target wider: The internet is composed of different sorts of users that choose specific browsers for their personal features— be it security or compatibility with old devices.
   
   If you do not have a website that works on all major browsers then you will lose people who come to your site and cannot view it because it does not support the chosen browser due to various reasons.

4. Improved Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Google and other search engines consider the responsiveness and mobile-friendliness of a website when determining their page rankings. Cross-browser compatibility testing is an aspect of these elements, which could make your website a tad bit unique on the search engine results pages.

5. Every single person, no matter who: When you do cross-browser compatibility testing, it is not just about making sure that your website works on different web browsers; you also have to test if the site works with assistive technologies meant for visually or otherwise impaired people.
   
   This is about ensuring an all-encompassing design, where everyone in any case will be able to access all content and features on your website.
   
   When you perform cross-browser compatibility testing, do not forget that it goes beyond making sure that the website is usable on different web browsers.
   
   You also have to verify the site works well with assistive technologies meant for visually or otherwise impaired users— this paves way for universal design, where all your website’s content and features can be accessed by anyone, regardless of their capabilities.

Types of Cross Browser Compatibility Testing

There are different angles from which one can classify cross-browser compatibility testing— each targeting a specific area so that your website or application can work well on different browsers. 

Here are some of the common types:

1. Browser Version Testing:

In this regard, such a test is used to validate that the site functions correctly on different versions of one browser. An example would be trying out your application on the most recent Chrome version and some older ones that are still popular among many of your users. This way you can guarantee that your product is compatible with various user groups who may not have the latest software updates installed.

2. Multi-browser testing:

This verification focuses on confirming dependable operation across distinct known browsers – Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge— and possibly others based on your end user. Regardless of adopting uniform web development methodologies, minor disparities in the ways browsers construe and depict code can cause dissonances even today. Cross-browser testing discovers such inconsistency in issues and finds ways to fix them.

3. Platform Compatibility Testing:

Such testing is not only about browsers but also about ensuring that your website works properly on various platforms. The people who visit your website might be using Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, or even other machines. The aim of platform compatibility testing is to guarantee a seamless user experience irrespective of the OS being used.

4. Rendering Engine Compatibility Testing:

Modern browsers employ rendering engines that understand and show information on websites. Although popular browsers have their unique rendering engines (for example, Blink for Chrome and Gecko for Firefox), other minor browsers could adopt different choices.
Your website needs to undergo compatibility testing with these rendering engines so it can display properly regardless of the browser being used— this test helps in reducing the chance of having display issues later on.

5. Responsive Design Testing:

Responsive design testing ensures your website is correctly displayed on desktops, tablets, and mobile phones— guaranteeing a seamless user experience.

6.  Assistive Technology Testing:

The latter form of testing is intended to ensure that your website is accessible to users with disabilities. It tests compatibility with assistive technologies such as screen readers, voice recognition software, and keyboard navigation tools. 

How do You Write Test Cases for Browser Compatibility?

Test cases for browser compatibility involve testing a website or web application across different browsers to ensure that the functionality and design of the site are consistent. This involves testing different versions of popular browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Internet Explorer.

To write test cases for browser compatibility:

1. Identify the critical features of the website or web application that must be tested.

2. List out all possible browsers and versions that need to be tested.

3. Create test scenarios based on the features identified in step 1 and map them with each browser version listed in step 2.

4. Create detailed test cases for each scenario by outlining what needs to be tested, the expected results, and any special instructions required for each browser version.

5. Execute the tests and document any discrepancies between browsers during testing.

How does Browser Compatibility Testing Impact your Application?

Browser compatibility testing ensures that a website or web app works correctly on different browsers. This is important because even though the same code might be used, different browsers can read it differently and cause problems or errors. Browser compatibility testing helps developers ensure their application works as expected on all the browsers they support, so users have the same experience regardless of device.

Browser compatibility testing is essential to ensure an application works correctly on different browsers and devices. This helps ensure that users have a smooth experience when using the app, no matter their device. If there are compatibility issues, it can be annoying and lead to people not wanting to use the app anymore. Not doing this kind of testing can mean that the user experience isn’t great and could cause technical problems. If an app doesn’t work correctly on a particular browser or platform, it might not even be usable – which will put people off from using it. This could damage the application’s reputation and business, meaning you miss out on potential customers and money!

Which Browsers to Carry Out Cross Browser Testing on?

There are countless combinations of browsers and devices, and testing them is impossible. Hence, companies must shortlist the most vital combinations and ensure they are tested for compatibility issues. Google Chrome is one of the most popular browsers, holding over 65% of the market share.

Firefox comes second with an estimated market share of around 10%, followed by Explorer, Safari, and Edge. As the volumes make clear, Chrome and Firefox are critical for businesses, requiring ardent testing. However, that does not mean that other browsers, such as Safari, Explorer, and Edge, must be avoided.

How to Decide Which Browsers to Test on?

Making a decision on which browsers to test boils down primarily to two ideas: your user demographics and your testing capacity. 

Here is a simplified breakdown:

1. Who are your users?

Identify the browsers that your website visitors are already using. 

You need to identify your target audience: consider the people you want to reach. For a business audience, it is likely that they mostly use Chrome or Firefox. If your target users are iPhone owners, then testing on Safari is essential.

2. So how many browsers should you be testing?

Test on the popular browsers first such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge— these are among the most popular browsers used by people all over the world.

If you cannot test on all browsers: prioritize those most frequently used by the people you are targeting.

Do not forget about older browsers because some users might still use them. Although in general cases this number is quite small, decide if it is important to test on them based on your audience and available resources.

Here are a few examples:

For a news website with a worldwide audience, consider testing on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge as these browsers collectively reach a significant user base.

When it comes to a business-oriented application, you may want to consider prioritizing Chrome and Firefox as they are widely recognized for their compatibility with office tasks.

Are Less Popular Browsers Relevant for Cross-Browser Compatibility Testing?

Despite lower user volumes, these browsers are still significant in cross-browser compatibility testing, and here’s why.

1. As mentioned, users who browse through Safari tend to have higher purchasing power and a penchant for luxury products. As a result, luxury brands and marketers of expensive products will have to ensure that their website runs smoothly on Safari.

2. Both Internet Explorer and Edge run as stock browsers for Microsoft, which still enjoys high user density. Therefore, businesses that want to sell items related to this OS will have to ensure IE and Edge compatibility.

3. While the Edge is a newer and better browser, many users still use the previous versions rather than the new ones. Hence, such people still rely on Internet Explorer, so businesses must ensure they remain Explorer-compatible.

4. Another essential factor that businesses need to consider is the influence of such browsers on specific markets, such as the EU, US, and Asia-Pacific. For instance, Chrome is the most popular browser in Germany, followed closely by Safari rather than Firebox. Another interesting fact is that Samsung IB holds fifth place, having a higher user volume than Edge. Hence, businesses that have a presence in Germany will have to tailor their cross-browser compatibility tests as per these trends.

5. When it comes to the UK, Chrome leads the race, followed by Safari and Explorer, leaving Firefox behind. Moving to the US, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari all have a significant presence, and in the Asian region, UC Browser has been gaining a lot of market share. As a result, following a global trend of testing and popularity will hurt businesses that have a presence in specific markets.

Indulging only the Chrome and Firefox browser in cross-compatibility tests is no longer viable. There are several other factors that businesses must consider. When looking at things from a region-specific angle, even less popular browsers such as Safari, Edge, and Explorer become vital.

Also, only private organizations have the liberty to pick out the most suitable browsers. Government authorities must ensure compatibility so that the public can access all their services, no matter their browser.

How to Find the Right Balance While Choosing Browsers

Picking the right combination of browsers, devices, and operating systems to test on is vital to businesses. Hence, finding the right balance depends heavily on the financial resources the business can spare and its specific needs. Finding the right balance of testing minimum combinations is essential to ensure maximum usage and a positive user experience.

After deciding which browsers to test, selecting an appropriate automation tool is the next step. Testsigma can assist in this regard. To learn more, sign up for a free trial of Testsigma now.

Best Practices To Consider While Cross Browser Compatibility Testing

Cross browser compatibility testing ensures your app works on different browsers and devices. It’s a good idea to stick to the best practices and use a thorough testing approach for the smoothest experience. Here are tips you should think about:

1. Identify the target audience for the application and determine which browsers they are likely to use. This information should be used to prioritize which browsers should be tested to ensure compatibility with the most commonly used browsers.
2. Test your application on different operating systems and browsers using virtual machines and emulators. This will make it easier for you to check how your application works on different platforms, so you don’t have to test everything and save time and energy manually.
3. Start testing how your website works on different web browsers as soon as you start making it, and keep checking throughout the process. This will help you figure out any problems early on so you don’t run into any technical issues later down the line.
4. Consider setting up automated tests to help save time and resources when checking how compatible your website is with different web browsers. Automated tests run quickly and accurately, so there’s less chance of making mistakes.
5. Check out browser compatibility testing tools and frameworks to make your process more efficient. These tools can help you identify any issues quickly and resolve them, giving your audience the best experience possible.
6. Make sure your app looks good on all devices! Responsive design can adjust to different screen sizes and resolutions, so no matter what device someone uses, they’ll have a great experience.

How to Test Browser Compatibility Using Testsigma?

Testsigma allows you to check cross-browser compatibility across browsers and devices in different lab environments on the cloud.

Here’s a breakdown of the process:

Step 1: Launch Testsigma and create a new account or sign in to your account. Then, navigate to your project and locate the test plans section.

If you don’t have a dedicated test plan for browser compatibility testing, create a new one with a descriptive name. The image below shows how we have created one (e.g., “Crossbrowser Testing-1”).

Step 2: Choose the test plan type as cross-browser testing in the Test plan type.

Click on the continue button and proceed to the next section, where you will add the Text suites and Link machines you have to test with.

Step 3: You need to create new test cases within your chosen test plan and define the steps to navigate your web application and interact with its functionalities. 

Here, for example, we have some pre-written tests already, so it is added to the plan.

Step 4: Once you click the Add Plan button, the selected test plans will be displayed in the Test Suites section.

Step 5: Now you have the test suites, start adding link machines for the testing process. This is where you define the different browser and device combinations you want to test. Click on the link test machine option.

Step 6: You see the default machines to link. Click on the Add machine option and select a few more to test. This tells Testsigma which lab, browsers, versions, and devices to use when running the test case.

Step 7: Choose the ones with a different combination other than the default machine, save the selection, and proceed. Once your environments are configured, you’re ready to run the tests.

Step 8: As soon as the new machines are added, click on continue to move to the next section.

Step 9: In the Test plan setting, click on Create and so your Plan is successfully created. In Testsigma, initiate the test execution process. This will simulate user interactions in the various browser and device environments you defined.

This image shows how our selected configuration looks before you click on Run Now button.

Step 10: You can also click on the Run Now button and examine the cross-browser execution, as shown in the image. The results will be displayed after the execution is complete. After the tests are complete, Testsigma will provide detailed reports.

With Testsigma, it is easy to analyze these reports to identify any errors or issues encountered during cross browser compatibility testing across different browsers and devices.

Conclusion

In summary, cross-browser compatibility testing is an important investment for any website or web application owner. By ensuring a consistent and positive experience across different browsers and devices, you can reach a wider audience, build brand trust, improve accessibility, and ultimately achieve your website’s goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I ensure browser compatibility?

Browser compatibility is the ability of a website or web application to function correctly in various web browsers, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. To ensure browser compatibility, developers should test their code across multiple browsers and versions to ensure it works properly for all users. Additionally, developers should use HTML and CSS coding standards supported by all major browsers.

How do you check for compatibility testing?

Compatibility testing is software testing to ensure that an application works correctly on different hardware, operating systems, and software versions. It can be done manually or with automated tools. To check for compatibility testing, testers should run tests on all combinations of the targeted hardware, operating systems, and software versions to ensure the application functions appropriately in each environment.

What is a Key Reason for Cross-Browser Compatibility?

The key reason for cross-browser compatibility is to ensure that your web page looks and behaves consistently across browsers and that your users get the most out of your product. This includes responsiveness, functionality, UX and UI etc.

How Does Selenium Handle Cross-Browser Compatibility Issues?

Selenium handles cross-browser compatibility issues by ensuring that web programs look and perform the same regardless of the browser through which they are visited by employing test scripts written in various programming languages such as PHP, Python, Java, and others.

How Do I Improve Browser Compatibility?

You can improve browser compatibility by following the cross-browser compatibility checklist, which ensures the compatibility of your website

How Do I Know if My Website is Compatible with all Browsers?

You can use a cross-browser compatibility testing tool like Testsigma to check if your website/browser is compatible with all browsers.

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