Technology

Effective Ways to Test and Improve Websites

Nowadays, websites play an important role in business development, service provision, and interaction with users. However, in order for a website to meet visitors’ expectations, it is necessary to ensure its stable operation and high performance.

One of the most important stages is website testing, including its loading speed, resistance to high loads, and usability. Using the best load testing tools allows you to identify a website’s weak points and eliminate them in a timely manner.

In this article, we will consider the main methods of website testing that will help improve their reliability and performance.

Effective Ways to Test and Improve Websites

Types of Website Testing

Website testing methods are extremely diverse. There are five possible types of tests to determine the functionality of a service. The choice of a specific type of testing in programming depends on the purpose of this testing.

Functional Testing

This is one of the most popular types of website testing, which is designed to check the main concepts. As a rule, they are formed during the design of the application.

With this type of assessment, it is important to evaluate the main functions of the service. For example, how correctly does the form for sending data work, or is it possible to leave a request for a product on the service? Functional testing helps to answer these questions.

Load Testing

Load testing of a website is aimed at assessing the functionality of the service under conditions of increased demand. With its help, a specialist simulates increased traffic on the service. Or, for example, increases the number of incoming requests, purchases, etc.

The essence of website testing is to determine whether the service will work correctly. Load testing also allows you to identify weak points in the service architecture and determine the limits of the permissible load.

Security Testing

The purpose of this test is to detect possible leaks of user data. How can a specialist test security? The tester tries on the role of a hacker. He can use methods such as: rebooting the system, deliberately introducing errors, searching for a key to enter the system, and carrying out attacks.

Compatibility Testing

This type of testing is aimed at determining the possibility of combining the service with various hardware devices. The task of such a test is to identify deviations in the operation of the product in various environments. 

UI Testing

This type of testing allows you to evaluate the convenience of the service for interaction with users. During the test, the specialist goes the way of the average user and evaluates the ease of interaction with the service. 

Website Testing Strategies

There are several testing methods that allow you to evaluate the visual component and mechanics of the platform. To understand which option is right for you, it is worth evaluating their advantages and disadvantages.

Manual Testing

This is the type of analysis when all manipulations are performed by the tester’s hands. He independently goes through the service, checks the functionality of all tabs and buttons, and evaluates the quality of the layout and its adaptability. 

Automatic Testing

It involves the use of software. The advantage of this type of testing is saving time. Website testing is carried out using algorithms that can later be applied to other projects. This approach is reasonable to use on large-scale tasks when it is necessary to check a large number of elements.

Basic Steps to Building a Website Testing Strategy

Basic Steps to Building a Website Testing Strategy

Formation of a website testing strategy generally consists of the following steps:

  1. Careful preparation and purpose of website testing.

In addition, it is important to define the purpose of testing. For example, to find weaknesses in the security system, and identify layout errors or gaps in the user interface.

  1. Defining testing types.

A website testing system requires clear criteria by which the assessment will be made. Based on this, methods for evaluating the product are selected.

  1. Prioritization.

At each stage of development, some unpredictable circumstances may occur. This means that some stages may change. In order not to stray from the intended goal and conduct a check, it is necessary to determine which steps are a priority.

  1. Creating a working environment.

To conduct tests, it is necessary to agree with the team on the environments in which the main part of the work will be performed. Also, at this stage of testing, a person is appointed who will be responsible for the entire process. For a high-quality test, it is enough to create 2 or more environments.

  1. Tester’s responsibilities.

It is advisable to discuss in advance the tasks that the tester will have to work with on the project. This way, you will be able to find out whether he has such a set of knowledge and whether he will be able to implement certain algorithms for testing. This stage is extremely important since the tasks on the projects can vary greatly.

  1. Generating test scenarios.

Creating test scenarios depends on the conditions in which the tests will be carried out. As a rule, such an environment corresponds to the one in which the site or application will work.

  1. Working with the tracker.

At this step, the team determines the priority of tasks and the conditions for working with the tracker. Here, issues related to the organization of work processes are discussed.

  1. Testing tools.

At this stage, it is necessary to determine what tools will be needed for maintaining documentation, preparing data, and automation. After discussing the details of the study with the team, the manager takes on the main work of preparing everything necessary.

  1. Project evaluation.

At this stage, it is necessary to evaluate the work of the final version of the application, collect statistics on the use of the implemented features, and get feedback from the client. In other words, the team receives feedback on the work done. It is important that this assessment is objective and based on statistical indicators.

Conclusion

Effective website testing is the foundation of their successful operation and positive user experience. With the help of the best website load testing platforms, you can analyze performance, identify critical errors, and optimize website loading even under significant loads.

Regularly conducting such tests and implementing improvements help not only to maintain the site in a stable state but also to strengthen user trust. If you are looking for a reliable provider of the best website load testing services, then you should pay attention to PFLB, a company of performance engineers with over 15 years of experience that specializes in load testing and its optimization.

Author
  • Fredrik Filipsson has 20 years of experience in Oracle license management, including nine years working at Oracle and 11 years as a consultant, assisting major global clients with complex Oracle licensing issues. Before his work in Oracle licensing, he gained valuable expertise in IBM, SAP, and Salesforce licensing through his time at IBM. In addition, Fredrik has played a leading role in AI initiatives and is a successful entrepreneur, co-founding Redress Compliance and several other companies.

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