What is Cross-browser Testing?

Cross-browser testing involves making sure that a website or web application works consistently across all the major browsers. This type of testing ensures that no matter which browser a user accesses the site from, they experience the same features, visuals, and interactions. Web developers and quality assurance teams use cross-browser testing to confirm their websites are compatible with popular browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Opera.

Why is Cross-browser Testing so crucial?

Cross-browser testing is vital because different browsers interpret HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in their own unique ways. Each browser relies on its own rendering engine to display web pages—Chrome uses the Blink engine, while Firefox runs on Gecko, for instance. As a result, how a webpage looks or behaves can vary between browsers, making this testing critical to ensure a consistent user experience.

Key Reasons for Cross-Browser Testing:

• Consistent User Experience Across Browsers: Different platforms, such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, let users get to web apps. To keep user interactions consistent, it’s important to make sure that the app works perfectly on all of them, no matter which browser the user prefers.
• Expanded Market Reach: Because not all users want to use the same browser, making your site work with multiple browsers will let you reach more people, which will increase interest and lead to more sales.
• SEO Advantages: Websites that work well on all computers are more likely to be ranked well by search engines. Not being compatible with all browsers can hurt your search results, so making sure that your site works in all of them is good for your SEO.
• Protecting Brand Reputation: If your web app doesn’t work well on some browsers, it could hurt the image of your brand. People will believe you more if you give them the same high-quality experience on all platforms.
• Diverse Devices and Mobile Testing: As smartphones become more popular, cross-browser testing needs to expand beyond PCs. It should also include device emulators or real mobile phones to make sure it works on all screen sizes and resolutions.
• Frequent Browser Updates: Browsers are always getting new versions, which can add or remove functions that your web app may need. Testing your app on a regular basis will make sure it keeps working well as these changes are made.

“ Did you know? Businesses that prioritize cross-browser compatibility as part of their user experience strategy see a 30% increase in engagement! ”

Types of Cross-browser Testing

There are two main types of cross-browser testing: manual and automated. Each has unique benefits.

Manual Cross-Browser Testing:

When testing manually, a developer or tester opens the website manually in various browsers to see how it functions. Even though this method can take a lot of time, it lets you check for functionality and design problems hands-on, which might be missed by automation.

Automated Cross-Browser Testing:

In automated testing, different browser settings are simulated with tools and scripts to test for compatibility. This method works faster and can be used by more people, which makes it perfect for larger tasks that need to be tested on lots of different browsers and devices.

Visual and Functional Testing:

• Visual Testing: Visual testing makes sure that the layout, colors, fonts, and media like pictures and videos on the website appears correctly in all browsers.
• Functional Testing: This type of testing makes sure that all of the website’s features, like forms, buttons, and navigation, work properly in all browsers.

Common Browsers for Cross-Browser Testing

Making sure that a website works with a number of famous browsers is often part of cross-browser testing. Because browser usage can be different based on the location or target audience, it’s important to test on a number of different platforms to achieve full coverage. Here are some of the most commonly tested browsers:

• Google Chrome: As one of the most widely used browsers worldwide, Chrome runs on the Blink engine. Given its frequent updates and large user base, it’s crucial to test both the desktop and mobile versions to ensure everything functions smoothly.
• Mozilla Firefox: Built on the Gecko engine, Firefox is favored for its strong privacy features. It’s also highly customizable, so your testing should account for different user settings that could affect how your site performs.
• Safari: Safari, powered by the WebKit engine, is the default browser for Apple devices. Since iPhones and iPads are so prevalent, testing on both mobile and desktop versions is vital, particularly to make sure that touch interactions work seamlessly.
• Microsoft Edge: Based on the Chromium engine, Edge has gained popularity, especially among Windows users. Despite its shared codebase with Chrome, subtle differences between the two can impact how your site behaves, making Edge a key platform to include in your tests.
• Opera: Although it has a smaller market share, Opera’s unique features, such as a built-in VPN and ad blocker, attract a niche audience. It’s important to test on Opera as well to reach users who prefer less mainstream browsers.

Each of these browsers has its own architecture, which can cause variations in how websites are rendered or how their functionality works. Thorough testing across all of these platforms helps ensure that you can reach a broad global audience without compromising user experience.

What Are the Best Practices For Cross-browser Testing?

• Scope for Testing: Start by making a list of the most popular browsers and devices used by your audience, then focus your testing efforts there.
• Focus on Top Browsers: Prioritize testing on the browsers that hold the largest market share among your users, based on both industry data and your own user insights.
• Test Regularly: Make sure cross-browser testing is part of your standard testing routine every time you update or make changes to your web application.
• Visual Testing: Check your app’s visual elements to ensure that its appearance and style remain consistent across all platforms and browsers.
• Responsive Design: Ensure your web application adapts smoothly to various screen sizes and resolutions, providing an optimal experience on both desktop and mobile devices.

Case Study for understanding the Effects of Cross-browser testing

Client Overview

A leading global e-commerce platform, renowned for delivering seamless online shopping experiences across various regions and devices, recently experienced a sharp and unexpected drop in conversions.

Challenge

The platform faced a significant decline in conversions, raising concerns about the functionality of the website. Despite initial internal investigations, no immediate issues were identified. The client required an in-depth analysis to pinpoint the cause of the conversion drop and quickly implement a solution to prevent further revenue loss.

Solution

After conducting a comprehensive review of the platform’s performance across different browsers, the issue was traced to the checkout process—specifically affecting users on the Safari browser. A failure in the checkout functionality prevented users from completing their purchases, directly impacting sales.

Results

The prompt resolution of the Safari checkout issue led to a 15% increase in conversions, helping recover lost revenue and rebuilding customer trust in the platform. This case underscores the vital role of thorough cross-browser testing in preserving both functionality and profitability for online businesses.

Cross-browser testing with Testscenario

At Testscenario, we specialize in cross-browser testing to ensure your platform delivers a consistent and smooth experience across any browser or device. Our team rigorously tests your web application on all major browsers—Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge—across both desktop and mobile environments.

By identifying and resolving compatibility issues, we help you avoid potential revenue loss due to poor user experiences, making sure your customers can easily access and navigate your site. With TestScenario’s cross-browser testing services, you can confidently launch your web applications knowing they will perform flawlessly for every user.

Ready to have your web app running seamlessly across all browsers? Contact us today for cross-browser testing and give your users a great experience.