Since the advent of mobile devices, it’s no surprise that websites have taken off on these devices.
According to a survey, mobile devices account for 54% of internet traffic. Crossing this mark in Oct 2016 and remaining consistent shows how people love exploring mobile browsers. Therefore, testing mobile web browsers has become crucial for an ultimate mobile experience.
That being said, conducting mobile web browser tests can be tricky. For one, different browsers work best on different devices. Additionally, different features may not work as expected on certain mobile devices (or operating systems).
So it’s important to comprehensively understand your target audience and their device preferences before starting your testing. Once you have figured out what works and doesn’t work on the various platforms, you can get started with your actual testing.
Overall, conducting mobile web browser testing ensures that your website looks and performs just as expected when accessed via a mobile device.
Moving ahead, in this article, you’ll find ways to test your mobile website. From the basics like layout and text size to more advanced tests like speed and load times, there are plenty of ways to help make sure your website works on all types of screens.
So, let’s begin!
What Is Mobile Website Testing?
Mobile website testing is the process of evaluating a website on a mobile device to determine if it is accessible and usable. This includes checking for errors, inconsistencies, and potential problems with page design, navigation, user interactions, and overall functionality.
A variety of different devices are used for mobile website testing, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even feature phones. Testing can also be done on specific web browsers or operating systems.
Focus Points of Mobile Website Testing
1. Hardware System
The hardware system is among the most important factors when it comes to mobile website compatibility testing. Not only does the hardware have to be compatible with the mobile web browser, but it also has to be compatible with any plugins or add-ons that may be used on a website.
If a website doesn’t have a reliable hardware system, it can sometimes cause issues with how users are able to interact with the site. This can lead to frustrating experiences and even loss of business. Therefore, businesses should ensure their hardware is up-to-date and compatible with the latest browsers and plugins.
2. Resolution of Device
A higher resolution screen means a more refined and accurate display, which ultimately results in a better user experience. This means that you can see more detail on screen at once and feel less cramped when using the device.
Large displays also make it easier to navigate apps and menus, so you can get to your content quickly and easily. This proves the significance of considering resolution as an essential part of mobile website testing.
3. Screen Sizes
When developing a mobile website, it is important to consider the screen size of the devices that will be using it. If your website is not optimized for smaller screens, users may experience issues with page loading time and layout. This can cause them to abandon your site altogether.
In spite of this, not every site needs to be tested on every device. In fact, some sites may only need to be tested on a few selected devices in order to confirm their compatibility. Based on the information you gather from your testing, you can then decide which devices are necessary for your website and which ones can be skipped altogether.
4. Operating System & Browser
Operating systems play an important role in mobile website compatibility testing. A web browser will not display a site properly if the operating system on the user’s device is not compatible with the web browser. For this reason, it is essential to test a website on as many different devices as possible to ensure that it will work on all devices.
In addition, different operating systems have different features and capabilities, which can impact how a website looks and performs. For example, iOS has tighter restrictions on app functionality than Android does, which can make certain apps difficult or impossible to use on an iOS device. This can impact how well a website works on an iOS device, as well as how easily users can find and access the site.
It is also important to test websites on different browsers. Not all browsers are compatible with every operating system, and some browsers work better than others when used with specific operating systems. For example, Firefox is usually more compatible with Android than Chrome is, due to Mozilla’s focus on cross-platform development.
Testing using multiple browsers allows for accuracy in determining whether a site will work properly across all platforms and devices or not.
Also Read: Top 10 Tips For Multi-lingual Website Testing
Best Techniques For Mobile Website Testing
There are a variety of mobile website compatibility testing companies in the market today. Each has its own unique set of features and benefits that can make your testing process easier.
Below, we’ve outlined the four best mobile web testing techniques you can go ahead with to ensure your website is performing as expected on mobile devices.
1. Desktop Browsers
Desktop browsers can play an important role in mobile web testing. They offer a consistent experience for users and can help to identify potential issues with the site. When selecting a browser, it is important to consider the platform and the features that are available.
One popular desktop browser for mobile web testing services is Chrome. This offers a number of features that make it an ideal tool for testing, including its support for CSS3 and HTML5, as well as its ability to sync bookmarks and settings between devices.
Other desktop browsers that are commonly used for testing include Firefox and Safari. While each has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, all three offer a reliable and user-friendly experience on both desktops and phones.
This approach only has one problem: it does not account for the hardware that resizes web pages.
2. Emulators & Simulators
Emulators are software programs that allow you to test your website on different mobile platforms, including Android, iPhone, and iPad. Simulators are similar to emulators, but they allow you to test websites in a controlled environment on a desktop computer. Both types of tools can be invaluable for ensuring that your website looks and behaves excellently across different devices.
However, there are many advantages to using emulators over simulators when testing mobile website compatibility. First of all, emulators provide more accurate results, as they take into account all of the specific characteristics of the hardware being used.
Another advantage to using emulators is that they are faster than simulators. This is because they run directly on the computer system they are being used without having to go through a simulation first.
Finally, emulators provide a more immersive experience for users when testing websites for compatibility with mobile devices. Because they let users view the website exactly as it would appear on the actual device. This gives users a better understanding of how the website will function in real-life scenarios.
Also Read: Testing On Real Devices vs Simulators (Detailed Comparison)
3. Real Devices
Real devices are the most time-consuming and expensive but ultimately the best option for mobile website compatibility testing since it gives you the most accurate results. If you’re not familiar with the procedure of testing, using real devices can be challenging and frustrating.
Additionally, some of the features on these devices may not be available in every version or variant of a device, so you may have to test different versions of your site to make sure it works correctly on all types of phones and tablets.
Ultimately, real devices provide a lot of precision but take a lot of time, which is why people do not prefer them.
4. Cross Browser Testing
Cross Browser Testing is like a sure-shot lifeline to mobile website compatibility testing. The testing of your website on multiple browsers will ensure the website functions correctly on all devices, including mobile phones and tablets. This helps to avoid any potential issues that could lead to lost customers or damaged brand reputation.
For cross-browser testing, there are various tools that you can use. One popular tool is Google’s Webmaster Tools, which permits testing your website on various browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Another option is Firebug for Firefox, which provides a more in-depth analysis of how your website functions across different browsers.
While cross-browser testing is essential to mobile website compatibility testing, it’s important to remember that not every issue will be apparent in a cross-browser test. It’s also important to have a plan for fixing any issues that are found so as not to frustrate or alienate your customers. With the right tools and techniques, cross-browser testing can help make sure that your mobile website is functioning properly and meets your customer’s expectations.
Consider going with a professional web testing company for an optimum result in a short turnaround time and at a reasonable price.
Also Read: Cross Browser Compatibility Testing Checklist
Bottom Line!
Making your website seem more accessible to users is crucial. Your website might look great on a desktop, but if it looks bad on mobile devices, then it won’t be as popular or effective in getting the word out. Fortunately, our above-listed mobile website compatibility testing techniques can save you and your business. Read and implement them now to experience more profit and traffic to your website.
