How Responsive Web Design Testing Can Help QA Teams

In responsive testing, web pages are rendered using CSS media queries on viewports of various devices depending on the user device accessing the website. To put it simply, responsive testing makes sure that responsive web design is well-optimized for all different screen sizes and resolutions.

So what has that got to do with your role as a Quality Assurance (QA) professional? Hold tight. In this article, we bring together all your team needs to know to properly carry testing out.

Benefits of Responsive Web Design Testing

Adjusting web pages to different devices and screen sizes is essential for any business that aims to establish an online presence. However, having a responsive design is just the beginning. It’s equally important to test the website to ensure it performs as expected on different devices and browsers.

Responsive web design testing involves analyzing and verifying the website's responsiveness and ability to adapt to different screen sizes, devices, and orientations. Here are some of the benefits of responsive web design testing:

Ensures Consistency Across Different Devices And Screen Sizes

Responsive web design testing ensures your website is consistent across different devices and screen sizes. Whichever device or screen size is used to view it, the website should have the same appearance and functionality.

Improves The User Experience

A responsive website provides users with a better user experience, which can enhance engagement, decrease bounce rates, and raise conversion rates. You can ensure visitors have a seamless and enjoyable experience, regardless of the device they use to access your website, by checking the responsiveness of your website.

Improves Website Accessibility

Responsive web design testing can help improve website accessibility, making it easier for people with disabilities to access your website. Testing ensures your website meets accessibility standards, including keyboard navigation, text size, and color contrast. This can also help improve your website's search engine rankings since search engines prioritize websites accessible to all users.

Boosts Website Performance

A responsive website that loads quickly can improve user experience, reduce bounce rates, and increase search engine rankings.

Saves Time And Cost In Development

You can ultimately save time and money by testing the responsiveness of your website when it is still in the development stage. Early problem-solving helps you avoid later, more expensive redesigns and revisions. This may also contribute to the timely and cost-effective delivery of your website.

Responsive Web Design Testing Tools

These tools make it simple to find and address problems before releasing your website by enabling you to test the responsiveness and functioning of your website across a range of devices and browsers. 

Here is a summary of some well-known responsive web design testing tools and considerations for choosing the best one for your requirements.

BrowserStack

BrowserStack is a popular cross-browser testing tool that allows you to test your website on multiple devices and browsers. It provides access to a cloud-based platform where you can run automated tests, debug issues, and check the responsiveness of your website. BrowserStack offers a wide range of features, including real-time testing, screenshots, and video recordings, making it a versatile tool for responsive web design testing.

Responsinator

Responsinator is a simple and free tool that allows you to test your website's responsiveness on different devices. It offers a user-friendly interface enabling viewing your website in portrait or landscape mode on various devices, including smartphones and tablets. Responsinator is ideal for quick and straightforward responsive web design testing.

CrossBrowserTesting

CrossBrowserTesting is a comprehensive tool offering various features, including manual and automated testing, screen capture, and responsive testing. It allows you to test your website on over 2,000 real devices, making it ideal for testing compatibility across multiple devices and platforms.

When selecting a responsive web design testing tool, several factors must be considered. Firstly, consider the number of devices and browsers supported by the tool. The more devices and browsers supported, the more comprehensive the testing will be. 

Secondly, consider the features offered by the tool. Does it provide real-time testing, automated testing, or other advanced features that can enhance your testing process? Lastly, consider the pricing and availability of support. Some tools may offer a free trial, while others may require a subscription.

Best Practices for Responsive Web Design Testing For QA Teams

Following best practices for responsive web design testing, you can identify and fix issues before launching your website, resulting in a seamless user experience. Here are some best practices for responsive web design testing.

Testing For Different Screen Sizes And Resolutions

To make sure that it appears excellent on all devices, it's critical to test your website across a range of screen sizes and resolutions. This covers testing on PCs, laptops, tablets, and cell phones. Your website will be responsive, and the layout and content will adjust to the screen size if you do this.

Ensuring Compatibility Across Different Browsers And Devices. 

It's essential to test your website on different browsers to ensure that it looks and performs consistently. This includes testing on both mobile and desktop browsers.

Testing For Touch Screen Devices And Mobile-specific Interactions

It's essential to test your website for touch interactions. This includes testing for pinch and zoom, swipe, and tap gestures. Additionally, you should test for mobile-specific interactions, such as scrolling and menu navigation.

Testing For Accessibility

Accessibility is crucial for ensuring that your website is usable by people with disabilities. This includes testing for keyboard navigation, text size, color contrast, and screen reader compatibility. 

Using Automation Tools For Efficiency

Using automation tools can help streamline your responsive web design testing process and save time. Automation tools can run tests on multiple devices and browsers simultaneously, identify issues, and provide reports. This can help you identify and fix problems quickly and efficiently. 

Conclusion 

Working as a Quality Assurance professional implies that you have to stay on the edge to know the industry's best practices. With the increasing number of users accessing the web through various types of devices, the demand to assess websites to fit those devices hasn't been greater and you've got all the information you need to get going. SBBD specializes in responsive web apps and will help you realize your vision. Contact us to chat about your next responsive web app.