What is GUI Testing?
Your dev team has just finished a project, and now comes the dreaded task of UI/UX and GUI testing. Looking at the visual elements of your product is equally as important as what happens in the backend. Though it can often be the most trying and frustrating stage in software development, there’s no question that UI/UX testing is of paramount importance to the success of your software. If it doesn’t do what the users want it to do, then you have to go back to the drawing board.
However, there are ways to make the testing process a little easier for everyone.
Most Common Problems in GUI Testing
Nearly every dev team encounters the same problems when testing a new GUI. First of all, we have very little control over the client browser. If it were possible to collaborate with Apple, Microsoft, Modzilla, or Google in developing our web applications, then it certainly would make creating software that works with those browsers much easier. Unfortunately, we don’t have that option, which means having to figure out how to make the software work across each browser.
Not only that, but browsers update frequently, so your software will inevitably require updates in order to support multiple versions, especially since the distribution of browser versions eventually becomes widespread among users.
Another issue is trying to meet the needs of disparately located users. Someone in the Americas will more than likely have different expectations and requirements than someone in Europe, and getting that user feedback at the start is difficult at times. Oftentimes, if a user cannot make your software do what they want it to, then they’ll just abandon your site and your application, never to return again.
How to Solve the Testing Conundrum
To ensure that testing your UI goes smoothly, always keep the user in mind, be incredibly organized, and never undervalue manual testing. Sure, it would be great to automate everything, but without an actual human being to evaluate the user experience, you won’t really know whether the software works. Relying solely on Automated GUI testing seems like a good idea but, there’s no substitute for good old-fashioned testing, so don’t leave it all up to automation. UX testing tools can be incredibly helpful in the process of GUI testing, however, to effectively evaluate the user experience, running it through the eyes of a user can not be matched.
As for the users, listen to the ones who do raise their voices. It may sound like trolling sometimes, but if you dig into why people don’t like something in your software, you’ll likely find issues that your team could work to improve. This may seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised how many developers forget these simple rules. As long as you and your dev team are communicating effectively over the course of the project, and as long as you don’t forget to look at things in the way that your users might, then UI testing should proceed smoothly.
Leave it to the experts
Here at Accelerance our team of trusted advisors can connect you with our global team to overcome GUI testing and development challenges. Contact us today.
