Guide to Website Responsive Testing
What Exactly is Responsive Screen Testing?
Testing the responsiveness of a screen involves evaluating how well an application or website adapts to different devices and screen sizes. With users accessing digital platforms through various devices, neglecting this testing can lead to poor user experiences. Issues like inconsistent layouts, distorted images, or non-functional features can frustrate users and harm engagement, potentially impacting business outcomes.
How to Execute Responsive Screen Testing?
To effectively conduct responsive screen testing, adhere to these steps:
- Craft test cases: Utilize a test management tool for systematic test execution and traceability.
- Identify target devices: Determine the devices and screen sizes for testing, encompassing iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.
- Define breakpoints: Establish points where the layout transitions, including those for tablets (landscape and portrait) and smartphones (landscape and portrait).
- Test on iOS and Android devices: Employ physical devices, simulators, or emulators to assess the application or website across iOS and Android platforms, considering platform-specific design guidelines and behaviors.
- Verify visual elements: Scrutinize layout, fonts, images, buttons, and icons to ensure accurate and proportional display across varying screen sizes. Interact with the application: Validate that all functionalities operate as intended across each device.
Key Considerations During Responsive Screen Testing:
During responsive screen testing, keep these considerations at the forefront:
- Content readability: Ensure text content remains legible and properly aligned regardless of screen dimensions.
- Navigation: Assess the accessibility and usability of menus, navigation bars, and buttons across different devices.
- Media compatibility: Confirm correct display of images, videos, and other media without disrupting the overall layout.
- Touchscreen optimization: Verify responsiveness and accuracy of touch-based interactions and gestures.
- Form input validation: Validate the functionality of form fields and input controls on all devices.
How to Test Responsive Screen Compatibility Across Different Web Browsers:
To ensure responsive screen compatibility across web browsers, follow these steps:
- Identify popular web browsers: Determine browsers commonly used by your target audience, such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
- Utilize browser developer tools: Simulate different devices and screen sizes using browser developer tools to visualize and test responsiveness without physical access to multiple devices.
- Access the application on each browser: Validate responsiveness by resizing the browser window and noting any layout inconsistencies or functional discrepancies.
Top 8 Tools for Testing Responsive Design
These tools offer a comprehensive suite of options for testing and optimizing your website’s responsiveness across various devices and screen sizes. Whether you’re a developer, designer, or website owner, leveraging these tools can help ensure an optimal user experience across all platforms.
- Google Resizer: Developed by Google, Google Resizer offers a user-friendly interface for testing your site’s responsiveness. Simply input your site’s URL to view its appearance across different devices, providing an effective means of evaluating your site’s responsiveness.
- Emulators: Emulators are versatile tools that simulate how your website appears across various phone models, operating systems, and tablets on different browsers. No installation is required to access Emulators, making it a convenient option for obtaining data on your site’s display.
- Cross Browser Testing: As a versatile and multifunctional tool, Cross Browser Testing enables simultaneous testing for responsiveness across various screen sizes and devices. Its feature set includes the ability to capture full-page screenshots for easy comparison with previous versions.
- ViewPort Resizer: This browser extension offers 47 screen size options, allowing you to visualize your site’s appearance across various formats effortlessly. Simply add the extension to your browser to access this functionality.
- Screenfly: Screenfly provides seamless viewing of your site across a multitude of screen sizes, spanning from phones to laptops and tablets with different screen extensions. Accessible by entering your site’s URL, Screenfly offers a hassle-free way to evaluate your site’s display.
- BrowserStack: Trusted by over 36,000 customers, including industry giants like Twitter, Microsoft, and MasterCard, BrowserStack offers extensive testing capabilities across more than 2000 browsers and smartphones. Its continually expanding features ensure comprehensive testing for site responsiveness.
- Responsive Design Checker: With a focus on large screens, Responsive Design Checker offers a wide range of screen sizes, up to 24 inches wide. Additionally, it provides the ability to capture screenshots for mockups, enhancing its utility for design evaluation.