Why it’s a mobile-first age

Today several businesses are swiftly adapting ‘Mobile-First’ Technology. Why are web pages for a variety of screen sizes and orientations more important?

Well-developed mobile websites can provide a best possible viewing experience for all users and can also impel improved business performance. 60 percent of web usage takes place through handheld devices. People give higher priority to visiting the mobile version of the website rather than the desktop version.

Designing for the smallest possible screen first is vital to attaining more customers and more conversion. The mobile-first environment has changed the internet world and for obvious reasons:

• Improved User Experience
• SEO-Friendly
• Faster Download Speed
• Portability and Connectivity
• Competitive Advantage over your Competition

  

What is Mobile application testing?

Testing of handheld devices is performed on the front of functionality, usability, and consistency that must cover customer expectations and business objectives.

 

How Mobile Testing is different from the Desktop Application Testing:

	Web Application Testing	Mobile Testing
Screen Size	Only specific platforms are targeted into web application testing.	There are different screen sizes are involved in the Mobile testing. So dealing with the limited screen sizes is one of the biggest challenges to the mobile testers.
Internet Access	Web-based software testing always requires an Internet connection. This testing can be done through internet & intranet.	Mobile application testing may or may not require internet access. In addition to the internet access it should also feature 3G and 4G connectivity.
Input Interface	Keyboards and mice are the main user interface in web application testing.	Touch screens, USB connections, and voice recognition are innovative ways used in user interface in mobile application testing.
Storage Space	It supports unlimited storage space.	Mobile apps have a greater storage space limitation.
Interruptions during Testing	There is no such interruptions comes under web application testing.	Interruptions like incoming calls or network coverage outage and recovery can be encountered in mobile testing.
Certification Testing	Unlike Mobile apps testing there is not any obligatory certification or guidelines for desktop or web based application testing.	On the front of Mobile testing everything is tested against the guidelines set by different mobile platforms.

 

 

Approaches for Mobile Application Testing

Testing is not easy especially when it’s mobile application testing. Unlike traditional, desktop-focused software testing, it’s a big daunting task to deal with multiple screen sizes.

Quality assurance is a very important phase in the software development cycle to ensure your deployed application works on the ground smoothly. A comprehensive testing strategy or approach is very important to streamline the business process and to release apps into the market within budget and timelines.

 1) Preparatory phase

This Phase just takes place once the development phase is completed. Important things occur in this phase are mentioned below:

1. Determining target devices
2. Introducing functional requirements
3. Developing test documentation
4. Preparing the test environment

And on the front of determining the target devices, we need to identify what kind of devices an application can support. It also involves the identification of most popular models for the target audience.

2) Collecting Functional requirements

After the above phase application, functional testing tests the app functions. To make the mobile application successful, it’s an important phase of the mobile application testing strategy. Here the tester will check:

1. Does the app interact with third-party apps?
2. Do all the features work in an app?
3. Is the app web-based or installable?
4. Does the app interact with front-end or backend?
5. How frequently data or space is consumed on a high level or low-level usage?
6. How efficiently is a load on the app handled?
7. Does any change affect the flow of the application?
8. Compatibility of device with multiple networks (Wi-Fi, 4G, 3G, etc.)

3) Finalizing Documentation

Documentation: A detailed report on the tasks and activities involved in testing.

In software testing life cycle plenty of testing documents need to manage:

1. Test plan
2. Test design and test case specification
3. Test strategy
4. Test summary reports
5. Weekly status report
6. User documents/ manuals
7. User acceptance report
8. Risk assessment
9. Test log
10. Bug reports
11. Test data
12. Test analysis

4) Accepting User Feedback

User reviews and feedback are a really valuable resource so that your product never gets any complaint. It’s an important phase where all the hitches are defined which later helps to identify and focus on the app’s most important weakness.

5) Establishing Test Environment

It involves installation and configuration of specific applications on the tester’s device. Here the iterative cycle is performed. It initiates after the assimilation of the first assembly and ends with the finishing point of product development. Multiple assemblies are tested at specified intervals.

6) Control phase

After product development ends, a draft for product release is equipped in the control phase. This phase includes comprehensive and complete testing to alleviate the app and reveal negligible faults.

7) Acceptance Testing

Here tester needs to check if the app matches its acceptance criteria. Based on the test results it is decided to give it a green signal or not.

Testing is tough and involves all these testing phases. Make sure every deviation is meticulously handled by the quality assurance team so that you can end up with a functional product.

 

Key Challenges for Mobile Application Testing 

• One of the biggest challenges is to test mobile apps with different screen sizes and aspect ratios.
• To support outdated operating systems and application programming interfaces are other major issues in mobile testing.
• Power consumption and battery life negative trait that needs to be measured by QA team.

---

About Author: Sangram is a tech enthusiast, presently working as a Content Expert with Crestech software systems. Tech blogging is his passion, through which he intends to explore the world of software testing. He doesn’t just write for tech-savvy people, but also for those who find the world of technology intriguing.

---

We hope you enjoy all of our posts. Since the above is promoted, it’s extra special!