The User Interface (UI) is the most critical part of an app, website, or software from the user’s point of view. Just think about it: would you use an app that’s difficult to understand or has errors?
Most of us would skip. In today’s day and age, when attention spans get shorter and the customers’ patience is almost nonexistent, a faulty UI or one that’s confusing is a sure recipe for disaster for the producing company.
That’s why software producers everywhere invest heavily in testing. However, hiring expensive testing teams is no longer the answer, due to reliable, fast, and accurate automated UI testing.
Automated UI testing comes with a huge collection of benefits for both businesses and employees, so there’s no wonder that specialists expect to see the market reach USD 28.8 billion by 2024.
Also, as more businesses make the switch, the ones who don’t will be left behind because they won’t be able to keep up with the production speed and user satisfaction. Still, the process is not that easy and there are a few things you need to know before starting.
Select the Right Tools
The automated UI testing tools market is diverse and rich in offers, so it can be confusing to find the right tool for your business. That’s why it’s important to know your needs first.
As a general rule, most producers need UI automation tools that test the visual layer, just like a user would. These tools make sure all the elements are visible, well-placed, usable, and functional. Plus, since it acts like a real user, the tool is really testing the app/website/software from one end to another.
Also, when using an automated tool, you don’t need well-trained programmers to write up the code for the test suite. With the right automated UI testing tool, anyone in your team will be able to create tests, even the people who don’t have a technical background!
Therefore, just by finding the right tool, you get a series of amazing benefits such as:
- Cutting the costs with specialized personnel
- Reducing human error
- Speed up the release process
- Fewer bugs in the commercial version
Plan Your Testing Strategy
Automation doesn’t necessarily mean success. Sure, there are tempting benefits, but without a proper testing strategy that fits the needs of your team (first and foremost), there is no guarantee an automated tool can improve anything.
Even if you don’t have to work with highly-trained programmers, you still need a solid QA team that needs to be in the loop with the languages used, the frameworks, and any maintenance issues.
A testing strategy takes care of the flow of the process and makes sure all the parties involved in production (from coders to QAs) are talking to each other. Also, keep in mind that automated tools need maintenance and people trained on how to use them.
Listen to Your Team’s Needs
The tool that looks best on paper is not necessarily the best for your team. So before you make any purchasing decision, have a chat with the QA managers and engineers and listen to their opinions. After all, these are the people who will know your production process the best and who will have to interact with the tool the most.
Automation is Great But…
The moment a business owner hears about the benefits an automated UI testing tool can bring, you can almost see the dollar signs in their eyes. Well, not exactly, but they are more driven towards solutions that help cut costs and increase productivity. That’s why, before automation, every business must have a solid communication strategy intertwined with the testing strategy. Automation is great, but you still need people to supervise the process and keep things going!
Founder Dinis Guarda
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