Testing, Testing… Is This Site Working?
The Importance of Ongoing Website Testing
When it comes to website maintenance, one of the more critical components is testing. Many sites are very good with testing during the initial setup and release phases, but website testing tends to drop off once things are considered up and running. The concern with this is that links, pages, and data can malfunction over time.
Identifying Potential Problems
By regularly monitoring an e-commerce website, you can catch broken links, data issues, and problems with product page load times. The Digital Velocity team uses different browsers across various devices to help identify problem areas. With constant software updates on mobile devices, we occasionally find that a banner or product page doesn’t load correctly after an update, requiring us to adjust the settings for proper display.
Our Testing Process
We employ multiple methods for comprehensive website testing to ensure thorough coverage and identify even the slightest discrepancies:
Rotational Testing Schedule
- We alternate the days of the week for testing different landing pages and website features, ensuring all areas receive regular scrutiny.
Cross-Browser and Device Compatibility
- We utilize a wide array of browsers and devices to simulate real-world user experiences and detect platform-specific issues.
Human Oversight
- Our team members actively participate in manual testing, providing valuable human insight and attention to detail.
AI-Powered Analysis
- We leverage AI tools, such as ChatGPT, by uploading the website URL for in-depth analysis.
- AI evaluations include checks for broken links, accessibility compliance, and SEO recommendations.
- AI analysis acts as a secondary verification, confirming the accuracy and completeness of our manual testing efforts.
The Benefits of Consistent Testing
Consistent website testing can be time-consuming, but it is an indispensable investment, not just a routine maintenance task. By diligently monitoring and repairing issues like broken links and loading errors across your site, your business can ensure a better customer experience, and this experience can directly translate into increased profitability. Additionally, the proper integration of AI can be your second set of eyes that helps identify and resolve problems that human testers might have overlooked. A regularly tested, fully functional website isn't only your digital presence; it's your business's growth engine. Proactive website testing is not just a friendly practice but a vital strategy for sustained online success.
