The user interface, or UI for short, is the aspect of an app or website that users interact with naturally. Since the UI is the most commonly used part, it leaves a lasting impression on users that can either be positive or negative.
The design of the user interface and it's functionality are what can make or break programs. That’s why user interface testing is a crucial aspect in the world of software and web development.
For developers to validate whether an app or website can perform its desired functions while being user-friendly, testing all interface components is necessary. Not only does this improve overall quality but it also helps guarantee comfortable and convenient usage of the application.
The following aspects involved in user interface testing are:
With businesses constantly investing in improved technologies to take their customers' online experience to the next level, the standards of user experience have become more demanding. User interface testing becomes necessary for companies to meet these standards by making sure that all aspects of a project work as intended.
These are the primary features that UI testing can verify:
There are two ways of conducting user interface testing: manual UI testing and automated UI testing.
Manual testing refers to manually utilizing all features of an app or website to check for any problems. This is typically used when the software has few UI elements, which is often the case for starting versions.
Automated UI testing is similar to manual testing, except it can complete tests using test scripts developed by QA engineers. It is usually employed when there are hundreds or even thousands of user interface elements that need verification.
An automated UI testing framework is capable of putting versions through several UI speed test scenarios while allowing the same tests to be repeated. So long as the right tools are available and the test scripts are written correctly, test results for automated user interface testing should be accurate.
For testers, they can choose between using either or both methods of testing based on their needs.
Although often interchanged, UI and GUI testing do not mean the same thing. GUI, which stands for graphical user interface, is the most prevalent type of user interface today.
Since the term UI involves all types of user interfaces, a GUI specifically refers to the user interface that utilizes graphical elements that users can engage with. We can say that UI is a broad type of testing while a GUI test is a subset of it.
One example of a GUI test case is the testing of the size, position, width, and height of website elements.
Despite the advantages of an automated UI testing framework, quality assurance (QA) teams are still plagued with specific challenges concerning this approach.
Below are the most common challenges teams face when performing automated tests:
Automated UI testing offers numerous benefits in agile software development. Here are some of the advantages:
The following are some of the top automated UI testing tools available today:
User interface testing is a vital driver to improve user experiences, especially in modern applications.
Since most end-users today are more concerned about the elements that they can see and touch, user interface testing becomes even more crucial as it guarantees that all errors have been fixed before launch.
Proper user interface testing is also important since it has a direct positive impact on the ROI of a product by making sure that users are satisfied with their journeys. After all, providing customers with the best experience possible often translates to increased bottom lines in the business world.
As a company, you should make sure that the interface of your apps and websites is functional and easy to use while looking great. The best way to do this is by adding the correct user interface testing approach to your overall strategy.
Is your team ready to carry out these best practices for UI testing? Partner with a QA services provider like QASource. Our team of QA experts specializes in a variety of testing services with years of experience performing UI testing across industries. Let us help your team through the process of it so your app or website offers good customer experience. Get a free quote today.