Common App Testing Mistakes to Look Out For

Common App Testing Mistakes to Look Out For

With millions of apps hitting different stores, developers should strive to stand out by observing basic practices. Central to achieving success with mobile apps  is correct testing that covers all the software elements. The process should be carried out with care since hasty testing can likely result in missing out on common errors, bugs, and loopholes. Consequently, missing out on the right testing procedures will result in the release of an unstable application.

Any leading software testing company would carry this process out with care since hasty testing can likely result in missing out on common errors, bugs, and loopholes. Consequently, missing out on the right testing procedures will result in the release of an unstable application.

While there are varied methods of testing apps, developers should look out for common mistakes to release the right products. Some of the mistakes to look out for during app testing  include solely focusing on UI, lack of methodology, and not testing different operating systems. Here is how these mistakes affect the general application:

Lack of Methodology

A lack of a plan during the testing period is similar to a lack of purpose. After detailing your goal, you need to highlight all initial stages for testing. The pre-production stage is the creative and logistical process of planning the elements required to produce the app. This level should define the rate of quality assurance and performance criteria during the app design.

Establishing KPIs involves outlining all the key metrics you will be tracking during the production and testing phase. The developer should ensure that your testing process is adequately planned and on a schedule to meet the KPIs.  During testing, you must be aware of the guidelines enlisted by different operating systems to build iOS, Android, or Windows; note that each platform has its procedures. Failure to follow these guidelines might not root out typical errors. Always incorporate these guidelines in your methodology.

Focusing On UI

Although the mobile app user interface  is equally important, the testing phase should not dwell on it. Worth mentioning is that the UI is the first thing users see, and the first impression matters. However, the testing phase should go beyond this element. Look at different factors like the APIs used, and how each operates under different conditions. Besides the APIs, look at the mobile apps’ backend services. Determine how the backend handles factors like slow requests in cases of network issues. Additionally, the testing of the app should factor in its performance under various networks and different bandwidth capabilities. Also, look at how the backend features integrate with hardware solutions.

Not Testing On Real Devices

With the growth of cloud technology, most developers prefer to test apps on cloud-based tools. It is worth noting that the cloud tools should act as a support system for the actual device. They should not replace them entirely. By solely relying on the cloud, a common mistake is that some user experiences and functionalities can perform differently compared to real devices. It is vital to test the app on some of the common devices on the Android and iOS operating systems. Another common mistake at this stage is favoring one type of device over the other. You can also leverage existing third-party services to use real devices in the testing phase.

Lack of Priorities

While testing all app scenarios is essential, it can be time-wasting in the long run if there is a failure to prioritize the vital functions. Testing everything often results in delays during the testing process. The testing phase should be streamlined by prioritizing the scenarios and tests according to requirements and their role. One approach to consider is regression testing, where you should prioritize essential test cases. Regression testing ensures that changes to the app haven’t broken any previous functionality.  While regression testing involves thousands of test cases that can eat up your time, it can help in isolating app elements to prioritize.

Writing Poor-Quality Tests

This mistake is familiar with automated testing. The developers fail to adhere to best practices when writing test scripts in most instances. This can result in maintenance issues once the app is deployed. Although automation is efficient, it is crucial to follow some of the traditional best practices when writing production code.

The tests should focus on a single purpose or goal to ensure all elements are functioning well. This approach ensures that developers can quickly review the test and understand what is being tested with minimal contextual knowledge. Independent testing ensures that even with failure, other elements are not affected. Sometimes, a chained test means that a single failure will impact others. Elsewhere, dependent tests carry the extra potential to be flaky.

Ignoring Security Testing

Security is a vital concept for any software product that should be considered during the development and testing phase. Security testing is essential since users tend to save a vast amount of information on mobile devices, and leakages can be devastating. You need to look at data encryption measures and test them out. Generally, below are factors to look at during security testing.

The risk assessment process should be based on factors affecting the app’s accessibility. Review whether the app can be accessed through the Internet and the type of data the application processes. Threat modeling should be performed with architecture development and design progress, and it involves the four critical elements of identification, enumeration, prioritization, and the initial handling of threats.

Ignoring Network Testing

Most mobile apps operate under different networks like wifi connection and mobile data. The testing period should look at the performance under various networks by sticking to the right test procedures. The tests ensure that the app is not affected by network issues once deployed. Additionally, if the application is to be operational offline, ensure all features are working perfectly with minimal hitches.

Endnote

App testing is an extensive task that should stick to some of the best practices in the market. Testing is critical to remove any loopholes that interfere with the general app performance and deployment. Consider outlining an app testing methodology and you should stick to it to avoid making common mistakes. Additionally, factor in how your app will perform on different operating systems. The testing should be done with several monotonous iterations to ensure the desired result is achieved.