Site Testing
Now you've entered in all your content and you think your web site is ready to go, it's time to test it - What is site testing?. It's a very important step in the web development process, but Why do site testing?.
Once you've learned what testing is and why it's important, you'll see how IML's site testing process is comprehensive and cost-effective. IML offers many different Types of usability tests to its clients to ensure your web site is fulfilling the job it needs to.
What is site testing? • Why do site testing? • IML's site testing process • Types of usability tests
What is site testing?
Site testing is the practical, hands-on process of checking that a web site meets the design specifications (in terms of information, interactive and visual design) and usability criteria (finding information easily, accessibility and compatibility). It is a vital and essential part of the web development process.
Why do site testing?
Most web sites are not tested adequately. As a consequence, accessing the site can be a minefield of problems for users, such as:
- slow response and download times
- missing content, broken images or error messages
- patchy or unstable performance in some platforms and browser software versions
- information that is inaccessible to people using adaptive technologies such as screen readers and screen magnifiers
- visual layouts that break or are inconsistent, and text that is illegibile due to sizing problems
You need to test a web site to make sure that users get what you intended from the site. Web sites usually provide information, promote a product or service or attract new clients (or students). Site testing makes sure that the site is designed so that users can find information and make contact with you easily. It reflects badly on your faculty if information is difficult to find on the site, and the user has a bad experience. Users often pass their impressions on to other people, particularly if those impressions are negative ones.
IML's site testing process
When developing a new web site, IML tests the site in different ways throughout the web development process. We also test the whole site thoroughly before it is launched onto the Internet.
IML prepares and follows a site testing plan with review points throughout the web development process. This plan directs the testing process and ensures that:
- the developing web site meets the client's original requirements
- all usability issues are addressed
- layout and consistency issues are fixed
- problems are identified and resolved early
The IML web team conducts most testing procedures internally. Clients are asked to take part in major testing stages, such as checking the functionality of EPOC, BETA or pre-release site versions, and once the site goes live.
Types of usability tests
There are different types of usability tests. Some are conducted early in the development process and others later on, when the site is nearing completion.
EPOC testing • Technical testing • Compatibility and layout testing • Final bug testing
EPOC testing
Larger web sites with a more complicated structure or interactive components often undergo technical development first, in the form of an EPOC. One of the first stages of site testing is thorough EPOC functionality and usability testing.
Usability testing at this stage may extend to testing the EPOC on focus groups from the site's target audience. We collect feedback on how appropriate and easy to use the site is. We then use these results to improve the functionality of the site and to inform further content development and visual and interactivity design.
Technical testing
Code (HTML, javascript, ColdFusion, CSS, etc.) is what makes the web site function. Technical testing takes place as the site's code is being developed. It includes:
- testing the functionality of the code
- ensuring that the code meets current accepted web standards
- checking the code's compatibility with different browser versions (see Compatibility testing)
Compatibility and layout testing
Compatibility testing takes place during technical and creative development. It includes checking that the visual and interactive elements, as well as other functionality (eg. search functions, video streaming, animation, etc.), are compatible with a range of platforms and browser software versions.
The same web site can behave quite differently in different platforms and browsers. IML's designers check the behaviour of the site in a range of currently used browser versions. They use the testing process to accommodate these differences into the web design.
Final bug testing
As the site reaches completion, we check the html and other code, the content, information architecture, visual design and functionality of a web site overall to make sure:
- web page content is complete, correct and proofread
- hypertext and navigational links work and link to the correct Internet locations
- site navigation is logical, efficient and easy to use
- basic accessibility guidelines have been followed
- graphic, visual and interactive elements and other functionality are compatible with a range of platforms and browser software versions (we double-check this)
- the site works efficiently and easily as a whole
Once any remaining bugs have been identified and resolved, the web site is ready to send live to the Internet.