Ensuring cross browser compatibility is one of the most crucial aspects of any front-end development. This will also help understand that applications appear and function across various web browsers like Safari, Firefox, Chrome and Internet Explorer in a similar manner. When you consider a range of devices and their variants, you might not know where to start. However, because each browser has a different rendering engine, support for different standards, and user preference, establishing cross-browser compatibility can be difficult.
An essential component of the application development lifecycle (ADLC) is cross-browser testing. Providing a consistent user experience for your application across browsers and browser versions ensures a positive user experience regardless of the user’s path to it. Implementing cross-browser testing as part of your testing approach might vary depending on the project’s scope and methodology.
What is Cross-Platform and Cross-Browser Compatibility?
User-centric digital experiences are centered on cross-browser and cross-platform compatibility. The site should automatically adjust its layout and function seamlessly on all browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, etc. Take that harmony beyond desktop environments into mobile phones, tables etc. Simply put, this involves making sites work properly on any browser irrespective of its search engine and version. However, cross-platform compatibility goes beyond this and guarantees an effortless interface for platforms such as Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, etc.
Both concepts are based upon the notion that apps for development should be able to give users the same experience that defies technological limitations. This is about ensuring that you can access and enjoy any website or application on whatever browser or mobile device you choose. In this article, we will discuss some strategies that will ensure a smooth experience in navigating the different levels of compatibility.
Why Cross Browser Compatibility is Important for Websites?
All businesses are currently looking to go digital and expand their online presence. Providing a seamless customer experience entails ensuring that all clients can access websites regardless of the browsers or devices used to search. The users can access the website through any browsers, browser versions, devices and operating systems.
- User experience: Website functionalities and usability are closely linked to browser compatibility.
- Edge out on competition: Unlike various competitors who do not include legacy macOS X in their testing, you do. You are then improving the customer’s “experience” value by 12.2%. This gives an advantage even when you test across other web environments.
- Browser version and usage: People can also shift to new updates of browsers whenever they appear in the market although this is not mandatory. The data shows that more people use the Chrome version 96.0 compared to the latest Chrome version 103.0.
- Mobile device rise: Similarly, 58.99 percent of traffic came from mobile websites for users in the second quarter year in 2022. The site should also be compatible with mobile browsers.
- Performance and SEO: A site must be compatible; otherwise, most people cannot access it causing poor performance and user experience affecting Google’s SEO rankings. Therefore, browsers make use of this criteria to ascertain the significance of a webpage as this criteria takes into account the number of visitors using the site.
Moreover, if one particular web component fails in several browsers; this will probably deteriorate the user experience and increase the bounce rate of the site, thus negatively affecting the website’s position on the search engine results page (SERP).
Best practices to achieve cross-browser compatibility
Cross browser compatibility is an activity where the bugs and errors are marked while the user explores your mobile application using different browsers and devices. You must make sure that whatever content you post in your application renders properly with other web browsers and their respective configurations. Here are some key considerations –
Define the Browser and Device Matrix
The targeted browser versions must be determined by taking into account how well they function across various platforms and devices using Cross Browser Testing Tools Online. Additionally, you must build a matrix that includes a list of all the targeted browsers and browser versions that your target audience is probably using.
Framework Encapsulation
One of the best ways to begin building a website is to encapsulate your code using a framework. There are numerous benefits of using a framework like cross-browser optimisation and its ability to generate responsive components automatically. Developers may concentrate on features and leave the cross-browser compatibility problems to the framework when they use it.
Using the automation testing tools
The process of testing for cross-browser compatibility may be greatly accelerated by using automated Cross Browser Testing Tools Online such as Selenium, Cypress, and others. These technologies eliminate the need for manual intervention by simultaneously testing the webpages in many browsers.
Retest and regression
Retest and regression channels are included to aid in the development process to address compatibility problems. Retesting the website across the specified browser and device matrix whenever modifications or upgrades are made enables early detection and resolution of any possible compatibility issues.
Set up some feedback loops
To guarantee that your website functions properly across a variety of browsers and devices, set up some feedback loops. By including a “Report a Bug” button, you may solicit user input and quickly address any issues raised by users. User input helps you find and fix hidden compatibility issues by acting as a real-world validation process.
Responsive Design
Create layouts that are flexible enough to adjust to different screen sizes, so that the information is readable and engaging on different devices. To accomplish this flexibility, make use of media queries and flexible grids.
Progressive Enhancement
Begin with a basic experience that functions across all platforms and browsers. Assuring user functioning, gradually improve this basis by including sophisticated capabilities for devices that enable them.
Graceful Degradation
When you employ developers, start with a fully functional experience and make the transition to less capable devices or browsers as smooth as possible. This guarantees that visitors may access important material even with outdated browsers.
Conclusion
The digital world is ever-evolving; new gadgets, operating systems, versions, and technologies are released often. Many elements may become deprecated in future iterations, and many elements that were not previously supported by various browsers may become cross-browser compatible. This highlights significance and need for thorough cross-browser testing.
Cross-browser compatibility is a must for front-end developers in order to provide a dependable and consistent product to a larger user base. They may reduce problems with cross-browser compatibility, guarantee a seamless user experience across many browsers, and ultimately produce a superior product by adhering to the guidelines provided in this piece.