Testing and delivery Web design principles

Web development is software development

Web sites are client/server applications.

Like any software development project testing and managed delivery is essential.

The ‘testing cycle’ can be distilled down to simple steps

Functionality Testing Usability testing Interface testing Compatibility testing Performance testing Security testing

If your application fails at any step the problem must be fixed and the application put back through the test cycle until it is clear at every step

To test something we need to start with an idea of what it’s actually supposed to be or do

Starting with a design or specification is the simplest way to test what you build

Defining ‘success criteria’ will allow you to know whether you did a good job or even if you are actually finished !

Your initial design & spec should have answered some or all of these questions

Who is the target audience? What kind of browsers will they be using? What kind of connection speeds will they be using? Which HTML specification will be adhered to? What variations will be allowed for targeted browsers? What are the standards for page appearance and graphics throughout the site ? How will internal and external links be validated and updated?

Before beginning testing some questions about HOW you will do testing need to be answered.

Think about how you test Can testing be done on the production system, or is a separate test system required? How are browser caching, option settings, connection differences and real-world problems accounted for ?

Functionality Testing:

Check all the links Test the outgoing links from all the pages from specific domain under test. Test all internal links. Test links jumping on the same pages. Test links used to send the to admin or other users from web pages. Test for orphan pages. Test for broken links in all the above

Test forms in all pages Test all the validations on each field. Test for the default values of fields. Test for wrong inputs to all form fields Test options to create, delete, view or modify the forms.

Validate your HTML/CSS Test ALL your pages against the specified standard. Validate your HTML Validate your CSS Check if your site is indexable in search engines.

Usability Testing

Test for navigation Test to ensure a user can move from one page to another. Test to see if your site is easy to use. Provide clear, relevant, CORRECT instructions Provide consistent menu and navigation elements on each page

Content checking: Content should be logical and easy to understand

Check for spelling errors.

Check again for spelling errors.

Remember It is almost impossible to accurately proof read material you have written yourself.

Compatibility Testing

Test browser compatibility Test Operating system compatibility Test Mobile browsing compatibility Test Printing options

Final Delivery

Install your site in the actual domain in a methodical fashion.

Test it all again.

Yes, actually test it…

Manage the handover to the client Get sign off Deliver access codes, documentation and keys