How to Use Lambda Test Platform for Cross-Browser Testing

In 1997, Netscape Navigator, the dominant web browser at the time, introduced a feature called “blink” to handle blinking text elements. This seemingly minor addition splintered the web. Unforeseen by developers, Internet Explorer, Netscape’s primary competitor, didn’t support “blink,” causing a wave of rendering inconsistencies across websites. This historical anecdote, though seemingly insignificant, highlights an enduring problem with cross-browser compatibility..

The current internet over 5.6 billion internet users worldwide, and they use a variety of browsers, each with its unique quirks and features that make them different. In web development, ensuring consistent functionality and efficient design across diverse these browsers and devices is very important. With the access of various users throughout the world, there come various challenges for the developers to deliver a hassle-free experience to the users.

Cross-browser testing emerges as a powerful solution to this challenge. One effective approach is utilizing a platform like LambdaTest.

LambdaTest offers comprehensive solutions for cross-browser testing. The platform grants you access to a wide range of browsers and operating systems. This allows you to conduct a thorough analysis of your creation and identify glitches that could derail your users’ experience.

The article focuses on LambdaTest so that you are armed with all you need to know about it so as to offer a smooth web experience regardless of what type of browser your site visitors have access to.

What is LambdaTest?

Founded in 2016 by the dynamic duo of Aravind Reddy and Karthik Rangaraj, LambdaTest has become a frontrunner in the world of cross-browser testing.

LambdaTest is a cloud-based platform that empowers developers to meticulously scrutinize their websites and web applications on a staggering 2000+ browser and operating system combinations.

The platform also has a strong community of over 500,000 testers who employ its wide range of tools to scrutinize websites and web apps in different browsers and devices.

But what truly sets LambdaTest apart? It is their never-ending dedication when it comes to real-time testing.

Unlike emulators or simulations, LambdaTest utilizes a global network of real browsers, guaranteeing that your web pages are tested under authentic circumstances, on the most recent versions of popular browsers.

Ever felt like you’re wrestling a hydra-headed monster when it comes to cross-browser testing? Your website looks flawless in Chrome, but on Internet Explorer, it resembles a toddler’s finger painting gone wrong.  LambdaTest swoops in as your knight in shining armor, automating the process and saving you precious time and frustration.

The affordability and scalability of the Lambda Test are one of its main benefits. Because it is a cloud-based platform, companies can avoid the costly and resource-intensive maintenance and updates that come with maintaining their testing infrastructure. With Lambda Test’s multiple price options, businesses may select the plan that best fits their demands both financially and in terms of testing.

Moreover, the scalability of the platform guarantees that companies can effortlessly manage growing testing requirements as their web applications expand and change. Teams can easily extend their testing capabilities with Lambda Test and stay up to date with the rapidly evolving web development ecosystem without having to worry about infrastructure limitations.

Getting Started with LambdaTest

To begin your cross-browser testing journey with LambdaTest, follow these simple steps:

1. Create an Account: The first step of the process is to sign up for the Lambda test account. Once you have registered on the platform and filled out the required personal details, you will be able to access the dashboard. Sign up for a free or paid LambdaTest account at www.lambdatest.com.
2. Familiarize Yourself with the Dashboard: Once logged in, explore the user-friendly dashboard, where you’ll find all the tools and features you need for cross-browser testing.
3. Select Your Testing Environment: Choose from a wide range of browsers, operating systems, and devices to set up your testing environment.
4. Create a test -To get started with a cross-browser test, you will have to click on the Real Time Testing option from the dashboard. Once you have set up the account and dashboard, Lambda test will launch the virtual machines to the selected browsers and devices. Then, you can interact with the website in real-time and identify the issues and inconsistencies.
5.  Run Automated tests -For the automated testing, you will have to integrate the Lambda test with the preferred testing framework like Selenium or Appium. You will have to write the scripts of the test and execute them using the Lambda test automation available there. This supports parallel testing across various browsers.
6. Responsive Testing – To ensure responsiveness, you can use the Lambda test’s feature of responsive testing. You can simply enter the website and select the desired sizes of screens and resolutions to simulate the devices required.
7. Visual Testing -Visual testing is essential for analysing the layout and design issues. With Lambda Test, you can then capture the screenshots of your website across various browsers and compare them alongside the others to compare them and identify the gaps.
8. Test result analysis – Lambda Test provides detailed reports of the test including the logs and the screenshots of browsers. This feature allows you to analyse the test results comprehensively. You can identify the issues and collaborate with them to resolve them.
9.  Debug and Fixing issues -Once you have derived the test results, you can debug any issue that you identify during the testing. Lambda test platform has an easy interface that makes it efficient and handy to navigate through the errors and gaps and allows you to fix the necessary errors well.
10. Re-test and Validate -Once you have fixed the issues through the Lambda platform, you can save the changes you have made and implemented. The efficient testing at the Lambda test platform facilitates an easy and efficient way of testing and fixing the bugs.
11. Continuous Testing -The process of cross-browser testing works efficiently with Lambda Test and it can set up the test schedules once you have automated the system according to the test suites.

 Adding Lambda Test to Your Testing Armoury:

Although Lambda  Test’s key functions are covered above, the platform also offers more tools and integrations to improve your testing workflow:

Integration with CI/CD Pipelines: You can easily include cross-browser testing in your automated deployment pipeline by integrating Lambda Test with well-known CI/CD solutions like Travis CI, Circle  CI, and Jenkins.

Team management and collaboration: You can work together in real time on testing projects by inviting team members to participate in the Lambda Test. Assign responsibilities and permissions to facilitate effective teamwork and expedite the testing process.

Network Throttling: Use Lambda Test’s network throttling tool to test your website in a variety of network scenarios. To evaluate the functionality and responsiveness of your website in practical situations, simulate varying connection speeds.

Cross Browser Testing Using LambdaTest

Now that you’re set up, let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of cross-browser testing with LambdaTest. Whether you’re a seasoned automation pro or a manual testing maverick, LambdaTest has you covered.

Manual Testing

For those who prefer a hands-on approach, LambdaTest offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to manually test your website or web application across various browsers and devices.

Need instant feedback? LambdaTest’s live interactive testing feature allows you to share your website or web app with remote testers in real-time, facilitating collaborative testing and immediate bug identification. To perform manual testing:

1. Select Your Desired Browser and Device: Choose from the extensive list of available options.
2. Enter Your Website URL: Input the URL of the website or web application you want to test.
3. Start Testing: Interact with your website or web application in real-time, identifying and reporting any issues.

Automated Testing

LambdaTest also supports automated testing, enabling you to run tests across multiple browsers and devices simultaneously. To automate your tests:

1. Choose Your Automation Framework: LambdaTest supports popular frameworks like Selenium, Cypress, and Puppeteer.
2. Set Up Your Test Scripts: Write or import your test scripts into the LambdaTest platform.
3. Execute Your Tests: Run your tests across your chosen browsers and devices, analyzing the results in real-time.

LambdaTest’s Cross-Browser Testing Capabilities

LambdaTest boasts an impressive array of cross-browser testing capabilities, including:

Responsive Testing: Ensure your website or web application looks great on all screen sizes and devices.  LambdaTest recognizes the browser diversification and offers extensive cross-browser testing capabilities.  Their platform provides access to a massive cloud grid containing over 3000 browser and operating system combinations.

Geolocation Testing: Test your website or web application from various global locations.

The internet has truly transformed into a global village. But have you considered how your website performs for users in different geographical locations?  Geolocation testing with LambdaTest lets you simulate testing from various regions around the world.

Smart Visual Testing: Compare screenshots of your website or web application across different browsers and devices. A picture is worth a thousand words, and when it comes to cross-browser testing, screenshots are your best friends.  

LambdaTest’s smart visual testing goes beyond basic screenshots. It offers automated visual regression testing, which compares screenshots of your website across different browsers and devices. This allows you to identify even the slightest visual inconsistencies, such as misaligned elements or font variations.  These seemingly minor details can create a negative user experience, and LambdaTest’s visual testing helps you catch them before they impact your users.

How LambdaTest Automates Cross-Browser Testing

Manual cross-browser testing can be a tedious and time-consuming process, especially with the vast array of devices and browsers available today. LambdaTest tackles this challenge with robust automation features. Here is how it works:

Automated Testing with Selenium

At the core of LambdaTest’s automation prowess lies its seamless integration with Selenium, a widely adopted open-source framework for browser automation. Selenium allowins you to craft automated test scripts that meticulously navigate your web application, mimicking real user interactions.  These scripts can be written in various programming languages you’re already familiar with, such as Python or Java, making the learning curve a breeze.

These scripts then leverage LambdaTest’s robust cloud grid, a massive collection of real browsers and operating systems, to execute the tests in a virtual environment.

Parallel Testing

This nifty feature allows you to execute your test scripts on multiple browsers concurrently.  Instead of painstakingly testing your website on each browser one by one, you can unleash a swarm of virtual testers, all working in parallel.  The result? A dramatic reduction in testing time.  Imagine testing on 20 browsers at once!  That’s a massive chunk of time freed up for you to focus on other development tasks!

Of course, with great power comes great responsibility.  Some developers might worry that parallel testing could lead to flaky or unreliable results.  LambdaTest tackles this concern head-on by employing robust grid management techniques.  These ensure that your tests are executed in a stable and controlled environment, delivering trustworthy results you can rely on.

Test Scheduling: Schedule your tests to run at specific times or intervals.

Integrations: For those seeking more granular control, LambdaTest offers a variety of advanced automation features.  These include integrations with popular testing frameworks like Cypress and Playwright, as well as support for mobile device testing. You can seamlessly integrate LambdaTest with popular CI/CD tools like Jenkins, Travis CI, and CircleCI as well.

Beyond the Basics: A Glimpse into Advanced Automation Features

LambdaTest caters to a diverse range of testing needs, offering a multitude of advanced automation features.  Here’s a quick peek at some of the heavy hitters:

Visual Testing:  LambdaTest’s visual testing functionality takes automated screenshots during your tests, allowing you to compare them to baseline images.  This way, you can instantly identify any layout inconsistencies that might be affecting user experience.

API Testing: Modern web applications often rely on robust APIs for data exchange.  LambdaTest’s automation extends to API testing as well, enabling you to create automated scripts that verify the functionality and performance of your APIs across various environments.

Mobile Device Testing: The mobile revolution has fundamentally changed how we access the web.  To stay ahead of the curve, your website or web application needs to function flawlessly on mobile devices. LambdaTest understands this mobile-first reality and offers robust mobile testing capabilities.  You can create automated tests that mimic user interactions on real mobile devices, ensuring your website or app delivers a seamless experience on the small screen.

These are just a few of the advanced automation features that LambdaTest brings to the table.  Whether you’re a seasoned automation pro or just starting your journey, LambdaTest provides the tools and flexibility to tailor your testing strategy to your specific needs.

Cross-browser testing is crucial for delivering a top-notch user experience; it’s more than just a checkbox item in the development process. Your web projects will be more user-friendly and compatible with all platforms and devices if you embrace a culture of quality assurance and use tools like Lambda Test in your testing process.

Lambda Test’s feature-rich features, user-friendly interface, and smooth integrations enable developers to create web applications that are compatible with several browsers and devices, providing a consistent and enjoyable experience for your audience.

Still on the fence about LambdaTest’s automation capabilities?  Let’s address some of the most common questions developers have:

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Mastering cross-browser testing with LambdaTest is a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly platform and extensive features. By following this guide, you’ll be well on your way to ensuring your website or web application functions flawlessly across all browsers and devices. So why wait? Sign up for LambdaTest today and start testing with confidence!