Your site visitors use different browsers. In some versions, the site may not work correctly or is displayed ugly, people will leave. Test cross-browser compatibility to reduce bounce rates and increase conversion.
What is cross-browser compatibility?
Cross-browser compatibility is the properties of the site that allow it to be displayed equally in different browsers. Remember that browser compatibility is different.
Do not confuse cross-browser compatibility with adaptability. Adaptability means that your website looks correctly on different devices:
- PC;
- mobile devices;
- tablets and so on.
In this case, it refers to the adaptability to the type of device and screen resolution, but not the type of site in the PC browser.
The impact of cross-browser compatibility on SEO is related to user usability. Good usability has a positive effect on behavioral factors that add weight to the SERP.
Check cross-browser site
To find out if your site is correctly displayed in different browsers, use manual methods by checking the view from different browsers:
- Google Chrome;
- Safari;
- Opera;
- Mozilla Firefox;
- Internet Explorer / Microsoft Edge.
To see which browsers your audience uses and expand this list, use any analytics system.
Consider this using Google Analytics as an example. In the menu on the left, find the section “Audience”, having squandered items you need to select “Technology”. In the pop-up menu there is a line “Browsers and OS”, where the necessary report is located:
However, during manual verification, you will not see the versions of browsers that have not yet been used to go to the site. The data is read only on successful visits.
Manual verification will take a long time. Therefore, it is better to perform testing using one of the following tools. This will save your time and allow you to check the maximum available number of browsers.
Browsershots
Browsershots makes screenshots of your site in different operating systems and browsers. This is a free, open source service that offers developers a convenient way to test the design appearance for different user segments.
When you submit your web address, it is added to the job queue. A number of distributed computers open your website in their browser. Then they take screenshots and upload them to a central dedicated server. In turn, you get the result of checking for 65 different browsers and their versions for free.
Follow the link to perform the test:
In the active field, you should specify a hyperlink to the website being tested, then click the “Submit” button, as in the screenshot:
When the system completes the check, you will recognize the cross-browser site and see the screenshots:
The tool checks the site for free in turn, so sometimes there are delays due to server load. The paid version involves checking out of turn and confidentiality of the final screenshots.
CrossBrowserTesting
CrossBrowserTesting is a paid tool with trial access for 7 days. For a one-time check this is enough. The service makes a check through more than 1500 desktop and mobile browsers. Checks can occur automatically after a specified period.
To start the test, register a free account and confirm your email address. Next, log in to your account, start the test. The required tabs are highlighted in the screenshot:
Provide a link, click “Run Test” and get the result of the test.
Saucelabs
Saucelabs assesses compatibility of not only PC browsers, but also mobile devices. The service is paid, but there is free access lasting for 14 days. After registering and confirming your account, log in to your account.
Then in the “Live Testing” item from the left upper menu a page will open where you need to paste the site URL that was copied in advance and click the “Start Session” button in the lower right corner.
NetRenderer
NetRenderer is a free tool. Allows you to check the site display in Internet Explorer 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 or 5.5 versions.
Usually the snapshot shows the topmost part of your web page. If you want to see what the page looks like below, just enter the vertical offset to the right of the URL field and click Render again.
In a few seconds you will receive a snapshot of your web page.
Browsera
Browsera will notify about problematic versions of browsers for your site. Instead of checking each screenshot on your own, here you will receive a report with a detailed description of the pages that have potential problems.
Browsera works for the tester and searches for visual discrepancies between different browsers. Every time Browsera loads the page, the service checks if the browser has detected any script errors. For example, JavaScript errors can lead to loss of functionality on the site.
The tool is paid, but with a 30-day money back guarantee.
Sample report with highlighted problem areas:
Conclusion
Cross-browser compatibility is the identity of displaying a web resource in different browsers and their versions. Incorrect site appearance pushes users away, which is bad for behavioral factors and SEO.
Check cross-browser compatibility allows a number of automatic services, some of them are paid, but most of them have trial access.
In this article we reviewed several testers:
- Browsershots.
- CrossBrowserTesting.
- Saucelabs.
- NetRenderer.
- Browsera.
There is also a manual way to check. To do this, find out through Google Analytics, which browsers your visitors use, and manually open your site in all specified browsers.
