The Relevance of Web Application Performance Testing

Performance testing of a web app focuses entirely on the performance characteristics such as loading speed, network connection, security, user-friendliness, and so forth. Today, web applications have become the central focus of many enterprises. According to the latest reports, 53% of users abandon a page that takes more than 3 seconds to load. Similarly, network downtimes also lead to huge losses in revenue. One way to improve this is to conduct thorough web application performance testing.

Why Should Businesses Conduct Application Performance Testing?

There are various benefits of conducting comprehensive web application performance testing. Some of these are as follows:

• It can help developers identify bugs or errors before the website is launched. This can ensure that customers receive a good experience from the start.
• It ensures the web app is compatible with multiple devices, is intuitive, and functions in the way it is supposed to.
• It helps developers determine the loading speed of the app, which can then be improved to provide a better experience.
• Testing detects any problems or lags caused due to heavy traffic on the web app.
• It can help determine if there are any possible issues, such as security issues, which can cause severe repercussions for the business if they aren’t patched properly.
• It can help the developer determine which parts of the web app can handle scaling up as the business grows and which apps can’t and need to be replaced.
• It can determine a possible bottleneck. For example, if the web app provides a smooth journey up to the “checkout” page, and customers face problems here, the developer can find ways to solve this problem without risking the system’s downtime.

These are only seven reasons to conduct performance testing before and regularly after launch. Now, let’s take a look at some of the things that can be included in performance testing.

What Should Performance Testing Include?

• Smoke Testing

Smoke testing is done to determine the most pressing issues of the app. These tests help the developers determine the weakest points of the app. For example, the test is usually conducted to determine the very first problem that the user may face when using the web app. As a result, until this test is passed, the application cannot move on to the following tests. If this test remains negative, the app cannot be developed or upgraded further.

• Load and Volume Testing

Load and volume testing involves testing the system when it is under a massive load. This involves testing the system when a large number of users are simultaneously using the services of the app. Volume testing also involves testing the app to understand its performance if a large amount of data is uploaded. For example, if the database size of the app increases, does it still perform as it should, or is there a noticeable difference in its features (such as loading speed)?

• Stress Testing

Stress tests are extremely similar to load and volume tests. However, the major difference in this test isn’t about how the app functions if a large number of people are using it simultaneously. Instead, stress tests are conducted to determine events where the app will crash. For example, how many people will need to use the app simultaneously before it crashes? This test helps you determine a way to make sure the crash doesn’t happen.

• Component Testing

Component testing involves looking at the individual components of the web app that affect its performance. This includes the networks, servers, database, firewalls, and so on. Each component needs to be tested individually to determine if it functions in the manner it is supposed to. Without these, the performance of the app is hindered, and the tools provided cannot be used by the user.

• Scalability Test

A scalability test is a must for all web applications. Since all businesses will grow, the web app needs to be scalable. Without scalability, the app may not perform as effectively and may not be able to provide the same experience to the users in the future. These tests generally include checking the performance of the app while slowly increasing the workload. The aim of these tests isn’t to determine how much load it can handle but to pinpoint any small problems that the user might face.

• Endurance Testing

The endurance test is one of the last tests to be performed since this requires a longer duration. Under this test, developers determine problems and issues that are created in the app over time. For example, after six months or after the database has increased significantly. Endurance testing is an important factor because it helps the developers improve existing apps. This can also improve the customer experience and help integrate new apps into existing models.

• Security Testing

Security testing focuses solely on the security measures integrated with the app. For example, does the app have any possible loopholes that can cause a data breach? Security testing is a critical part of performance testing and is usually conducted at various levels instead of only once. 9 out of 10 apps have are accessible to hackers. It can be a multi-step process, depending entirely on the data that the app handles.

Which of these is Necessary?

While it may seem that all of these tests are necessary, it is not so. The performance test required for each app depends upon the functionality of the app, the target audience, and the goal of the app. For example, a simple app like a calculator does not require security testing since the app does not need to store any customer data. In contrast, financial web apps require almost all of the above-given tests because they handle critical information and may be accessed by hundreds of people per day.

Each enterprise needs to individually select which tests need to be conducted and which don’t. Web app performance testing can be comprehensive or simple, depending upon the goal of the testing and the web app. Development teams usually design unique plans and guides for performance testing, keeping the goal of the product and customer experience in mind.

Mindfire Solutions to Meet Your Web Application Performance Testing Needs

Having understood how critical web application performance testing is, it would be wise to choose only the best partners to help you solve your problems.

Like other businesses, if you too are looking for web application performance testing solutions, Mindfire Solutions can be your partner of choice. We have a team of highly skilled and certified software professionals, who have developed many custom solutions for our global clients over the years.