Purpose of the article: The purpose of this blog is to highlight important elements of e-commerce app and key test to perform of on each of those elements.
Intended Audience: Automation Engineers /QA Managers/ QA Director/QA Organizations
Tools and Technology: Manual Testing
Keywords: E-Commerce Testing
Introduction
E-commerce, short for electronic commerce, pertains to businesses relying significantly on their online clientele. Purchasing online offers numerous advantages over in-person buying, including convenience, efficiency, and global access to items. The success of an e-commerce app hinges on a fitting match with the shop’s offerings.
Before Amazon, e-commerce was in its early stages, primarily populated by small online shops and marketplaces. The logistics and transportation networks supporting e-commerce were far less developed. Shipping times were generally longer, and tracking options were limited. Customers often experienced significant delays in delivery, sometimes waiting days or even weeks, with same-day or two-day delivery being virtually non-existent. Amazon’s rapid expansion brought about a significant shift in the e-commerce scene. They pioneered the concept of online shopping, prompting others to start selling their products online as well. Benefits of Ecommerce application testing:
- Improved conversion rates.
- Web site load speed.
- Increase Ecommerce site performance.
- Reduce risks.
- Better understanding of visitors’ behavior.
- Generate Marketing strategies.
Types of testing for E commerce applications:
Here are some of the testing techniques,
- Functional testing
- Usability testing
- Security testing
- Performance testing
- Database testing
- Mobile application testing
It is recommended to run one test at a time or to use a good testing tool, that enables you to run numerous tests concurrently without having them overlap and accurate.
List of important area and segments for eCommerce application testing:
a) Home page:
E-commerce websites and mobile app homepages are bustling with activity. There’s a flurry of activity, hence they are very important to attract or retain customers.
Common tests pertaining to –
a) Automatic scrolling support
b) Frequency of image updates
c) Advance/Move to the next one upon user hover?
d) Hover on key words/hyperlinks
b) Search:
The success of a retail site hinges heavily on its search algorithms as predicting customer choices is a complex task. Search algorithms play a pivotal role in guiding customers to their desired products, shaping their browsing and purchasing experience,
Common tests pertaining to –
- Search by Product name, brand, or category—like workwear, Nike, accessories
- Ensure the Search Results are consistent and relevant to criteria.
- Navigation forms the basis of search criteria
- Offer various sorting options—Brand, Price, Reviews/ratings, etc.
- Preferred number of results to show per page
c) Navigations and Megamenus:
With this navigation, users should easily understand their current location within the pages, minimizing the need for excessive mouse clicks. When showcasing such navigation, ensure that each element functions seamlessly to optimize user experience.
d) Product Details Page:
The user will be sent to the product information page after discovering a product through search, browsing, or clicking on it from the PLP (Product list Page)
a. Common tests pertaining to –
b. Product visuals with single or multiple images
c. Product Pricing information
d. Specifications of the product
e. Customer feedback or product reviews
e) Add to Cart:
This is the last step before the user makes the purchase commitment.
Common tests pertaining to –
- Include items to the cart while still shopping.
- When users add the same item while continuing to shop, the cart’s item count should increase.
- Display all items along with their totals within the cart.
- Apply taxes based on delivery location.
f) Payments:
E-commerce websites offer a variety of payment options, including credit cards, digital wallets, and payment gateways, providing convenience and flexibility for shoppers.
Common tests pertaining to
- Explore various payment methods available.
- If opting for Guest checkout, complete the purchase and have the option to register afterward..
- Returning customers can log in during the checkout process.
- Register as a new user.
g) Post order Validations:
In the realm of e-commerce testing, post-order validations encompass verifying order confirmation emails, tracking information accuracy, and the collection of customer feedback, all pivotal in ensuring a smooth and satisfactory shopping journey.
Common tests pertaining to:
- Check the Order process for downstream applications for seamless data flow.
- Order confirmations with different media (Mobile, Email and WhatsApp)
- Customer care support for Order status and tracking
- Modify or cancel the order.
- Return order mechanism.
Limitations:
- Due to the complexity of e-commerce websites and the fact that we cannot predict the character of the consumer, automating every activity is not viable.
- The foundation of e-commerce, consumer trust, is founded on security testing, thus you must invest a lot of effort in testing here.
Conclusion:
A website needs to operate across both mobile devices and PCs, ensuring security and responsiveness. It’s crucial to maintain a robust data warehouse supporting OLAP and BI through efficient ETL operations and an optimized database. All these components should undergo e-commerce testing. As a language model, employing suitable learning techniques will enhance the quality of its outputs.
Author Bio:
Satya Surya Vamsi Krishna Pendyala
Sr Principal Software Engineer- IQE
Over 14 Years of rich exposure across IT, sales force, API, E-commerce& telecom Industry with proven Expertise in Production Support & Testing Telecom Software applications.
