Website Testing Guide - How to Test Homepage and Navigation?

Welcome to the inaugural article of our comprehensive series dedicated to website testing. Every week we will present the best ways you can use BugBug for test automation

Website testing, including thorough navigation testing, is indispensable for ensuring a website meets its functional requirements, provides a superior user experience, remains compatible across devices and browsers, optimizes performance, and maintains security.

It's a critical step in web development that can significantly impact a website's success and its ability to meet business objectives.

Why Should You Do Navigation Testing?

The overarching goal of these test steps is to ensure that the website's key functionalities (navigation, search, and promotional displays) are working as expected. This involves checking that:

• Navigation links correctly guide users to the intended pages.

• The website content, such as category names and sale items, is accurately presented.

• Interactive elements, like search bars and hoverable menus, function correctly and enhance the user experience.

• Promotional and sales-related content is visible, accurate, and accessible.

This structured testing approach helps identify issues with usability, content accuracy, and functionality, ensuring a positive and seamless user experience.

1. Verifying the Main Navigation

The main navigation is your visitor's roadmap to your website. Here's how to ensure it's working properly:

1. Start by visiting the homepage. Go to https://www.reserved.com/gb/en/ to begin.

2. Interact with navigation elements. Click on various navigation links to ensure they respond as expected.

3. Check for key sections. Make sure that critical sections like "Men," "Mid Season Sale," "New in," and others are clearly labeled and accessible.

4. Hover over navigation items. This is to verify that any drop-down menus or additional options are displayed correctly.

5. Validate proper redirection. Click on specific items like "Shoes and accessories" to ensure you're taken to the correct page without issues.

2. Testing the Search Bar Functionality

An efficient search bar can enhance user experience significantly. Here's how to test its effectiveness:

1. Locate and use the search bar. Confirm that the search bar is labeled correctly and is functional.

2. Perform a search operation. Use the search bar to look up a specific item, such as a "belt with rotating buckle."

3. Verify search results accuracy. Ensure that the search results match the query accurately and display the correct product details, including pricing and quality statements.

3. Assessing the 'Sales' Page Link and Content Accuracy

Sales pages are vital for e-commerce sites. Here's how to check if yours is up to par:

1. Navigate to the 'Sales' page. Click on the link or menu item that leads to the Mid Season Sale or similar promotional section.

2. Hover and click through. Engage with the page to bring up specific sale items, ensuring that hover actions reveal correct information.

3. Check item details. Verify that items like "Rib knit jumper" are listed with the correct sale price, ensuring promotions are displayed accurately.

End of Test

By following these steps, you ensure that key aspects of your website - navigation, search functionality, and promotional content - are not just functional but optimized for the best user experience. Regularly testing these elements as outlined can help catch potential issues before they affect your visitors, maintaining the integrity and usability of your site.

Remember, the goal is to make your website as user-friendly and accurate as possible, so take the time to conduct these tests thoroughly.

Happy (automated) testing!