Typical problems to avoid
Mistakes made during website testing can cause damage far beyond a single bug. Just think of the 2012 case of Knight Capital Group (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knight_Capital_Group), where a faulty algorithm lost the company $440 million in 45 minutes. Although it wasn’t a web application, the lesson remains the same: lack of proper testing can lead to catastrophic consequences.
Experienced software testers know exactly what common errors can occur during website testing and how to avoid them. In this article, we present seven frequent pitfalls that appear in most projects and which decision-makers should pay attention to when defining a software testing strategy.
1. Improper test environment setup
The problem
One of the most common mistakes is conducting website testing in conditions that don’t resemble the live environment. It’s like testing a Formula 1 car in a parking lot and expecting it to behave the same way on a racetrack. While it’s not always possible to replicate the production environment exactly, the risks of the differences must be understood.
Example risks when test and production systems differ:
- Load tests produce irrelevant and unusable results
- Deployment methods may differ, leading to failures on the live system
- Time settings may vary, causing parallel tasks to execute differently and generate untraceable errors
- Version differences in operating systems and servers can lead to unexpected behavior and failures
Why does it happen?
- To save costs, weaker servers are used
- Real traffic load is not considered
- Database configurations differ
- Dependencies have different versions across staging and production environments
Solution
Experienced testers insist on having a test environment as similar as possible to production. This includes:
- Infrastructure synchronization: same server configuration, database version, OS
- Data loading: using real-size and realistic datasets
- Load simulation: modeling expected user traffic
- Monitoring: using the same monitoring tools as in production
2. Lack of cross-browser compatibility testing
The problem
“It works on my machine” – probably the most common excuse when it turns out the application only works properly in one browser or device.
Why does it happen?
- Focus is only on the most popular browsers
- Lack of understanding of the target audience’s browser habits
- Cross-browser testing is rushed due to time constraints
- Mobile usage trends are ignored
Solution
Professional website testing uses the following approach:
- Browser matrix: prioritize based on Google Analytics data
- Automated cross-browser testing: using tools like SeleniumGrid
- Progressive degradation testing: check how the site performs in older browsers
- Mobile-first testing: start with mobile devices, then test on desktop
3. Neglecting performance testing
The problem
Website testing often focuses only on functionality, not performance. It’s like testing a car just to see if it starts, but ignoring how fast or efficient it is.
Why does it happen?
- “If it works, it’s fine” attitude
- Lack of awareness of performance’s business impact
- No knowledge of performance testing techniques
- Considered only at the end of development
Solution
Experienced testers understand that performance is one of the most important factors for user experience:
- Measure key metrics: page load time, Time to First Byte (TTFB), Core Web Vitals
- Load testing: using JMeter, k6, or LoadRunner
- Stress testing: observe behavior under sudden traffic spikes
- Monitoring: ongoing performance observation in production
4. Ignoring security aspects
The problem
Security considerations are often overlooked during website testing. This poses serious risk, especially for applications handling personal data.
Why does it happen?
- Not part of the standard testing process
- Lack of security awareness in the team
- False sense of safety: “Nothing bad can happen here”
- Budget constraints
Solution
Professional website testing always includes security checks:
- OWASP Top 10: look for the most common web security flaws
- Automated security scanning: use OWASP ZAP, BurpSuite
- Penetration testing: involve ethical hackers
- Input validation testing: verify protection against SQL injection, XSS, CSRF
5. Skipping user experience (UX) testing
The problem
Technically, everything may work, yet users still struggle to use the site. It’s like building a technically perfect remote control that no one understands how to use.
Why does it happen?
- Only the developer’s logic is considered
- No involvement of real users
- The team is too close to the project
- Accessibility aspects are ignored
Solution
Experienced testers emphasize the importance of UX testing:
- Test user journeys: end-to-end scenarios
- A/B testing: compare different solutions
- Accessibility audit: ensure WCAG compliance
- Real user testing: focus groups, user interviews
6. Using inconsistent test data
The problem
The test data used during website testing doesn’t reflect real usage. It’s like testing a go-kart track only with professional drivers, but not with beginners.
Why does it happen?
- “Dummy” data is created quickly
- No knowledge of real data characteristics
- Privacy and GDPR concerns discourage using real data
- No test data management strategy
Solution
A professional approach includes:
- Anonymizing real data: in a GDPR-compliant way
- Testing edge cases: very long names, special characters
- Data migration testing: see how the new system handles legacy data
- Version control for test data: consistent datasets across environments
7. Inadequate regression testing
The problem
New features are introduced without checking whether existing ones still work. It’s like building a jacuzzi room onto a house without checking if it causes leaks in the room next door.
Why does it happen?
- Time pressure leads to testing only new features
- Lack of proper automation
- Interdependencies between features are undocumented
- Unawareness of the impact of code changes
Solution
Experienced testers emphasize the importance of regression testing:
- Automated regression tests: integrated into CI/CD pipelines
- Risk-based testing: prioritize critical functions
- Smoke tests: quick check that essential features work
- Continuous monitoring: observe metrics in the live environment
Summary
Mistakes during website testing can have serious consequences: lost revenue, reputational damage, security incidents. Experienced testers know these pitfalls and how to avoid them.
When a company is defining its software testing strategy, it’s worth listening to the insights of seasoned testers. They not only recognize the problems but can also suggest specific, proven solutions.
Proper website testing is not a cost but an investment. As Benjamin Franklin said: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” In software testing, this is especially true – lack of preparation inevitably leads to problems.
Hiring an experienced testing team is not a luxury – it’s a necessity. They know the common mistakes, how to avoid them, and how to build a testing strategy that ensures truly reliable web applications.
