The topic of cross browser testing is important and one that recently came up when we encountered a challenging situation on the Ben Soleimani website. This was due to an impending deadline set by Shopify but we can’t lay the blame there as technology always involves custom tweaks. We had to update our queries to ensure smooth cart object retrieval or jeopardize the entire shopping experience. Yet, the real challenge lay in identifying the source of the crash. This puzzle proved confounding for our team. Here’s how it went!
How Can Cross Browser Testing Help you Find Error Sources
While Safari and Chrome left us scratching our heads, it was Firefox that pointed us to the root cause of the issue. In this article, we delve into this rollercoaster of an experience. Ultimately, we learned an invaluable lesson about the power of cross browser testing in the world of web development.
The modifications to our Shopify queries encompassed changes in how meta fields and monetary scalars were retrieved from the storefront API. Implementing these adjustments posed no challenges, and we achieved a successful build within our local development environment.
The pivotal phase involved extensive testing of various website pages, with a particular focus on shopping and the checkout process. However, this phase was swiftly met with an obstacle – an inability to add items to the cart and proceed to checkout.
When attempting to add items to the cart, we encountered an ‘XHR fetch error’ message. This error alert was frustratingly devoid of details regarding its source or root cause. We initiated a troubleshooting process by diligently adding console logs to track cart item actions, yet fortune did not favor our efforts.
Our next tactic involved embedding console logs within the packages responsible for making API requests. However, to our dismay, no logs appeared in the console. Notably, this entire troubleshooting process was conducted within the Chrome browser.
Why Continuing to Test Multiple Browsers is Important
Determined to unravel the mystery, we decided to explore alternative browsers to gain further insight into the error’s origin. Initial trials with Safari yielded no discernible results. However, our salvation came in the form of Firefox.
In its developer console, we uncovered a critical revelation: an error message stating that the ‘header ‘X-GraphQL-Cost-Include-Fields: true’ is not an acceptable header.’ Removing this header swiftly restored the system’s functionality to its expected state. Cart items could once again be retrieved, and shopping proceeded without a hitch.
This experience stands as a compelling testament to the significance of cross browser testing in the web development landscape. While this particular incident underscores its importance, the practice extends far beyond this single instance. In fact, there are a vast multitude of reasons that make it a crucial aspect of web development.
Cross Browser Testing: More is Better
Browsers interpret your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in unique ways, leading to variations in behavior and rendering. Ensuring a consistent user experience across all browsers is a paramount goal. However, not all browsers support the same set of CSS, HTML, and JavaScript features. In such cases, it becomes necessary to either find a compatible alternative or adapt your feature to accommodate these disparities.
Additional Benefits to Cross Browser Testing
Adopting this approach empowers your user base to utilize their preferred browser, fostering inclusivity. Users stand as a cornerstone of your website’s success, making inclusivity a pivotal consideration.
An often underestimated aspect of web development is accessibility. The identification of accessibility issues is significantly facilitated when testing across multiple browsers, affording the opportunity to address and rectify them, ultimately rendering your site more inclusive and compliant with accessibility standards.The ultimate goal of user experience is delivering a secure, bug-free, and high-performance website. It’s through these efforts that your website truly excels.
How Browsers Differ
Every browser exhibits nuanced differences in behavior, but these distinctions are typically subtle. It is crucial to scrutinize how requests are processed, pages are rendered, and features behave across various browsers.
Each browser provides developer tools that facilitate error logging, network request monitoring, CSS styling inspection, and the examination of HTML page structures. While testing with the most commonly used browsers may suffice for basic validation, it can be advantageous to leverage a tool such as BrowserStack. This tool enables comprehensive testing across a spectrum of browsers and operating systems, aiding in the identification and resolution of potential issues
Incorporating cross browser testing as a pivotal component of your development workflow empowers you to unearth compatibility issues that may arise across a diverse range of browsers. It’s highly beneficial to regularly monitor your console for errors and warnings.
Each browser may present unique issues, rendering console logs an invaluable starting point in cross browser testing. The subsequent step involves validating that your styles maintain their intended design. Lastly, ensuring your HTML structures both appear and function as envisioned is paramount. This iterative process enables you to refine and identify best practices within your development environment.
Cross Browser Test Your Way Out
In the ever-evolving landscape of web development, our journey with the Shopify-powered Ben Soleimani website highlighted the paramount importance of cross browser testing. When confronted by a looming deadline, we set out to optimize our queries for seamless cart object retrieval.
Amidst perplexing challenges, Chrome and Safari provided no respite, but Firefox emerged as the unsung hero, revealing a critical header mismatch. This experience underscored the crucial role of cross browser testing, a practice often underestimated. It’s a testament to the commitment of creating an inclusive, secure, and high-performing online environment for all users, particularly on a Shopify platform that demands excellence.
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