Automated visual testing- what is it and how to get started?

• By Abdullah
• 20-09-2024
• Technology

It is imperative to guarantee that the user interface (UI) of a program is visually consistent and aesthetically pleasing on all platforms and devices. In order to deliver consumers a smooth and visually appealing experience, testers, developers, and quality assurance specialists must overcome this challenge.

Visual testing offers an answer to these problems. This type of testing detects and addresses visual anomalies in your application by methodically comparing screenshots against intended designs. This procedure guarantees that, irrespective of the platform or device, your user interface stays smooth and intuitive.

This article delves further into the idea of Automated Visual Testing to make the process easier for you to comprehend.

What is Visual Testing?

Visual testing, sometimes referred to as visual UI testing, ensures that the Application User Interface (UI) is presented accurately to all users. This forms a very critical process since applications and websites should look just as good on a wide variety of devices and browsers.

It ensures all the elements are in the right shape, size, and position on a page to ensure consistency, so the developers can create a better experience for their users. With this type of testing, identification of discrepancies or errors between what is expected to be viewed and what appears on the screen becomes easier. In the final analysis, this helps them to ensure the usability of their product while ensuring that it is fully optimized across platforms.

Hence, visual testing is one of the best ways to ensure that a UI does what it's supposed to do and that it looks great across all devices.
Inclusion of visual tests into your test process ensures the delivery of top-notch user experience to all users, notwithstanding the device or browser and its version in use. This allows for a better user experience and satisfaction, hence improving customer loyalty. Incorporating visual tests into the test process is greatly beneficial to any organization.

Why Can’t Functional Tests Cover Visual Issues?

Visual testing primarily targets the visual elements of an application, offering a comprehensive assessment of its appearance, layout, and design. This process is crucial for delivering a seamless visual experience to users. While functional tests are necessary to confirm that the application operates accurately, they cannot ensure the absence of visual issues. By incorporating visual testing, you can evaluate the app's visual aspects, enabling you to deliver an application that is both functional and visually appealing to users.

Why Automated Visual Testing?

Automated visual testing is crucial because it provides:

• Efficiency and Speed: Quickly compares screenshots, saving time compared to manual tests.
• Consistency and Accuracy: Delivers unbiased comparisons, reducing human errors and highlighting even minor discrepancies.
• Scalability: Manages a large volume of visual tests across various browsers and devices, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
• Early Visual Bug Detection: Continuously monitors visual elements to catch issues early in the development process.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Reduces the need for extensive manual testing and avoids costly fixes later, lowering overall testing expenses.
• Enhancing User Experience: Ensures a consistent, high-quality UI, boosting user satisfaction and retention.

How to Implement Visual Testing?

The implementation process involves several key steps to ensure thorough Automated Visual Testing:

Step 1: Setting Up Baseline Images

Baseline images represent the accurate visual state of your application. Capture these images when the application is stable and free of bugs. Use your selected tool to take screenshots of all crucial pages and components. These images will serve as the baseline for future comparisons.

Step 2: Integration with CI/CD Pipeline

Integrate visual testing into your CI/CD pipeline to automate testing with every build and deployment. Configure your CI/CD system (e.g., Jenkins, CircleCI, GitHub Actions) to trigger visual tests during the build process. Include a step in your CI/CD pipeline script to run visual tests after deploying the application to a test environment.

Step 3: Running Visual Tests

Execute visual tests to capture new screenshots and compare them with the baseline images. The tool will generate a report highlighting any visual discrepancies. Initially, run the visual tests manually to ensure proper setup. Once confirmed, automate the tests to run with each CI/CD cycle.

Step 4: Analyzing Results

Review the differences identified by the visual testing tool to determine if they are actual bugs or expected changes. Use the tool’s interface to examine the differences, such as pixel changes, layout shifts, or missing elements. Categorize the differences as either bugs or acceptable changes and communicate any issues to the development team for resolution.

Step 5: Updating Baselines When Necessary

When legitimate UI changes are made, update the baseline images to reflect the new expected visual state. Ensure that updates to the baseline are intentional and well-documented to maintain a clear testing history. Use the tool’s features to update baseline images after confirming that the new UI changes are accurate and deliberate.

Step 6: Continuous Monitoring

Regularly run visual tests to promptly identify new issues and ensure ongoing visual consistency. Set up visual tests with every deployment and at scheduled intervals to monitor the UI’s integrity. Schedule regular test runs, such as nightly builds, and review the results to maintain continuous UI quality assurance.

Common Visual Testing Example

Cross-Browser Testing

Visual testing ensures that your application consistently displays across Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge browsers. This process identifies issues such as:

• Layout Shifts: Ensures that elements maintain their correct positions across different browsers.
• Font Rendering Differences: Detects discrepancies in font display between browsers.
• CSS Inconsistencies: Addresses variations in CSS interpretation across different platforms.

Responsive Design Verification

Ensuring that your application's UI adapts to different screen sizes and resolutions across mobiles, tablets, and desktops is essential. Visual testing helps identify:

• Element Overlaps: Detects instances where elements overlap or become misaligned on smaller screens.
• Disappearing Elements: Ensures that all necessary elements are visible and functional on various devices.

Conclusion

Prioritizing visual consistency through thorough testing fosters user trust and satisfaction, which is crucial to your application's success. Incorporate visual testing as an integral part of your quality assurance strategy to deliver impeccable user interfaces that meet the highest standards.

Investing in a robust visual testing approach simplifies the process of maintaining UI quality and greatly reduces the likelihood of visual defects reaching your users. Ready to elevate your visual testing strategy? Start integrating visual testing into your workflow with pCloudy and experience the difference it makes in your application's quality.