When testing mobile applications and websites, is it better to go with crowdtesting or an in-lab test? Well the answer is...why not use both?
A hybrid test is a quality assurance (QA) approach that combines the strengths of crowdtesting with the strengths of an in-lab test to create a more thorough software testing campaign.
The Advantages of a Hybrid Test?
Overall, hybrid tests provide greater flexibility in addressing a wide range of software testing needs. Below, we highlight some of the QA testing challenges that hybrid testing is well suited for.
UAT & Multilingual Testing
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is a key step in the QA process of any app or website. UAT is designed to test how well functions perform in a real-world setting, which ensures that apps and websites are launched when expectations are fully met. By testing these functions, UAT is able to measure whether or not they work as intended according to your user stories.
For apps and websites that serve various markets, a hybrid campaign is great for UAT and multilingual testing.
With hybrid testing, a team of experienced and certified in-lab testers can perfectly execute a UAT campaign to find any bugs that hinder functions across the different versions of a website or app.
At the same time, crowdtesters who are native in Spanish, for example, can be used to assess the Spanish version of the site or app to specifically uncover any issues with the text including grammar mistakes, misspelled words, or mistranslations that can affect conversion rates, page views, churn rates, and more.
An example of multiple mistranslations on China Eastern's English website. Issues like this can erode consumer confidence and taint your brand image.
Additionally, a crowdtest can be used to ensure multilingual sites or apps are culturally appropriate for their target audience. While vocabulary is one aspect to consider, images and colors are other aspects that can affect how people in different countries will perceive an app or website.
For example, McDonald’s has multiple websites to serve the various markets where their restaurants can be found.
In France, the McDonald’s logo is green, a major color on the site, in order to signify their commitment to protecting the environment. In China, the color green has a more negative association so the logo is still red and yellow. At the same time, the homepage presents a number of items to visitors translating to more clickable functions.
The website for McDonald's France
The website for McDonald's China
Functional and Environmental Testing
A hybrid test is also well suited for campaigns that need to be executed in a precise manner that require certified tester as well as environmental testing to assess an app or website across various conditions. Here, in-lab testers can be trusted to execute the most technical and difficult aspects of a test campaign.
The crowd, on the other hand, can be used to test functions that are less difficult or less practical to test in a lab. This includes geolocation features, which are best assessed in the real world.
Additionally, a handful of crowdtesters can detail the performance of functions as well as the speed of an app or website across cellular and wifi networks of various speeds.
In markets with slower Internet or cellular networks, avoiding the use of Flash or Java can ensure the site or app remains accessible to the population.
Conclusion
Interested in learning more about in a hybrid test campaign? We invite you to contact us below.
Additionally, learn more about testing practices by downloading our informational white paper below: How and Why to Test in The Digital Transformation Era.
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