58 Web Application Testing Checklist: The Key to Deliver Flawless User Experiences

Key Takeaways

• Before starting with web app testing, check a handy 58-point checklist. This includes functionality checks, user interface checks, performance checks, and security tests.
• Include a rigorous security testing protocol in your checklist. You should aim to cover 95% of potential security vulnerabilities, like SQL injection and XSS attacks. A secure application not only protects the user data but also the reputation of your business.
• Simulate high-traffic scenarios to verify the robustness of your application under stress. Performance testing can help ensure that your application can handle peak load times, thereby providing a consistent user experience regardless of the server load.

If you are looking to develop a secure web application, you need to ensure your web app solution is error-free.

Before your web application is deployed, web app testing is required to meet the user’s requirements. And, if you have a checklist handy, it even makes it easy to test the web application.

Being a leading web application development service provider, we understand how much important, it is to rigorously test the web application. So, here is a blog post that provides a comprehensive web application testing checklist, tailor-made for you to validate all the aspects of your web app. This guide just doesn’t talk about functionality testing, but also important factors like usability, compatibility, and security testing.

You can read through the checklist right here in this post. So, let’s get started with the different website testing types and its checklist.

58-Point Checklist for Web Application Testing

Before understanding the checklist, you might want to understand the testing process and best practices. Check our blog about the step-by-step web application testing process to know in-depth about testing. Once you read the web app testing blog, check out the below checklist that helps you to plan your testing process.
Let’s understand each website testing type with its checklist.

1. Functional Testing

   What is Functional Testing?

   Functional testing is a type of software testing that verifies that the software functions as expected. This is achieved by providing input to the system and then checking the output against the functional requirements or specifications. Functional website testing does not look at the internal workings of a system but focuses on the results of processing.

   Functional Testing Checklist

   1. Link Verification

   • All outgoing links are working correctly.
   • All internal links are functional. Ensure there are no broken links.
   • Anchor links are correctly directed to the intended section.
   • MailTo links initiate an email request to the correct address.

   2. Form Validation

   • All forms function as expected.
   • Error messages are displayed for invalid input.
   • Mandatory fields are indicated, and forms cannot be submitted if these fields are empty.
   • Consistent behaviors or actions occur on form submission.

   3. Cookie and Session Testing

   • Cookies are set, function, and expire as expected.
   • Session test data is correctly maintained between different web pages.
   • Sessions expire correctly after a period of inactivity.

   4. Database Testing

   • The application successfully connects to the database.
   • Data is correctly retrieved from the database.
   • Changes to data are successfully updated in the database.
   • Data storage functions correctly and without errors.

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2. Usability Testing

   What is Usability Testing?

   Usability testing is a non-functional testing technique that involves evaluating a product or system during the design process to see whether it meets the intended usability standards. Usability tests are performed from the end user’s perspective and help to determine how user-friendly the system is. In this website testing, real users interact with the software to perform specific tasks while observers watch, listen, and take notes.

   Usability Testing Checklist

   1. Content Understandability

   • Check if the content is easy to read and comprehend.
   • Verify that all icons, images, and multimedia convey the correct message and are harmonious with the text.

   2. Navigation and Controls

   • Ensure that navigation elements like menus, breadcrumbs, links, and buttons are intuitive and consistently placed.
   • Check if feedback is provided when user actions are successful or unsuccessful (e.g., form submission).

   3. Design and Layout Consistency

   • Verify that typography, color schemes, button styles, spacing, and imagery are consistent throughout the application.
   • Check if the application’s design adheres to established best practices for the platform (e.g., web, mobile).

   4. Ease of Learning and Use

   • Measure how quickly a new user can learn to use the system for the first time.
   • Test the discoverability of features and options.

   5. User Satisfaction

   • Gather qualitative feedback about the user’s experience (e.g., what they liked or disliked, suggestions for improvements).
   • Monitor users’ facial expressions, comments, and body language for indications of frustration or satisfaction.

3. Interface Testing

   What is Interface Testing?

   Interface testing is a software testing type that verifies whether the communication between two different software systems is happening correctly. UI testing includes the interaction between different software modules, between a web server, between the application and the database, etc. UI testing ensures that all components of a system interact and communicate as expected, and it identifies issues in the interaction between integrated components.

   Checklist for Interface Testing

   1. Verify Interaction Between Systems

   • Confirm all interactions between systems or components function as expected.
   • Test the software’s response to different inputs across various interfaces.

   2. Check Error Handling

   • Ensure that the system displays the proper error messages during failures.
   • Validate that the system can handle errors and exceptions gracefully.

   3. Validate Data Consistency

   • Check if the data remains consistent when transmitted across different interfaces.
   • Ensure data integrity is maintained during system interactions.

   4. Examine Interface Contracts

   • Confirm the system complies with the agreed-upon interface contracts.
   • Validate that each interface works as documented in the specifications.

   5. Check for Data Type Compatibility

   • Validate the compatibility of data types and sizes passed between different interfaces.
   • Check if the data is formatted correctly during the transmission.

   6. Test Under Different Conditions

   • Assess how the system’s interfaces respond under various test scenarios, such as high system load or network failure.
   • Test the resilience and reliability of system interfaces under suboptimal conditions.

4. Compatibility Testing

   What is Compatibility Testing?

   Compatibility testing is a type of software testing that checks if your application is capable of running on different hardware, operating systems, applications, network environments, or mobile devices. Compatibility testing ensures that the software can work in various test environments without any issues.

   Checklist for Compatibility Testing

   1. Cross-browser Compatibility

   • Ensure your web app works as expected on different browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc. Perform cross-browser testing for multiple browsers.
   • Check for layout issues, functionality issues, and performance issues across different browsers.

   2. Operating System Compatibility

   • Test your application on different operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.
   • Verify that all functionalities of the application work as expected in different operating systems.

   3. Mobile Browsing

   • Check if your application is mobile-friendly and functions properly on various mobile devices. Ensure cross-platform compatibility across multiple devices.
   • Verify the responsiveness of the application by website testing it on mobile devices of various screen sizes.

   4. Hardware Compatibility

   • Test the application’s compatibility with different hardware configurations.
   • Check if the application supports different hardware components like printers, scanners, etc.

   5. Network Environment Compatibility

   • Test the application’s performance and functionality across different network environments.
   • Check if the application can handle varying network speeds, internet connection speeds, and stability.

   6. Software Version Compatibility

   • Check the application’s compatibility with different versions of software it may interact with.
   • This could include different versions of database software, a web server, etc.

   7. Backward Compatibility

   • Test whether the new version of the application is compatible with the old version.
   • Check if the new version can successfully use files and data created with the old version.

5. Performance Testing

   What is Performance Testing?

   Performance testing is a type of software testing that ensures the software application performs well under its expected workload. It is designed to test the speed, response time, stability, and scalability of an application under different levels of load and stress.

   Checklist for Performance Testing

   1. Load Testing

   • Validate the application behavior under both normal and peak loads.
   • Identify the maximum operating capacity of an application and its weak points.

   2. Stress Testing

   • Validate the application behavior beyond normal or peak load.
   • Determine how the application behaves under extreme workloads and how it recovers from failure.

   3. Network Performance

   • Check the application’s response time on different internet speeds.
   • Test the performance and responsiveness of the application over various network configurations and conditions.

   4. Concurrency Testing

   • Verify the system’s handling of multiple users accessing the application simultaneously.
   • Ensure data consistency and integrity when multiple users access the application concurrently.

   5. Scalability Testing

   • Check the application’s ability to scale up in terms of software, hardware, and database increase.
   • Identify the user limit for the application where it can perform sufficiently when the load is increased.

   6. Endurance Testing

   • Ensure that the software can handle the expected load over a long period of time.
   • Identify and fix memory leaks or other issues that could impact system stability over time.

   7. Response Time Analysis

   • Measure how much time it takes for an application to respond to end-user requests.
   • Identify any potential issues that may slow down the application’s response time.

   8. Resource Utilization

   • Monitor the usage of system resources (CPU, memory, disk space, network, etc.) when the application is under load.
   • Ensure that the application uses system resources efficiently.

6. Security Testing

   What is Security Testing?

   Security testing is a process intended to reveal flaws in the security mechanisms of an information system that protect data and maintain functionality as intended. It ensures that the system and applications in an organization are free from any loopholes that may lead to a significant loss.

   Checklist for Security Testing

   1. Vulnerability Scanning

   • Check for any potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.
   • Use automated tools to scan the entire application for known vulnerabilities.

   2. Secure Transmission

   • Validate secure data encryption if your application deals with sensitive user information.
   • Check if data is encrypted while in transit between systems and during storage.

   3. Common Security Attacks

   • Verify the application against common security attacks like XSS (Cross Site Scripting), SQL Injection, and CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery).
   • Use penetration website testing techniques to simulate an attack on the system and identify vulnerabilities.

   4. Session Management

   • Check for proper session management. Sessions should be terminated after an idle timeout.
   • Validate that users are appropriately logged out and cannot use the back functionality of the browser to access an authenticated web page.

   5. Password Protection Policies

   • Confirm that passwords are stored in an encrypted format, preferably hashed and salted.
   • Passwords should be sufficiently complex and must be stored securely.

   6. Access Control

   • Test the application for a path or directory traversal attacks.
   • Ensure that privilege levels are correctly implemented and users do not have access to functions or data outside of their given permissions.

   7. Data Input Validation

   • Ensure the application is performing sufficient input validation.
   • Check if all input fields are validating input data to prevent attacks.

   8. Error Handling

   • Error messages should not reveal sensitive information that could be used to exploit the system.
   • Test the system’s ability to handle errors securely and effectively.

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7. Localization Testing

   What is Localization Testing?

   Localization testing is a type of software testing that focuses on verifying the functionality, linguistic accuracy, cultural appropriateness, and overall user experience of a software application for specific target locales or regions. It ensures that the application is adapted and tailored to meet the functional requirements and expectations of users in different locales.

   Checklist for Localization Testing

   1. Language Translation

   • Verify the accuracy and appropriateness of translated text in the user interface, error messages, tooltips, etc.
   • Ensure that translations are contextually correct and properly convey the intended meaning.

   2. Cultural Adaptation

   • Validate that the application handles cultural nuances appropriately, such as localized images, symbols, colors, and culturally sensitive content.
   • Check for any culturally offensive or inappropriate content.

   3. Regional Formats

   • Test date, time, and number formats to ensure they are displayed correctly based on the target locale’s conventions.
   • Verify proper handling of time zones and daylight saving time changes.

   4. Currency Conversion

   • Validate accurate currency conversion and formatting based on the target locale’s currency conventions.
   • Test calculations involving currency to ensure they are accurate and culturally appropriate.

   5. Language Support

   • Test the application with different languages and character sets to ensure proper rendering and functionality.
   • Verify that the application supports right-to-left (RTL) languages, if applicable.

   6. Input Testing Method

   • Ensure that the application supports the input methods used in the target locale, such as keyboard layouts and character sets.
   • Validate input validation for different languages and characters.

   7. Localization of Content

   • Check if region-specific content, such as address formats, legal requirements, and cultural references, is properly localized.
   • Verify that measurement units, paper sizes, phone number formats, and address formats align with the target locale’s conventions.

   8. Help and Documentation

   • Validate the localization of help files, user guides, and documentation to ensure accuracy and completeness in the target language.
   • Check for consistency and clarity in translated content.

   9. Functional Testing in the Local Context

   • Perform functionality testing to ensure that all application features, including region-specific functionality, work as intended.
   • Validate any region-specific workflows or functionalities.

   10. Usability Testing

   • Assess the website usability and user experience of the localized application to ensure it meets the expectations and preferences of users in the target locale.
   • Test the application with representative users from the target locale to gather feedback on usability.

8. Accessibility Testing

   What is Accessibility Testing?

   Accessibility testing is a type of website testing that focuses on ensuring that a web app or software product can be accessed and used by people with disabilities. The purpose is to identify and address any barriers that may prevent individuals with disabilities from accessing or using the application effectively.

   Checklist for Accessibility Testing

   1. WCAG Compliance

   • Ensure your web app follows accessibility standards, such as WCAG 2.0 or WCAG 2.1.
   • Verify that the application meets the specific level of compliance required, such as Level A, AA, or AAA.

   2. Keyboard Accessibility

   • Check for proper tabbing order and keyboard navigation within the application.
   • Verify that all interactive elements (buttons, internal and external links, form fields) can be accessed and used solely through the keyboard.

   3. Alternative Text for Images

   • Verify the availability and correctness of alt texts for all images used in the application.
   • Ensure that alt texts provide meaningful descriptions for screen reader users.

   4. Text Readability

   • Check the readability of text content, including font size, color contrast, and font type.
   • Verify that the application supports resizable text and does not rely solely on fixed font sizes.

   5. Semantic Markup

   • Verify the use of proper semantic elements (headings, lists, paragraphs) to structure the content.
   • Ensure that the content is logically organized and properly labeled for assistive technologies.

   6. Form Accessibility

   • Check the accessibility of form elements, including labels, error messages, and focus indicators.
   • Ensure that forms are operable and understandable for all web users, including those using assistive technologies.

   7. Audio and Video Accessibility

   • Verify the availability of captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions for audio and video content.
   • Ensure that users with hearing or visual impairments can access and understand multimedia content.

   8. Color Contrast

   • Check color contrast ratios to ensure that text and graphical elements are distinguishable for users with visual impairments.
   • Verify that the application does not rely solely on color to convey important information.

   9. Screen Reader Compatibility

   • Test the application using popular screen reader software to ensure compatibility and proper information presentation.
   • Verify that all relevant content and functionality are accessible to screen reader users.

   10. Accessible Forms and Error Handling

   • Check that forms have clear instructions, appropriate field validation, and descriptive error messages.
   • Ensure that users with disabilities can understand and interact with form elements effectively.

So, here you have a complete idea of the important testing types and the checklist required when performing manual or automated testing. If you still have doubts, let’s check frequently asked questions in the below section.

Frequently Asked Questions About Web Application Testing Checklist

Can a web app testing checklist be customized?

Yes, a web app testing checklist can and should be customized to suit the specific requirements of your application.

Every web app is unique, and you may need to add or remove certain items from the checklist based on the technologies, functionalities, and target audience of your application. Customize the checklist to align with your application’s specific needs and testing goals.

How often should a web app testing checklist be updated?

A web app testing checklist should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.

As new technologies emerge, testing best practices evolve, and application requirements change, the checklist should be revised accordingly. It is recommended to review and update the checklist before each website testing cycle or whenever significant changes are made to the application.

Are there any industry standards or frameworks for web application testing checklists?

Yes, there are industry standards and frameworks available for web application testing checklists. One commonly used standard is the

• OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) Testing Guide, which provides a comprehensive checklist for web application security testing.
• ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) provides guidelines and best practices for website testing in general.

How to track the progress and completion of tests in the testing checklist of web applications?

To track the progress and completion of tests, you can use test management tools or spreadsheets. Create a test plan or test management tool that includes the checklist items, test status, assigned testers, and target completion dates. Update the status of each test case it is executed and provide a summary report to track overall progress.

Ready to Use This Checklist to Check Your Web Application?

We understand the challenges of building outstanding web applications. Quality testing is crucial to ensure your app performs well, stays secure, and delivers a great user experience.

Our web application testing checklist is a valuable tool that guides you through the testing processes. It helps you find bugs, check system performance, and create exceptional user experiences. We’re here to support you in creating reliable, secure, and high-performing digital products. Let’s get in touch to build a high-quality web application.