Ecommerce application testing risks to avoid
September 17, 2024

Common Ecommerce Application Testing Risks & How to Avoid Them

Performance Testing
Functional Testing

The ecommerce industry has completely transformed how people use their purchasing (and selling) power. Since the advent of the internet and its continued sophistication, the barriers to entrepreneurship have come tumbling down. 

The good part? Anyone with an internet connection, computer, and a dream can open their own ecommerce shop. The bad part? The playing field is level now, and the number of potential competitors to a business can be staggering. 

One of the best ways to set your ecommerce business apart is by ensuring your customers a seamless online user experience — which is achieved through ecommerce application testing. 

In this blog, we will explore what ecommerce application testing is and why it is important, types of ecommerce applications, risks you can avoid by conducting ecommerce application testing, and some key best practices. 

Table of Contents

  1. What is Ecommerce Application Testing?
  2. The Importance of Ecommerce Application Testing
  3. Types of Ecommerce Applications
  4. Common Risks Avoided by Ecommerce Application Testing
  5. Ecommerce Application Testing Best Practices
  6. Bottom Line
 

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What is Ecommerce Application Testing?

Ecommerce application testing is a software testing method that evaluates and validates every aspect of an online store to bolster its security, functionality, and reliability. This method identifies software issues within the application before it is released and prevents a poor UX for customers. 

If it were a brick-and-mortar store, you can think of ecommerce application testing like a “soft launch” — testing out how the application runs and functions before opening it up to the general public. 

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The Importance of Ecommerce Application Testing

The importance of ecommerce application testing cannot be overstated; it is the difference between whether your online shop sinks or swims. 

When a customer visits your store, adds one of your products to their cart, and begins the checkout process only to have your application crash — do you think you have gained them as a customer? The level of usability of your ecommerce application will be a direct reflection of the trust you gain from your customers — along with repeat visits and purchases. 

That is the essence of why ecommerce application testing is so important. Your application is an extension of your brand — the part of your business that your customers deal with the most — and ensuring they have a seamless shopping experience will go a long way in securing a satisfied (and loyal) customer. 

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Types of Ecommerce Applications

Depending on the product you are offering your customers, there are a number of different types of ecommerce applications. Understanding the different types is essential if you want your online presence to be catered to your customers. 

Business-to-Consumer (B2C)

Businesses sell services or products directly to the consumer. B2C ecommerce applications make secure transactions and facilitate some sort of delivery method to the customer. A good example is Amazon, which is essentially a large marketplace for consumers to browse through various business offerings and make a purchase. 

Business-to-Business (B2B)

Whereas B2C applications provide more of a one-way street (business to consumer, but not necessarily the other way around), B2B ecommerce applications enable transactions between businesses. One business can buy or sell their product or service to another business, and vice versa. The B2B business model provides the opportunity for wholesale purchases and business collaborations. 

Direct-to-Consumer (D2C)

D2C ecommerce applications sell their products directly to consumers without a middleman. Businesses like Warby Parker tailor their shopping experience for each customer without having to worry about overhead costs associated with third parties. 

Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C)

With C2C ecommerce applications, a virtual marketplace is created by consumers selling wares to other consumers. A popular example of a C2C experience is eBay — where one individual sells something directly to another individual without a business associated with the transaction. 

Consumer-to-Business (C2B)

The C2B business model is comprised of individuals selling services or products to businesses. This is better known as the “freelancer” industry where people offer specialized services that are prized by businesses. Social media influencers would fall into this category. 

 

How Retail & Ecommerce Companies Prepare Their Apps for Peak Traffic Events  

A key aspect of ecommerce application testing is ensuring your system can withstand sudden and dramatic spikes in traffic. This BlazeMeter guide offers tips and best practices to ensure your testing strategy is up to the task and your app can handle whatever it’s put through. 

Get eBook 

 

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Common Risks Avoided by Ecommerce Application Testing

If it were a perfect world, your ecommerce application would function flawlessly right from the get-go. But that is simply not reality. Rather, your ecommerce application is susceptible to numerous risks that directly impact your user experience and customer satisfaction. Below are several risks that ecommerce application testing can help prevent. 

Performance Issues 

Your users are going to expect a certain level of functionality when entering your ecommerce application. Any issues with page load speed, scaling, app responsiveness, or bloated CPU usage can be solved through performance testing. 

Downtime 

Application downtime is the easiest way to lose money. High traffic loads can affect your page speed, so ensuring your website is available to your customers is essential. Load testing is a great way to bolster your system. 

Cart Abandonment 

If a customer places your product in their digital cart, you want them to complete that checkout process! And while there are many aspects that can lead to a customer abandoning their cart, there are a couple ways to avoid it: ensuring a high-quality, secure payment process, and creating an easy-to-understand pricing page. 

Subpar UI 

Customers will quickly lose interest in your ecommerce application if the UI is poor. Ensure that navigation is easy and intuitive, while also being helpfully interactive. UI testing will help to ensure a quality UI. 

Product Search Issues 

The products or services you are offering within your ecommerce application should not be difficult to find. If they are, a customer will likely seek out a competitor to make a purchase. You must ensure your app has an accurately functioning search field so your customers can complete their purchase journey. 

Return/Exchange Issues 

Inevitably, a customer is going to want to exchange or return a purchase they made on your ecommerce application. Ensuring this process is simple and quick will greatly help maintain customer loyalty. 

Customer Purchase History 

Customer purchase history helps your users determine what more they may want to purchase from you. If locating a purchase history is difficult — or lacking entirely — it will mean that customer is less likely to make repeat purchases from you. 

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Ecommerce Application Testing Best Practices

Now that you know the risks you face if you choose not to incorporate ecommerce application testing into your business strategy, below are several best practices to keep in mind to ensure your ecommerce experience is a good one. 

  1. Varied Testing: When conducting ecommerce application testing, you should incorporate as many different browsers and devices as possible. Broader test coverage ensures consistent functionality for more users. Try using a mix of real devices and simulators/emulators. 

  1. Painless Payments: The most critical component of your ecommerce experience should also be the most painless. Repeatedly test your payment processes and ensure functions such as transactions, refunds, and payment gateway integrations are secure and error-free. 

  1. Realistic Test Scenarios: Your tests should reflect the behavior of your users. This means creating test scenarios that are comprised of typical user preferences and expectations so your UX is the best it can be. 

  1. Manual & Automated Tests: Do not use one or the other if you can avoid it. Rather, leverage manual testing to properly simulate your site as a customer would, while automated tests can help relieve you of the burden of tedious or repetitive tasks. 

  1. A/B Testing: Try out different things to see what resonates most with your customers. In your A test, for example, you could show “Popular” products to your users while in your B test you can serve users “Similar” products. 

  1. Usability: Make sure your ecommerce application is easy to navigate through. Testing your UI is a critical component of ecommerce application testing, and you can leverage UI test automation tools to create efficiencies. 

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Bottom Line

If you attract more flies with honey, then it stands to reason that you attract more customers to your ecommerce application with an enjoyable, pain-free shopping experience. Ecommerce application testing is an excellent way to not only attract customers but retain them. 

You can get started transforming your online shopping experience with BlazeMeter’s unrivaled performance testing capabilities. Ensure a delightful shopping experience for your customers by getting started testing for FREE today!  

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