Never Launch An E-commerce Platform Without Testing – Here Is Why

Published on: 26 March 2021 Last Updated on: 22 November 2024

In simple words, without sounding too nerdy, let us try to look at what performance testing is.

Performance Testing is the process of rigorously testing all the tech and digital components of an E-commerce business. This includes the desktop version of the platform and mobile app testing. The key is to look at and analyze how the entire tech and digital ecosystem operates. Especially when exposed to real-world use.

Imagine hundreds of people using the E-commerce platform app at the same time. The questions that then arise are-

Is the server able to handle the heavy load of all the traffic using the mobile app at the same time?
Is there a lag or breakdown that any of the users are experiencing or is there a UI and UX compromise under stress?
What are some of the benchmarks and standards that one should use to judge speed and whether the platform is exposing some bottlenecks?

Performance Testing is more than just looking at loading page speeds. It seeks to test each aspect of the E-commerce platform and suggest the perfect optimization for the same.

Important Things To Consider During Performance Testing For E-commerce:

In this section, we request experts at QA Madness to help us. Specifically, to list some important things that should be considered during performance testing.

1. Testing Financial Transactions

One area where things can go wrong is in financial transactions. With so many people using the same platform at the same time, testing becomes necessary. You need to test to ensure that every transaction is going through.

Integrations with Payment Gateways, the ERP, and Inventory Management Software are all areas that should be covered under this software testing services.

2. Checking The Mobile App Exhaustively

Mobile app testing perhaps constitutes one of the most important verticals for Performance Testing. How does the app perform?

Is it SEO friendly?

Is there a compromise in the graphics?

These are the common issues that mobile app testing will help resolve.

In addition to the app, the mobile version of the E-commerce platform’s website also needs to be tested rigorously.

3. Region-Based Testing For Different Geographies-

If you are starting an e-commerce business, you are looking at a truly global audience.

This is why you need to make sure that the internet protocols of the different countries are not interfering with how the customers in those countries are engaging with your platform. Changed domain URLs, IP addresses, and other rules and regulations need to be considered.

4. Data Management Testing

Any successful E-commerce ecosystem is incomplete without integrated data management. For an E-commerce platform, data is the lifeblood that helps all its verticals- marketing, sales, and CRM.

Performance Testing needs to ensure that the data collection, cloud storage solutions, and the final outputs are ready for systematic generation.

The Three KPIs Of Performance Testing As Stated By QA Madness-

While there can be multiple KPIs that software testing services can help E-commerce brands with, QA Madness states that the following are the three major ones. They refer to the same as the three ‘S’s of their Performance Testing goals.

A. Speed

When it comes to speed, we are referring to the speed of the website, the mobile version of the web, and the mobile application. It also includes the speed with which users are progressing from one page to another on the app and the website.

The higher the speed, the better will be the user experience. This combines to deliver the best sales and revenues for an E-commerce platform.

B. Scalability

You do not want your website and app infrastructure to be so weak that it crashes only after a hundred visitors. You’re E-commerce website and the app must go under a test for scalability to handle massive loads all at the same time.

This will help you provide a fluid experience to millions of users and potential customers all at the same time without compromises.

C. Stability

A lot can go wrong on an E-commerce website when it is put under stress. Graphics can fall out of place and payment gateways can collapse. You never want the users to experience these problems on your platform.

An E-commerce platform needs to be stable all the time, with or without load. Performance Testing seeks to build the stability of an E-commerce platform.

What Do Experts Have To Say?

There is no set rule as to when an E-commerce platform should go for Performance Testing. Some believe that it should be done at the early stages of development.

Others believe that it should be done once the development of the platform is complete to identify the loopholes and then plug them in accordingly.

No matter when you get them done, Performance Testing is essential for your E-commerce platform. If you want to create a highly optimized and result-oriented business, this is a great investment to make.

If you have any other questions on software testing services or mobile app testing, feel free to ask them. Use the comments section to drop your queries. We will once again request or reach out to our friends at QA Madness to help you out.

What Happens With A Lack Of Thorough Test?

Not performing performance testing for an E-commerce platform can get you in a lot of trouble. Your site is live; suddenly, hundreds or thousands of people have started using it!

What could possibly go wrong?- Well, without performance testing, things will go downhill really quickly. So, let’s see what could happen when not to perform performance testing.

Crashes And Slowdowns

If your E-commerce platform hasn’t been tested for scalability, it could easily crash when too many users try to access it. A slow website or app not only frustrates users but also drives them away.

No one likes waiting for pages to load, especially when they’re trying to make a purchase. The result? A major drop in sales and a tarnished reputation.

Failed Transactions

Think of users wanting to purchase an item and their transactions fail. Users will not be ready to trust your platform anymore.

This is why performance testing is important as it ensures that all financial transactions are smooth on your site even when there is heavy traffic.

Poor User Experience

Have you ever been on an app or website that lags, has images that don’t fit, or feels unresponsive?

It’s not fun. The UI/UX of your platform can feel the same way without performance testing.

This gives a very unprofessional impression and will make people leave your site out of frustration (high bounce rate).

Increased Costs

Skipping testing might appear to be a good way to keep some money in your pocket, however it will actually cost you more in the end.

If your site crashes during a big sale or promotion, the time and expense of getting those issues fixed after the fact will likely be substantial. Plus, if your site is down for any longer period of time, you’ll be losing out on all that potential income.

Safety Not Guaranteed!

No matter what app you’re building, you’re likely going to be handling some sort of user data.

Whether it’s a login and password or more sensitive financial or health information, users need to know they can trust you with that data.

What About The User’s Interest

Finally, one of the most significant risks is losing users’ trust. If your platform crashes, slows down, or declines a transaction, for instance, and that happens to some users, they will probably never come back.

Even if you fix everything afterward!

When people’s trust is broken, it’s very hard to be rebuilt!

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Soumava Goswami

A passionate writer and an avid reader, Soumava is academically inclined and loves writing on topics requiring deep research. Having 3+ years of experience, Soumava also loves writing blogs in other domains, including digital marketing, business, technology, travel, and sports.

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Explore Some Interesting Marketing Trends for Your Business in 2018

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Successful digital marketers know that a large portion of their budget must go into content marketing on blogs, social media, and emails and so on. Good content must be created and promoted so that the business is noticed and can take off. Plan, Plan, Plan Less than 40% of businesses have effective content marketing strategies in place. Some fail due to poor quality content, others because they don't target their audience properly. A good marketer always tracks activity through each stage of the funnel and ensure that the strategy is fine-tuned when things go wrong. Tracking & Measuring : How to gain marketing success digitally for your SMEs could still seem to be a mystery for many of you. A huge percentage of small business entrepreneurs, as much as 46 percent to be precise, actually do not have any idea if the marketing strategies for their businesses are effectively working or not. Thanks to the present cutting-edge technologies, you are in a position to keep on tracking all your marketing returns, expenses, and debt. For example, you could today find out exactly how much it would be costing your business for acquiring a new customer. You must consider all dollars diverted toward various areas of marketing including social media, website, blog writing, trade shows, direct mail, paid social, etc. you must consider factoring in all you have already spent on all these important marketing elements and then divide the amount by the number of new clients you acquire every month. Moreover, you must find out from exactly which marketing channel you are able to get new clients and more inquiries. It is imperative to consistently track ROI. Social Media Marketing Is Currently the Rage : As per a recent study, it has been predicted that 2018 is surely going to be the year of intense social media promotion and marketing. Among the SMEs, an impressive 71 percent is expected to gain new clients by using social media platforms effectively for marketing their brands. This present marketing trend must be given a lot of importance and most entrepreneurs are appreciating and understanding the effectiveness of social media marketing. Social media is certainly one of the hottest business marketing trends. Facebook is obviously the prime choice for small businesses as 79% of entrepreneurs would be using Facebook in all their marketing endeavors. Will your business be benefitted if you incorporate the social media marketing plans into your business strategy? According to some Facebook exponents, Facebook success is all about going mobile. If you wish to maximize the impact of Facebook in the marketing and promotion of your business, you must dedicate all your efforts at generating and delivering everything mobile-friendly. 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Pinterest : Pinterest is actually regarded as a niche social networking site. However, it is forecasted to be a huge success. The best way of grabbing marketing attention is by utilizing Pinterest Lens and its versatility and functionality for engaging effectively with consumers and showcasing your mind-blowing style, products, and services. Artificial Intelligence : Early exponents of AI or Artificial Intelligence have categorically realized the efficacy of AI in boosting user engagement. However, incorporating AI into any site’s chatbox such as the Facebook messenger could be creating more creativity and it also helps you to understand clearly the target market of the brand. Artificial intelligence would be addressing consumer needs and issues with perfection and the same degree of efficacy as a human agent. Remember it would be quite effective and helpful if the artificial intelligence experience absolutely delights your customers in basically lighthearted and fun ways. Conclusion : This year marketing trends have focused on honesty and authenticity. The latest marketing trend is to focus on stark reality or brutal honesty and this marketing trend is winning a lot of acclaim and appreciation. Marketers could discuss their products and explain clearly how advantageous those products or services are. They must, at the same time, tell their target audience the scope for improvement and the flaws that may still exist. All these statements could be supported by truly objective customer reviews. Authenticity for brands is the hottest marketing trend today. Around 86 percent of the customers feel authenticity is of utmost importance while deciding and evaluating the brands. Around 60 percent of consumers believe that user-generated content is the best form of authentic content. Read Also : Marketing – What’s Right For Your Business? Know Why Content Marketing Is Important For SEO Digital Marketing: Utilize Facebook To Support Your Hospitality Business

7 Online Promotion Methods For Your Next Live Performance

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Short-form video platforms like TikTok have changed the game with video marketing, so you need to get your information across in a short time, and in a visually appealing manner. So, share live rehearsal snippets, behind-the-scenes videos, and communicate face-to-face with your audience with these short clips. Make sure these are filmed and edited well, and then share them on your social media pages, with a special focus on Reels and TikTok. Build Up Hype Across Platforms Often, companies tend to focus on only one or two online platforms. However, you need to make sure you cover all your bases. Whether it is social media, email, blogs, online forums, or your own website, have a cohesive promotion plan for all these online platforms. Customize your posts according to the dimensions and specifications of these platforms, and then you can implement your campaigns. Of course, you’ll put a bit more effort and resources into platforms that have proven to be successful for you, but you should also not ignore all the other online promotion opportunities out there. Work With Businesses For Cross-Promotion If you have a sponsor, then you can ask them to share your online promotion materials on their platforms as well. Usually, they’ll want to be mentioned on your platforms in return, so fulfill your end of the deal with a few special sponsor announcement posts and logo placements as well. You can also contact local businesses near your venue for services like food, transport, and others. Then, offer to promote these services on your platforms for your audiences to use. In return, these businesses can promote your event on their online platforms. You can even work out agreements with promo codes and discounts for patrons of both your performance and the businesses. Utilize Influencer Marketing These days, influencer marketing is a major tool for online promotion. Do your research into popular influencers in the area and contact them for shoutouts for your performance. Send out a few free tickets or comped services to the bigger names, so that they announce that they’ll be attending your performance to their followers. You need to make sure you contact these influencers well in advance and figure out exactly what you want from them, and get it in writing. A proper agreement means that there will be no confusion or misunderstanding later. Make Custom Band Email Newsletters Email marketing is still one of the best online promotion tools you can work on. So, you should send out monthly updates in an email newsletter to your mailing list of fans and potential attendees. Use the band email templates on PosterMyWall to make these emails, and use the platform’s email marketing tool to keep track of everything in one place. 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Deep Dive Into Project Management With Informative Podcasts

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The Benefits of Learning Project Management through Podcasts The acquisition of project management skills through informative podcasts offers numerous advantages, including enhanced efficiency, improved time management, and increased productivity for individuals seeking to improve their professional careers. The importance of audio learning cannot be overstated as it allows listeners to absorb information while multitasking. Podcasts are portable and can be downloaded and listened to on the go, making them a convenient option for busy professionals. Furthermore, podcasts offer insights into various time management techniques that can help individuals prioritize tasks effectively. Project managers need to juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously; therefore, mastering time management is crucial in ensuring project success. By listening to podcasts on this topic, individuals can learn from experts who have mastered the art of managing their time efficiently. Overall, the benefits of learning project management through podcasts extend beyond just acquiring knowledge; they also have practical applications in improving one's career prospects and enhancing workplace performance. Top Podcasts for Beginners in Project Management Novice project managers can enhance their knowledge by listening to these recommended podcasts, providing a strong foundation for understanding the fundamentals of project management. Several podcasts cater specifically to beginners in project management and offer valuable insights into basic concepts. One such podcast is The Project Management Podcast, which covers various topics like risk management, communication skills, and stakeholder engagement. The podcast also features interviews with experienced professionals who share their expertise and provide practical tips for managing projects. Another highly recommended podcast for beginners is PM Point of View, produced by the Project Management Institute (PMI). This podcast covers a wide range of topics related to project management, including leadership skills, team-building strategies, change management techniques, and many more. The program also includes interviews with experts in various fields who offer valuable insights into successful project management practices. Overall, these podcasts provide excellent resources for novice project managers seeking to learn new skills and improve their performance in managing projects effectively. Advanced Strategies for Experienced Project Managers Experienced project managers can elevate their skills and enhance their project management proficiency by incorporating advanced strategies that have been proven to produce successful project outcomes. One such strategy is effective risk management techniques, which involve identifying potential risks, analyzing their likelihood and impact, developing mitigation plans, and monitoring the risks throughout the project's lifecycle. By implementing a thorough risk management plan, experienced project managers can proactively identify and address potential issues before they become major problems. Another important strategy for experienced project managers is stakeholder engagement. This involves building strong relationships with key stakeholders and ensuring that their needs are met throughout the project's lifecycle. Some effective stakeholder engagement strategies include regular communication channels, involving stakeholders in decision-making processes, and actively seeking feedback from them on progress made. These strategies can help ensure that the final outcome of the project meets the expectations of all stakeholders involved while also fostering a collaborative working environment. Navigating Agile Methodologies Navigating Agile Methodologies requires a thorough understanding of the principles and practices that underpin this approach to project management. The Agile methodology emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and iterative delivery of products or services. An Agile team is composed of cross-functional members who work collaboratively to deliver value to customers through incremental product development cycles. To navigate the intricacies of Agile methodologies successfully, it is imperative to have strong knowledge of Agile team dynamics and Scrum certifications. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of each member of an Agile team is crucial for effective communication and collaboration among them. Moreover, obtaining Scrum certifications can help project managers gain a deeper understanding of Scrum framework practices, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, retrospectives, etc., enabling them to guide their teams toward successful project completion. With these skills at hand, experienced project managers can navigate complex projects with ease while delivering high-quality results on time using the Agile methodology. Leadership and Communication Skills for Project Managers Developing strong leadership and communication skills is vital for project managers to effectively guide their teams toward successful completion of projects. Effective delegation is one key aspect of leadership that project managers must master to ensure tasks are assigned appropriately and team members are empowered to contribute meaningfully. By delegating responsibilities, project managers can focus on high-level tasks while also ensuring each team member has a clear understanding of their role in the project. Conflict resolution is another essential skill for project managers as they navigate the complexities of working with diverse teams across different departments or even countries. Inevitably, conflicts will arise during any project, but effective leaders can identify underlying issues and mediate disputes before they escalate into larger problems. Project managers who possess strong conflict resolution skills can help restore balance within the team dynamic and maintain morale throughout the course of a project, ultimately leading to higher levels of productivity and better outcomes. Putting Knowledge into Practice: Real-World Examples and Case Studies Real-world examples and case studies are essential tools for project managers to understand how leadership and communication skills can be applied in practice. These real-world applications provide valuable insights into how successful project managers have navigated complex challenges, overcome obstacles, and delivered successful projects. By analyzing success stories from different industries, project managers can learn from the experiences of others and adapt their approaches to meet the unique demands of their projects. Case studies help project managers identify critical factors that contribute to successful outcomes. They also provide a framework for evaluating trade-offs between competing goals, such as cost, schedule, quality, or scope. Project managers can use these case studies to compare different approaches and determine which strategies work best in particular situations. Furthermore, they can also evaluate how well they communicate with stakeholders during each stage of the project life cycle. Real-world examples and case studies not only help project managers improve their communication skills but also reinforce the importance of effective leadership in achieving organizational objectives. Frequently Asked Questions How can I access these podcasts? One can access informative podcasts through popular platforms for podcast listening such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. These platforms offer a wide range of podcasts on various topics, including project management. Are there any costs associated with listening to these podcasts? Monetization strategies for podcasts include freemium models, where basic content is free but premium content requires payment. Whether there are costs associated with listening to specific podcasts depends on the individual podcast's monetization strategy. Can I earn any certification or accreditation by listening to these podcasts? Listening to project management podcasts can provide skill development opportunities, but typically do not offer certification. However, some podcast hosts may offer courses or resources that lead to certification outside of the podcast platform. How often are new episodes released for these podcasts? The frequency and availability of new episodes for podcasts on project management vary depending on the specific podcast. Some may release new episodes weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, while others may have irregular schedules. It is important to check each podcast's website or subscribe to their newsletter for updates on new episode releases. Are there any opportunities to interact with other project management professionals while listening to these podcasts? Networking opportunities and collaborative learning are available through project management podcasts. Professionals can connect with others in the field through online forums, social media groups, and virtual events to discuss topics covered in episodes. Read Also: Using Project Management to Maximize the Holiday Season at Work 7 Common Construction Project Management Problems 7 Convenient Services Project Management Companies Offer Landlords

Never Launch An E-commerce Platform Without Testing – Here Is Why