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How often do you change the theme of your WordPress website? While some people find one they love and stick to it forever, others like mixing things up and changing it regularly.
Themes can display slightly differently depending on your browser, so testing it every time you change is essential. Luckily, there are several tools you can use for testing purposes.
Although most people use Google Chrome to access websites, other browsers, such as Firefox and Safari, are widely used. As multiple browsers, devices, and operating systems are used, testing your website in different browsers is a sensible part of your launch strategy. This ensures a more consistent experience for your visitors.
As part of your WordPress care plan, whenever you change your theme or add new functionality to your site, you should check how it behaves on different platforms. Although most web browsers will similarly display content, they sometimes render certain elements differently.
WordPress care: browser testing tools
Specific testing tools for WordPress allow you to automatically test your website in a range of browsers with just a few clicks. Here are three options to try:
1. BrowserStack
BrowserStack is suitable for testing websites and mobile applications. It offers a limited free trial account that allows you to test its services for up to 30 minutes. The account allows you to select both the browser and the platform you wish to test to get an accurate view of your site’s appearance during live testing.
You copy the URL you want to test, and BrowserStack will load a virtual emulator within the browser window.
2. CrossBrowserTesting
CrossBrowserTesting is another popular tool. It is a paid service but they do a 100-minute free trial account to test the product. Unlike Browserstack, it doesn’t run live tests so you are relying on screenshots.
However, the screenshot feature is good because it lets you compare your website’s appearance on different operating systems and browsers. You can compare them immediately or download them for later analysis.
Under each screenshot taken, CrossBrowserTesting mentions the differences between layouts, which can help you see quickly where they vary.
3. BrowserShots
This free tool is simple to use and accessible to all. To use it, copy your website’s URL in the appropriate field and choose the browsers you want tested. The system will then generate screenshots of each browser.
The only downside is that it doesn’t cover mobile device testing or testing under Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge.
After testing, you should take time to analyze the results of your screenshots. A good WordPress theme will mean your screenshots look almost identical. If the results vary a lot, you may wish to consider using a different theme.
Regular testing should be an essential aspect of your WordPress care plan. It can easily be forgotten, but it’s necessary to do it regularly. We’re all about proactive, preventative WordPress Support, so testing is a massive part of our work. We help many business owners stay on top of their WordPress maintenance to provide the best web experience to customers.
Look at our WordPress care plans to see how we can support your business strategy.