Qualified app testers are essential for an app idea to be a truly resounding success. A critical outside perspective is often better suited to find the vulnerabilities of an app, rather than only using developers involved in the project and UX professionals.
In addition to unbiased analysis and a trained eye, an experienced app tester will have their own methodology to find errors, problems and opportunities for improvement.
What an app tester assesses
The test instruments of an app tester depend very much on the interface used. There are huge differences between Android, iOS and Windows Mobile when it comes to the hardware.
Android has many versions, as well as being very fragmented in the hardware, and an app should be able to run on as many devices as possible. Android Lollipop (5.0-5.1) has been on the market since October 2014 and only has a market share of 35.6%. Currently, most devices with run Android KitKat (36.3%), and Android 4.1-4.3 Jelly Bean is also well-represented with 21.7%. An Android app tester should therefore have a large arsenal of smartphones and tablets to be able to test the app under as many different scenarios as possible.
If you would like to create an iOS app, you will only need to worry about a few different devices (iPhone 3, 4, 5, 6 iPad 1-5 Generation, as well as iPad mini/Pro), because Apple is the only manufacturer for iOS hardware. It is also a bit easier for Windows Mobile.
An app tester will play through the available app capabilities in all variations and facets. Stability and performance play a prominent role here and the following questions are at the heart of a professional app test:
- How long does it take to start the app?
- How quickly does the app respond to input?
- How does the app react during multi-tasking?
- How high is the memory requirement for the app?
- How much battery does the app consume?
- How much data does the app transfer during normal operation and as background activity?
These and other technical parameters can be reviewed and logged by the app tester accordingly on the various devices. Then you have the purely qualitative tests, which relate to the app idea and its implementation:
- Can the app be operated intuitively?
- Does the menu structure make sense?
- Are there any important features missing?
- What features have errors?
- Where is the app better or worse in comparison to similar apps?
The app tester should accurately record the technical test runs, and not use vague descriptions or their own subjective opinions. This is not possible in equal measure for qualitative tests, as the experience of the app tester plays an important role. With regards to the usability, it is possible to create accurate documentation with comparisons to other apps through lists and tables, as well as illustrations with app screenshots.
App tester from India
As you can tell, an app tester has an extensive and time-consuming task. App developers with small budgets due to cost savings like to use Indian app testers as Outsourcing professionals.
Outsourcing4work can provide you with an experienced app tester from India who will help make your app a success. Depending on your requirements, you can hire an app tester at a fixed price (if you know the specific amount of testing to be done) or as a temporary employee.
In terms of coordination and payment, we will take over this work. You can conclude the contract with us as a European company and trust in our own project managers who will ensure implementation according to your exact specifications.
