Which Real Browser Do I Use to Monitor My Site’s Performance?

Which browser should I use to monitor my site’s performance? Should I test for all the most popular browsers? IE still has the majority of users in the market place—but shouldn’t I also test with Firefox?‖
Testing with a real IE browser is the most effective strategy because of the IE audience and because open web standards do not require you to conduct extensive testing using multiple real browsers – you gain the most by testing first using IE. Another reason to test with IE is that application developers often testing their applications using Firefox, only to have the application fail or not perform well when IE users begin to use it. Since most of the other browsers support the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) features and standards, testing for the most complex browser (IE) is recommended.

The two most widely used browsers are Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox, with over two-thirds of the market worldwide—nearly 70% of site visitors use these two browsers.

Ask yourself the fundamental question, ―Which browser is our customer base using, and is our Web performance being monitored with that real browser or an imitation browser?

Related Links

1. Why Testing Web 2.0 Sites Requires Real Browser Measurements

2. Website Availability Monitoring 

3. Test Your Site on IE 9 and Measure User Experience  4. Mobile Browser Compatibility

Monitor End-User Performance with Real Browser Technology

The performance of a Web site can be monitored in several different ways. The most basic end-user performance metric comprises the entire time it takes from when a user requests the desired page until he or she can view that entire page on their Web browser. This time includes not only the network components such as DNS lookup, initial connection, and content download, but also any client-side execution of plug-ins and video, sounds, or animation. 

When you measure client-side execution you need to use a real browser-monitoring product if you want to capture the complete end-user experience. WhyReal Browsers Matter

This user performance time also has two distinct versions: performance for a first-time visitor and performance for a returning visitor. Since returning visitors comprise the vast majority of traffic to a Web site, understanding which content is being cached and how the returning user is experiencing the site is critical. 

The use of a real browser allows you to see the browser’s behavior for the returning user and validate that performance is being optimized for the returning user.

Related Links

1. Mobile browser compatibility check

2. Real tests use real devices 3. Mobile device compatibility