Have you ever updated your website only to discover something’s gone wrong? Maybe a button stopped working, or a page vanished. Website changes, whether big or small, can introduce unexpected bugs. Spotting these issues quickly is crucial. But how do you ensure nothing slips through the cracks? Let’s explore practical steps to find bugs and issues after making changes to your website.
Why Do Bugs Appear After Website Changes?
- Code Conflicts: Did you merge new code with old code? Sometimes, different pieces of code don’t play well together.
- Outdated Plugins: Are your plugins or extensions up to date? Old plugins can break when the website changes.
- Browser Differences: Have you checked your site on multiple browsers? What works in Chrome might not work in Safari.
- Mobile vs Desktop: Does your site look good on a phone and a laptop? Responsive design issues are common after updates.
Start With a Checklist
A structured checklist helps you cover all bases. What should you include?
- Homepage: Are all links, images, and buttons working?
- Navigation: Can users move easily between pages?
- Forms: Do contact and sign-up forms submit correctly?
- Checkout Process: For e-commerce sites, can users complete a purchase?
- Loading Speed: Has the site become slower after changes?
- Accessibility: Can people with disabilities use your site?
Use Automated Testing Tools
Why rely only on manual checks? Automated tools can catch issues you might miss.
- Selenium: Simulates user actions to test workflows.
- Lighthouse: Checks performance, accessibility, and SEO.
- BrowserStack: Tests your site across different browsers and devices.
- WAVE: Evaluates accessibility for users with disabilities.
Example: After a website redesign, an e-commerce site used Lighthouse and discovered their checkout page loaded 40% slower, risking lost sales.
Manual Testing: The Human Touch
Automated tools are powerful, but they can’t replace human intuition. What should you look for?
- Broken Links: Click every link. Does it go where it should?
- Visual Glitches: Are images distorted or text overlapping?
- User Experience: Is the site easy to navigate? Can you find key information quickly?
- Content Accuracy: Has any text or image disappeared or changed unexpectedly?
Tip: Ask someone unfamiliar with the site to test it. Fresh eyes spot issues you might overlook.
Cross-Browser and Device Testing
Have you ever noticed a site looks perfect on your computer but broken on your phone? Why does this happen?
- Different Rendering Engines: Browsers interpret code differently.
- Screen Sizes: Elements may shift or overlap on smaller screens.
- Touch vs Click: Mobile users tap, desktop users click. Are all interactions smooth?
Test your site on:
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- iOS and Android devices
- Tablets and desktops
Example: A charity’s donation button worked on desktop but was hidden on mobile. They fixed it after testing on multiple devices.
Monitor Error Logs and Analytics
Do you know what’s happening behind the scenes? Error logs and analytics reveal hidden problems.
- Server Logs: Show errors like failed database connections or missing files.
- JavaScript Console: Reveals script errors that break functionality.
- Google Analytics: Tracks user behaviour. Did bounce rates spike after your update?
Example: After a layout change, a blog saw a 30% drop in mobile traffic. Analytics revealed a broken mobile menu.
Encourage User Feedback
Who better to spot issues than your users? How can you make it easy for them to report problems?
- Feedback Forms: Add a simple form for bug reports.
- Contact Email: Display a clear contact address for urgent issues.
- Live Chat: Offer real-time help for frustrated users.
Prompt users: “Notice something not working? Let us know!”
Roll Back If Needed
What if you find a critical bug? Don’t panic. Can you revert to the previous version?
- Backups: Always back up your site before making changes.
- Version Control: Use tools like Git to track changes and roll back if needed.
- Staging Environment: Test updates on a copy of your site before going live.
Example: An online shop introduced a new payment system. When orders failed, they quickly restored the old version, minimising lost sales.
Document Everything
How do you keep track of what’s been fixed and what still needs attention?
- Bug Tracker: Use tools like Jira or Trello to log issues.
- Change Log: Record every update and fix.
- Testing Notes: Document what you tested and the results.
This makes future updates smoother and helps new team members get up to speed.
Ask the Right Questions
- What’s the worst thing that could go wrong after this change?
- Which pages or features are most critical to your users?
- How will you know if something breaks?
- Who is responsible for monitoring and fixing issues?
Real-World Data: The Cost of Missed Bugs
Did you know? According to a 2023 survey by the UK Web Standards Group:
- 68% of users leave a site if they encounter a bug.
- 42% of small businesses lost sales due to undetected website issues.
- Fixing a bug after launch costs 6x more than catching it during testing.
Final Thoughts
Website changes are necessary for growth, but they come with risks. By combining automated tools, manual checks, user feedback, and careful documentation, you can catch bugs before they hurt your reputation or bottom line. Are you ready to make your next website update a smooth, bug-free experience?
