How do you test your designs to ensure they work correctly across different browsers and devices?

ABT - Always be testing. 

Web building platforms are not all equal when it comes to responsive design. Some allow you to fully customize everything, other platforms allow you to customize a few screen sizes, and others limit you to an approximation of one desktop size and one mobile size. The reality is that the range of device sizes, as well as user-defined settings like what magnification someone might choose to use on their own device, creates infinite possibilities as to what a webpage may end up looking like across all sizes. 

For designers, understanding how your chosen web design platform works is crucial. Designers and developers will make arguments that one platform is better than the other, but the truth is, a designer who fully understands their tools can generate amazing and responsive designs. If you are a designer, study, test, and play with your tools until you have a full understanding of how that platform handles responsive design,n and then learn how to build within that to create an amazing, responsive site for your clients.

For me personally, I work within Webflow and Squarespace. The two platforms offer very different options for designing for different page sizes. I still get great results on both because I understand how each platform calculates space, layers, objects, and little quirks of each program. I also manually test all projects across multiple devices so I can see how responsive they really are. Also, having a few partners, or even friends and family, that you can reach out to to test on their devices gives even clearer feedback so you can adjust for a wider range of devices and personal user settings.

To ensure designs work across browsers and devices:

Cross Browser Testing Tools: Use tools like BrowserStack or LambdaTest to check compatibility on various browsers.

Responsive Testing: Manually test on real devices and use browser developer tools to simulate different screen sizes.

Performance Testing: Optimize load times using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights.

User Feedback: Conduct testing with real users to identify issues.

Accessibility Checks: Use tools like Lighthouse to ensure compliance with accessibility standards.

This approach ensures a seamless experience for all users.

Ensuring Cross-Browser and Cross-Device Compatibility in Your Designs

Rapid, concise, and clear as always – let’s dive in!

1. Use Cross-Browser Testing Tools:
I rely on tools like BrowserStack, Sauce Labs, and CrossBrowserTesting to simulate how my designs appear across different browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc.) and devices (mobile, tablet, desktop). These tools help me identify issues before going live.

2. Test Responsiveness:
I ensure my designs are responsive, meaning they adapt seamlessly to various screen sizes. I test my designs on different devices (using device simulators or real devices) to ensure proper layout and functionality.

3. Manual Testing:
Even with automated tools, I manually test key elements like forms, buttons, and navigation on various browsers and devices. This helps catch subtle issues that might be overlooked by automated systems.

4. Browser-Specific CSS and Fixes:
I use CSS hacks or conditional statements to target specific browsers if needed. This ensures my design works as intended, even on older versions of certain browsers.

5. Performance Testing:
I test my designs for performance across browsers and devices to ensure they load quickly and function smoothly. Tools like Lighthouse or WebPageTest help me optimize load times and performance.

Pro Tip:
Always prioritize testing on the most popular browsers and devices for your target audience, but never neglect testing on less common ones to ensure maximum compatibility.

Lorenzo | Casios Visual Studio

To ensure my designs work seamlessly across various browsers and devices, I use a multi-step testing process that combines tools and manual checks:

• Responsive Design Testing: I use responsive design tools like Figma’s device preview and browser DevTools to check how the design looks across common screen sizes—desktop, tablet, and mobile. I ensure the layout adapts smoothly, keeping key elements functional and visible on each device.
• Cross-Browser Compatibility Testing: Using tools like BrowserStack and CrossBrowserTesting, I test the designs across a variety of browsers (e.g., Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) and versions to catch any inconsistencies in rendering, animations, or functionality.
• Accessibility Testing: I also test keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility, verifying that the design is accessible for users with different needs.
• Usability Testing with Users: For final verification, I conduct usability testing sessions with real users on various devices. This feedback helps identify any overlooked issues and ensures the design feels intuitive and functional on all platforms.

Through this combination of automated, manual, and user testing, I ensure that each UI/UX design delivers a consistent, user-friendly experience across all browsers and devices.

I use cross-browser testing tools like BrowserStack or Sauce Labs to check compatibility with different browsers. I also test layouts on real devices and use a responsive layout process to ensure the site performs well on different screen sizes and resolutions.

To ensure my websites work correctly across different browsers and devices, I follow a comprehensive testing process that includes:

• Cross-Browser Testing: I manually test the design in all major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc. 
• Responsive testing: I design with a mobile-first approach, ensuring the website is fully responsive on all screen sizes. I test on physical devices such as smartphones, tablets, and desktops and use developer tools in browsers to simulate various device dimensions.
• Performance Testing: I check the design’s load time and performance across devices using Lighthouse.
• Accessibility Testing: Ensuring the website is accessible to all users is key. I use tools like WAVE or Lighthouse to check for accessibility issues such as contrast, ARIA labels, and keyboard navigation. This is essential for users with disabilities.
• Compatibility with Different Devices: Besides browser testing, I check the design on different operating systems, such as iOS and Android, to ensure it works flawlessly across platforms. I also test various resolutions to ensure no key features break when scaled.
• User Testing: Before final deployment, I often conduct a round of user testing with real users or beta testers to catch any edge cases or real-world issues that automated tools might miss.
• Fallbacks and Graceful Degradation: For older browsers or devices that may not support modern features, I implement fallback styles and features to ensure that the core functionality of the design remains intact.

This thorough approach ensures that the design performs consistently across different browsers and devices, providing an optimal user experience.

When building the website I design across different breakpoints that are suited to different screen sizes such as desktops, laptops, tablets and mobiles.

I preview the website across those breakpoints thought the design process and prior to launch.

When launching the website I will also check the website on the devices that I own and across different website browsers and adjust accordingly if there are any issues.

There are also online tools that you can use to test a website across multiple screen sizes. One example is screenfly.org

To ensure designs work correctly across different browsers and devices, a thorough testing process is essential. In-house, I use a variety of devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, to test how the design performs across different screen sizes and resolutions. This hands-on approach allows me to spot inconsistencies or issues that might arise in real-world scenarios.

I also utilize browser testing tools to check compatibility across multiple browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. These tools allow me to simulate older browser versions and different operating systems, ensuring that the design maintains its integrity regardless of where it’s viewed.

In addition to visual checks, I run performance and usability tests. These tests help identify any responsiveness issues, loading delays, or functionality problems. I also check touch interactions on mobile devices and hover states on desktops to ensure a seamless user experience across platforms.

Finally, feedback from real users during testing can reveal issues that automated tools might miss. For a robust and reliable design, Chris at CS Pro Media can help with thorough cross-browser and cross-device testing, ensuring your site looks and performs its best everywhere.