There are some realities that startups face every single day. For many, tight budgets define day-to-day operations. The cost of setting up a business can run high, depending on the line you get into.
Another challenge is establishing a reputation in the industry. There can be no compromise on the quality of goods and services. An established company can survive a product recall without too much damage to its reputation.
People did not stop driving Nissans, GM, or Toyotas after the companies admitted to quality issues. Samsung had to take back the Galaxy Note 7 and discontinue production. Yet, the company is still a leading phone maker, with millions of loyal customers.
But, a new business would find it hard to survive such scenarios. The financial and reputational damage would be hard to overcome. Rebuilding customer trust would be hard, especially with so much competition everywhere.
Automated tests ensure high-quality products reach the market. And, there are more benefits, as we will highlight below. But first, let’s start with an understanding of automated tests.
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What Is Automation Testing?
A typical software development cycle goes through many stages. At each stage, the team aims to achieve an expected outcome. But the only way to confirm that this is happening is by running tests. It allows for the comparison of actual vs. expected results. The company ensures quality products that meet customer and industry standards.
The software testers can go about the process in two ways. One is using manual processes, which requires the writing of test scripts. The method is time-consuming, tedious, and prone to human errors.
Do note though, the QA team cannot use automated tests for everything. You cannot for example measure the user experience (UX) with a tool. Someone has to use the actual product and provide feedback.
The second way is through the use of automated testing tools. There are many benefits including higher efficiency, higher accuracy, and reliability to name a few.
As a startup, it will benefit you to learn automation testing basics. It will transform how you run your business going forward.
Why Startups Need Automation Testing
Automated Tests Save Time and Money
As a startup, you understand the need for speed without compromising on product quality. The longer it takes to send out products into the market, the less likely you are to succeed in your business. The longer the software development cycle, the more money you must spend.
Automation testing basics revolve around higher efficiency, quick processes, and streamlining of workflows. The teams can use the tools to take care of repetitive, time-consuming tasks. And, there is no limit to the number of tests they can do. Automated tests are repeatable and reusable.
Once the QA team creates the necessary environment, they can use it over and over again. If they need to make any adjustments, depending on the outcome, they don’t need to go back to square zero. It can be as simple as tweaking specific data to meet the new testing requirements.
A startup entrepreneur may worry that the cost of test automation is too high. But, it pays to think long term. The savings going forward will be quite significant.
The ROI of automation in any business will be clear to see. This comes in the form of speedier processes, higher efficiency, and greater productivity. And, the final product will be high quality, which is something customers value highly.
Wider Test Coverage With Automation Testing
Read any software testing basics for beginners’ manuals. One thing you will learn is how wide the test coverage is during the software development cycle. Before the product moves from one stage to another, the QA team has to be satisfied that they meet the expected outcome.
Now, imagine if you’re running the process using manual labor. You must hire people with the right experience. They will also need sufficient time to do their work. It can limit how much the teams can achieve at any given time. And yes, we can’t eliminate the possibility of human error impacting the final results.
Automation testing increases test coverage. The teams can spend time on other areas requiring their attention. Such include the development of test suites that they will use for other stages in the software development cycle
Automated Testing Allows for Scalability
As we have stated, automated testing will save the company time and money. It also frees up the team to concentrate on other areas that can build the business.
Companies that use such tools will see a boost in employee morale. Imagine if you had to spend days on tedious, repetitive tasks. How excited would you be about reporting to work every single day?
Now, your boss decides to invest in automation to help with some of the tasks. You then get more mentally challenging tasks in areas that are of interest to you. Wouldn’t you have a spring in your step every time you go to work?
Automation testing cuts down the time it takes to develop products. Test execution is quick and the teams get instant results. It allows for the correction of any issues that can affect the quality of the final product. The QA team can run multiple tests at once, without stopping the development cycle.
Automation testing tools provide an excellent opportunity for startups to establish themselves in the market.
Final Thoughts
Quality testing is a critical part of the development cycle. It helps ensure that only high-quality products go into the market.
As a startup, you have so many challenges to contend with in setting up the business. You must keep a close eye on expenditure, without compromising final output. Competing with more established brands also places you at a distinct disadvantage. You must work a little bit harder to gain the trust of customers.
Automation testing will save you time and money. The teams achieve higher efficiency and streamlining of workflow. The testing tools provide reliable results, which is not always the case when using manual labor.
The QA teams cover wider test areas with automation. Once they have the right test suites, they can replicate or run as many test cases as they wish.
There is instant feedback allowing for the teams to fix any bugs or glitches before the product gets to the final customer.
