Website load testing services determine how websites deal with online traffic. Too often, people equate it with performance testing. However, load testing is just a type of website performance testing. Other types of performance testing include endurance testing, volume testing, scalability testing, spike testing, and stress testing.
In website deployment, it is common that transactions may fail and systems crash. It is due to concurrent demands on the website and adjustment over resources. Also, there might be untested codes that trigger failure. These situations arise, but developers fail to realize that it is associated with load design and testing.
Most often, developers conduct load testing as part of the project finale. It is only at the end of the development that developers focus on load implementation. It is a risky and often incorrect approach as it misses out on the benefits of load testing at the start of the development.
Also, website load performance failures are due to additional problems like page speed, resource exhaustion, buffer overflows, timeouts, and inconsistent behavior. Thus, website development needs website load testing services at the very start.
Let’s talk more about load testing.
Load testing is a type of software testing method. It tests software (websites, web apps) with multiple user simulation. It answers how many users can access your website at once. Also, how will your website function under multiple users or a sudden increase in volume?
Load testing offers vast performance benefits, such as:
Load testing is an essential feature of software quality assurance. An ineffective load testing procedure may result in financial loss and project delays. Hence, it is valuable since it ensures the website’s efficiency related to customer usage.
There are several ways to have an efficient load testing procedure. You can opt for the basic load testing tools available. Or, you can go after advanced Application Performance Management (APM) solutions like Retrace.
Retrace helps eliminate additional costs of fixing problems by running an effective performance testing procedure. It proactively improves your website performance. You can explore its Sandbox or start your FREE trial today.
Building a website is a significant element of any business today. Everybody wants to have a fantastic-looking website brimming with valuable information. However, there is always a constant struggle when it comes to performance.
When you have a slow website, chances are you lose customers and revenue. Thus, it is vital to establish your load testing procedures and determine what website load testing services to use.
Just like all types of testing, load testing has been around for a long time. Developers either choose traditional standard load testing methods such as protocol-based website testing. However, as websites are getting complex, the demand for modern and automated load testing techniques is prevalent.
Remember, protocol-based website load testing simulates virtual users. It works by generating many specific protocol requests. Then, it measures website performance based on request-response behavior.
For example, HTTP servers generate user load for the website and performance parameters. Such parameters include response time, response delay, computation time, and network delay. It then measures these parameters under peak conditions.
Let’s examine different website load testing services based on their features and protocols used.
WebLOAD is an enterprise-scale load testing tool that is also capable of stress testing. It applies to both web and mobile load testing and analysis. RadView Software offers a comprehensive IDE, Load Generation Console, and a sophisticated Analytics Dashboard. Above all, WebLOAD combines performance, scalability, and integrity as a single tool for web and mobile applications.
“Load testing doesn’t have to be difficult,” according to LoadNinja. This tool from Smartbear allows easy creation of scriptless sophisticated load tests. As a result, it reduces testing time by half.
Instead of testing the protocol, it assesses the actual end-user experience across tens of thousands of browsers using its TrueLoad technology. It saves 60% of the effort. It requires no maintenance nor setup requirements but provides the most accurate understanding of performance quickly.
If you lack a reliable performance tool, then SmartMeter.io offers in-depth testing with precise results. It provides easy scriptless test scenario creation using the so-called Recorder. However, users can still make advanced edits to the test to fit with their current environment. Further, it has excellent test reporting mechanisms and makes use of functions.
LoadView empowers developers and DevOps teams as it uses real browser-based load testing. It caters to websites, web applications, and APIs. Users create multi-step scripts to simulate users’ interaction with the website or application. Dotcom-Monitor builds this tool to show the actual performance of your websites and applications under enormous load.
ApacheJMeter is an open-source performance tool that caters to performance and load testing. It analyzes and measures the performance of a variety of website services.
LoadRunner is a testing tool that checks the website’s performance under load. It performs application testing, system behavior measurement, and load performance. Micro Focus designs LoadRunner to simulate thousands of users concurrently using application software. It records and analyzes performance key points in real-time.
LoadRunner supports all major web protocols.
H3: AppLoader
AppLoader is a load testing solution for business applications. It allows web or web app testing by mimicking the same user experience from all different access points. Thus, it helps website owners simulate user actions. It allows you to build any scenario with the AppLoader Station without scripting. Such use cases include mouse events, keyboard inputs, if conditions, and others.
AppLoader supports all major web protocols.
Silk Performer is an enterprise-class load testing tool. It tests multiple application environments with thousands of concurrent users. Also, it supports a wide range of protocols.
NeoLoad is an innovative website performance testing platform. It automates test design, maintenance, and analysis for Agile and DevOps teams. Also, it integrates with continuous delivery pipelines to support performance testing, specifically load testing.
LoadUI Pro creates scriptless sophisticated load tests and distributes them on the cloud using load agents. It monitors serves’ performance as load increases. Detailed reports are available in real-time to quickly automate your load tests.
Websites should be able to handle the amount of traffic it receives. Website load testing services are great at overcoming this performance issue. However, not every organization thinks about this before they start the website development process.
Mostly, companies choose the best website developers thinking that their sole expertise helps build a fast website. But, the focus must not rely on human resources alone. Yes, a good web developer can design and adjust the design into something that can handle the online traffic. Yet, there are still instances that a website receives sudden traffic spikes and needs tools.
Website monitoring is essential to business operation. Although companies can run several performance tests, not all have the capability to run tests on their own. It is where you can hire companies to check your website regularly.
There are many options for website load testing. The top requirement is choosing a provider that has experience is very important, like how Retrace from Stackify stay ahead of the game with some companies. With APM like Retrace, the testing is granular. It involves more than just clicking on different features around the website. It covers total application performance management.
Lastly, Stackify can help you in close monitoring and testing of your website performance. Visit Stackify and learn more about it.
Stackify's APM tools are used by thousands of .NET, Java, PHP, Node.js, Python, & Ruby developers all over the world.
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