How to Test Nested Navigation on Web (Complete Guide)

Nested navigation is a critical component of many Web applications, allowing users to access various features and functionalities. However, it can also be a source of frustration if not implemented co

Introduction to Nested Navigation Testing

Nested navigation is a critical component of many Web applications, allowing users to access various features and functionalities. However, it can also be a source of frustration if not implemented correctly, leading to a poor user experience. In this guide, we will explore the importance of testing nested navigation, provide specific test cases, and discuss both manual and automated testing approaches.

Why Nested Navigation Testing Matters

Nested navigation testing is crucial because it directly impacts the user experience. Common failures in nested navigation can lead to:

• Users getting stuck in an infinite loop of pages
• Users being unable to access certain features or functionalities
• Users encountering errors or crashes when navigating through the application

Some common failures in nested navigation include:

• Incorrect redirecting: Users being redirected to the wrong page or feature
• Missing or incorrect breadcrumbs: Users being unable to navigate back to previous pages or features
• Inconsistent navigation menus: Navigation menus changing unexpectedly or not being updated correctly

What to Test

When testing nested navigation, the following test cases should be considered:

• Happy path scenarios:

+ Successful navigation from the homepage to a sub-page

+ Successful navigation from a sub-page to another sub-page

+ Successful navigation back to the homepage from a sub-page

• Error scenarios:

+ Navigation to a non-existent page or feature

+ Navigation to a page or feature that requires authentication without being logged in

+ Navigation to a page or feature that is currently unavailable

• Edge cases:

+ Navigation using the browser's back and forward buttons

+ Navigation using the browser's reload button

+ Navigation on different devices or screen sizes

• Accessibility considerations:

+ Navigation using a screen reader or other assistive technologies

+ Navigation using a keyboard only

+ Navigation with high contrast mode or other accessibility features enabled

Specific test cases may include:

1. Login and navigation: Test that a user can log in and navigate to a protected page or feature.
2. Breadcrumb navigation: Test that breadcrumbs are correctly updated and can be used to navigate back to previous pages.
3. Menu navigation: Test that navigation menus are correctly updated and can be used to navigate to different pages or features.
4. Error handling: Test that the application correctly handles errors when navigating to a non-existent page or feature.
5. Accessibility features: Test that the application correctly implements accessibility features such as screen reader support or high contrast mode.
6. Device and screen size testing: Test that the application correctly handles navigation on different devices or screen sizes.
7. Keyboard-only navigation: Test that the application can be navigated using a keyboard only.
8. Back and forward button testing: Test that the application correctly handles navigation using the browser's back and forward buttons.

Manual Testing Approach

To manually test nested navigation, follow these steps:

1. Start at the homepage: Begin by navigating to the application's homepage.
2. Navigate to a sub-page: Click on a link or button to navigate to a sub-page.
3. Verify navigation: Verify that the correct page or feature is displayed.
4. Navigate to another sub-page: Click on a link or button to navigate to another sub-page.
5. Verify navigation: Verify that the correct page or feature is displayed.
6. Repeat steps 2-5: Continue navigating through the application, verifying that each page or feature is displayed correctly.
7. Test error scenarios: Test navigation to non-existent pages or features, or pages or features that require authentication without being logged in.
8. Test edge cases: Test navigation using the browser's back and forward buttons, or navigation on different devices or screen sizes.

Automated Testing Approach

To automate nested navigation testing, tools such as Playwright or Selenium can be used. Here is an example of how to use Playwright to automate navigation testing:

const { test, expect } = require('@playwright/test');

test('Navigation test', async ({ page }) => {
  // Navigate to the homepage
  await page.goto('https://example.com');

  // Navigate to a sub-page
  await page.click('text="Sub-page"');

  // Verify navigation
  await expect(page).toContainText('Sub-page content');

  // Navigate to another sub-page
  await page.click('text="Another sub-page"');

  // Verify navigation
  await expect(page).toContainText('Another sub-page content');
});

This code snippet uses Playwright to navigate to the homepage, click on a link to navigate to a sub-page, verify that the correct page is displayed, and then navigate to another sub-page.

How SUSA Tests Nested Navigation Autonomously

SUSA tests nested navigation autonomously using its 10 user personas, including the curious, impatient, and accessibility personas. The curious persona tests navigation by clicking on links and buttons to verify that the correct pages or features are displayed. The impatient persona tests navigation by quickly clicking on links and buttons to verify that the application can handle rapid navigation. The accessibility persona tests navigation using a screen reader or other assistive technologies to verify that the application is accessible to users with disabilities.

SUSA also uses its cross-session learning feature to get smarter about the application's navigation over time, allowing it to identify and report on issues that may not be immediately apparent.

Additionally, SUSA provides coverage analytics, including per-screen element coverage and untapped element lists, to help developers identify areas of the application that need more testing.

SUSA's auto-generated Appium and Playwright regression test scripts can also be used to automate nested navigation testing, making it easier to ensure that the application's navigation is working correctly.

To integrate SUSA with your CI/CD pipeline, you can use the SUSA CLI tool, which can be installed using pip: pip install susatest-agent. You can then use the following command to run SUSA tests: susatest-agent run --app-url https://example.com.

You can also integrate SUSA with GitHub Actions using the following YAML file:

name: SUSA Test
on:
  push:
    branches:
      - main
jobs:
  test:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - name: Checkout code
        uses: actions/checkout@v2
      - name: Run SUSA test
        run: |
          pip install susatest-agent
          susatest-agent run --app-url https://example.com