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Even before the covid-19 pandemic hit, OTT platforms have increased in terms of growth and popularity. When considering one of it, Netflix has multiplied its user base ten times over the last ten years. Heavy competition amongst the existing big players of OTT platforms is entering the market.
Users will move away even if you have the best content in the market and fail to provide a good user interface (UI) and user experience (UX).
THEY WILL CHANGE THE OTT PORTAL IN A SPAN OF A FEW SECONDS!
Quality is what users yearn for! Therefore, no OTT platform can afford to have mediocre testing that lets bugs reach the user. This is where OTT app testing services become essential!
What is OTT?
OTT is an abbreviation for “over-the-top,” which implies any streaming media service that delivers content through the internet. The term “over-the-top” refers to the service provided on another platform. In other words, any service allows you to have video and live stream feeds on any internet-connected device.
Why is testing OTT apps essential?
Consumers today use an average of three streaming media subscriptions to meet their distinctive requirements. With a massive array of more than 110 providers to choose from, competition is getting fierce.
As competitive pressures expand, leading streaming media providers struggle to differentiate. It pushes them towards finding new ways to attract and retain their customers which is increasingly reliant on customer experience (CX).
To successfully deliver content on OTT, and exhaustive OTT platform testing is essential. When it comes to OTT platform testing, there are countless things one should consider, but the main things to consider are:
- Testing the user interface (UI) or the elements that enable someone to interact with the OTT platform
- And also, testing the user experience (UX) or what the individual interacting with your platform takes away from the entire experience.
Types of Tests to Perform
OTT testing aims to offer a flawless user experience free of bugs, pauses, and delays. Consider including best testing procedures in your QA approach to provide the most pleasing video streaming experience possible.
Testing The User Experience
Your OTT software is responsible for ensuring that your application can deliver a consistent user experience across devices, from UI design to application navigation. Consistency in layout, easy platform navigation and dashboard functionality should all be tested by your QA staff.
Compatibility
Test your streaming platform’s performance regularly, especially regarding how well it handles content. Any bandwidth access or stream requests won’t affect your product’s dependability, stability, or server response if you incorporate performance testing into your OTT automation testing plan.
Load Testing
On one streaming platform, millions of people can simultaneously stream material from worldwide. In this case, OTT load testing can simulate high-demand scenarios to ensure that your software application continues to operate at its peak performance, even under heavy loads.
Localization Testing
Users demand streaming services, among other online experiences to be localized to their particular location or region. For your customers to have a customized experience, test for linguistic accuracy, cultural appropriateness, unique symbols, and accurate currency formatting across locales.
Top Features To Consider For Effective OTT App Testing
The Trending Features
- Playback: It implies checking if the video plays/pauses when you click on the video play icon or not. Also, see if the volume controls and mute functionality works. It is essential to test and check for audio-video sync as well.
- Video Quality: The user should be able to select the video playback quality based on their network configuration.
- Replay: While testing make sure to verify that if the user wants to watch the video again once it is over, and if yes, then they can do so easily.
- Search: Confirm that the video can be located by using the description’s pertinent keywords, the movie’s title, the artists’ names, or other search terms. Additionally, check to see if clicking on the video reveal more details before the content starts.
- Voice Commands: As a large portion of OTT material is seen on intelligent televisions, check that the voice commands offered by the various assistant’s function correctly.
Some Other Features To Test Include
- Browse Features: It must be possible to filter the results of a search by users; in this way, users can browse through content without any hustle. It is essential to see whether the suggested range for a user is somehow based on their search history!
- Offline Mode: Check whether the user can download the content they want to save offline and watch it without an internet connection in offline mode. Additionally, confirm that the person outside the platform does not have access to the downloaded files locally.
- Bandwidth Capacity: Evaluate the stream ability of the content in various network environments. See how well the video plays at reduced bit rate if there is poor connectivity.
- Direct Visit Link: Ensure that a direct link to the video can be used to access the video page. Also, see if a third-party software makes it simple to distribute the link.
- Browser Compatibility: Verify that video and audio play in all the enabled browsers. Make sure that a meaningful message is shown to the pertinent users using a browser without flash or the even the necessary codec for any case where platforms doesn’t work.
- Notifications: Other notifications should include adding popular and relevant content and releasing any content with a countdown timer or reminder.
Additional Factors That Might Hamper User Experience
Output Related Factors
- Audio Output: Users might be connected to a different audio device through wires or Bluetooth when watching content on a television or mobile. No sync issues must be there with the device for audio routing.
- Call: Make sure the video pauses when the user is watching or using a mobile device. Also, check if the video resumes from the same point once the call is disconnected. This is the best way to please users.
- Mini Player: If the user does click on any of the notifications, check if the player gets minimized and continues to play. Make sure to drag the mini-player around to see if it works properly. If the mobile or tablet supports split-screen viewing, ensure the mini player is compatible.
Usage Related Factors
- Subscription: Make sure that only customers who have paid the subscription cost may access the information and watch the video. Test to see if any “Pay per View” or “Video on Demand” content can only be accessible by those who have the additional fee.
- User profiles: The user must be allowed to make as many user profiles as they want, each with its user history. Additionally, there must be a kid- or age-restricted accounts that the account with parental permissions may view.
- User Count: Ensure that the platform can identify accounts being used on more screens than those authorized for the package. Few plans permit simultaneous access from multiple user profiles to the forum without allowing the same content to be viewed on various devices. The same holds for how many devices can save offline content. So, it is important to pay attention to these factors as well.
Security Factors
- Login: The right choices for account recovery must be accessible. However, ensure that no one else can use the account without the owner’s permission. Ensure that an OTP is issued for verification if the account is accessed from a new device. Also, turn on the option to designate the device as a trusted device. Also, the implementation of 2-factor authentication must function properly.
- Password: Ensure that you advise the user to choose a secure password. For every time the user wants to update their password, OTP verification is necessary. Also, the outdated passwords must be resisted.
- Payment and Security: Security aspects in any OTT platform shouldn’t be taken lightly because there are alternatives for annual and monthly billing. For the optimal user experience, customer data must be kept secure, and a smooth payment procedure is crucial. When making a payment, a user shouldn’t feel burdened or worried.
Payment Related Factors
- Successful Payment: To avoid the user having questions, ensure that the modifications appear in the account immediately after the payment has been completed. Ensure that following a successful transaction; the user is redirected back to the platform.
- Failure Scenarios: It is crucial to take into account every possible outcome. Be sure to consider a variety of failure situations and test them all. Some of the examples include:
- Check for any session closes during the payment being processed.
- Check for the payment gateway going offline while processing the transaction.
- Make sure the account isn’t enabled for failed transactions.
- Check for any hold on the transaction or payments.
- Verify that the session ends within the allotted time.
- Payment Options: Try making a payment using all the different options, as people can use different modes like credit cards, debit cards, and so on.
- Localization: Make sure the amount is displayed in the current currency domain and the plans for that region are only being purchased. Also, try to change the payment gateway language during the payment process.
- Gateway: This implies checking if the payment is processed with an integrated page or if it is navigated to the bank’s payment page or not. Ensure the transaction on any page within platform is processed with proper OTP authentication and card information.
Wrapping Up
People love content! The use of OTT platforms has skyrocketed and this has been fueled after the outbreak of the pandemic. Catering to the fierce competition in the OTT app market landscape, the robustness of media testing services becomes essential.
All in all, the audience demands for comfort and personalization in everything they use. OTT testing in this case can help the developers in gaining a reliable customer base by disseminating authentic services.
