Is it still necessary to test my website's functionality on Internet Explorer, or has its usage declined significantly?
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While the usage of Internet Explorer has declined significantly in recent years, there are still certain segments of the population and some corporate environments that continue to use it. This means that depending on the target audience for your website, testing on Internet Explorer might still be necessary.
From a technical perspective, Internet Explorer has its own unique quirks and limitations, especially with older versions like IE 8 and below. Even though Microsoft has officially ended support for Internet Explorer and encourages users to switch to Microsoft Edge, there are still instances where people are unable to upgrade or choose not to do so. As a result, ensuring basic functionality and layout on Internet Explorer may still be relevant, particularly if your website caters to a broad or diverse audience.
In terms of user experience and accessibility, it's also worth noting that some individuals with disabilities or older technology may rely on Internet Explorer due to specific assistive technologies and compatibility requirements. Therefore, testing on Internet Explorer can contribute to a more inclusive web experience for all users.
While the dominance of Internet Explorer has waned, it's essential to weigh the potential impact on user experience and the specific needs of your target audience before deciding whether to test your website's functionality on this browser.
Each project is unique and comes with its own set of requirements. While it's true that support for Internet Explorer has waned, the choice of browser ultimately depends on the target audience and the nature of the website.
One effective approach in such cases is to carry out a comprehensive analysis of metrics, particularly the usage statistics of different browsers. This data can provide valuable insights into the most commonly used browsers among the site visitors.
For instance, if the website caters to a young audience or a children's institution, the percentage of Internet Explorer users may still be significant. On the other hand, if the services are geared toward the IT industry, the browser usage pattern might be quite different.
Another possible solution is to implement a notification for Internet Explorer users, encouraging them to switch to a more modern browser for an optimal experience on the website.
In essence, thorough analysis of browser usage is crucial for making well-informed decisions regarding browser support. This approach allows for tailored solutions that align with the needs and preferences of the target audience.
It's crucial to evaluate whether it's the right time to execute a particular task.
Consider this scenario: you own an online store with only 1-2% of traffic coming from Internet Explorer. Even if you were to invest time in ensuring that your website works perfectly on this browser, the long-term increase in sales may only be around 0.5-0.7%. If the costs for developers to make these adjustments are significantly higher, it might be wiser to prioritize other tasks that would yield greater benefits in terms of sales or orders.
Once you've addressed tasks with higher impact than fixing display issues in the IE browser, then it would be appropriate to proceed with those less impactful tasks.
Is it wise to focus on tasks that may have minimal impact on sales, when there are other tasks that could potentially yield greater benefits? When making these decisions, it's important to consider not only the immediate impact, but also the long-term effects on the business.