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Have you ever imagined a visitor to your store trying to browse your products while on a plane or in a place with poor coverage? Or even a visitor using a weak network or whose data is about to run out? This is where an important question comes in: Does your store operate efficiently even in "airplane" mode? This may seem like a strange question, but in reality, this type of testing is very important, especially in the Saudi market, where many users browse on mobile devices, sometimes in areas with weak network connections.
1. What does "airplane mode" testing mean?
Testing your store in airplane mode, or offline, involves testing it under poor connectivity conditions. The goal is to ensure that your website intelligently handles any network disruptions and delivers a respectable experience even if the user temporarily loses connection. The idea isn't for the store to function fully offline, but rather that it doesn't suddenly crash or cause annoying errors.
2. Why is this testing important for your store?
In Saudi Arabia, many people browse on mobile devices while in places like farms, the desert, or in their cars. If your store crashes or displays a blank page as soon as it loses connectivity, this is a very unpleasant experience, and it can cause customers to abandon their first visit. However, if there is a page that explains that the connection is down or loading, and the interface doesn't crash, they'll feel more confident.
3. Points to Review During Testing
• Does the page display a clear message when the connection is down?
• Are some elements preloaded (such as the logo, slider, or section list)?
• Does the back button work?
• Can the browser display cached pages offline?
• Is there a slow loading time after reconnecting?
4. Use PWA (Progressive Web App) technology
If you want your store to handle airplane mode better, you can use Progressive Web App technology. This technology makes your store operate almost like an app, so that some important pages are saved on the device and displayed even if the connection is temporarily lost. This method is especially excellent for showcasing products that the customer has previously visited. 5. Smart User Experience (UX) Options
If a customer loses connectivity, instead of seeing an error screen, let them see a simple message that says:
"It looks like your internet connection is currently unavailable. Try updating later."
Offer them the option to return to the home page or view the content they previously viewed. This way, you show them that you care about their comfort and understand the circumstances they're facing.
6. Tools for Testing Your Store in Airplane Mode
• Google Chrome has DevTools that can simulate a lost connection or a weak network.
• Tools like Lighthouse give you an assessment of your site's uptime.
• PWA testing tools help you see which pages automatically cache.
7. Don't Forget Old Devices
Some visitors are using old phones or slow browsers, so it's important to test your store not only in airplane mode, but also on weak devices, to ensure everyone can access your experience even in the worst conditions.
Testing your store in "airplane" mode isn't a luxury. It's a smart step that ensures your store is ready for all customers, regardless of their circumstances. Saudi customers are smart and observant, and if they see that your store is operating efficiently even with poor network connectivity, they'll become attached to it and keep coming back. At "Sahl," we help you build a flexible, fast, and ready-to-use online store for any connectivity situation. Let us help you design an experience that engages customers even in the air!
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