The days when people had to take out their laptops or sit in front of their desktop to research on the web or do some online shopping are long gone. An increasing number of people are opting to use their mobile phones and tablets for internet surfing, shopping and so on. As a result, it has become crucial to design a website in a manner that it is perfectly compatible with discerning mobile devices and carry out its responsiveness testing.

A responsive website basically would have a flexible and agile layout that adjusts automatically as per diverse screen sizes. No matter whether a person is using a desktop, laptop, tablet or a smartphone to check out a website, a responsive design shall make sure that the web app scales and resizes itself according to the size of the screen it is being viewed from. As per reports, a huge chunk of the global web traffic comes from mobile devices. Hence, unless your website is able to render well on all mobile devices, you are quite likely to lose out on a good amount of web traffic.

Advantage of responsive web design

By having a responsive web design, you can make sure that all your web pages and content can be seamlessly viewed across various devices and screen resolutions. This would invariably imply that your web visitors would be easily able to navigate and explore your website with absolutely minimal scrolling and resizing.  Modern website visitors aim at enjoying a hassle-free and smooth online experience, and they are quite prone to losing their patience and leaving a website if they have to constantly zoom in and out to check out the content featured there.

Websites with responsive design are likely to load faster on various devices and browser as well, as they tend to feature fluid and agile grids and images that facilitate faster loading of web pages. Contemporary web users are likely to abandon a page in case it does not load within a few seconds of clicking it, making swift loading times extremely important.

Among the other things, one of the biggest advantages of having a responsive web design is that it significantly helps in augmenting the search engine rankings of a website. The responsiveness of a website is a key factor taken into consideration by Google as a determiner of their rankings in the search engine results.  Hence, if a website is not responsive, it shall be placed lower in the search engine results automatically.

Testing a locally hosted website

To make sure that your web app is compatible with diverse mobile devices and is able to effectively meet the requirements of contemporary web users, it is important to test the responsiveness of your locally hosted website before it goes live. The methods available to test a locally hosted website, however, are limited. You may use developer tools present in your browser or certain online website responsive testing tools available for this purpose. The following pointers would shed better light on them:

1. LT Browser: The LT browser can be an extremely effective tool for testing the responsiveness of your locally hosted website across multiple mobile devices.  Having a live mobile view debugging feature, this tool also aids in identifying bugs in your website, allowing you to get rid of them as fast as possible.

Through the LT browser, you get the chance to test the responsiveness of a website across more than twenty mobile devices and browsers. This testing tool also provides you with the chance to add custom devices as per your requirements for responsiveness testing. Hence, you are able to perform a responsive testing of your locally hosted website with just about any mobile device, through this platform.

With the help of the LT browser, you can additionally compare the responsiveness of the mobile version of your web applications across several devices through a side-by-side view, which makes the entire process much smoother and easier to carry out.  The Scroll sync feature present in the LT browser allows you to sync two devices by the movement on the primary device, and hence you do not have to go back and forth while testing on multiple devices.  It also supports hot reloading, through which you can see your changes instantly in real time. As you save in your react code in your code editor, the local URL shall reload in LT Browser automatically.

There is also an inbuilt network simulation feature present in the LT Browser that shall enable you to test your website on low to high network profiles. Through this, you can even test your websites on an offline mode, to check how they reflect to the end-users.

The debugging feature that is in-built in the LT browser additionally aids you to validate the fixes made on the locally hosted WebPages on the go.  In case you desire to share this testing reporting with any of your team members or colleagues, then you simply have to mark the bugs during the testing period, and share them directly with others with the help of various project management tools like Asana and Jira.

One of the best aspects of performing a responsive testing of your locally hosted website through the LT browser is that you shall not be required to install any additional framework or utility software in this method.

Download LT Browser – https://www.lambdatest.com/lt-browser

• LambdaTest Tunnel: Apart from the LT Browser, the LambdaTest Tunnel tool can also be used for the purpose of testing your locally hosted website. This tool enables you to connect your local system with the LambdaTest servers through an SSH-based integration tunnel, so as to test the responsiveness of your web design across an extensive combination of operating systems, browsers and devices.  It largely acts as a distinctive secure shell tunnel that can also be used to test Python, HTML, PHP, CSS and various other web files that are saved locally. Moreover, with this tool, you shall not be required to execute any common from the terminal, you just have to establish a connection between the LambdaTest server and your OS, with the help of an underpass GUI. As a secure connection is established with your locally hosted web pages through the tunnel, you can get the chance to test its responsiveness across two thousand browsers, devices and operating systems.

LambdaTest Tunnel would be a great option for you, if you desire to check your website’s responsiveness across several browsers and operating systems. It is also packed with multiple added functionalities and features, making the entire process extremely easy.

• Developer tools featured in the browser: Toggle device toolbar featured in the developer tools of browsers would be among the most easily accessed responsive testing tools for locally hosted websites. Both Firefox and Chrome browsers have this tool, and it can be accessed with ease simply by pressing the F12 key on the keyword.

You would find this tool to be present with the same as the Toggle Device toolbar in the case of the Chrome browser. On the other hand, when it comes to Firefox, this tool is commonly defined as the Responsive Design mode.

As you press the F12 key while using the Mozilla Firefox browser, you shall find the developer tool section appearing in front of you on the screen. From there, you shall have to click on the option of Responsive Design mode, subsequent to which, the browser shall end up displaying the mobile version of your website.  Then from the top menu, you shall be required to select the Responsive option, so see all the versions of devices that are integrated with the browser, such as Apple iPads, Samsung Galaxy and so on. You may even opt to choose the specific device to test the responsive design of your website. This shall allow you to gain a better understanding of how your website shall render across diverse platforms after coming live. You may even change the resolution of the screen according to your requirements, in order to see to it how your web pages shall render across multiple screen sizes. In addition to getting a proper insight on the responsiveness of a website, doing so provides a good stimulation for mobile devices.

While they do mimic the real devices, these stimulators do not replicate any kind of hardware requirements of the device.

In addition to the viewport, in case you desire to mimic the hardware requirements of a mobile device, then it shall be a good idea for you to go for browser emulators.

Choosing to perform responsive testing of your locally hosted website through LambdaTest

Having a responsive website is the new of the hour for all businesses in the modern world. Choosing to perform a responsive testing of your locally hosted website before it goes live would be a great option for you to ensure the user-friendliness of your web app across several devices, as well as avoiding several future issues. Even though you may always test the website after it goes live or when you have to implement certain changes to it later on, it would be a prudent move to carry out the testing procedure before in order to be properly prepared to solve any kind of issues that may crop up.

The emulators and simulators of discerning real mobile devices would be the most proffered way of testing the responsiveness of your website, and such features can be availed with ease through the LT browser provided by LambdaTest.  You can perform a responsive testing of your website across multiple operating systems, devices, browsers and their versions through it, making it a one-stop-destination for web app testing. You won’t require any tunnel or extension while using testing your website through the LT browser. You simply have to type your localhost address, and subsequently, get the chance to check your local website across more than 25 devices.

EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

Database as a service or DBaaS is the next big thing to help your business grow and stand out. The cloud databases market is growing rapidly and will reach $320 billion by 2025. DBaaS has clear potential and will allow businesses to market faster.

Before we move on, let’s share a few words on DBaaS.

What is Database as a Service

Database as a service or DBaaS is a service-based approach for databases. Just like software as a service (SaaS), you can now get database services over the cloud for monthly plans.

Businesses can use cloud database software to manage and access databases without administrative headaches. DBaaS providers take the responsibility of installing, scaling, managing, and maintaining your database. As a result, you are free to focus on improving your offerings and boosting productivity.

How does Database as a Service Work

Database as a service works just like SaaS, says cloud consultant Alpacked.io. You move your entire database to the cloud and add a service to streamline your daily tasks. Your staff doesn’t need to perform any installation, configuration, or database management. Your provider takes care of all the duties while you remain free to use and control your database as you want.

In exchange, your provider will take a fixed monthly charge.

Benefits of DBaaS

Database as service brings many business advantages to the table. You can enjoy several perks like-

Easy Management

Your job becomes much easier when all administrative tasks are the responsibility of a third-party. There is no need to raise tickets for database requests and perform similar repetitive tasks. Cloud database solutions give you self-service capabilities to ease work and efforts. You can easily perform whatever management tasks left in a simple manner with a click!

Better Collaboration

You can break the departmental silos and consolidate data from varied sources using a cloud computing database. Everything is within easy access without any delay or interruptions. Every member of your team can stay on the same page and enjoy an unrestricted flow of information.

Seamless Scaling

Cloud database services allow businesses to scale up and down without any hassles. You can get additional resources to meet fluctuating demands without buying any extra hardware. The process is also simple, and database as a service providers give you everything you need.

Think of DBaaS next time you need to scale up for the extra orders during the Holidays. You can just pay a bit extra and scale down instantly after the season is over.

Save Costs

A cloud database infrastructure can save you costs in many ways. The biggest savings come in the form of investments you don’t have to make in hardware. You can just pay-as-you-go with affordable monthly subscription plans from leading providers.

Additionally, you don’t need to hire and pay an entire IT team. You save on salaries, bonuses, overheads, and a number of grounds.

Moreover, DBaaS needs no hardware upgrades or maintenance from your end.

Helps You Market Faster

You need to market faster to enjoy a competitive advantage. Traditional database systems meant wasting days just to request access via your IT team. Such delays ultimately affect your bottom line and result in loss of revenues.

Operations through a database in the cloud take seconds and not days. You can develop rapidly and look forward to a faster time to market without exceptions.

Fewer Risks, More Security

Database cloud providers offer enterprise-grade security for your data and even the entire platform. You can take advantage of encryption, access control, and more features to protect your database. Additionally, you can expect timely backups and disaster management services.

Plus, some providers ensure compliance with data protection and privacy regulations. They also provide a guaranteed uptime for assurance and reliability.

Boost Efficiency and Productivity

A database cloud service can increase operational efficiency and boost productivity by-

• Helping you scale as-you-go
• Optimum use of resources
• One-click upgrade and patches
• Eliminating administrative, management, and maintenance tasks

Who Needs Database as a Service

A range of small, medium, and large-scale businesses can benefit from adopting DBaaS. If you have to depend on any back-end database, DBaaS holds a strong potential for your business. It can help you deploy database instances without hassles by using API calls or UI clicks. You don’t even need to worry if the database is Oracle or MySQL.

Businesses that want to eliminate provisioning of hardware or network will also benefit from DBaaS. You can enjoy your database as a private cloud service for foolproof resiliency and security. DBaaS will also be helpful if you want to expedite your operations.

You already know about the advantages that we discussed above. So, you can now make an informed decision.

Final Thoughts

Database as a service is a sure way to reduce the hassles of database management. You can also stop investing in costly hardware and get your database as a service for more convenience. Alpacked is your ideal partner for database migration and all DBaaS needs. Contact us today to know more.

EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

A wireless router is the bedrock of your entire home network. It is a compact device, which circulates data packets between the connected devices in an area and directs traffic on the web. It allows you to use the internet from any corner of the house and with any Wi-Fi enabled device. It also stands between a stellar online experience and a constantly lagging one. Therefore, picking the right Wi-Fi router is an extremely important task. If you are a novice, then the complex terminology and the marketing verbiage might confuse you, and understandably so. Worry not, as this article will list down all the things you need to consider before buying a new router for your home. Go on and give them a read below.

Should You Buy a New Router?

When you subscribe to an internet service, chances are that the provider will give you a dedicated router or a modem-router gateway for a monthly rental fee. You can choose to pay around $9 to $15 for your ISP-given router every month, or you can purchase your own router, given that your ISP allows that. For instance, with RCN internet packages, you can bring your own internet equipment or go with the eero-powered Whole Home WiFi system for $9.95 per month. If you plan to stick it out with the provider for a longer run, then we recommend you buy a new router upfront to avoid the pesky monthly rental fee. You can find a decent router online for $50 and above. These are the best wireless routers of 2021 so far:

• TP-Link Archer C7 AC1750 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router
• Linksys EA6350 AC1200+ Dual-Band Smart Wi-Fi Wireless Router
• Asus RT-AC66U B1 Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi Router
• Netgear Nighthawk X10 AD7200 Smart WiFi Router (R9000)
• Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300

See if they match your ISP’s list of compatible routers before placing your order outright. It is vital for your internet connection to be uniform with your router’s capabilities.

Things to Consider Before Buying a New Router

Now that you have set out to purchase a new router, it is time to acquaint yourself with certain factors, so you can compare and contrast the products before selecting one. Here are some of the things you need to keep in mind when you go router shopping:

Wireless Standard & Security

Due to the advancement in internet technology, it is possible for providers to deliver broadband speeds of 100 Mbps today, which can get a lot of things done in the smallest duration of time. To translate these higher speeds into data signals that your devices can process, your wireless router needs to follow the latest 802.11ac standard. If your router doesn’t have the mark of this standard on it, then it might not be capable to carry the fast internet speeds you’ve signed up for with a provider. While you check the products for this standard, make sure that they also have WPA2 encryption, which is the latest wireless security standard for a router.

Router Frequency Band

Most of the wireless routers you see these days transmit data signals on two main frequency bands, i.e. 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz frequency is often the go-to band for almost all devices that run on a wireless network – from routers to baby monitors. This is the reason why it is so crowded and prone to interference from surrounding devices. The 5 GHz frequency band, on the other hand, is located on the farther side of the spectrum and is less crowded. You can expect to experience faster connectivity when using this band. When buying a new router, you may have to choose between single-band or double-band. Here’s what we suggest: If you happen to live in a bustling urban area with a huge number of data-hungry devices in the vicinity and clashing Wi-Fi networks, then go for a double-band router. Otherwise, a single-band router will work quite well for you.

Presence of Ports

The kind of ports you get on your router also matter. Some of the most advanced Wi-Fi routers have at least one Gigabit Ethernet port, which brings the fastest fiber speeds to your home. For instance, the Gig port you find on TP-LINK Archer C7 supports more than 1000 Mbps speeds when transmitting on a 5 GHz wireless channel. Think of what you can achieve with this tier! No more gaming lags or buffering videos. Another kind of port you’ll see on the best routers is a USB port. Though it’s not essential per se, a USB port does give you the freedom to plug in a flash storage device or any other kind of media hub into it for seamless networking.

Wrapping Up

A router occupies a central spot in your home network, which is why you need to be careful when purchasing it for your home. Keep the aforementioned things in mind and you’ll have swell wireless connectivity for sure.

EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.