Whether you’re a seasoned web developer or a newbie, you’ll agree that it’s a challenge to prepare a web app that runs well in all browsers. IE6 especially, has been responsible for presenting ugliest of mis-presentations seen on the web, by messing up web app design. So it becomes even more important to test your website or web application for cross browser compatibility before you launch it online. As most of web developers happen to be equipped with latest IT tools, there’s minimal chance for you having all browsers, especially older ones and particularly IE6 – I bet you won’t like to see IE6 anywhere in your neighborhood let alone at your own system. Here are your options as an efficient web application tester:

In Loving Memory of IE6

Yeah. Get a new PC with below average hardware specs or visit your scrap room and relocate your old PC, paint it to perfection and get it ready for the new role, i.e. lead resource for web application/ website testing in IE6. And don’t forget to put a tag titled “In Loving Memory of IE6″ on its face.

Known issues with this solution: You’ll have to bear with your old PC that looks uglier than websites look in IE6. Plus you’ll have to bear with IE6, oh holly crap!!

Shoo the Visitors with IE6

Detect users with IE6 and tell them of inevitable, in rather spam way. Tell them if they didn’t stop using IE6, they’ll be deprived of chance to be your potential customer. Alongside, detect who’s the loser with this solution?

Known issues with this solution: You and your visitors with IE6 will end up being losers. And IE6 will be the ultimate winner.

Purchase Cross Browser Testing System

This could be the solution. A trusted cross browser testing solution could end your nightmares by giving you perfect view of how your website looked in different browsers. And trusted cross browser testing platform isn’t much harder to find either. You should CrossBrowserTesting.com a chance as they’ve been around for a while and they do have good client base complimenting an established system.

Known issues with this solution: They work, work pretty well but they DO cost! And that cost may not have a ROI.

Test with Browser Sandbox by Spoon.net

All you have to do is to download and install a client app on your machine and you’re all set. Spoon browser sandbox has it all you need for a comprehensive browser testing. And it’s FREE! No strings attached, test as many application for as long as you want. Spoon.net allows you to run your favorite IE6 along with any other browsers from the web whether or not you have them installed on your system. It’s simple, quick, easy and FREE!

Known issues with this solution: It will spoil the business of paid cross browser testing platforms.

So, next time I see a website performing poorly in IE6, safari or any other browsers, blame has to be the web developers.