6 Common Mistakes in Browser Automation (And How to Avoid Them)

Automation sounds like a dream - Set up a script, sit back, and let the computer handle all the clicking, scrolling, and form-filling. Am I right? But the reality most times feels less like magic and more like a really annoying battle with error messages and frozen screens. If your company is considering browser automation, or if you're already using it and running into issues…

Here’s a breakdown of six common mistakes companies make and how to avoid them.

1. Relying on Fragile Scripts

Companies usually start with simple automation scripts that work well enough… until they don’t. Most “traditional” scripts rely on specific elements in a webpage’s code (like tags, classes, or XPaths). Unfortunately, a minor site update can break everything, leaving you with stalled processes and employees scrambling to get things back on track manually.

Imagine your team has set up automation to download monthly invoices from a vendor’s site. One day, the vendor changes the layout, and suddenly, your automation can’t locate the “Download” button. You’re back to manually downloading invoices until someone can fix the script.

How to avoid it: Use adaptive, AI tools that interact with websites more like a human would, by recognizing page elements visually rather than using fixed code structures. Skyvern can adapt to website updates, reducing the need to constantly fix broken scripts. This flexibility helps make sure your automation can withstand minor layout changes without missing a beat.

2. Overlooking Multi-Step Dependencies

Browser automation is hardly ever as simple as completing a single action. Most business processes involve a series of steps that depend on each other. If you fail to account for these dependencies, it can lead to incomplete tasks and lost efficiency.

For example, let’s say you’re automating a multi-step process to obtain insurance quotes for clients. 

• Step one: fill out customer info. 
• Step two: pick a plan. 
• Step three: request the quote. 

If the form layout changes on step two, or if extra verification pops up, the entire process can stall.

How to avoid it: Use automation tools that recognize and adapt to each step’s dependencies, ensuring each action is complete before moving to the next. Skyvern can handle complex workflows and adjust to unique conditions, so you’re not left troubleshooting every time a website makes a change.

3. Ignoring Error Handling and Edge Cases

In an ideal world, your automation would work flawlessly every time. But in reality, things go wrong: websites go down, CAPTCHAs appear, or pages fail to load. If your automation lacks built-in error handling, it may break every time it encounters an unexpected issue.

Imagine automating a workflow that logs into several portals to gather financial reports. One day, one of those sites requires you to reset your password, and suddenly, your automated process comes to a halt without you knowing.

How to avoid it: Implement basic error-handling in your automation. A few smart practices include:

• Setting up retries when a page doesn’t load
• Handling login changes
• And setting up alerts to notify your team when a workflow fails. 

Once you have the right error-handling measures in place, you’ll keep workflows running smoothly and your team informed when intervention is needed.

4. Skipping Security Best Practices

When automating processes that deal with sensitive data, security can’t be an afterthought. companies usually make the mistake of storing login credentials or personal data in plain text, leaving them vulnerable to breaches. 

Automation should make processes easier, but not at the expense of security.

Consider the risks: if your automated processes require repeated logins or personal data input, failing to secure this information could open your business up to cybersecurity issues that affect both your data and your clients’ data.

How to avoid it: Always use encrypted storage for sensitive information, and leverage secure APIs wherever possible. Opt for open-source tools when possible, as these allow your IT team to audit the code and identify potential vulnerabilities. Skyvern, for example, is open-source, so it’s transparent and easy to customize for your security requirements.

5. Neglecting to Test Across Different Browsers and Platforms

Just because automation works on one browser doesn’t mean it’ll work everywhere. If your automated processes are expected to run on different browsers, or across desktop and mobile, testing on just one browser could lead to inconsistencies.

Picture this for a second: you’re automating form submissions on a government website for a compliance requirement. It works fine on Chrome, but then your team tries it on Safari or Firefox, and errors pop up everywhere. Now your team has to either troubleshoot each setup or manually complete the work.

How to avoid it: Test your automation across the major browsers and platforms your team will need. Some automation tools support cross-browser testing so you can confirm compatibility upfront. And if you use AI tools that rely less on code and more on interpreting visual elements (like Skyvern), you’ll likely encounter fewer cross-browser issues in the first place.

6. Failing to Update Automation as Processes Evolve

Over time, processes change - websites get redesigned, security features are added, forms are updated. If you set up an automation and assume it’ll work indefinitely, you’re setting yourself up for a lot of issues down the road. Regular updates are very essential to keep automation running smoothly and aligned with current processes.

Let’s say you’ve automated order placements with a key supplier. A few months later, they update their ordering portal, adding extra steps for order verification. Suddenly, your automation can’t complete the order, leaving your team to clean up and try to adjust.

How to avoid it: Schedule regular checks on automated workflows to make sure they’re still working correctly. Using adaptable AI tools like Skyvern can also cut down the need for constant updates, as it can adjust to new site layouts and process changes with little reprogramming. Keeping your automations up to date helps avoid costly downtime and ensures processes run smoothly.

Conclusion

Browser automation can help companies simplify repetitive tasks, save on labor, and boost overall efficiency. However, to make the most of it, it's very important to avoid the common mistakes we talked about.

If you're looking for a reliable, flexible, and easy-to-use browser automation tool, try creating an account with Skyvern. It’s built to handle complex workflows and won’t easily break with site updates, making it a solid choice for companies that need dependable automation.