When it comes to UI test automation, one of the most important but most neglected parts will be how we locate web elements and how we interact with those web elements. It does not matter if you use Selenium, Playwright, Cypress, or Appium; stable and maintainable test scripts rely on reliable locators. A change to the DOM structure or a poorly engaged locator can yield flaky tests, wasted time, and useless reports.
Good locator strategies allow QA (Quality Assurance) engineers and automation testers to write strong, adaptable tests, which keep maintenance to a minimum and allow for efficient scaling from the ground up. Good locator strategies are important not only for choosing which locator type to use, but making great locators and using them to engage dynamic elements, dealing with more complex UIs (tables, iframes, modals), etc.
In the upcoming blogs, we will deliver to you relevant locator strategies, realistic situations, some tool-based perspectives, and some avoidable pitfalls and best practices of text factors when applying your UI tests so that you can have reliable, meaningful, scalable UI tests.
Why Web Element Locators Are Key to Automation Success
Accurate and reliable locators are the foundation of stable and maintainable test automation. Whether using Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, or Appium, the effectiveness of your tests depends on how efficiently your scripts can find and interact with page elements.
Well-defined locators result in:
- Reduced test flakiness
- Lower maintenance effort when UI changes occur
- Faster debugging and issue resolution
- More consistent and trustworthy test outcomes
A strategic approach to writing locators ensures your automation suite is scalable, robust, and future-proof.
Common Issues Caused by Poor Locators
Many automation failures can be traced back to poor locator strategies. Some common issues include:
- Use of non-unique or auto-generated element IDs
- Overreliance on deeply nested or brittle XPath expressions
- Ignoring accessibility attributes such as aria-label, role, or data-testid
- Failing to handle dynamic or localized content properly
By addressing these issues early, teams can avoid unnecessary maintenance, improve test reliability, and build a stronger automation framework.
Understanding Web Element Locators
What is a Locator?
A locator is a reference used by automation tools to identify and interact with elements on a web page. It tells the testing framework exactly where an element is located in the DOM (Document Object Model). Without a reliable locator, automation scripts cannot function correctly.
How UI Testing Frameworks Use Locators
Automation frameworks like Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, and Appium use locators to find elements before performing actions like clicking buttons, entering text, selecting options, or verifying element states. These locators serve as the bridge between the test scripts and the application’s user interface.
When a test script executes, the framework queries the DOM using the provided locator and attempts to find the matching element. If the locator is incorrect, outdated, or too generic, the test may fail or behave unpredictably.
Common Locator Types
Different frameworks support a variety of locator strategies, including:
- ID – Fast and reliable when the ID is unique.
- Name – Useful when form elements have consistent name attributes.
- Class Name – Suitable when class values are stable and specific.
- Tag Name – Rarely used alone, but helpful in combination with other selectors.
- CSS Selector – Powerful and clean, allowing precise targeting based on attributes, hierarchy, and more.
- XPath – Flexible for navigating complex or dynamic DOM structures, especially when elements lack good identifiers.
- Custom Attributes – Such as data-testid, aria-label, or other developer-defined attributes, often added for testing purposes. Choosing the right locator type depends on the application structure and the stability of the DOM elements.
Choosing the Right Locator for the Right Situation
When to Use Specific Locators
1 ID
Use when the element has a unique and stable id attribute. IDs are the most efficient and least likely to change.
Example:
Locator:
- Selenium: driver.findElement(By.id(“username”))
- Playwright: page.locator(“#username”)
2 CSS Selector
Ideal for elements with consistent class names or attribute patterns. CSS selectors are clean and flexible.
Example:
Locator
- CSS Selector: .login-button
- Hierarchical: div.container > button.login-button
3 XPath
Useful for navigating complex or nested DOM structures where no IDs or classes are available.
Example:
Locator:
- XPath: //tr[td[text()='Username']]/td[2]/input
4 Custom Attributes (data-testid, aria-*)
Best for automation as they’re designed to remain stable, even when the UI changes.
Example:
Locator:
- CSS: [data-testid='submit-btn']
- Playwright: page.getByTestId("submit-btn")
Mini decision matrix: Strategy vs. Scenario
Choosing the right locator isn’t just about what’s technically possible it’s about what makes your test reliable, readable, and easy to maintain over time. Here’s how to make informed choices based on different real-world scenarios:
Simplicity and Uniqueness
Use: id, data-testid, or other custom attributes
When: The element has a unique, stable attribute that clearly identifies it.
Why: These locators are short, efficient, and less prone to change as UI layout evolves. Custom attributes like data-testid are especially helpful in test environments.
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