How to Buy Mobile Proxies for Web Testing?

How to Buy Mobile Proxies for Web Testing?

When creating a website or an app, your goal is to make it functional for real users. You test the various buttons, form submissions, and checkout processes. However, testing everything from your office Wi-Fi only shows one version of your site.

Your users will be situated in a variety of locations. Furthermore, they will be using various mobile carrier networks. Some will be using 5G while some will be using 4G and will be moving. They will also see various prices, different advertisements, & different search results.

Testing must be done from a mobile user's perspective. Because of this, a lot of developers and marketers are utilizing mobile proxies.

Now, let's discuss how to purchase the correct mobile proxies.

What is a mobile proxy, and how does it work?

A mobile proxy is an intermediary between you and the website you are trying to access. Instead of accessing a website directly, your request is routed through a real mobile proxy. As a result, the website will show traffic coming from an actual mobile device.

This is important because a website is likely to trust mobile IP addresses more than a data center IP address. A large number of mobile users share the IP addresses that are routed through the carrier networks using a technology known as CGNAT. It makes them more difficult to block.

Mobile proxies assist your evaluations to ensure what real consumers see. This includes page speed tests, localized content tests, ad placement evaluations, and checkout process tests for your app, regardless of the location.

1. Define Evaluation Objective

Prior to any purchase, a fundamental question ought to be raised: What evaluation is to be conducted?

If you want to check the search engine positions within given locations, robust geo-targeting is essential. For the evaluation of login flows or checkout systems, non-disruptive IP session stability is requisite. For web scraping, data collection, and similar activities, frequent IP rotations are essential.

Each goal determines what proxy configuration is necessary, and it is imperative to ensure a precise evaluation to ensure financial prudence.

2. Determine The Session Type

Mobile proxies typically allow two types of session types: Sticky and rotating.

Rotating proxies are set to modify the IP address regularly, which is ideal for web scraping, price monitoring, competitor research, and SEO auditing. This way, various mobile users are perceived by the website rather than a single IP address.

When testing user journeys, sticky sessions can retrieve the same IP address for a predetermined amount of time, for example, 10 or 30-minute durations. If you log into an account and navigate through multiple checkout pages, you wouldn’t want the IP address to change in the middle of the process. 

This is the main reason the steady session option is chosen. It tests seamlessly and replicates more realistic outcomes. Select the option that aligns with how long you require the same identity to remain online.

3. Ensure that you get Real Mobile IPs 

Not every ‘mobile proxy’ is actually a mobile proxy. Some proxy providers may use emulated IP addresses or even fake IP addresses. As a result, most websites detect this and subsequently block that IP.

When searching for mobile proxy sources, opt for those that use real 4G or 5G mobile IPs, meaning SIM cards, as mobile proxies. This is vital to achieving a true mobile IP footprint as it ultimately reduces the likelihood of IP bans.

Always confirm with the provider that the mobile proxies originate from actual devices and real telecom carriers. You can generally trust a proxy provider that answers this fully.

You can see FleetProxy reviews 

4. Check Location and Coverage

Location is central to any web testing. If you want to test a business campaign, you will require more precise targeting.

Some providers restrict you to targeting countries proxies, while others target cities. City targeting allows you to test local SEO, local advertising, and region-specific pricing much more accurately.

On top of that, check the size of the IP pool. Better rotation and fewer blocks is usually a result of a larger pool.

5. Know the Costs Before Purchasing

Mobile proxies usually have two pricing structures.

Some providers have a pay-as-you-go system based on gigabyte usage. If you only run small tests periodically, this pricing structure is optimal.

Other providers have a subscription model whereby you pay for access to a "port" on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. This option is better if you are doing a lot of automation, scraping, or ongoing performance testing.

For more frequent testing, a time-based pricing plan may be more economical. If you test infrequently, a data-based pricing plan may save you money.

When estimating your usage, be sure to price both models and calculate based on the amount of traffic.

5. Check the Quality of the Service Before Committing to a Large Plan

It is important not to take large plans without first testing the service. Search for a small initial program or a temporary one. Please pay attention to speed, stability, and configuration ease during testing. 

You can try getting onto the Internet using your Web browser or an automation program. Go to a page like WhatIsMyIP and check if it’s showing a mobile carrier and not the office Internet provider.

Try testing the customer support as well. Ask a stock question, and if they take a long time to answer, then their support is probably not the best. Good support is a plus when you want to enlarge your testing.

Bottom Line!

Owning mobile proxies for web testing should not be difficult. Always check for real mobile IP, positive location coverage, appropriate session type, and reasonable cost. Always take testing before signing for a long term commitment. Devise your real objective carefully, be it improved user experience, accurate geo-targeting, enhanced automation, or safe testing.

If you are looking for a reliable proxy provider for serious testing, look no further than FleetProxy. We have clean carrier-grade mobile IPs, flexible proxy plans, and strong global coverage while keeping the setup simple. Start small, test smart, and improve your website with real-world data.