NetHosted Blog

The amount of freeware available on the Internet today can seem overwhelming. Gone are the days when you have to spend lots of money to do simple online tasks. You can simply download the software you need, and start using it to achieve your goals. Firebug is such a tool, offered free to users, it provides a platform to debug problem code and scripting that may be preventing users from staying on your website.

For the purpose of this post, I’m going to touch on what this little do-it-yourself website debugging tool can do for the average user. Firebug works in real-time with your FireFox browser. It allows you to: View HTML, PHP, CSS, and Javascript, fix any problems with the script or code, view the changes as they will appear to visitors, then upload the changes to your host – all from your browser window!

Once installed, Firebug becomes an on-demand editing and code debugging tool. View a screen-shot of Firebug in action. You will notice how it cleverly splits its navigation screen between the web page as it is seen by online visitors, and the specific code and scripting that defines the page. A little Firebug icon shows at the bottom right hand corner of your browser, allowing you to activate the tool whenever you need it. Once clicked Firebug springs into action with its navigation window, and gives you an easy editing platform. One feature that immediately gives you a lot of information about your site is the network activity monitor which shows you how long the elements on your page take to load.

The network activity monitor separates your site into each of its individual files, telling you which features are loading quickly for users, and which are lagging (A lagging script means viewers are unlikely to stay on the page, and may not even return to the site). Lets imagine you have a link or executable script on your site that makes your users wait 15 seconds before they are given what they’re clicking on. In that time frame, the viewer will simply click off to a faster site, that gives them what they want without having to wait. This makes debugging something we should all do regularly to ensure a good experience for viewers.

Firebug will tell you exactly how long a particular script is taking to load, or if an image on your page is causing trouble. Having the power to fix the problem while your viewing it, and see the problem is fixed saves you time. Whether your an internet marketer seeking to sell, or running a simple hobby site; your pages need to load at optimal speeds… visitors want the information, and they want it fast!

The now popular debugging tool is compatible with other content editing platforms like WordPress, or Joomla. It can compliment your current editing routine, rather than requiring you to replace it. Or you can use it as a stand-alone editor if you wish. The key advantage, that I’m compelled to reiterate is the ability to view problems, fix them, and immediately upload them to your host server. Some businesses pay a lot of money to have professionals to track down usability problems, while Firebug can do it for free (not many people I know dislike that word).

Some complaints related to Firebug come from users who say the website editor slows their browser down too much. Use the tool and see what you think for yourself. I found my browser worked at the same speed it always has and it’s only active when you click on the Firebug icon. Here is a link to some frequently asked questions associated with the web development tool:

FireBug – Frequently Asked Questions

The FAQ details installation, setting your preferences, how the debugger works, and how to correct any problems you may encounter. Firefox is currently the only browser with a beta tested version of Firebug. For those users who wish to test their pages in IE, Opera, or Safari, you can find what you need here.

Using tools such as Firebug to optimise your site, in combination with a good quality web host means your site will be fast loading, keep your users engaged while they browse your content and even improve search rankings as Google’s latest Caffeine updates place some emphasis on site load speed.