Page Object Model: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What I Do Instead

The Page Object Model is widely used in UI automation, but it often gets misused.

If you use the Page Object Model well, it helps cut down on duplicate code and makes things easier to read. But if you use it poorly, you end up with big, messy classes that hide logic and make tests harder to keep up.

I do use page objects, but I’m careful to use them thoughtfully.

A page object should show how a page works, not just list its elements. If it only stores locators and getters, it isn’t very useful. Then, tests have to handle too many details, and even small changes can cause issues in the code.

I prefer to offer meaningful actions instead of just showing elements. For example, using “SubmitForm” is more helpful than “ClickSubmitButton.” This keeps tests focused on what they need to do, not just the steps to do it.

But I don’t turn page objects into small test scripts. Checks and assertions belong in the tests, not in the page classes. If page objects try to guess what should happen, it only makes debugging harder.

I also try not to make page objects too generic. Using one page object for lots of different cases often leads to complicated conditions and fragile code. It’s better to keep things simple and clear than to overcomplicate.

The Page Object Model is just a tool, not a rule you have to follow exactly. I change how I use it based on how complex the app is and how it works. The main goal is to make testing easier, not to stick to the pattern perfectly.