Test automation for a web page comprising specifying a number of tests for web page elements comprising specifying a test step for each of a number of web page elements on the web page. Each test step is stored as a metadata object containing a unique identifier for the web page, a unique identifier for the web page element to which the test step corresponds, and a required interaction for the web page element. A test step is selected to perform on a web page element, and the metadata for the element is extracted according to its unique identifier in the test step. An interpreter algorithm processes the metadata to determine what the web page element is, how best to identify the web page element, and commands to perform the required interaction and chooses a selector for the web page element. The test step is then executed.