Web Standards
Why should you turn visitors away from your website just because they do not have the latest technology, are using a dial up connection or have poor visibility?
Never turn away a customer (disabled and older users)
Disabled users have a spending power of £80 billion.
more information on disabled users
Works with alternative devices (mobile phones)
Mobile Phone users account for 20% of internet users.
more information on internet users
Increase your exposure (Search Engine Optimisation)
Optimise the code in your site to be recognised by search engines.
more information on SEO
Future proof your site (upcoming browsers)
Keep to standards to ensure your site will be compatible with future web browsers.
more information on web browsers
Faster to download
Allow users to download your site faster by using web standards design.
more information on web standards
Never turn away a customer (disabled and older users)
Disabled users have different needs when using a computer. A screen reader is a software application that attempts to identify and interpret what is being displayed on the screen and can read out the results to blind users. Creating a website to web standards with high priority given to accessibility means that the screen reader has a better chance of making sense to the user.
Works with alternative devices (mobile phones)
We no longer live in a world where the only way to access the internet is in front of a computer. Mobile phones are increasingly able to access the internet and are set to become one of the main platforms that we use to browse the web. Whilst web standards may not make the site appear exactly the same as on a computer screen, it will allow the user to access content and easily view your site. This may not be the case with non compliant design. There are also a wide variety of browsers available over several platforms. By complying to web standards it is a lot easier to ensure that your site will be seen as it was intended.
Increase your exposure (Search Engine Optimisation)
Search engines like Google can be compared to blind users. They do not see your website as we do. Designing to web standards allows search engines and blind users alike to understand the content of the page. This means you stand a greater chance of being at the top of a search.
Future proof your site (upcoming browsers)
There are a large variety of browsers available. Although Internet Explorer is widely used it only has around a 60% share of the market. Using web standards can make it easier for all current and future browsers to display your website as it was intended.
Faster to download
Sizes of files can be decreased substantially by using web standards design. This can improve download times for people with slower connections. It can also save money as hosting will be less expensive.
Further information
Find out more about web standards from the following links