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The Importance of Web Standards

The use of web standards is now more important then ever. Recently Target Corporate was sued for acessibility issues with their web site. The lawsuit sets a precedent for additional lawsuits to be filed against other online b2b and b2c retailers.

A web standards based site uses html code is standards compliant. The term "web standards" was coined by the Web Standards Project which was Founded in 1998 The Web Standards Project (WaSP) fights for standards that reduce the cost and complexity of development while increasing the accessibility and long-term viability of any site published on the Web.

Since the inception of WaSP a number of sites have been developed using these standards. Some

Why would I want to use webstandards?

Faster Loading of pages

An XHTML based page requires less html than a typical nonstandards compliant page does.

Your site will consume less bandwidth

if your pages are smaller so will your bill for bandwidth usage. In addition your server will be able to serve handle additional traffic.

Search Engines may start indexing your site

Less code makes it easier for the search engines to index your pages. Creating compliant code that is semantically correct will inform the search engine that certain content on the page should be indexed.

Skilled web developers like standards

The web developer of 2007 understands that web standards are the only choice for site development. Code that is smaller and easier to read can be more easliy maintained by developers. Your current web developer may understand your site, but what about the developer you hire next year.

The future of the web

By using today's standards the site will be ensured that the next generation of web browser software will display your pages correctly.

See detailed article on the Target case at Computer Week

11.18.2006. 21:40

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