The importance of web standards

When a web page has been created in compliance with web standards, it usually means that the site or page has valid or nearly valid (X)HTML, CSS and JavaScript. This is a very good thing! The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is the main international standards organization for the World Wide Web - it is their code validators (XHTML and CSS) that I use for checking my pages.

The benefits of a web standards compliant page ...

... for people. The web page is likely to be interpreted correctly for a wide range of modern browsers, and will still display meaningfully in older ones. People using screen readers, mobiles, PDA's and other web browsing methods will be able to navigate your site. It makes it easier for people with special needs to use the Web - in essence: a standards compliant site is an accessible site.
... for search engines. With the content of the site structured correctly, the search engines can find the information they need to do their job in the most efficient and effective way. A standards compliant page can help in the quest for good search engine rankings.
... for ease of maintainance. Because the style information is kept separate from the content, (in an external CSS file), changes for how a page looks can be made quickly and efficiently across the site, saving time and money.
... for the future.The web, and the technologies behind it, are constantly evolving. As the W3C is made up of individuals and organisations who are creating those technologies, adhering to those standards is the best possible assurance that a web page will be easily upgradeable, and if left to its own devices will age well and 'degrade gracefully'.

The W3C validation marker

Unless a client doesn't want the validation marker displayed, I will usually place the W3C validation marker(s) in the footer of the validated page. You can click on the marker which will take you to the W3C validation service and immediately revalidate the page. Try it!

Not all pages pass validation. Some web apps, such as bulletin boards and calendars with dynamic content may cause a page to fail the validation test for a small reason. This may be for a number of small reasons - sometimes in the content itself. In those situations I don't worry, and neither should you - to become obsessive about achieving full compliance is unnecessary and potentially expensive!

A the end of the day it is all about working in an agreed way, using a common language, that can be interpreted correctly by the whole gamut of browsers and screen-reading devices.

portfolio

emotional-support.com is Ada Mournian's counselling service based in Wellington and Tiverton in Devon.
The design of the website is simple, hopefully enabling a range of clients to find the right information quiclkly.

Visit the website: www.emotional-support.com

The original design for this site came from rippleeffects in Liverpool. The design has been further developed by me, being careful to keep the very strong original design features intact.
Most of my work on this site has been in implementing a more user-friendly content management system which makes it easy for the site-owner to add photos and news, and make page updates across the site.

Visit the website: www.alpacasofwales.com

The Eddystone Trust is a Devon and Cornwall based charity promoting and training in sexual health and supporting people living with HIV.

The website is quite complex, with different areas devoted to information and news on various topics. There is a downloads section for reports and newsletters, and a rolling diary of events. Separate from the main site is a special password protected clients area for client-specific news and an online forum.
Large areas of the site can be managed inhouse, via the content management systems.

Visit the website: www.eddystone.org.uk

The Honiton Festival is a prestigious arts event in Honiton Devon.
This site aims to keep local people informed of events across the year and attract new people.
Events and gallery listing update themselves automatically, reducing the need for continual maintenance.

Visit the website: www.thehonitonfestival.co.uk

Devon Cottage Fudge is a one-man operated business, based near Exeter, making and selling high quality fudge.

The site has a custom built online shop, taking payments through PayPal.

Visit the website: www.devoncottagefudge.co.uk

Person Centred Approach South West is an organisation for counsellors in the South West.

The website has three sections: a public section, offering information, events listings and bookings (via PayPal); a subscribers-only section, offering noticeboard, and contact lists; and an administration section where all of these things are managed.

Visit the website: www.personcentredapproachsw.org

This was a site I took over. The original design was by Thorntree Studios, and many of their original features have been kept.
Most of my work here was below the surface - rebuilding the site to bring it into line with current code-writing practices which have helped make it more attractive to the search engines, as well as being web-standards compliant.

Visit the website: www.oldkennels-boswell.co.uk

This is one of two sites that share the same basic design, for Linda Macaulay - Devon based counsellor and pilates instructor.
Whilst counselling and pilates are two separate areas of work for her, they are connected in respect of both helping the person, and also connected because of the holistic approach that Linda brings to her work. Hence the websites are recognisably from the same stable. The counselling website is still in development.

Visit the website: counselling.lindawmacaulay.co.uk

Visit the website: pilates.lindawmacaulay.co.uk

Pistyll Gwyn is our smallholding in Wales, where we keep alpacas and produce handspun yarn, and handwoven alpaca products.
The website has a blog for our friends and families, a shop for our cutomers, and a herd management section for us.

Visit the website: www.pistyll-gwyn.co.uk

Sue Prowse is an independent counsellor working in the Exeter area of Devon
The site is simple pages, aiming to clearly explain Sue's approach and business. This site is a good example of how design can successfully develop as a joint process between designer and customer.

Visit the website: www.sueprowse.co.uk

Westsongs is my own small music business, creating and selling New Age music.
The website offers music samples and simple Quicktime animations, and links to PayPal and NoChex for the ecommerce side of things.

Visit the website: westsongs.co.uk

Originally designed by Bitpod design and laid out in Joomla, my task here was to rebuild the site and create a much less daunting content management system based around the needs of the holiday cottage business.
Aspects of the design have been developed by me as well.

Visit the website: www.boswell-farm.co.uk

Thornhayes is a highly regarded Devon based tree nursery, that supplies trees all over the UK.
The website is a small commercial website, partially driven by database, with an interactive gallery and rolling events diary. The layout and feel of the site was developed closely with the customer.

Visit the website: www.thornhayes-nursery.co.uk