What are Web Standards? by Emma Broe

Web standards are technologies, established by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) and other standards bodies, that are used to create and understand web-based content. In order for the Web to reach its full potential, the most fundamental Web technologies must be compatible with one another and allow any hardware and software used to access the Web to work together. Therefore, to lead the World Wide Web to its full potential, protocols and guidelines have been developed that ensure long-term growth for the Web.

How does your business benefit from adopting web standards

-Lower development costs:

This is due to simpler development and maintenance using more semantic and structured HTML. The one site will work with all major browsers.

-Lower hosting costs:

Less HTML results in smaller file sizes and quicker downloads. Smaller file sizes mean lower bandwidth which will lower hosting costs.

-Increase in usability:

Your customers will find your site renders and download faster due to the smaller file size. This will make them response and showing more interest in what you have to offer in your business.

-Increase in accessibility:

Semantic HTML, where structure is separated from presentation, makes it easier for screen readers and alternative browsing devices to decipher the content.

-Increase in search ability:

Semantic HTML, where structure is separated from presentation, makes the content represent a larger part of the total file content. Combined with semantic markup this will improve search engine rankings. As your site search ability increases, so is your potential clients.

-Better brand control:

When presentation is separated by content, you have much better control over the branding of your sites. Your sites that channels content to conventional browsers, on PDA and mobile phones can be controlled by just changing the style sheet(s).

About The Author

Emma Broe ran her own internet design and advertising agency in the UK until moving to Australia in 2001. Now established in Western Australia, the vast majority of her business comes from 'word of mouth' of which they are incredibly proud. For more information. please visit http://www.emmabroe.com.