Web Principles

We build websites we are proud of, and we would like to share some of our secrets with you...

Standards Usability Accessibility Why should you have a web prescence?

Standards

XHTML validity
This is a document standard that has been set by the W3C. XHTML 1.1 is the most rigorous web standard and we believe where possible all sites should follow this standard. Documents that follow older standards, or fail to meet standards at all, present problems to visually impaired users, and have difficulties working on devices such as PDAs or mobile phones. As browser technologies moves forward, older sites often do not work as intended due to changes in the way code is interpreted. Using the latest standards will give your site maximum longevity.
Table based layouts VS Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
Mark-up language is used to identify parts of a document; the correct use of table mark-up is to identify tabular data so a browser can display it. If a webpage is styled using tables it can cause problems for some browsers. CSS can contain all the styling information for a site in a separate file that is loaded when the first page of the site is requested. As pages of a site generally share the same style information, subsequent pages are loaded faster.

The use of CSS is strongly advocated by the W3C and a site constructed using CSS can be maintained and updated more easily.

The same XHTML page can call on different elements of a CSS document, depending on how it is to be displayed. For instance, we include print styles so a page can be easily printed with only the required parts (ie without background images or colors). The same can be done for mobile devices.
Cross-browser compatability
In October 2006 Internet Explorer 6 accounted for only 54.5% of browser usage and this figure is falling. It is no longer acceptable to ensure your website displays correctly in IE. If your site does not work correctly in other browsers, your potential customer base is halved. In October 2006 Firefox accounted for 28.8% of browser usage.

All websites we produce work on Internet Explorer versions 5,6 and 7, Firefox versions 1 and 2, as well as Safari. We can also provide full and tested compatibility for PDA, PSP and other mobile devices should you require it.
Statistics from w3schools
Legal Implications
The British Disability Discrimination Act (1995) sets out requirements for accessibility for the disabled. As yet, there have been no lawsuits brought against companies in the UK, but legal action has been taken against companies in the US.

It is widely believed that when such action is taken in the UK, the W3C's guidelines will be used to determine what extent a website caters for the disabled.

Usability

“If a website is difficult to use, people leave.”– Jakob Nielsen www.useit.com

We have all experienced unusable websites but the question is:-

How far should we go?

Many graphic designers will say that adding usability restricts the design of a site and can make it boring. Looking at Jakob Nielsen site you may agree but there are many other websites about usability and, arguably, www.useit.com is the most popular with a #1 Google rank for the word Usability.

However, most sites need a design status that accurately portrays it?s products or services. The magic trick is to provide a site that is easy to use and looks great.

Making a site more usable is not easy to do because everyone evolved in the site knows how it works and what it can do. However by taking known principles and data from user testing we provide sites that offer speed and ease of use to new users.

We build in usability from day one. The data storage and handling systems for a dynamic website could become a major limiting factor if you later find that things need to be changed. We are very careful to ensure that as we build the site it is done in such a way as to not prevent you from making changes in the future.

Accessibility

The Disability Discrimination Act requires that websites are accessible to blind and disabled users. The Disability Rights Commission has launched formal investigations into over 1000 websites but there are more reasons than this to ensure your website has full accessibility.

How a website should work.
A website should display information in a form that be viewed with different technologies. This involves different screen sizes, browsers, operating systems or text only formats. Proving a site that can cope with these demands will only increase your potential customer base.
Text sizing
Different users will apply different text sizes to websites. Ensuring that your site is still viewable after a text size change has been applied is very important.
Descriptive Elements
ALT tags and link titles give extra descriptions, this is very important for visually impaired users and SEO as search engines use them to gauge the content of the page.
Semantic order
An HTML document should read correctly with out the style sheet ie. Heading, navigation, sub heading, paragraphs. This will give more weight to the content.
Text Presentation
The text should be clear in an easily readable format rather then images of text. Also the color of text and background should be within W3C guidelines.
Non Text Information
Presentation of graphs and diagrams must be done in a clear way and have comprehensive alternative text available. Again this will help with SEO as search engines cannot interpret images.
Standard website elements
Navigation, search boxes, breadcrumb trails and signage should follow conventions. Some designers think that it is fun for people to learn how to use a site but really they just get frustrated and bored. Mostly people want to access information fast. All websites should contain site ID, page names, breadcrumb trails, navigation and search boxes (unless the site is very small)
HTML alternatives to Flash pages
Flash requires the Flash plug-in that some users may not have. Generally, search engines can't read Flash content and other sites can't link to parts inside a Flash movie. Flash cant be interpreted by screen readers that are used by the visually impaired. The simple answer is to retain the flash but also have an HTML alternative.

Conclusions

Search engines can only read text; they cannot understand images or click on elements.

So if your site can be easily used by visually impaired users it will be more search engine friendly.

It may be considered that including all of these techniques will detract from the design of a site but if done correctly it can strengthen design concepts. Making a site available to everyone will keep you on the right side of the law and may give you a greater potential customer base.

Why should you have a web presence?

Increased awareness and potential customers base
Have you got a product or service that you think is good? Well don?t keep it to yourself!
Cost effective
Retailing on the web is cheaper than on the High Street. But don?t believe the myth that only the cheapest products sell on the web. Think about the sites that you like, mostly we return to sites that are easy to use and provide a good experience.
Educate your customers
Customers today want to do research and by providing information you can prove your status as the best person to buy from.
Define your status
People will use your website to judge you. Small companies can define themselves as major players by providing content that is interesting and informative.