fearntechWebsite Design Principles - Compatibility
It is easy to imagine that a website can just be designed for Microsoft Internet Explorer, after all it is the clear market leader and the majority of your website visitors will use it. However if you have 200 visitors a day, and 5% of them use a different browser then that could be 10 potential customers driven away every day if you do not at least consider what the issues are with browser compatitibility.
Not just that, but Internet Explorer's dominance is slowing fading, more people are starting to use the Firefox browser to avoid the many security scares that are plaguing Internet Explorer. Some of your customers may also be visually impaired for example, and are using a text browser. And more and more people have mobile access to the internet through their mobile phone or handheld computer.
Therefore it makes good business sense to cater for as many of your potential customers as possible, especially when there are some simple steps that can reduce the problems that some of them may face.
- Standards - use the CSS and HTML standards to cater for modern standards compatible browsers. Ensure that a DOCTYPE is specified in the <HEAD> section so that browsers know which schema to follow. For example, Internet Explorer 6 is only fully standards compliant if a DOCTYPE is given for that web page.
- Quirks - Many older browsers have a number of bugs and inconsistencies, search the internet for hints on resolving any specific problems you uncover with incompatibility. Example search: "IE6 padding bug".
- Testing - there is no substitute for testing your website on as many platforms and browsers as possible. Download Netscape, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Lynx and see what your website looks like. This is an area where a professional website designer will have an advantage however, as they should have both PC and Apple Mac computers (see "how can we help").
How we can help
Knowledge of solving the compatibility problems for specific browsers comes with experience, and having access to the target systems and software. Fearntech have access to PC, Pocket PC and Apple Mac computers, and access to a wide range of browsers and so can check the compatitibility of your website in a very cost-effective manner. Our knowledge is also of course integrated into new website designs. If you would like a quotation for assessing your website, or the design of a new website please contact us.
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