Web Standards is a term that refers to certain technologies, recommended by the W3C as a means to unify and simplify the process of creating and maintaining any web-based content. These technologies, namely XHTML (stands for extensible markup language) and CSS (stands for Cascading Style Sheets) allow for logical and cleaner markup and separation of style (CSS) from content (XHTML) and behaviour (JavaScript).

The Advantages of a Standards-Compliant Website:

• It’s simpler and cheaper to develop and maintain your website. Standards-complaint web sites are more flexible in controlling advanced layout techniques and take less time to create or update.
• Faster download time due to smaller file sizes.
• Your website will last longer and will be backward and forward compatible. It will be compatible with future technologies as well with older browsers.
• Increased Inoperability—specialised devices such as wireless mobiles, palm pilots or screen readers will be able to access the content on your website.
• Greater Accessibility—well-authored websites that comply with accessibility guidelines allow more alternative devices to access your website.
• Well-structured websites improve search engines ranking, which will increase your website traffic.

Web Accessibility

There is a misconception that web accessibility is aimed at disabled or blind people. But accessibility is not limited to the blind, in fact, by complying with accessibility guidelines you open your website to millions of people who would not be able to use it otherwise, including:

• People with varying degrees and types of disabilities—the visually impaired, motor impaired, hearing impaired, etc.;
• People with temporary impairments or disabilities—such as a broken hand; and
• Anyone using a palm pilot, cell phone or other non-traditional browsing devices.

Moreover, every search engine or web crawler is a “blind” user and this “user” displays your site’s information to users who try to find you.

Complying with the basic accessibility guidelines (WAI Priority 1) cost next to nothing and repays your efforts ten folds. Web Standards are the future of the web. Adopting web standards may require some change but it is a natural process with only benefits to be gained from it.