An accessible Web site is easily approached, easily understood, and useable for all. There are accessibility standards set forth by the World Wide Web Consortium, which all sites should adhere to as much as possible.
Web site owners should be aware of accessibility standards, because most designers and developers often ignore them. It is a waste of your investment to develop a great site that many Web surfers may not even be able to use.
While personal sites can get away with more innovative technologies, most commercial sites should not go overboard. If you do business internationally, or with customers who are located anywhere but in a city, the user's bandwidth is a big issue. If it takes longer than a few seconds to open a document from your site, users are likely to move on, to another site that will work faster. Sites that receive a large amount of traffic will also save on hosting fees by keeping downloads to a minimum.
Not all browsers are created equal. Check your site for compatibility on as many computers as you can. It's wise to consider that some people don't allow JavaScript, cookies, images, or Flash and some people use text readers. By viewing your site on many machines, you often will find issues with the way your site operates or looks.
Search engine spiders will have an easier time indexing your pages when the links are standard HTML text. Text links also improve your positioning on search engines. If the text in your site is within a graphic or a Flash movie, most search engines won't even be able to pick it up, and you may never show up for the phrases you wish to be found for.
If your site takes away the ability for a visitor to utilize certain browser functions, you will lose more than you will gain. Removing tool bars, not allowing text resize, and functions that automatically redirect a user to another page and then do not allow for the "back" function, are all tactics to avoid.
These are but a few examples of accessibility issues. Ultimately, a Web site can never be accessible enough. Awareness is step one.
About The Author
Del Maxwell is owner of The Web Agent, a web design firm with over 200 sites experience. For more information please visit http://www.the-web-agent.com.
Three way linking and concerns.For many years SEO experts were... Read More
Like most average persons, I wanted some extra money to... Read More
One of the best tools you have as a webmaster... Read More
I can't think of any business alive today that couldn't... Read More
Starting a business online is no longer as difficult as... Read More
Even with the steady growth of the World Wide Web,... Read More
Simply ensuring your website is accessible to screen reader users... Read More
The first thing you will have to deal building your... Read More
They might not be wearing a mask and carrying a... Read More
Your web site will be your window to the world.... Read More
Server Side Includes (SSI) with ASP People often... Read More
Q. Hey, Cathy: I'm just setting up a website. What... Read More
Thinking about starting up a business? The web is the... Read More
Have you ever wondered what challenges are faced by other... Read More
It is an undeniable fact that not everybody is keen... Read More
Rosalind wants to share her inspirational poetry with a wider... Read More
RIVERSIDE, CA August 4, 2004 ?- "Historically, small business owners... Read More
Let's begin by setting some limits. If you're like me,... Read More
Go to any internet marketing forum you want these days... Read More
There have been many significant changes to the face of... Read More
Revenues are often lost because many business owners don't see... Read More
You don't believe in astrology but you check your horoscope... Read More
The Disability Discrimination Act says that websites must be made... Read More
--------------------------------Why Should You Create a website?--------------------------------A. What do you want... Read More
Everyone wants one.Everyone wishes they knew how to make one.SOME... Read More
This is a growing concern amongst many business owners. Does... Read More
Even though the Internet has been around for a long... Read More
What to put your the website if you are an... Read More
QUESTION: Should I build and maintain my business Web... Read More
Below, I have listed 8 simple steps that you can... Read More
The "robots" meta tag, when used properly, will tell the... Read More
If you ever want to create a state directory, article... Read More
Mini Websites are the most powerful and cost effective solution... Read More
With search engines putting a damper on direct reciprocal links,... Read More
What to put your the website if you are an... Read More
So you have a good idea for a business and... Read More
What you should do and know if you are an... Read More
Q1.Why would I need a web site? A1.- Improve my... Read More
Every good Internet business understands the value of conversions versus... Read More
One of the most important parts of establishing a new... Read More
Creatively marketing your corporate site takes time in the set... Read More
Right after the thought, "I need a website," people usually... Read More
"I am a writer, not a business-person. I don't want... Read More
There are millions and millions of websites on the Internet.... Read More
Your ObjectiveYour small business needs an appealing and professional website... Read More
Anyone who knows anything about web accessibility knows that images... Read More
Many executives and investors are skeptical that software products can... Read More
Many millions of dollars are being wasted on promoting and... Read More
This simple question can take on several different forms, but... Read More
A company must earn and keep trust or sales don't... Read More
The "robots" meta tag, when used properly, will tell the... Read More
My life's greatest passion is a safari hobby. And what... Read More
If one more business owner tells me their website sucks... Read More
Often time I've browsed sites and seen the same thing... Read More
First, an eye opener. Making your fortune through affiliate programs... Read More
Mini Websites are the most powerful and cost effective solution... Read More
Everyday thousands of new businesses make the leap and take... Read More
Running an effective website is a continuous process. I have... Read More
Here's something you may never have thought of before:If I... Read More
More and more non-profit organizations are developing websites to help... Read More
So you finally decided to invest in a web presence... Read More
If you like the Internet and surfing through the billions... Read More
When visitors add your web site to their Favorites or... Read More
The first step in setting up an online business...Starting an... Read More
You know exactly what your organisation does and what your... Read More
Website, website, website, everyone says you need one. But do... Read More
Web Development |