Web Standards

What are web standards?

Web standards, according to www.webstandards.org, are standards that help ensure that everyone has access to the information that is being provided and will also make the web development process faster and more enjoyable. The W3C has different standards categories. These categories consist of HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Extensible Markup Language (XML), XHTML and modularization, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and Document Object Model Level 1 (DOM 1).

There are also ECMA (European Computer Manufacturers Association) standards. Their main role is to develop Standards and Technical Reports in the area of information and communication technology. Their standards have been accepted as a base for international and European standards.

Advantages of using Web Standards

Accessibility

The web standards make accessibility easier for both software/machines and people. The structural information makes it easier for search engines to access the information and index them more accurately. These standards also make it easier to put a search engine on your own site. They are written so that older browsers will still be able to display the content of your site. Web standards also make it easier for people with disabilities to use and for web pages to be understood by browsers other than the usual ones.

Stability

Data using older versions of the standards will continue to work in new browsers and data using new standards will also produce an acceptable result.