Why are standards-based web designs important?
Using a standards-based approach to web design has been difficult to succeed at up until the last few years. With the introduction of XHTML and CSS 2.x, and significantly better browser support for them, it is now practical for everyone to enjoy the benefits of clean design and separating the contents of your web site from the way it is presented to visitors.
The Costs of the “Old Way”
In the past, the only way to build exciting, attractive websites was to use tables. But tables were created to display data, not to control page layout. In order to make sites work correctly across most platforms and browsers, developers used to have to resort to table tricks, spacer images, and JavaScript "hacks". However, these hacks can keep the web from reaching its full audience. Even table-based sites that look okay on screen are often a jumble of code behind the scenes which is difficult for search engines to index and inaccessible to users with disabilities.
Having all of the presentation information mixed in with the contents of the web pages, the information people actually wanted to see, was also expensive both in terms of time and resources. Large pages full of layout information download slowly and chew up lots of bandwidth and server storage space. They are also much more difficult to maintain, so even small changes to a website can cost a company a great deal of time and money.
The Advantages of Modern Standards
At first glance the benefits of a standards-based approach may seem more academic than practical, but in truth they have a huge ROI. The main points to the modern standards (XHTML and CSS) are that they allow for better structural organization of the information in web pages, and allow you to separate structure from presentation of documents (web pages). So what is the payoff?
Faster Web Pages
This is really two benefits in one. Web pages using CSS for *layout* tend to have much smaller file sizes than those using tabular layouts. It's not unusual to see reductions of 50% or more in file size when switching from table based layouts to CSS. The people visiting your site will have a better experience because the pages load faster. Studies have showed that this also makes people more likely to stick around and explore more of your site's contents. You, as the site owner, will benefit from decreased bandwidth costs.
Easier Maintenance
A well structured document is easier to understand, and makes it easier to find the information you are looking for. When your web pages are well structured, this means changes can be made faster and with less likelihood of having unintended side effects on your site. Since the presentation information (the look and feel of your site) is separated from the contents, graphics and layout changes can be made in just one place and those changes will automatically propagate across your site. Change your company logo? No need to edit every page on your site to update it. Now it only takes changing one file, and instantly that change is seen throughout your site.
Better Accessibility
Accessibility comes in many different flavors. From wider browser support on more devices (PDA's, web enabled cell phones, etc.) to easier access for people with disabilities, and even better results from web search engines. By removing the presentation information your web pages become much more “content rich”. Search engines have less noise to sort through to find the information on your site, devices with different display capabilities can show more of your content, and devices such as screen readers and Braille pads are able to present your site better.