Web Site Builders Browser Compatibility

Another thing one has to consider is the operating system and the installed components.   Windows may be the dominate platform, but it is not for everyone.  Some people use Apples, others like Linux, and then there are those who choose WebTV.  Something simple as a color selection, or a font choice may not be presented the same way in all these environments.  The same is true for the the tools used on your web site.   Stuff like Flash, Adobe Reader, and Powerpoint may not be available at all or in the same version in all these environments. 

When considering your market reach, you may also want to address web enabled cell phones and text only browsers.  Then there is WAP, Wireless Application Protocol, for more specialized web applications running on Pocket PC, Palm and other PDAs.  If you want to reach these mobile users, your web site needs to incorporate some hand coding methods to address these non-traditional devices.

Besides the web browsers and the platforms, there are also different generations of each of these products to consider.  When sending out Emailed news letters you also need to consider the web browser and its plug-ins, because it controls how HTML formatted Email appears.  If you use stationery you need to consider the size of your image and how it compares to the size of your messages.

It is like this.  When talking web sites, web designers typically rely on your workstation.  Just because it looks good to you, doesn't mean it will look good to your visitors.  Besides HTML, it is possible to create dependencies for other interpretive engines like Javascript, the Java Virtual Machine, a browser plug-in called Flash, ActiveX, and other stuff.  Using any one of these elements creates a dependency.  At Web Site Builders we have several methods to work through these issues.  We can insert code into your site to check on the workstation's browser and have the site respond appropriately.  This is something only a mature web designer knows how to do.

We are of the opinion that web development is more of a science than an art.  Some compatibility issues are browser program anomalies.  Most issues originate with the anomalies in the web design tools.  Some tools are better than others, but they all can create sloppy, convoluted and/or inconsistent code, which results in visual anomalies.  Because the focus has shifted to the tool, working in the code is becoming a lost art.  As a result most upstarts lack the skills to flush out and solve HTML or Java coding problems, or add the necessary elements where the tool is lacking.  That is where 12 years of web design experience comes into play.  When we started this business, everything was done by hand.

At Web-Site-Buiders.com, we will work with you, examining your web traffic if necessary, to determine your audience and how best to support them with the technology they are using.  If you want, we can fix your existing code so it will work properly on multiple browsers.  We can even WAP enable sites so they can be accessed from cell phones.  When we are done we physically test the site against multiple PC browsers, and we warranty it for cross browser operation for 30 days in our contracts.   Does you current developer provide you with this level of quality assurance?