The Importance of Cross Browser Consistency
A near frantic individual called and asked if R & R Web Design LLC charges an additional fee extra to make sure that the websites we design can be viewed on multiple browsers. Apparently, this person was going to be charged an additional fee to make certain that his website would view properly on a variety of browsers.
Our answer was an uncompromising no. We do not charge an additional fee. This is part of our fundamental design process.
Why is testing a Web site on multiple browsers important?
Not everyone uses the same browser. The W3Schools is a reputable web developers resource website that publishes comprehensive Browser Statistic by month that analyzes browser trends. The following statistics were reported for December 2007 on the browsers people are using to surf the Internet:
- Internet Explorer 7: 21.2%
- Internet Explorer 6: 32.0%
- Internet Explorer 5: 1.5%
- Firefox: 36.4%
- Mozilla: 1.3%
- Safari: 1.9%
- Opera: 1.4%
If a website is designed and tested in only one browser, for example, Internet Explorer 7 only, it may not be viewable in Firefox. The testing of a website is on multiple browsers is a fundamental step in the design process and is imperative. Test, test and test again for cross browser consistency.
R & R Web Design LLC is a Chicago Web Design area company offering custom web design, webmaster services and natural search engine optimization.
Tags: browser statistics, Browsers, cross browser compatibility, W3Schools