unfortunately (from the developer's perspective), it's all
about spin and word-usage - which many techies tend not to be very good
at.
Between developers, web standards and accessibility can be
called exactly that. However, with clients (or non-technical personnel),
their eyes glaze over at the first syllable of anything that sounds even vaguely
code-related.
Standards compliance and accessibility are definitely
selling points - as long as you don't call them that! Many of the advantages of
standards compliance have already been covered in this discussion (quicker
loading pages (usually), future-compatability, etc etc), so I won't repeat
them.
Christopher Townson
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Anthony Timberlake
Sent: 12 April 2005 16:36
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [WSG] Web standards as a selling point?
On Apr 12, 2005 11:22 AM, Michael Wilson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Jonathan Bloy wrote:
> I like this approach and it is pretty much the one I take. I should
> mention that Web Design is more of a hobby for me. So, I've only had a
> few clients of my own. But I wonder about the need to go into detail
> with clients about web standards.
Hi,
I think you have to be able to read your clients to make this decision.
Some clients need or want to be heavily involved in a project, while
others just want the site up and running and they don't really care how
you go about doing that.
> I think web standards are important to mention and if the client asks
> more about them you can certainly go into detail. But does your plumber
> or electrician go into long explanations about the standards they use
> when they're working for you? When I hire a professional I'm paying
> them to use their knowledge and expertise to choose the best "standards"
> that are right for the job, not to ask me what techniques I think they
> should use.
Plumbers and electricians, are required by law to perform services to
certain standards and to work within certain safety guidelines and
regulations. Not doing so could jeopardize their business and lead to
potential damage claims. Because my expertise in these areas is limited
to turning on a light and taking a shower, I have to rely on the
*credibility* of the professional I hire. Rather than research the
techniques used to install a breaker box or fix a leaky pipe, I am
forced to research the professionals reputation and rates and then make
a decision based on that information--the task of which standard to use
has already been established by persons far more qualified than myself.
Unfortunately, the Web is a little less restrictive when it comes to
"technique" and technique can vary greatly.
--
Best regards,
Michael Wilson
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--
Anthony Timberlake
Co-Owner of StaticHost Internet Services - http://www.statichost.co.uk
Head Director at Spike Radio - http://www.spikeradio.org
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