iNet Web Blog

I would hope that most people by now are aware of accessibility & usability when it comes to websites, but there still are some shockers out there that come no where near obtaining it!

Personally, I would even appreciate designers at least designing so it doesn’t crash in my default browser (Firefox). I never use IE (unless I am checking my own sites), and I got to say how pretty disgraceful it is the amount of broken, or pages that just simply don’t work in Firefox. Especially ecommerce sites! Don’t even try to combine that with larger screen & resolution sizes! If I have frightened you so far.. then don’t try using a widescreen!

Sound terrifying?? It should! It’s terrifying that there are web designers out there fleecing unsuspecting clients. Make your design & development team accountable. Ask your designer of all the pitfalls of websites they might want. Ask if they have tried it in a few browsers & on a few resolutions to see if it will hold. Even be as bold to ask them for a check list if you like of components & situations they have tested. Like an other merchandise you buy, it is your right as the customer to get a tested product! Why then are businesses possessing so many inferior products?? Appreciate there will be glitches from time to time, but expect them to be rectified.

Now I have heard the same old argument that the majority of users are able & use IE, but IMO, thats a pretty lame excuse! 100 users of IE making you $10 income each time, is still only a $1000. You could be sending a non-user of IE or a physically or mentally challenged away who could spend that in one transaction. Many physically or mentally challenged people use the net for a lot of ecommerce. Many use it as a prime source of entertainment & education. In most cases it takes very little effort to make a site even “A” rated (the lowest one) in accessibility. There are many finer points, and many arguable ones …. but an attempt should at least be made.

For usability, at least try for things being in a logical order, even if you cant get it pixel perfect. Having text disappear under images is just tacky. Your site is of no use at all to people who cant read it.

No ones asking for perfect …. just an attempt.

So, just is case you are willing, but unsure or haven’t got the resources to check,. or you think your site is accessible & usable, and just want to make sure, then post your site HERE asking for it to be checked. You could find you are only a step away from being correct.

You might find it better to check these things early in construction, because you can save yourself a lot of changing if you catch it early.