ImportImportance of Cross Browser Compatibility in Web Design

Cross browser compatibility, in its simplest terms, means a website functions properly in all versions of all web browsers that have existed since the web began. Web design standards are constantly changing and consistent research is critical in staying ahead of these standards. The latest and greatest technology tools and web design standards are wanted by businesses across the board as up-to-date web design practices are crucial to the development of any business. A business's targeted end users are vital to a company's growth and if those end users are begin driven away from the company website, which turns into a potentially lost sale.

In custom website development cross browser compatibility is an integral part of the web design process and falls under the testing phase. After a site is designed and implemented, regardless of the size and regardless of the type of site (informational, ecommerce , web portal, etc), it undergoes a series of functionality tests in order to determine errors in design and functionality. Websites will be tested in the most popular browsers and several versions of that particular browser to compensate for the unknown settings of the website's end user. In this day and age, with several web browsers out on the market, web design must account for all browser quirks and settings. Extra time and testing must be implemented in order to account for different browser settings.

Why must a website function properly in all (most versions) of all (most browsers)? The simple explanation is we don't know what browser settings the end user has on their computer. The end user simply does not care what browser he or she is using; their expectation is that the website will display and function properly under their computer settings. Functionality errors in web design create frustration and increase inconvenience. End users would rather not switch from their favorite browser (or download a browser they currently do not have) in order to view a particular website. Odds are, they will opt to never visit that website ever again.