Often people simply go and click on the ‘Internet’ not really understanding or knowing much behind the application called a web browser that they use to view web pages, check email, shop and do almost everything on the web.Read More Below...

The history of the web browser is not really in question or issue but what has happened over the years has made for some confusion and frustration among web developers.  Here is a brief list of SOME of the browsers that are out and actively being developed today

  • Internet Explorer – From Microsoft installed by default on ALL versions of windows and therefore most popular.  Often riddled with security issues and sometimes has problems displaying ‘correct’ HTML.
  • Firefox – Mozilla Foundations flagship product.  Running on many platforms (e.g. Windows, OS Linux) and boasting a large add-on library it’s popularity has soared the past few years.
  • Opera - Multiplatform commercial product (now free).  Sticks to the rules of HTML it’s been rather quiet.  Now invading many phones and other mobile devices.  Not usually supported by websites with advanced features.
  • Safari - Apple’s browser originally only for their operating system now has a version for windows.  VERY fast and standards compliant.  A bit buggy and the windows version seems a bit archaic in features.   Rarely supported properly by many sites with a lot of Javascript and CSS.

While this list is NOT exhaustive and I could go into a lot more detail about the differences about browsers there are a few simple rules to follow to have your site work MOST of the time.

  1. Test your site in a couple of browsers the browsers above all have a free download and license.  A five minute check can save a load of embarrassment.   Also test versions (see #3 below)
  2. Test your site with multiple resolutions.  Most people are using 1024×768 with the trend going higher.  There are few if any at 800×600 let alone 640×480.  HOWEVER if you have a target audience that is mobile it may be an idea to test your site on a phone also.
  3. Degrade nicely – Make sure your site looks somewhat good in older outdated browsers.
  4. Standard Compliance – try to make your HTML compliant with web standards.  While a perfectly compliant web page may not look correct in all browsers starting from that point is better than trying to fix it up to being compliant.

These are just a few tips.  In future articles I’ll tell you some FREE tools that you can use to make the magic happen just a little easier.