1. Steve, CEO, said: If my Web site is made with the standards, it will be unexciting and I will lose customers.
With W3C standards, you'll be able to have very exciting Web sites. Creating a Web site which respects the standards has nothing to do with generating text-only Web pages.
The W3C is currently proposing a set of very cool integrated technologies. You can experience a full multimedia Web site with existing W3C interoperable technologies using XHTML (Structured XML markup), CSS (Style sheets), SVG (2D vector animated graphics), and SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia). These technologies have been built on a consensus by the different players of the Web market.
2. Alan, Technical Director, said: I don't have the finances to care about standards in my Web site. It will cost too much!
Designing with standards will simplify Web site code maintenance because you will not have multiple versions for different browsers. Your pages will have a longer life and will not be dependant upon vaporous technologies. So designing with Web standards will cost you less in fact.
3. Dean, Artistic Director, said: if I respect the standards, it will infringe upon my creativity.
Technical constraints exist with any artistic medium, whether you are drawing, sculpting, or designing Web pages. Watercolors or oil paintings have their own constraints, but these techniques do not to block creativity, rather they provide structure for creative expression.
Creating with Web standards will open a new world with techniques particular to the media, the technology, and the audience. There is still a lot to explore in this domain. We are only beginning to explore the benefits of standards-based multimedia experiences.
4. Claudia, Graphic Designer, said: I don't care about accessibility. People with disabilities are not in my target audience.
You'll benefit by designing with respect to accessibility. People with disabilities represents 8% to 10% of the total population. It's easier to maintain a Web site that follows accessibility guidelines (and therefore Web standards). Your Web site traffic will increase, and a wider variety of browsers will have access to site content.
Some countries require accessibility by law such as Australia (Disability Discrimination Act Advisory Notes Version 3.1 May 1999) or USA (Section 508 - Web-based Intranet and Internet Information and Applications) or Europe which is working on a similar plan (e-accessibility).
5. Aminata, Web Programmer, said: Why I should respect standards? The Web is a free place.
The Web is a free place shared by many users whose needs you don't necessarily know. The standards have been designed to keep in mind all potential audiences. There's a challenge to the Web community to create with Web standards. You will not be attached to any company or proprietary technology. You can use technologies that are independent of platforms requirements.
6. Karl, Web Developer, said: I have simply followed instructions in books.
Unfortunately, many books do not teach good Web programming. When you are creating a Web site, you should check the correctness of your markup. If you are a Web developer, be careful using books to develop your application and read the particular specifications which you are trying to implement.
Some Web sites are gathering good materials to help people design in accordance with W3C standards. On the W3C Web site, you will find a growing list of tutorials promoting good practices.
Some people at W3C have developed freely accessible software for your own use. We encourage you to use them when it's possible. These software packages implement W3C technologies.
7. Tim, Accountant, said: My Web editor generates non-valid markup.
Many authoring tools do not generate valid markup. Some have syntax checkers embedded into them, others do the right thing, and many do not generate valid markup. As an intermediate solution, you have to check your Web page with anHTML validator. At the same time, contact the software manufacturer (by mail, phone, letter) and let them know. Companies will do the right thing if you ask them to.
8. Valérie, Web Content Developer, said: It's not my fault. It's the way the engine for templates has been designed. (Often a system with a Web-based interface).
You're right. It's often not your fault. If it's a simple form where you never write HTML by hand, write the developer of your interface or your site maintainer until the problem is solved. If you are not sure if the produced content respects W3C standards, validate the content with the HTML validator, and submit the report to your Web master, or the person in charge of the content management system.
9. Ning, Software Developer, said: There is no information to help me. All of the materials I have found are in English.
Some people have translated documents and specifications to other languages. The W3C maintains a list of translations.
