Support Forums

michael + · 04-30-2010, 12:37 AM

I don't like sloppy code, but really, what difference does it make to a customer so long as their experience is positive?

What are the practical ramifications of poor code as respects SEO or ranking? Let me state again clearly, I do not like sloppy code or a lazy approach to maintaining and upgrading a website but I just don't think my customers could care less.

Case in point; Friday-Ad is a hugely successful classifieds site in the South East of the UK but WC3 Markup Validation Service gives their site 116 Errors and 59 warnings.

Their thousands of customers would say "who cares", what do you say?

bowers01 + · 04-30-2010, 03:17 AM

if it works it doesnt really matter at all.
BUT if it is correctly coded it will have better cross browser compatibility. With my site i was having issues on ie6, as soon as i made it validate to xhtml strict the problems went away.
Nick

EnergyFreak + · 04-30-2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowers01

if it works it doesnt really matter at all.
BUT if it is correctly coded it will have better cross browser compatibility. With my site i was having issues on ie6, as soon as i made it validate to xhtml strict the problems went away.
Nick

Like he said it is important for cross browser compatibility but I also think that it is important for it to be done right and not generate any errors. It is like speaking a language, you either speak it right or speak it using slang/incorrect words, I think same thing applies to this. Just my 2 cents.

Lhotch + · 04-30-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowers01

if it works it doesnt really matter at all.
BUT if it is correctly coded it will have better cross browser compatibility. With my site i was having issues on ie6, as soon as i made it validate to xhtml strict the problems went away.
Nick

It kind of depends on what you consider "code". To me code is something that needs to be interpreted either at runtime or compile time php, javascript and smarty would fall under the category. "Code" implies its capable of logic. Then there is "markup" which simply gives instructions on how to display it.

I think some misc W# errors is fine, it doesnt seem to affect SEO and with all the different browsers out now, bugs in them, changing standards etc I would much rather have a product with solid bug free code (as in the logic) than one that passes validation with flying colors but is hard to mod or has a lot of core code bugs.

Another thing to consider is the core product people use is always hacked up by them or their designers so the quality in terms of validation, right out of the box, is often a mute point.

Mike-N-Tosh + · 04-30-2010, 09:28 AM

From an SEO and search rank perspective, I don't think validation has much affect on.

@Nick
Hardly anyone supports the use of IE6, not even Microsoft. Microsoft has EOL'd it last year. Won't try to argue with you that your site works in IE6, however I will argue that a site that has no errors in validation means that the site works properly in IE6. That is simply NOT true! In fact IE6 has less than 40% compliance with XHTML and CSS 2, let alone javascript. That's why you see so many sites with the separate IE stylesheets and even break them out for IE6 specifically. As soon as IE6 runs into something that it isn't in compliance with it goes into Quirksmode making it a 4.x browser!
--------------------------------------------------------=

Regarding validation means better cross browser compatibility? Sure a validated site will generally be more compatible, however again just as above and IE in particular (Yes, even the latest greatest from MS, IE8) is STILL not W3 compliant for the standards. IE8 has definitely come a long way though although why it still thinks the <html> itself is an element with position is beyond me!

Most professional Web Designers/Developers write to the standard then using separate stylesheets for any anomalies with specific rendering engines. For the record, Webkit is the only rendering engine available today that is 100% compliant up to including what is set for HTML5 which the standard isn't finalized as of yet.

michael + · 05-01-2010, 01:36 AM

Thank you all for your comments. I guess validation is a sensible aim for but should not become an obsession that steals time and focus from starting/running a business. There is little point having a shiny, 100% standards compliant site if only you and the tumbleweed come across it.

Michael

Lhotch + · 05-01-2010, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael

Thank you all for your comments. I guess validation is a sensible aim for but should not become an obsession that steals time and focus from starting/running a business. There is little point having a shiny, 100% standards compliant site if only you and the tumbleweed come across it.

Michael

Thats a very fair and accurate assessment of the situation Michael and can also be applied to all the bells and whistles people spend time on creating and adding to their site. The simple fact that craigs list is so successful proves that you dont have to have a lot of bells and whistles, or even good looks, to be an effective classified site.

Mike-N-Tosh + · 05-01-2010, 11:44 AM

Amen!

Well said, Larry!

04-30-2010, 12:37 AM	#1
michael + Just get on with it! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Milton Keynes, England Posts: 486 Rep Power: 34	How important is code validation from a business perspective? I don't like sloppy code, but really, what difference does it make to a customer so long as their experience is positive? What are the practical ramifications of poor code as respects SEO or ranking? Let me state again clearly, I do not like sloppy code or a lazy approach to maintaining and upgrading a website but I just don't think my customers could care less. Case in point; Friday-Ad is a hugely successful classifieds site in the South East of the UK but WC3 Markup Validation Service gives their site 116 Errors and 59 warnings. Their thousands of customers would say "who cares", what do you say? __________________ M Michael V4.2.3 Developer - Sigma Template "All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them" - Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642)

04-30-2010, 03:17 AM	#2
bowers01 + Genius At Work Join Date: May 2008 Location: Geelong, Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,089 Rep Power: 35	if it works it doesnt really matter at all. BUT if it is correctly coded it will have better cross browser compatibility. With my site i was having issues on ie6, as soon as i made it validate to xhtml strict the problems went away. Nick __________________ Nick Bowers 68c v4.1.10 Developer Custom Template

04-30-2010, 09:28 AM	#5
Mike-N-Tosh + Developer & Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 2,311 Rep Power: 69	From an SEO and search rank perspective, I don't think validation has much affect on. @Nick Hardly anyone supports the use of IE6, not even Microsoft. Microsoft has EOL'd it last year. Won't try to argue with you that your site works in IE6, however I will argue that a site that has no errors in validation means that the site works properly in IE6. That is simply NOT true! In fact IE6 has less than 40% compliance with XHTML and CSS 2, let alone javascript. That's why you see so many sites with the separate IE stylesheets and even break them out for IE6 specifically. As soon as IE6 runs into something that it isn't in compliance with it goes into Quirksmode making it a 4.x browser! --------------------------------------------------------= Regarding validation means better cross browser compatibility? Sure a validated site will generally be more compatible, however again just as above and IE in particular (Yes, even the latest greatest from MS, IE8) is STILL not W3 compliant for the standards. IE8 has definitely come a long way though although why it still thinks the <html> itself is an element with position is beyond me! Most professional Web Designers/Developers write to the standard then using separate stylesheets for any anomalies with specific rendering engines. For the record, Webkit is the only rendering engine available today that is 100% compliant up to including what is set for HTML5 which the standard isn't finalized as of yet. __________________ Mike-N-Tosh IndianaPC.org - A community website (v3.1.10 Developer - heavily modified & used as the CMS) Sandbox [localhost(v3.1.10, v4.0.9, 4.1.10,4.2,5.0)] for development and customization Visit My blog: reviews, tips, tricks, tutorials and my store with Templates, Mods & Docs Web Hosting \| Web Design & Development \| 68 Classifieds Customizations I am not a 68C employee, just a user and try to help out

05-01-2010, 01:36 AM	#6
michael + Just get on with it! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Milton Keynes, England Posts: 486 Rep Power: 34	Thank you all for your comments. I guess validation is a sensible aim for but should not become an obsession that steals time and focus from starting/running a business. There is little point having a shiny, 100% standards compliant site if only you and the tumbleweed come across it. Michael __________________ M Michael V4.2.3 Developer - Sigma Template "All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them" - Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642)

05-01-2010, 11:44 AM	#8
Mike-N-Tosh + Developer & Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 2,311 Rep Power: 69	Amen! Well said, Larry! __________________ Mike-N-Tosh IndianaPC.org - A community website (v3.1.10 Developer - heavily modified & used as the CMS) Sandbox [localhost(v3.1.10, v4.0.9, 4.1.10,4.2,5.0)] for development and customization Visit My blog: reviews, tips, tricks, tutorials and my store with Templates, Mods & Docs Web Hosting \| Web Design & Development \| 68 Classifieds Customizations I am not a 68C employee, just a user and try to help out

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Important! Those looking for hosting services.	danth6961	Off Topic	0	04-26-2010 11:57 AM
Source Code Validation > Common Sense	Eric Barnes	Site Marketing	3	08-24-2009 08:47 AM
Code validation	Nickb	Templates, HTML, CSS, and Design Help	2	08-31-2007 11:16 AM
v4 needs!!!!!!! Very Important (at least for me)	darek	Technical Support	15	05-02-2007 01:08 AM
IMPORTANT V3.1.6 is released	Eric Barnes	News & Announcements	0	03-24-2007 01:25 PM

Support Forums

How important is code validation from a business perspective?