âValid CSSâ and Similar Claims Are Unprofessional
Published on Mar 9, 2007 (updated Feb 5, 2024), filed under development, css, conformance (feed). (Share this on Mastodon or Bluesky?)
This and many other posts are also available as a pretty, well-behaved ebook: On Web Development.
You know them. âValid CSSâ here, âValid HTMLâ there, complemented by a âWAI AAâ button. When these website claims hold true, thatâs a great thing.
Unfortunately, these conformance and quality claims have no place on professional websites. Quite the contrary, their use should be considered unprofessional in a professional context.
The reason is simple: As a web professional, validity, conformance, and basic accessibility should be a matter of course. Creating valid, standards-compliant, and accessible information spaces is what makes you a professional. It doesnât need to be said. Itâs so evident that you never have to point out that you do your job.
Put another way, what do you think when
- a coiffeur claims to be able to cut hair,
- a soldier claims to be able to handle firearms,
- a cook says he could do the cooking,
- a garage advertises being capable of fixing cars, or
- a doctor claims she has knowledge of the human body?
Wouldnât you rather question if thatâs true? Do these claims make professionals look professional, or do they make them appear almost untrustworthy?
While the intention is greatâwe need to raise so much more awarenessâ, these quality claims have nothing to do with professional web design and web development. They are precursors. Please remove such buttons and links from your documents. Show once more how youâre a professional.
About Me
Iâm Jens (long: Jens Oliver Meiert), and Iâm a web developer, manager, and author. Iâve been working as a technical lead and engineering manager for companies youâve never heard of and companies you use every day, Iâm an occasional contributor to web standards (like HTML, CSS, WCAG), and I write and review books for OâReilly and Frontend Dogma.
I love trying things, not only in web development and engineering management, but also in other areas like philosophy. Here on meiert.com I share some of my experiences and views. (I value you being critical, interpreting charitably, and giving feedback.)