“Valid CSS” 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. “Valid CSS” here, “Valid HTML” there, complemented by a “WAI AA” button. When these website claims hold true, that’s 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 doesn’t need to be said. It’s 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?
Wouldn’t you rather question if that’s true? Do these claims make professionals look professional, or do they make them appear almost untrustworthy?
While the intention is great—we need to raise so much more awareness—, 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 you’re a professional.
About Me
I’m Jens (long: Jens Oliver Meiert), and I’m a web developer, manager, and author. I’ve been working as a technical lead and engineering manager for companies you’ve never heard of and companies you use every day, I’m an occasional contributor to web standards (like HTML, CSS, WCAG), and I write and review books for O’Reilly 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.)