“Valid CSS” and Similar Claims Are Unprofessional

Published on Mar 9, 2007 (updated Feb 5, 2024), filed under development, css, conformance. (Share this post, e.g., on Mastodon.)

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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.

A Matter of Course

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 an engineering lead, guerrilla philosopher, and indie publisher. I’ve worked as a technical lead and engineering manager at various companies (e.g., Google); I’m an active web and tool developer (code optimization, digital defense), a contributor to web standards (like HTML, CSS, WCAG), and a book author (O’Reilly, Frontend Dogma).

I love trying things—in web development and engineering management, but also in politics and philosophy, where I hold to one idea in particular: that we can only be well if we take good care of everyone. Here on meiert.com I talk about some of my perspectives and experiences. (Please share feedback: Interpret charitably, keep it friendly, but do be critical.)