Web Standards

Cassel Bear Ltd is a big advocate of accessibility. A properly developed Web site does not rely on the visitor to use specific technology, software or specific devices. It should be easily accessed via any browser of the user's choice, with a computer running the operating system the user prefers. It should load in a reasonable time on Internet connections of any speed. It should be completely usable on alternative browsing devices, such as PDAs, cell phones and tablet PCs and should be able to reasonably anticipate the needs of hardware yet to be developed.

More specifically, a Web site should never rely on the visitor to use a specific monitor resolution or browser window size. Coded properly, a Web site should function gracefully, regardless of a visitor's security settings, preference for allowing scripting, preference for viewing images, ability to view images or special needs regarding colors, size of text or preference for certain fonts.

Ultimately, a Web site is not developed for the client; it is developed for the world to see and use. This is why taking the proper design approach is so crucial to a site's success. Proper design also takes future maintenance and upgrading into account. Unlike most traditional media, Web sites are living documents. When created properly, they can easily be molded, refined and even overhauled with ease. They can expand to encompass new topics and new types of functionality. Most importantly, efficient coding practices make day-to-day maintenance easy to perform without compromising the site's usability.

Sites should always be thoroughly tested throughout phases of development and even more rigorously when nearing completion. The entire process must be handled with care to ensure the site is developed correctly from the beginning, the first time.