I came across a superbly simply website today. It answered it’s own question featured in the URL, DoWebsiteNeedToBeExperiencedExactlyTheSameInEveryBrowser.com.
While the site may qualify for the longest URL ever, it even demonstrates its own point. The site will (on purpose!) appear different in different browsers.
Why is this OK? Here are some reasons.
1. Most people only use one browser.
I say most because there are exceptions (see below). But for the vast majority of users, one browser is enough. For many Windows users, the browser of choice would be Internet Explorer because it comes with Windows. Just as for many Mac users, Safari is the de facto choice. But more and more are now looking elsewhere. Firefox has cornered much of the market and others such as Opera and Chrome are elbowing in. But still, one is usually enough.
2. Only webdesigners and other geeks ever use more than one browser at a time.
The reasons for having more than one browser increase exponentially the more browsers you have. Perhaps you like plugins, or a clean interface. Whatever the reason, the chances are that you spend too much time analysing websites and reading code. In fact, you probably read more HTML than English when you’re browsing. You aren’t typical, and differences in websites between browsers are just fine.
3. Different is good.
A good webdesigner will know the limitations of different browsers, and if certain elements can’t be made to look exactly the same, he/she will simply use different display methods for each browser. Some browsers might show a drop shadow. Others might not. That’s all ok, because the site will still look amazing. This also goes for different platforms, such as mobile devices.
4. You don’t know what you’re missing.
The differences between browsers (for the most part) may come down to things like the drop shadow mentioned in #3. So, if you can’t see the drop shadow, are you really missing out? Have you ever visited a website and thought “Now, if that heading had a dropshadow I might actually believe what these people are saying”? If you have, you’re lying. Or you haven’t seen daylight since the season finale of Lost.
5. The purpose of the website is going to be exactly the same.
Each site has (or should have) a directive. There should be a reason for the thing to exist – to sell something, show something off, inform clients, and so on. This purpose should be perfectly clear in every browser. It should still be obvious what it is that you are supposed to do. If one column is five pixels to the right, it shouldn’t make any difference to the BUY NOW button. Hopefully.
If you only ever see a particular website in one browser, how would you know that the site may look different in other browsers? Given all these reasons, it is still perfectly logical (and expected) for webdesigners to be testing their products in different browsers.
If you are having a web site built, and you do happen to see it look a little different in various browser, fret not. Don’t expect each browser to show the site EXACTLY the same, down to the last pixel. Look at the bigger picture. Consider function and overall design and how the visitor may respond to the site.
Agreed. Wholeheartedly. Visual details often matter very little in the grand scheme, compared with making sure your website’s bare bones are working. But not making it at least visually pleasing and operational in all browsers would be bad. I agree – the 5 pixel different is totally immaterial. The important thing to be vigilant about is making sure it all works. Most browser compatibility issues that can actually cause problems will be with functionality. Analytics will show you if you actually have a situation to fix.
The important issue is whether the website will serve its purpose in every browser relative to the visitor’s needs. How they look and function relative to each other is immaterial.
A great article and is good to read some common sense – it is so easy to get lost looking at your site in every browser trying to make everything uniform only to find out several hours down the line that it is part and parcel of website design and as long as everything on the site functions okay then you should be happy with that!