How compatible is my website?

Not everyone uses Internet Explorer & PC's!

Sometimes we use desktops, sometimes we use mobile devices!

• There is various computer hardware, ranging from PC's, Macs to mobile devices.
• There are various browsers being used to view the web, from Internet Explorer, FireFox, Opera, to Safari and other hardware specific software.
• Custom software is being used to make the Internet more accessible to those disabled, either physically or geographically. These can include readers for the blind, to slower dial-up modems.

The Internet in comparison to other technologies, took a long time to integrate itself into society. When it did, the technologies changed as fast as the increasing numbers of users that joined the revolution.

No longer can a website be put on the Internet and just be expected to perform well!

It may be the first listing in the Google index, but if the page can't be read, then the user will skip to the next website, therefore losing your audience.

Compatibility?  Compatible with what?
Compatible with different types of:

Were you aware...

• that even if a user ran the same programs as you do, they may have their computer configured differently, which would also cause compatibility issues?
• there is a growing swing away from Internet Explorer as the default browser?  It's a disgrace the amount of broken, or webpages that just simply don't work in Firefox or other browsers. Especially some ecommerce sites! 

There are many online directory owners now that wont accept sites that crash or don't display properly on at least FireFox & Mozilla.  Some of the more fussy directory owners are turning away up to 25% of their submissions because of this.

What about your users?

• Are none of them disabled?
• Do they all use the same browser?
• Are they all using the same computers and configured the same?
• How many are running javascript or using firewalls

Be careful about who your target audience are!