[thelist] targeting effectively (was: navigation through form

Megan Collins megan631 at swbell.net
Mon Mar 25 01:53:00 CST 2002


Have been a lurker here for a long time. And a web developer for much
longer. I know "degradable" code backwards and forwards. In the last few
months I've fallen in love with standards-based Level 5 coding (html,
javascript, stylesheets.)

A year ago there was probably a good argument for sticking to
"degradable code." Once you knew how to do it it was not that hard and
if you were clever enough you didn't even have to program different page
versions. It *was* time-consuming, tho. But a year in internet time
is....well...you know.

Today at least 90 percent of real surfers are using Level 5 browsers.
The rest are search engines, people using accesibility devices,
developers like us who wanna see if a site renders the same in NN4, and
lamers who can't afford decent computers/browsers.

Level 5 coding is SO superior to the convoluted, old, EXPENSIVE
"degradeable coding" paradigm. There are still workarounds, but they are
few and easily incorporated in any decent coder's style. In another year
they will be gone. And yes, I code "by hand" with the help of an
extensive reusable code library. I bet I could do a site faster my way
than anyone in FP, Net Objects, Dreamweaver, or InterDev. It'd be
faster, more "degradable", and easily worked on by any other serious
developer. Less code, more functionality.

But back to the argument, which is simply this: What "location" has your
client picked out? The red light district or Rodeo Drive? Do they want
to attract people who can afford them and who are smart enough to
understand value or do they want a sale at any cost? People who drive 10
miles to save a cent on gas are NOT the ideal customers for ANYONE.

If he/she is marketing based on price then, FINE, go ahead and do an old
degradeable site. (They probably still won't break even on the price
difference between coding that way and what they earn in profits from
the truly too-cheap.) If your client is marketing based on VALUE then
you're doing them a total diservice by not using Level 5 standards. And
  you can make the site "accessible" in the bargain (accessibly coding
is a snap.) Search engines understand the new code MUCH better than the
old stuff, btw.

In fact you're not marketing yourself based on value if you don't hype
the Level 5 standards. And IMHO value is the only way to go in any
market, bull or bearish. If I get $10 worth of services from you for
$10, well ok. If I get $50 worth of services from you for $20 I'm
thrilled, feel smart, and you have my loyalty (until I find someone who
gives me $60 worth of services for $20:) That's the definition of value.
  While not everyone can define it, "everyone" knows it when they
experience it. People who understand that it's actually safer to give
their credit card number to amazon.com than to their corner Quik Mart
understand it. They, we, are smart. Duh.

Anyway. That's also Level 5 coding. It gives everyone more value.
EVERYONE. I've done both. I use only Level 5 coding now because it's the
smartest business move. It gives clients the most value for their money
and by using it and providing that extra value, I know my clients will
keep me in books and wine for the foreseeable future because I've added
value to their sites and thus added value to their sales to customers.
-megan c.




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