why do you validate a website and how do you it- step by step?

Question

I read a lot about web design and some places will mention web site validation but do not explain:

What website validation is?
Why do you do it?
Do you need to do it?
How it is done.

I would love a thorough yet plain english answer.

Answer 1

That there validator he cited is the one. It'll give you line-by-line errors of what's wrong with your website files. Its address, again, is http://validator.w3.org

It has tabs for validating either an html file that's online (a website) or offline (a file that's on your computer). Based on the DOCTYPE statement at the beginning of your file, it'll tell you whether your html is valid for that level.

For example, I've set my file up as XHTML 1.1 strict, so the validator gives me a really hard look and gives me the dickens if there's the least little thing wrong.

If you're set up for "transitional" you might get a little more slack, and like that. Then, you go fetch a good book, or go to an online reference, and find out how to fix your code. That'll help you avoid problems that might make it difficult for SOME web page visitors to view your website correctly.

There are other validation resources of various types, like jigsaw.w3.org for CSS and several validators for Website Accessibility tests (for disabled accessibility) and link testing, and loading speed, and on, and on...

Answer 2

Website Validation: Making sure that your coding is valid to the current standards.

Why do it? : You'll have less errors in your markup, page quality, speed. It tells your users that you care about their user experience on your website.

Do you need to do it? : YES!!

How is it done?: Example: Build your website using XHTML/CSS then submit it for validation to for example: http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/

Once you're validated, place the icons on your footer that says your wepage is W3C valid.