Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is a method of defining styles for formatting HTML mark-up. 

CSS vs Font Tags and Tables

CSS styles are defined in a separate file and can be used as selectors throughout the pages of the website thus creating

• smaller file sizes for faster loading
• greater control over design
• design consistency
• easier updating and site maintenance

With table layouts many long hours are spent trying to force a design to fit into the very restrictive ‘boxy’ layout of tables. Working with CSS allows the developer to code the most complex layout without compromising on the design.

CSS for Accessibility & Search Engine Optimisation (SEO):

The most widely used browsers render CSS sites well with the exception of Internet Explorer 5 and 6.  However, there are a number of tricks and hacks that are used to ensure that degradation, if any, is minimal. Microsoft’s newest browser, IE8 which is due to come on stream soon promises to be the most standards-compliant version of the browser ever.

One of the reasons that CSS was developed to replace the old table layout for HTML was because tables ‘confuse’ search engine robots, cell phones & PDAs and screen readers (for the visually impaired).   They ’read’ the table layout – rather than the content – the effect of which will ultimately mean poor search engine ranking and inaccessibility for your website. 

CSS3 – The Next Generation:

Currently under development CSS3. For a preview of new functions and features of CSS3 visit CSS3.info

Developer Resources:

Free Cross Browser Testing: Check Browser Compatibility, Cross Platform Browser Testing

Check your markup validity: The W3C Markup Validation Service

Check cascading style sheets and XHTML: CSS Validation Services

Practical Books for Web Developers and Designers: www.sitepoint.com