Cross-browser and multi-platform compatibility aren’t really words you use every day. I’m throwing them out there since they are important terms to know when considering a developer. They are especially important when your project needs to perform seamlessly across operating systems and browsers.

Most of your devices use different operating systems. As a result, their programs are not interchangeable. In other words, I may not be able to use an Android application on my iPhone or vice versa. When an application is programmed to work on an iPhone and Android it has multi-platform compatibility. When it comes to websites, each browser interprets HTML and Javascript differently. This means that a website may look great in Chrome, but may look terrible in Firefox. When a website is programmed to work on various browsers, it’s called cross-browser compatibility.

Programming Applications

Before starting development, you should know what type of application you will need. Knowing what type of application you need will determine pricing and exactly how it is programmed. Most native applications use an iOS and Android code base. This means your developer will be creating two versions of the same application: one for iOS, the other for Android. If it’s a web-based application, then you will need to make sure that it is built with cross-browser compatibility.

Browser Standards

As of today, Google Chrome’s market share far exceeds Safari, Firefox, and Edge. However, developers still need to assure cross-browser compatibility for at least the top five. This means using cross-browser compatible libraries and frameworks, conforming to CSS rules, and testing their website in various browsers. These steps will assure that most users will have a similar experience on a website regardless of what browser they are using.

Cross-browser and multi-platform compatibility should be things you ask your developer about. Luckily, we build all of our websites to meet these requirements. We’re also available to talk to you about your next application or website! Fill out our contact form or call us at (915) 351-8440 with the details.

Naomi Dhillon

Naomi Dhillon is an Account Manager/Multimedia Specialist at Stanton Street, a web design and development company in El Paso, TX. Naomi has worked at Stanton Street since 2010 and has over 25 years of project and client management experience in the multimedia realm.

About Stanton Street
We help organizations amplify their online presence by building engaging websites, creating successful digital marketing campaigns, and tackling the $%^#/, so they can build their brand, grow their business, and reach their full potential.