HTML5 is a new way of building websites that run on any device via a standard web browser, essentially giving users an app-like experience. What does that mean for businesses, marketers and content providers?
Here are five reasons why HTML5 appears to have a very promising future, and why early adoption might give you an edge over your competitors…
1. Build once, run anywhere
HTML5 content is available across browsers and web-enabled devices. In a nutshell, it eliminates the need for separate apps, mobile sites or mobile stylesheets.
The latest versions of browsers such as Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and Safari all support HTML5, and you can have a single universal web resource for multiple devices and browsers, rather than having to develop separate apps for iOS, Android and so on.
2. More cost efficient
HTML5 is quicker to market. Its cross-platform nature cuts out the expense of having to develop several apps for different devices. With HTML5 apps you have more control over pricing and income, while avoiding delays in waiting for approval from an app store.
3. Better for search optimisation
Native apps are not searchable by Google and other search engines. Once you shift your content behind this kind of app, they can’t find it.
By comparison, a universal site built using HTML5 can offer higher search visibility – and will make it easier to maintain backlinks and redirects and optimise around a single set of search criteria. All this should add up to a higher page rank.
4. The tech community is backing it
Big businesses from the Financial Times and Ford to Vimeo are already using HTML5, and when serious players in the tech community start working together to support its further rollout you know it has truly arrived.
Take Coremob – the Core Mobile Web Platform Community. It’s a forum for “the global mobile developer and IT community to focus and accelerate the evolution of the mobile Web as a compelling platform for mobile applications”.
Coremob sees HTML5 as central to this, and its members include many giants in the internet and mobile worlds, from Google and Microsoft to Facebook, Netflix, Samsung, Vodafone, Adobe, Orange, Mozilla, Sony and AT&T.
5. The other benefits
If you’re not already convinced, HTML5 has many other benefits including:
- Making it much easier to create accessible sites
- Giving solid foundation for the “next big thing” – responsive design
- Extra security measures
- Smarter forms, with improvements to text inputs, search boxes and data validation
- Support for geolocation, making location directly available on any compatible browser or application
- Cleaner code that easily separates meaning from style and content
- A significant reduction in content size, improving loading times and the overall user experience
