Web Design with Tables or CSS? What's the difference?

There are two general ways to layout a website. The first method is by using HTML tables and the second way is by using Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. This article will provide a brief overview of the two methods. Note that the choice whether to use tables or CSS is determined based on the needs of the client and the particular website.

ADVANTAGES OF CSS/DISADVANTAGES OF TABLES

• CSS allows a web developer to have precise control of the layout of a website that a table-based layout cannot provide.
  
• CSS allows for quick and easy changing of certain web site elements including font types and sizes, and site colors. Updating of table-based websites can be more difficult -- especially with complex layouts.
  

DISADVANTAGES OF CSS/ADVANTAGES OF TABLES

• In order for a CSS-based layout to display properly, a current browser is required.
  
• Current browsers include: Internet Explorer 6.1 and above, Mozilla Firefox 2.0 and above, Apple Safari 2.0 and above.
• There are still some compatibility issues with CSS even with the use of modern browsers, so some tweaking is often required to get a website to display properly across many browsers. And even then there still may be subtle differences among how browsers display the website.
  
• CSS layouts do not always render properly in web browsers that are earlier than the browsers listed above, and thus, people with older browsers may not be able to see the site properly.
  
• Table-based designs generally render well in most browsers whether old or new.

In summary, CSS-based layouts generally allow for precise control over the layout of a website but require that users have current web browsers. Table-based designs can be viewed by a larger audience, but have some creative limitations.

In order to make the decision you should talk to your web developer to see what's right for your business and your website.

--------------------
For a free one-hour consultation about your new or existing website contact me at Short Hills Design via email at dwank@shorthillsdesign.com or call me at 617-201-8427. We are located in Short Hills, NJ and serve the NY/NJ Metro Area.