Is W3 Validation essential for a page to display properly?

No - it is not essential, but without it, your site may have major problems with future web browsers.

Extensive browser testing can, at least in part, be used instead of writing correct HTML code - for current browsers ONLY.

However, coding invalid HTML will generally cause cross-browser display issues, further code is then added by designers to code around browser display issuesm, by outputting different code based on the browser being used to view the page. This approach leads to "spaghetti code" which increases the costs to maintain the site, and will nearly always need to be changed or updated when new browsers come out.

The easiest way to rid the headaches and potential pitfalls of future compatibiliy, is to code VALID HTML in the first place.

We recommend:

• Never installing or using any alpha, beta or pre-release browser software.
• Update your browser only if & when advised to do so by your IT or web professional.
• Ensure your web site will be comprehensively screened for HTML errors and cross-browser compatibility.
• Ask your web professional if they even know what the W3 standards are!
• Avoid "web professionals" who don't know what the standards are, or say that they don't matter.

Related Topics:
What is involved in marketing a site?
What are the potential pitfalls of a site that doesn't validate?
Does validated HTML code guarantee that a page will display correctly?