Website trends - The years ahead
Eco-Friendly Web Hosting
Digital experiences require hardware and that consumes energy. So the first step in ensuring sustainable delivery of those experiences is to look at the hosting. There is a wide range of eco-friendly and carbon neutral options available today and the costs compare well with the rest of the market. With global suppliers such as Amazon Web Services all the way down to niche providers offering environmentally friendly hosting options, there is no excuse for not making this key transition.
Efficient Coding Practices
Streamlined and efficient coding is more than just good practice; it’s a step towards sustainability. We build out websites using Drupal, which allows rapid and reliable delivery of even the most complex systems. The catch is that Drupal contains hundreds of thousands of lines of code. A key part of our services is looking for those code pathways in the experience delivery that can be optimised for performance. This reduces the processing required and hence the energy consumed - and comes with the benefit of faster response for the user. Your hosting bills are smaller, your customers are happier and you leave a smaller carbon footprint - need we say more?
Universal Accessibility
An inclusive website aims to be accessible to all, regardless of ability. Adhering to the principles of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) ensures websites are navigable and usable for people with various disabilities, including visual, auditory, and motor impairments. At NDP, we work together with RNIB, who provide extensive website accessibility tests, and we also use third party tools to increase inclusivity. This allows us to deliver the best experience for all, increasing traffic levels and satisfaction, which then offsets the cost of delivering to those standards.
Educating and Influencing Change
Through our work, we aim to educate clients and users about the importance of sustainable and inclusive practices. By showcasing these values in our projects, we inspire change and encourage a wider adoption of these principles. This is no longer a ‘nice to have’ - we regard it as a core strategy in our service delivery that adds value to all the work we do and directly benefits our clients and their audiences, both commercially and socially.
Continuous Improvement
The process of building more sustainable and inclusive digital experiences is an ongoing journey. At NDP, we are committed to staying abreast of the latest developments, tools, and techniques that can further our mission of creating websites that meet and exceed the social and environmental expectations of an increasingly demanding world.
