Tables Vs. CSS based Web Design

I am often tickled by the misconceptions surrounding the use of tables in web design vs more current CSS based positioning of web page elements. Both approaches can produce elegant designs. However, some have expressed a concern that using a tables-based web design may cause the website to become obsolete at some point in the near future. This is not true. All web browsers must support every form of html no matter how ancient. Backwards compatibility is essential for serving the widest possible audience on the web. That will not change anytime soon.

I have never been a proponent of using the most current technology simply because it is the most current. I use what I know works best for the project at hand. I currently design websites that may use either CSS based positioning or tables. My main concern, frankly, is making sure the web design serves both the needs of the viewer and the requirements of search engines. How do the search engines view the tables vs css debate? Well, the source has spoken! The video below provides Google's answer (by way of Matt Cutts, Google spokesman) to the question: "Are CSS-based layouts better than tables for SEO?" If you are the current owner of a tables-based website you may find their response . . . well . . . comforting!



Don Peterson, Newark1 Web Design Portfolio & Guide