A Word On Progressive Enhancement and Graceful Degradation

August 13th, 2009 in Web Design

There is no doubt that the world of website creation is complicated. Even back in the day when almost everyone was using Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, you still had several old versions floating around with one version supporting one plug-in and another browser not. Although it can be extremely frustrating to have to create websites and content for users of all shapes, sizes, and ability levels, those outdated Internet users can be absolutely key to the success of your page or your product, so you exclude them at your own risk.

To ensure that as many people as possible are reached, designers have their choice of two main browser support strategies: progressive enhancement or graceful degradation. These two systems sound very similar to the untrained ear, but designers know first-hand how different they are.

To look at progressive enhancement vs graceful degradation, it would be easier to understand them as they are applied in a practical approach before understanding them in a technical sense. Graceful Degradation is a widely used term which ideology is basically using the latest technologies first, and then fix anything that needs fixing for older browsers. Developers do this on a daily basis: most code for Firefox first, then fix Internet Explorer. On the other hand, Progressive Enhancement refers to the habit of building first for the less capable, outdated browser and then enhance for the latest technologies. Developers generally, use this on a daily basis. For example, when writing code for a website, most of the times a developer will start with the markup and then apply an external CSS file where he/she adds all the styling. That is Progressive Enhancement in the practice.

So what are these two terms all about? Graceful degradation is based on how a web page looks, or the presentation of the data you have posted on your website. If someone with an ancient browser accesses your site, they will receive as much data as their browser will support. With progressive enhancement, the content of your website will come through loud and clear, but it may not look the way you intended. What this battle really comes down to is presentation versus content. What is more important to you and your company? The information you have on your site or the way that information is presented?

You can also look at the two through the scope of user experience. Today’s websites are about a lot more than just giving sports scores and the latest news headlines in a static, almost newspaper-like environment. They are about entertaining, about immersing the user in an environment that is user-friendly, fun and exciting. Graceful degradation will allow as much of that total presentation, the total website experience, to come through to users as possible, while progressive enhancement will screen out the goodies that make your website exciting and get the nuts and bolts, the information and the basic functionality through.

Both technologies usually go hand in hand and have been part of the ways we do things for years. It’s just the terms that are not that well-known. And now, both of these practices need to evolve due to the new languages that are approaching. If you want to go deeper into both of these terms, check a related article on accessites.org.