What is a style sheet? 
A style sheet (Cascading Style Sheets) allows you to specify a number of parameters that define the look of a web page in a document that is completely separate from the HTML code. These parameters are for example the way links are presented, the look of tables and buttons, everything to do with fonts… Because a style sheet can be addressed by all the pages of a web site, this technique offers a number of advantages for both the web builder and the visitor.

Advantages for web builders 
Because the entire look of a site is generated by one single document, the site becomes a lot easier to manage and maintain. When for example the marketing manager decides that the colour of the links should be changed from blue to red or that the whole site has to be in a different colour for Valentine's day, you can simply change the specifications of your style sheet instead of manually adapting every page of the site.

A logical consequence is of course that the use of a style sheet enhances the stylistic uniformity of your site, which is very important when you're building an online brand. Style sheets also make it easier on the web master: he doesn't have to look up the exact size font of a title or table anymore because it's all right there in the style sheet.

By separating the way the content appears from the actual content itself (even when it is database generated) the same content can be optimised for use on different platforms. Older or lesser known browsers, exotic drivers or specific hardware (pda's, set-top boxes,...) that don't support specific 'tags' can still be accommodated by presenting them with a different style sheet. And even when you don't do that, there's always the HTML-code of the page itself. A style sheet also makes it easier when you have to optimise your site in the future for a different platform, like for example Internet via television.

Because the use of a style sheet eliminates a lot of tags from the page code, the HTML layout becomes more transparent. Not only does that make the job of your current web master a lot simpler, it also makes it easier to pass the project on to someone else.

Advantages for users 
The most important advantage of style sheets for users is the remarkably faster loading time of a site. The lighter HTML pages and the fact that the style sheet only has to be transferred to a user's PC once for every surfing session guarantee a speeding up of loading times of 10%. So don't use embedded styles in which all the style elements are described on the top of every page but limit yourself to one style sheet per site. Only use different style sheets when they are meant for different platforms.

Els Aerts & Karl Gilis

A more in depth version of this article has appeared in Tips & Advies Online Ondernemen, year 5, number 13 (Belgium and the Netherlands).