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How do I use progressive enhancement to build websites that work on a wide range of devices and browsers?
How do I use progressive enhancement to build websites that work on a wide range of devices and browsers?
Jun 19, 2025 pm 08:21 PM
To build a website that works across devices and browsers, use a progressive enhancement strategy, first make sure that core content and features are available in the basic environment, and then gradually add enhancements. 1. Start with semantic HTML, use the correct tags to improve accessibility and compatibility; 2. Add CSS reasonably to keep the content readable in no style, and use media queries to adapt the layout; 3. Use JavaScript carefully to ensure that it is enhanced rather than necessary, so that the website can still run basically when the script fails; 4. Extensive testing, covering old browsers, disabling CSS/JS environments and real network conditions, and timely fix compatibility issues. This method ensures that all users can get a functional experience while supporting optimized display of modern devices.
To build websites that work across a wide range of devices and browsers using progressive enhancement, start by focusing on the core content and functionality first. Make sure your site works well in basic environments — like older browsers or devices with limited capabilities — then layer on enhancements for more modern setups.
This approach ensures everyone gets a functional experience, no matter what they're using to browser.
Start with semantic HTML
The foundation of progressive enhancement is solid, semantic HTML. This means using the right tags for the right jobs — like <button></button> for buttons, <nav></nav> for navigation, and <article></article> for main content blocks.
Why this matters:
- Semantic HTML improves accessibility
- It's easier for search engines to understand
- Old browsers can still interpret it correctly
- Screen readers and other assistive tools rely heavily on it
For example, instead of wrapping a clickable element in a A few tips: Once you've got your HTML structure in place, add CSS to enhance the visual presentation — but don't make the site rely on it. Here's how to do that: One practical way to test this: disable CSS temporarily and see if your page still makes sense. If the text is hard to read or the links are invisible, you might be relying too much on styles. Also consider: JavaScript should always be an enhancement, not a requirement. That means your site should still function — at least partially — even if scripts fail to load or run. Some good practices: For example, if you're building a dropdown menu, make sure it still works as a regular link list when JavaScript is off. Then, with JS enabled, you can hide and show parts of it dynamically. Other things to keep in mind: Progressive enhancement only works if you test it across different environments. You don't need to support every browser forever, but you should know where your baseline is. Try these testing strategies: You'll often find that some small details breaks under certain conditions — like a missing polyfill or unsupported CSS property. Fixing those early keeps your site usable for more people. Also, communicate clearly with clients or stakeholders about what's supported and why progressive enhancement matters long-term. That's the basic idea. Progressive enhancement isn't about supporting every outdated browser, but about making sure your website remains useful regardless of the device or connection someone is using. It starts simple, builds smartly, and scales well.<button></button> . That button will work even if JavaScript fails or isn't supported.
<h1></h1> through <h6></h6> )<label for="..."></label>
<h1></h1> to <h3></h3> without <h2></h2> )
Layer in CSS thoughtfully
@supports ) to apply advanced styles only when available
Add JavaScript enhancements cautiously
defer or async attributes to avoid blocking rendering
Test broadly and often
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