Is validation important or even a consideration to Google? No it is not. In fact Google itself does not validate. Google is only concerned with content.

So is validation important? Yes it means that your website will work and look the same regardless technology. It does not matter whether someone is using the latest PC running the latest browsers or someone using the oldest. Both will get exactly same user experience.

It also means that those who need to customise their browsers, i.e. use large fonts for easier reading, can and your website will maintain appearance.

Another major consideration is mobile devices. More and more people use mobile devices to access the Internet. To look good on theses devices your code needs to validate. If your website does not look good or is difficult to navigate visitors will just move on. This will increase your bounce rate and therefore lower your chances of being found in search results.

You can check your website pages at http://validator.w3.org/

If your page fails you will be given details on how to fix your code. If you need help we do this as part of our “optimisation service“.