Considerations for PDF alternatives
The UL Web Team advise against the use of PDFs on the UL website where possible, and consider them a last-resort option.
As this guide proves, it can be challenging and time-consuming to create a document that is 100% accessible.
If you would like to explore alternatives to PDFs, the Web Team would be more than happy to discuss available options.
More reasons why documents and PDFs should be avoided on the UL website.
User experience expectations
Website users typically expect to find information directly on webpages rather than being directed to PDFs.
When users visit a website, they anticipate a seamless browsing experience, where downloading files isn’t needed.
Mobile compatibility challenges
PDFs were originally designed for desktop and laptop viewing, not for mobile devices.
The majority of users now access websites via mobile devices, where downloading and navigating a PDF can be cumbersome.
The process disrupts the user experience by pulling them out of their browser, prompting unnecessary file storage decisions, and leading to difficulty in locating and using the file afterward.
The resulting need to zoom and scroll extensively to locate specific information makes the overall experience inefficient and frustrating.
SEO implications
Relying on PDFs and documents negatively impacts search engine optimisation (SEO).
Google favours websites with well-structured, content-rich webpages rather than those that offload critical information into documents.
This reliance on files can result in lower search rankings and decreased visibility.
Maintenance and sustainability concerns
There are currently numerous outdated and redundant files cluttering the backend of our website, and likely many outdated ones live as well.
Documents complicate the process of keeping information up to date, as different versions with conflicting information can easily proliferate.
Additionally, maintaining such a large repository of files on our servers contributes to a higher carbon footprint. Users who download these files also contribute to unnecessary energy consumption.
Appropriate website usage
When PDFs are uploaded to our website, it deviates from the platform’s intended purpose.
Unlike SharePoint, which is dedicated to file-sharing, a website should primarily consist of well-structured webpages that provide information directly and efficiently.