The End of an Era: Weighing the Pros and Cons of Dropping IE 11 Support
A New Chapter Unfolds
The news that Microsoft will no longer support Internet Explorer 11 (IE 11) has sent ripples of excitement through the web development community. As IE 11 takes a backseat to its successor, Microsoft Edge, the question on everyone’s mind is: should I continue to invest time and resources into supporting this legacy browser?
Understanding Your Users
The answer lies in understanding your target audience. Who are they, and how do they interact with your web property? Are they corporate users bound by strict IT policies, or are they tech-savvy individuals who always have the latest tools at their fingertips? Knowing your users’ needs and behaviors will help you make an informed decision about dropping IE 11 support.
The Cost-Benefit Analysis
Before making a decision, consider the financial implications of dropping IE 11 support. Will it lead to a loss of revenue or an increase in support tickets? On the other hand, will it allow you to take advantage of modern APIs and browser features, simplify testing and quality assurance, and reduce code complexity?
Pragmatic Approaches to Dropping Support
If you decide to drop IE 11 support, there are ways to minimize the impact on your users. One approach is to create a fallback experience that prompts users to download a modern browser. Another option is to offer basic functionality to IE 11 users while encouraging them to upgrade to a modern browser for more advanced features.
Progressive Enhancement: A Middle Ground
Dropping IE 11 support doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. You can adopt a progressive enhancement approach, offering a different experience based on the capabilities of the user’s browser. This way, you can provide basic functionality to IE 11 users while still offering a superior experience to those with modern browsers.
Striking a Balance
Ultimately, the decision to drop IE 11 support requires a delicate balance between pursuing a comfortable developer experience and enabling as many users as possible to gain value from your app. By carefully weighing the pros and cons, you can make an informed decision that benefits both your users and your development team.