How important is Validation ?

[Vinyl Signs]

As the title says...
Would appreciate some thoughts and opinions on just how important or desirable it is - to have a site pass validation ?
Or just not bother ?

[stevesh]

Can't hurt. Some sites which don't validate work just fine, others have no end of problems. Seems to depend on the source of the failure.

[Website Rob]

Validation provides two immediate benefits.

1. Page will display almost exactly the same in every Browser on any OS.
2. When troubleshooting errors you save time knowing the problem is with something recently added.

Also, it provides an easy method for someone who does not know coding and has hired someone to do some coding.

After work is completed one can use any online Validator to check the work done.

[yellow1912]

Dont get obsessed with validation btw. Your customers dont care. If you just have warnings, it's fine.