Creating a website is straightforward nowadays with popular web tools. However, for newcomers interested in learning website development using HTML, this guide aims to walk you through the process of building a from scratch website with HTML.
Regardless of your coding experience, this article covers the fundamental aspects of website creation. It provides a step-by-step approach to equip you with the necessary knowledge to create your own website.
Now, let’s begin by understanding what HTML is and its significance in website development.
What is HTML?
The language used to create web pages is known as HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). Every website you visit on the internet is supported by it. HTML enables you to organize the material on a web page using a variety of tags, each with a distinct function.
Why Choose HTML for Website Building?
HTML provides a simple and user-friendly way to construct web pages. By mastering HTML, you gain complete control over the layout and structure of your website. Unlike website builders or content management systems, coding your website with HTML offers the flexibility to customize every aspect according to your preference.
Setting Up the Essentials
Before we start coding, there are a few essential tools you’ll need to set up:
Text Editor
Choose a text editor to write your HTML code. Some popular options include:
- Visual Studio Code (personally, I’ll recommend you this)
You’ll love the extension collection that Visual Studio has, most of them are up-to-date, easy to use, and it’s free.
With its cutting-edge API, Goto functions, and other features, Sublime Text is a highly customizable text editing tool.
Most easiest to use, best suited for HTML, tones of theme, and it’s free.
These editors offer syntax highlighting, making it easier to read and write code.
Web Browser
A web browser like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge is essential for previewing your website during the development process.
Structuring Your HTML Document
Every HTML document follows a specific structure. Here’s a breakdown:
The DOCTYPE Declaration
The browser is informed which version of HTML is operating via the DOCTYPE. Your HTML file’s first line has to contain it.
<!DOCTYPE html>The HTML Tag
The root element of your HTML document is the <html> tag. All other elements will be nested inside it.
<html><!-- Your content goes here --></html>The Head Section
The <head> section contains meta-information about your website, such as the title, character encoding, and links to external stylesheets or scripts.
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Your Website Title</title>
<!-- Add links to CSS or JavaScript files if necessary -->
</head>The Body Section
The <body> section holds all the visible content of your website, such as headings, paragraphs, images, and more.
<body>
<h1>Welcome to My Website</h1>
<p>This is an example paragraph that you can replace with your own content.</p>
<!-- Add other content here -->
</body>Creating Content with HTML Elements
HTML provides various elements to structure and format your content. Here are some commonly used ones:
Headings
Headings are used to create titles and subtitles for your website. They range from <h1> to <h6>, with <h1> being the highest level of heading and <h6> the lowest.
<h1>This is a Main Heading</h1><h2>This is a Subheading</h2>Paragraphs
To add paragraphs of text, use the <p> element:
<p>This is a paragraph. You can add multiple paragraphs to create content.</p>Lists
HTML supports both ordered and unordered lists. For an unordered list, use the <ul> element, and for an ordered list, use the <ol> element. List items are denoted by the <li> element.
<ul>
<li>Item 1</li>
<li>Item 2</li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>First item</li>
<li>Second item</li>
</ol>Adding Links
Links are created using the <a> element. The link’s destination URL is specified by the href property.
<a href="https://www.example.com">Visit Example Website</a>Incorporating CSS for Styling
While HTML helps structure your content, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used for styling your website. By adding CSS rules to your HTML elements, you can control the colors, fonts, layout, and overall appearance of your site.
Example:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>My Stylish Website</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome to My Website</h1>
<p>This is an example paragraph with some <strong>bold</strong> text.</p>
<a href="https://www.example.com">Visit Example Website with HTML</a>
</body>
</html>Output:
Advanced Building Website With HTML
Knowing that you have learned the basics of HTML, you can take your website development skills to the next level with more advanced techniques and elements. Let’s explore some of the exciting possibilities that HTML offers:
Semantic HTML
Semantic HTML is about using elements that carry meaning and context to describe the content they enclose. By leveraging semantic tags, you enhance your website’s accessibility, search engine ranking, and maintainability.
- <header>: Defines the header of a section or page.
- <nav>: Represents a navigation menu.
- <article>: Defines an independent piece of content.
- <section>: Represents a thematic grouping of content.
- <footer>: Defines the footer of a section or page.
Example:
<header>
<h1>Welcome to My Portfolio</h1>
<nav>
<ul>
<li><a href="#about">About Me</a></li>
<li><a href="#projects">My Projects</a></li>
<li><a href="#contact">Contact Me</a></li>
</ul>
</nav>
</header>Multimedia Integration
With HTML, you can easily incorporate multimedia elements into your website, making it more engaging and interactive for your visitors.
- <img>: Embed images on your webpage.
- <audio>: Embed audio content that can be played directly on the page.
- <video>: Embed videos on your website.
Example:
<img src="image.jpg" alt="Beautiful Landscape">
<audio controls>
<source src="audio.mp3" type="audio/mpeg">
Your browser does not support the audio element.
</audio>
<video controls>
<source src="video.mp4" type="video/mp4">
Your browser does not support the video element.
</video>Forms and User Input
HTML enables you to create interactive forms that collect user input, such as contact forms, login forms, or search boxes.
- <form>: Develops a form to collect user feedback.
- <input>: Creates input fields for various data types (text, email, password, etc.).
- <textarea>: Provides a multi-line text input area.
Example:
<form>
<label for="name">Name:</label>
<input type="text" id="name" name="name" required>
<label for="email">Email:</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email" required>
<label for="message">Message:</label>
<textarea id="message" name="message" rows="4" required></textarea>
<input type="submit" value="Send Message">
</form>By incorporating these advanced techniques into your HTML coding repertoire, you can create sophisticated and interactive websites that stand out and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve learned the fundamentals of creating a website with HTML. By combining HTML with CSS, you can build visually appealing and functional websites that cater to your specific needs.
If you are interested in learning how to convert an HTML site to WordPress, we have a comprehensive guide available (If you already have an website with HTML, this will help you quickly start your website on WordPress).
Remember to keep practicing and exploring additional HTML elements and CSS properties to take your web development skills to the next level. Happy coding!
FAQs on Website with HTML
Can I create a website with HTML without any coding experience?
Yes, HTML is beginner-friendly, and you can create a basic website with minimal coding knowledge. However, for more advanced features and designs, some coding skills are beneficial.
Do I need to buy expensive software to build an HTML website?
No, you can build an website with HTML using free text editors like Visual Studio Code or Sublime Text. These editors provide all the necessary features for web development.
Is it necessary to learn CSS along with HTML for web development?
While you can create a functional website with HTML, learning CSS will enable you to style and design your site, making it visually appealing and user-friendly.
Can I use HTML to create a blog or an e-commerce website?
HTML forms the foundation of any website, including blogs and e-commerce sites. However, you’ll need additional technologies like CSS, JavaScript, and server-side languages to create more dynamic and interactive web pages.
