(by 16 people)
HTML is the foundation of everything that is on the internet. You can probably get by without ever knowing how to write HTML code (and not everyone wants to learn HTML), but knowing even some of the basics will give you more control over your websites and places like MySpace, Ryze and Squidoo.
What makes me an "expert"? I taught myself HTML. I code all of my websites manually using HTML. (Yes, it's a sickness.) People come to me for help when they can't figure out where their website builders went astray.
Is there something you need to know how to do that isn't mentioned here? Put your request in the Reader Feedback section below.
Contents at a Glance
What is HTML?
HTML stands for Hyper Text Mark-up Language. It is a type of coding language that tells a web browser how to display a web page. Using "tags" in a typed document, HTML can define how the text appears, pictures to be included on the page, the format of the page, and what other pages the reader can link to.
HTML Page Template
<html>
<head>
<title>Title of page</title>
</head>
<body>
Text for your webpage goes here.
</body>
</html>
Rules of HTML
- An HTML file must have an .htm or .html file extension.
- HTML tags are surrounded by the two characters < and >.
- In most cases, there should be an end tag for every start tag.
- When putting more than one start tag per element, you must place your end tags in the reverse order at the end of the element.
- HTML tags are not case sensitive, although the use of lower case is recommended as a future standard.
Basic Tags
<i>make your text italic</i> --> make your text italic
<font color="red">make your text red</font> --> make your text red
<a href="http://www.yourwebsiteurl.com">Click Here</a> --> Click Here
<p>makes a new paragraph </p><p>with a blank line above it</p> -->
makes a new paragraph
with a blank line above it
<br />makes a line break<br />without inserting a blank line -->
makes a line break
without inserting a blank line
Useful Resources
- Website Solutions
- Complete website solutions for your small home business. When you don't know where to start, start here. I'll guide you through the website design process in terms you will understand and provide reliable support long after the design is done.
- color chart @ Gotomy.com
- Gotomy.com color chart, a rainbow of 400 plus Colors for your web page designs.
- HTML Tidy
- Information on a free utility to fix HTML mistakes automatically and tidy up sloppy editing into nicely layed out markup.
- Broken Link Checker
- Check your website for broken links. A free online tool.
- Photobucket
- Free hosting for your online photos and images. Create slideshows for your website.
HTML Books
Sams Teach Yourself Web Publishing with HTML & XHTML in 21 Days (4th Edition) (Sams Teach Yourself)
* I highly recommend any of the Sams Teach Yourself series! Sams is what I learned with.
Amazon Price: $27.57 (as of 12/04/2008) 
HTML for the World Wide Web with XHTML and CSS, Fifth Edition (Visual QuickStart Guide)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2008)
HTML & XHTML: The Complete Reference (Osborne Complete Reference Series)
Amazon Price: $26.39 (as of 12/04/2008)
Learn HTML 4 In a Weekend, 4th Edition (In a Weekend)
Amazon Price: $22.49 (as of 12/04/2008)
HTML Pocket Reference (2nd Edition)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2008)
Reader Feedback
annetteghallowell wrote...
Thanks for the easy to read lens. I have been collecting basic HTML lenses to work on my website and have added this one to my reference line up! 5*favorite!
Posted August 07, 2008
Internet-Grandma wrote
Thanks for the imformation.
Posted August 09, 2007
Great lens! I voted 5 stars - I invite you to check out mine too, and rate it for me! Live Streaming Video
Posted August 07, 2007
DanielGonzalez wrote...
Great lens. Just a few basic ideas with HTML can really get most people going. Some people think it's difficult when it's not at all. Hopefully this will open some eyes to a new hobby or business. Nice job again.
Dan
Posted June 28, 2007
