| Want to save money while promoting your | | | | tags such as < P > and < BR >.2. HTML code |
| web-based business? Of course you do. Here's | | | | does not differentiate between capitals and |
| some advice on the matter, from a freelance | | | | lowercase. Your tags can be typed either way |
| copywriter who knows: it pays to learn the | | | | and they'll still work no matter what.3. HTML |
| basics of HTML.If you're like me (stubborn), | | | | doesn't recognize Smart Quotes- those curly |
| you've probably been dodging HTML for many | | | | quote marks that Word and other word |
| years. All that code mushed together... it's | | | | processing programs like to convert your |
| distressing to look at! But here's the thing: | | | | straight quotes (or inch marks) into when you |
| HTML is your friend. He might be ugly, but | | | | least expect it. HTML also doesn't recognize |
| he's a good guy to have on your side.Once you | | | | "curly" apostrophes (as opposed to straight |
| get a basic understanding of how HTML works, | | | | ones, or footmarks). If you use these in your |
| the gibberish starts to make sense. And | | | | web documents, the computer will interpret |
| that's when you'll realize how easy it is to | | | | them as code and fill your web page with |
| create web pages for your own business | | | | gibberish. So DON'T USE SMART QUOTES OR |
| without having to 1. pay a designer thousands | | | | CURVED APOSTROPHES!Creating a Text Document: |
| of dollars, or 2. purchase one of those | | | | the Basis for Your Web PageStart a new file |
| expensive web design programs.Let's start | | | | in your text program such as Notepad, then |
| with a general explanation. HTML stands for | | | | save it with the .html extension. For |
| Hyper Text Markup Language. It's the basis | | | | example, you might name your file, |
| for every single design element you see on a | | | | "myfirstwebpage.html". Later, after you've |
| web page: layout, copy, image placement, | | | | entered your code into the text program, view |
| links, music, animation, etc. People who | | | | the page as it will appear on the web by |
| design their sites using fancy web page | | | | using a web browser such as Explorer or |
| creators with buttons and copy/paste features | | | | Netscape. Click File>Open, and then enter the |
| are merely controlling the HTML code via the | | | | name of your file. Viola! There's the web |
| program's graphic overlay. Underneath it all, | | | | page that YOU created! The great thing about |
| the code's still there in its pure form. You | | | | this feature is that you can keep on saving |
| can see it if you go to a webpage and then | | | | your text file and refreshing the browser |
| click View>Source from the top menu.Easy Web | | | | page to track your progress.Keep in mind that |
| Page CreationYou can create a | | | | the pages you create and save as .html files |
| professional-looking web page using HTML and | | | | won't be available for viewing on the |
| the bare minimum of tools: a text program | | | | internet until you publish them. This is done |
| (such as Notepad) to write and save files in, | | | | by purchasing a web hosting package through |
| a Web browser to view the files, and a | | | | one of the major web hosting companies; for |
| photo-editing program such as Photoshop.Ever | | | | example, You're required to "rent a space" |
| visit a webpage and then click View>Source so | | | | for each web domain you own. But that's a |
| you can stare at the "guts" and try to make | | | | topic for another article entirely.Now that |
| sense of it? The text program that opens that | | | | you know how easy it is to create your own |
| page is the same one you'll use to create | | | | web page, it's time to uncover the "secret" |
| your own web page from scratch. Keep in mind, | | | | to HTML! HTML is logic-based; and for those |
| a text program is NOT the same as a | | | | of us who love a good logic puzzle, this is |
| word-processing program, such as Microsoft | | | | truly a beautiful thing. If you're ready for |
| Word. If you use Word, you may accidentally | | | | some HTML web design revelations, read HTML |
| save your file as a .DOC, and in doing so, | | | | Explained: Part 2!Copyright 2005 Dina |
| create all kinds of coding problems that make | | | | Giolitto. All rights reserved.Liked this |
| your page look crazy. NEVER create web pages | | | | article? Have more of the same emailed to |
| in Word!Here are three salient points about | | | | your inbox each month. Sign up for the |
| writing HTML code.1. Your text editing | | | | Copywriting and Marketing Ezine from Dina at |
| program does not recognize paragraph returns | | | | and learn to write search engine friendly web |
| when you type them with the Enter key. You | | | | copy and market your web based business for |
| will separate your text manually, using HTML | | | | free. |