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