HTML Explained: Part 1

Want to save money while promoting yourmanually, using HTML tags such as < P > and <
web-based business? Of course you do. Here'sBR >.2. HTML code does not differentiate
some advice on the matter, from a freelancebetween capitals and lowercase. Your tags can be
copywriter who knows: it pays to learn the basicstyped either way and they'll still work no matter
of HTML.If you're like me (stubborn), you'vewhat.3. HTML doesn't recognize Smart Quotes-
probably been dodging HTML for many years. Allthose curly quote marks that Word and other
that code mushed together... it's distressing to lookword processing programs like to convert your
at! But here's the thing: HTML is your friend. Hestraight quotes (or inch marks) into when you
might be ugly, but he's a good guy to have onleast 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 makeor footmarks). If you use these in your web
sense. And that's when you'll realize how easy it isdocuments, the computer will interpret them as
to create web pages for your own businesscode and fill your web page with gibberish. So
without having to 1. pay a designer thousands ofDON'T USE SMART QUOTES OR CURVED
dollars, or 2. purchase one of those expensiveAPOSTROPHES!Creating a Text Document: the
web design programs.Let's start with a generalBasis for Your Web PageStart a new file in your
explanation. HTML stands for Hyper Text Markuptext program such as Notepad, then save it with
Language. It's the basis for every single designthe .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 webview the page as it will appear on the web by
page creators with buttons and copy/pasteusing a web browser such as Explorer or
features are merely controlling the HTML code viaNetscape. 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 seethat YOU created! The great thing about this
it if you go to a webpage and then clickfeature is that you can keep on saving your text
View>Source from the top menu.Easy Web Pagefile and refreshing the browser page to track
CreationYou can create a professional-looking webyour 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 andfor 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 asthrough one of the major web hosting companies;
Photoshop.Ever visit a webpage and then clickfor example, You're required to "rent a space" for
View>Source so you can stare at the "guts" andeach web domain you own. But that's a topic for
try to make sense of it? The text program thatanother article entirely.Now that you know how
opens that page is the same one you'll use toeasy it is to create your own web page, it's time
create your own web page from scratch. Keep into uncover the "secret" to HTML! HTML is
mind, a text program is NOT the same as alogic-based; and for those of us who love a good
word-processing program, such as Microsoftlogic puzzle, this is truly a beautiful thing. If you're
Word. If you use Word, you may accidentallyready for some HTML web design revelations,
save your file as a .DOC, and in doing so, createread HTML Explained: Part 2!Copyright 2005 Dina
all kinds of coding problems that make your pageGiolitto. All rights reserved.Liked this article? Have
look crazy. NEVER create web pages inmore of the same emailed to your inbox each
Word!Here are three salient points about writingmonth. Sign up for the Copywriting and Marketing
HTML code.1. Your text editing program does notEzine from Dina at and learn to write search
recognize paragraph returns when you type themengine friendly web copy and market your web
with the Enter key. You will separate your textbased business for free.