HTML
Definition
HyperText Markup Language – the code that structures every web page. It defines headings, paragraphs, images, links, and how content is organised.
What is HTML?
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the foundation of every web page. It's a markup language that tells browsers what content to display and how to structure it. Every website you've ever visited is built on HTML.
Think of HTML as the skeleton of a webpage. It defines what elements exist – headings, paragraphs, images, links, forms, buttons – and organises them into a logical structure. Without HTML, there would be no web pages.
How HTML Works
HTML uses tags to mark up content. Tags are written in angle brackets, like <h1> for a main heading or <p> for a paragraph. Most tags come in pairs – an opening tag and a closing tag – with content between them.
Basic HTML Structure
Every HTML page has the same basic structure:
- DOCTYPE – tells the browser which version of HTML
- head – contains metadata, title, and links to stylesheets
- body – contains all visible content
Common HTML Elements
| Element | Purpose |
|---|---|
<h1> to <h6> |
Headings (h1 is largest) |
<p> |
Paragraphs |
<a> |
Links |
<img> |
Images |
<div> |
Generic container |
<form> |
User input forms |
Why HTML Matters for Business
Search engines read your HTML to understand your content. Properly structured HTML helps with SEO – using correct heading hierarchy, descriptive alt text for images, and semantic elements all contribute to better rankings.
Good HTML also improves accessibility, ensuring screen readers can navigate your site and all users can access your content.