Learning HTML: Guide to learn HTML from Scratch

People who are just starting with HTML have several questions. For example, What is HTML, how long will it take to learn HTML? Etc. Our Google Search Console reveals that many people land on our site to find answers to these questions.

I have come up with this handy guide, where I have answered the most frequently asked questions related to HTML. Let’s start right away.

What is HTML?

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. It is a set of codes that help layout the structure of the web page. For example, it tells the web browser to make some text bold, underline it, or break it into paragraphs. With HTML you can create buttons, input fields for forms, insert videos and images, and even link two HTML pages.

HTML code looks like this:

HTML emerged in the early days (1990) of the World Wide Web. Tim Berners-Lee proposed a repository of documents connected with links called Hypertext. HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language. It is a set of code that tells the browser how a web page would look like. For example, you can make some text bold, italics, or underlined. You can make headings of various sizes. You can insert images and other formatting options to make the web page look presentable.

Where is HTML used?

HTML is used to make the web pages of any website. All websites and all the webpages of the world are created with HTML. The Facebook feed, the Google Search results, the Amazon Store, and this very blog you are reading; all the pages are made with HTML. No HTML - No webpages.

HTML is a markup language, meaning its sole purpose is to layout web pages. HTML is combined with two other technologies, namely CSS and JavaScript, to make stylish website design and advanced website features.

How easy is HTML to learn?

HTML is a straightforward language. The syntax is easy. Once you get the hang of the syntax, you can easily repeat it. You can learn HTML tags and elements quickly, and it would take you little time to internalize it fully.

How long does it take to learn HTML?

It depends upon the capabilities of the learner. You can start dabbling with HTML in a matter of hours, and if you practice daily, you can get comfortable with it in a couple of months. We, at iLoveCoding, provide a newbie-friendly free HTML & CSS Correctly course.

It is a comprehensive course and covers the subject thoroughly. The course duration is two weeks. However, a month of practice is required to make you use HTML proficiently.

How to learn HTML?

There are tons of resources available to teach you HTML. You can read books or watch YouTube tutorials. However, some of these books are overwhelming, while others have very thin content. Similarly, the YouTube tutorials are not in a logical order, which can disorient the beginners. iLoveCoding has prepared a screen-cast video course that is relevant and logical. Click here to learn more.

Which tools do you need for the HTML?

You need two tools to start learning HTML. First, you need a modern web browser such as Google Chrome. You can use any browser; however, Chrome has the edge over other browsers. It provides several developer tools that are better than those in different browsers.

Secondly, you need a text editor. The text editor or code editor is a software where you write the code. VS Code, Notepad++, Atom, Sublime Text are a few popular text editors.

What's the best text editor?

Lots of text editors are available in the market, both paid and free. We recommend using the VS Code. It is a text editor from Microsoft, and it is free. It is robust and intuitive. Some other text editors are Atom, Sublime, and Notepad++.

Can I use Notepad for HTML coding?

Yes, you can use Notepad to write HTML code. The process is straightforward. After typing the code in Notepad, save the file with .html extension. Open that file with Chrome, and you are there!

How can I learn HTML and CSS for free?

You can join iLoveCoding’s free HTML & CSS course here. It is free, and we would keep it free forever. It is a screen-cast video course with no technical jargon. Aziz is known to use simple language to explain concepts. Plus, you get an HTML & CSS cheat sheet and sample projects along the way.

How to host an HTML website?

The process is the same as buying hosting for other websites. All you need to do is purchase the domain name and hosting. Sometimes, some companies provide both the domain and hosting. While other times, you may buy them separately. Although there are many services out there, Netlify.com is a great service to let you host websites for free. iLoveCoding.org is hosted with Netlify as well; And we love it.

Is HTML worth learning?

Yes! HTML is mandatory for becoming a web developer. There is no website in the world that doesn’t use HTML. HTML, along with CSS and JavaScript, make a trio that is essential to the web.

By learning HTML and CSS, how can I earn money?

You can make basic websites with HTML and CSS. You can use HTML to link pages so the website can be browsed around. You can use CSS to make the website look pretty and modern. To add more capability to the website you can use JavaScript to add integrations, maps, image galleries and all sorts of features.

You can develop sites for businesses that only want to have a web presence and are not interested in showy websites and frills. Similarly, you can get small HTML projects on outsourcing/freelancing websites.

To call yourself a frontend developer and have a decent job, you need to learn a programming language such as JavaScript. Find the road map to become a frontend developer here.

What is the difference between HTML and HTML5?

HTML 5 is the latest version of HTML. The HTML's initial versions were very basic. With subsequent versions, its capabilities increased. Now HTML supports audio and video natively. It uses a database to store offline data. It supports graphics as well. Find more differences here.

Is HTML important for SEO?

Yes, HTML is very crucial to SEO. Search engines consider many meta tags for ranking the website on search pages such as description, keyword, title, header, robot, and alt tags.

Can I use videos and sound on a web page with HTML?

Yes, besides using images, you can insertvideos and sound on web pages with HTML using video and audio elements. With HTML5, you can use several other multimedia attributes such as the control to add a pause, play, and repeat options. Find more on this free resource or check iLoveCoding’s HTML & CSS course.

How to comment in HTML?

Like programming languages, you can add your comments within the code to clarify, instruct, and track. It comes handy when several people are working on the same project. Similarly, it is a useful tool if you go back to the code file after some time. It would refresh your memory.

What are the HTML elements and tags?

An element is an individual component of an HTML file. The example of elements is a title tags in angle brackets that represents the title of the web page.

Tags, on the other hand, show the start and end of an element. For example, p in angle brackets is used for a paragraph.The tag with forward slash shows the end of an element. In the image above 'h1' and 'p' are the opening and closing tags.

What next after learning HTML and CSS?

The next logical step after finishing HTML and CSS is to learn JavaScript. JS adds interactivity to the website. Similarly, you can learn JavaScript to become a full-stack developer. Find out how you can become a confident full-stack developer here.

What should I do to practice my skills?

The best way to practice any language is to build practice projects. You can create your portfolio website. Similarly, you can find people who want to have a simple website. You can earn some money by freelancing while practicing your skills.

Conclusion

HTML is the backbone of the web. No website can exist without HTML. If you want to become a web developer or a front-end developer, you must learn HTML. The popularity of HTML will continue to grow. Now, it is your turn. Did you find the answers mentioned above helpful? Tell us in the comments or read previous blog posts.