Are you planning to create a website from scratch? Do you want to learn how to code HTML and build a website that looks sleek and professional? If yes, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will guide you on how to make a website from scratch with HTML.
But before we begin, let us first understand what HTML is and how it works.
What is HTML?
HTML, or HyperText Markup Language, is a coding language used to create websites. It is used to build the structure and layout of web pages by creating tags, which define the content and structure of a web page. HTML tags are used to specify headings, paragraphs, images, links, and other elements. HTML code is read by web browsers, which then generate the visual layout of a website.
Now that you have a basic understanding of HTML, let us look at how to create a website from scratch with HTML.
Step 1: Plan Your Website
Before you start coding, you need to plan your website. This includes deciding on the purpose of your website, the target audience, and the content you want to include. You should also consider the layout, color scheme, and branding of your website.
Step 2: Choose a Text Editor
To write HTML code, you need a text editor. There are many text editors available, both free and paid. Some popular options include Notepad++, Sublime Text, and Atom. Choose a text editor that you are comfortable with and that suits your needs.
Step 3: Create a Basic HTML Page
To create a basic HTML page, open your chosen text editor and create a new file. Save this file with the extension “.html”. You can start by creating the basic structure of an HTML page, as shown below:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>My Website</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome to My Website</h1>
</body>
</html>This code creates a basic HTML page with a title and a heading. The <!DOCTYPE html> declaration defines the document type and must be included at the beginning of the HTML document. The <html> element contains all the content of the document. The <head> element contains metadata about the document, such as the title. The <body> element contains the main content of the document.
Step 4: Add Content
Once you have created the basic structure of your HTML page, you can start adding content. This may include headings, paragraphs, images, and links. For example:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>My Website</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome to My Website</h1>
<p>This is my first website.</p>
<h2>About Me</h2>
<p>My name is Andrew and I am a software developer with a passion for writing articles about software development and engineering.</p>
<h2>My Projects</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="#">Project 1</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Project 2</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Project 3</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Contact Me</h2>
<form>
<label for="name">Name:</label>
<input type="text" id="name" name="name">
<br>
<label for="email">Email:</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email">
<br>
<label for="message">Message:</label>
<textarea id="message" name="message"></textarea>
<br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>
</body>
</html>This code adds headings, paragraphs, an unordered list of projects, and a contact form to the HTML page. Note that the contact form does not actually do anything – we will cover that in a later step.
Step 5: Style Your Website with CSS
While HTML creates the structure of a website, CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, is used to style it. CSS is used to determine the visual layout of a web page, such as the size and color of text, the placement of images, and the overall design of the website.
To add CSS to your HTML page, you can use the <style> element in the <head> section of your HTML code. For example:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>My Website</title>
<style>
body {
font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
background-color: #f0f0f0;
}
h1 {
color: #0099cc;
}
ul {
list-style-type: none;
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
}
li {
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
form label {
display: block;
margin-bottom: 5px;
}
form input[type="text"],
form input[type="email"],
form textarea {
width: 100%;
padding: 5px;
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
form input[type="submit"] {
background-color: #0099cc;
color: #fff;
padding: 5px 10px;
border: none;
border-radius: 5px;
cursor: pointer;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome to My Website</h1>
<p>This is my first website.</p>
<h2>About Me</h2>
<p>My name is Andrew and I am a software developer with a passion for writing articles about software development and engineering.</p>
<h2>My Projects</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="#">Project 1</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Project 2</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Project 3</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Contact Me</h2>
<form>
<label for="name">Name:</label>
<input type="text" id="name" name="name">
<br>
<label for="email">Email:</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email">
<br>
<label for="message">Message:</label>
<textarea id="message" name="message"></textarea>
<br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>
</body>
</html>This code adds a basic CSS style to the HTML page. Note that this is just an example – you can customize the CSS to suit your needs and preferences.
Step 6: Add Functionality with JavaScript
JavaScript is a scripting language that is used to add interactivity and functionality to websites. JavaScript can be used to create animations, validate forms, and perform other tasks.
To add JavaScript to your HTML page, you can use the <script> element in the <head> or <body> section of your HTML code. For example:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>My Website</title>
<style>
/* CSS styles here */
</style>
<script>
function validateForm() {
var name = document.getElementById("name").value;
var email = document.getElementById("email").value;
var message = document.getElementById("message").value;
if (name == "" || email == "" || message == "") {
alert("Please fill in all fields.");
return false;
}
return true;
}
</script>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome to My Website</h1>
<p>This is my first website.</p>
<h2>About Me</h2>
<p>My name is Andrew and I am a software developer with a passion for writing articles about software development and engineering.</p>
<h2>My Projects</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="#">Project 1</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Project 2</a></li>
<li><a href="#">Project 3</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Contact Me</h2>
<form onsubmit="return validateForm()">
<label for="name">Name:</label>
<input type="text" id="name" name="name">
<br>
<label for="email">Email:</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email">
<br>
<label for="message">Message:</label>
<textarea id="message" name="message"></textarea>
<br>
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>
</body>
</html>This code adds a JavaScript function that validates the contact form when it is submitted. The function checks that all fields are filled in, and displays an alert message if they are not.
Step 7: Publish Your Website
Once you have created your website, you need to publish it on the internet. To do this, you need a web hosting service and a domain name.
Web hosting services provide a server where you can store your website files and make them accessible on the internet. There are many web hosting services available, both free and paid.
A domain name is the address of your website on the internet, such as www.mywebsite.com. You can register a domain name through a domain registrar, such as GoDaddy or Namecheap.
Once you have a web hosting service and a domain name, you can upload your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files to your web hosting server using an FTP client, such as FileZilla. You can then access your website by typing your domain name into a web browser.
Conclusion
In conclusion, creating a website from scratch with HTML is a great way to learn web development and build a website that suits your needs and preferences. With the right planning, tools, and techniques, you can create a website that looks sleek and professional, and provides users with a great experience. So why not give it a try and start coding today?
📕 Related articles about HTML
- How to Style HTML Forms: Achieve an Extraordinary User Experience
- How to Make a Webpage Using HTML and CSS
- HTML Styles: A Comprehensive Guide to Styling Web Pages
- How to Create a Simple HTML Website
- How to Learn HTML: A Comprehensive Guide to Achieving HTML Mastery [4 easy steps]
- HTML Attributes: Understanding and Using Them in Your Web Pages
