Websites, HTML, CSS, SEO and Website Optimization, Marketing on the Internet
HTML - Web Development Basics. A Guide for Entrepreneurs
HTML - Web Development Basics. A Guide for Entrepreneurs
Font Size:
Theme:
Udostępnij:
What's in the article?
Are you planning to create a website for your business, but don't know where to start? This guide will help you understandbasics of HTML - language, which is the foundation of any website.
What will you learn?
✓What is HTML and how does it work? - will explain why HTML is a key element of any website and how to use it.
✓First steps in website development - How to create a basic HTML page step by step.
✓Key HTML elements for business - How to add a logo, contact form, navigation or price list.
✓SEO and optimization - How to make your website visible on Google.
✓Branding and professional appearance - How HTML affects your company's online image.
✓When is HTML not enough? - What are its limitations and when it is worth considering other technologies.
✓Is it worth hiring a specialist? - How to make a decision and find the right contractor.
Do you have to be a programmer? No! But knowing the basics of HTML will help you better manage your site and make informed decisions.
Now it's time to get specific - here we go!
Related articles
- How to make a website? A complete guide for entrepreneurs
- How to create a website in HTML? A complete guide for entrepreneurs
- Free website - a complete guide for the entrepreneur
- How to publish a website? A practical guide for companies
- HTML page templates - Business Guide | How to choose the best template?
- HTML - Web Development Basics - The Complete Guide.
- Web design software - A guide for businesses
Introduction: Why Understand HTML Basics?
I remember a conversation with one of my clients - the owner of a small service company. He was fresh from working with an agency that created a website for him. The site looked good, but when he wanted to add a new section, improve the text or replace the photo, he felt completely helpless. Every change, even the smallest, required contacting a programmer and additional costs.
This was not an isolated case. Many entrepreneurs treat a website as a closed product - something that, once created, will work without their interference. But the truth is different: a website is a living organism that grows with the company. Therefore, it is worth knowingbasics of HTML, if only to be able to better communicate with the contractor of the site, and in some cases - to make minor changes themselves.
No, you don't have to become a programmer. But understanding a few basic principles will make you feel more in control of your online presence. This article isguide for entrepreneurs, which will take you step by step throughbasics of creating HTML pages - In an accessible way, without unnecessary technical jargon.
What is HTML and how does it work?
Imagine that you are building a house. HTML is its skeleton - the foundation, the walls, the roof. It may not be decorative like paint on the walls (CSS is responsible for that), nor add interaction like automatic doors (that's a job for JavaScript), but without it, the house wouldn't exist at all.
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the basic language in which all web pages are written. It ismarkup language, which means that instead of complex programming instructions, it usessimple tags, which tell the browser how to display an element on a page.
Every website, whether it's a simple blog or a sophisticated e-commerce platform, is based on HTML. Even if you use website builders or CMS systems (such as WordPress or Payload CMS), everything you see in your browser is ultimately written in HTML.
How does HTML work in practice?
When you type the address of a page into your browser, your computer sends a request to the server, which returns an HTML document. The browser reads this code and converts it into a page that is readable to you. To illustrate this, here is the simplest example of an HTML page:
1<!DOCTYPE html>.2<html lang="en">.3<head>4 <meta charset="UTF-8">.5 <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">.6 <title>My First Page</title>.7</head>8<body>9 <h1>Welcome to my site!</h1>.10 <p>This is my first HTML page. Simple, right?</p>.11</body>12</html>
If you copy this code into a text editor (e.g. Notepad, VS Code) and save it asindex.html, you can open it in your browser and see your first draft. This is the basics of HTML - a simple, intuitive, but extremely powerful tool.
In the following sections, we will look at the key elements of HTML and how you can use it to create a functional and professional site for your business.
First Steps with HTML - Creating a Simple Page.
Now that you know what HTML is and how it works, it's time to move into action. You don't have to be a programmer to create a simple website - all you need are a few basic tools and a little bit of willingness.
What is needed to get started?
No, you don't need to invest in expensive software or learn complex systems. All you need is:
- Text editor - It can be an ordinary Notepad, but it will be more convenient to use the freeVS Code orSublime Text, which make it easier to work with code.
- Web browser - Chrome, Firefox, Edge - each allows you to open the HTML file and see the results of your work.
- HTML file - simply create a new text document and save it as aindex.html.
Basic structure of an HTML document
HTML is a language that usestags (tags) to define the structure of the page. Every HTML document should start by specifying its version and basic structure:
1<!DOCTYPE html>.2<html lang="en">.3<head>4 <meta charset="UTF-8">.5 <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">.6 <title>My Company</title>.7</head>8<body>9 <h1>Welcome to my company website!</h1>.10 <p>We provide professional services to customers nationwide.</p>.11</body>12</html>
What do the different tags mean?
- <!DOCTYPE html> - tells the browser that the document is in HTML5 (the latest version of the language).
- <html> - the main container for the entire page.
- <head> - the section where the page settings are placed, including the title and meta data.
- <meta charset="UTF-8"> - allows to display Polish characters correctly.
- <title> - specifies the title of the page visible in the browser tab.
- <body> - this is where we place content visible to the user, such as headings (<h1>), paragraphs (<p>) or lists (<ul>, <ol>).
These are just the basics, but with them you can create a simple page for your business - such as an online business card, telling customers what you do and how to contact you.
Key HTML Elements for Business
Creating a company website is not only about aesthetics, but most importantly about functionality. Here are some key HTML elements that every entrepreneur will find useful:
1. adding logos and images
Images attract attention and give your site a professional look. You can add your company logo or product images using the <img> tag:
1<img src="logo.png" alt="My Company Logo">.
- src="logo.png" - indicates the image file (must be in the site directory).
- alt="My Company Logo" - A description of the image that will display when the image fails to load (important for SEO and accessibility).
2. links and navigation
Your site should have clear navigation to help users navigate through the different sections. You can add a menu using a list and <a> links:
1<nav>.2 <ul>3 <li><a href="index.html">Home page</a></li>4 <li><a href="offer.html">Offer</a></li>.5 <li><a href="contact.html">Contact</a></li>.6 </ul>7</nav>
This makes it easy for users to find key information about your company.
3 Contact form - how can customers contact you?
Every business needs a contact page. HTML makes it easy to add a simple form that collects data from customers:
1<form action="mailto:[email protected]" method="post">.2 <label for="name">Name:</label>.3 <input type="text" id="name" name="name" required>.45 <label for="email">E-mail:</label>.6 <input type="email" id="email" name="email" required>.78 <label for="message">Message:</label>.9 <textarea id="message" name="message" rows="5" required></textarea>.1011 <button type="submit">Send</button>.12</form>
- action="mailto:[email protected]" - makes the form open the mail client (although a better solution would be to process the form on the server).
- required - forces the fields to be filled in before the form is submitted.
This allows your customer to contact you without having to copy your email address.
4. tables - for presentation of offers and prices
If you want to present a price list for your services, an HTML table would be a good choice:
1<table>.2 <tr>.3 <th>Service</th>4 <th>Price</th>5 </tr>6 <tr>7 <td>Page design</td>.8 <td>From £2500</td>.9 </tr> </tr>10 <tr> <tr>11 <td>IT support</td>.12 <td>100 zł/hour</td>.13 </tr> </tr>14</table> </table>.
Tables help organize information and make the site look professional.
Section Summary
At this stage, the user should already:
✓ Understand how to create your first HTML page.
✓ Know what the basic HTML tags are and how they work.
✓ Be able to add key business elements to the site: logo, navigation, contact form and price list.
The next step? SEO and optimization, or how to make your website highly visible on Google!
SEO and HTML Site Optimization
Your website may be brilliantly designed, but if no one finds it on Google - you won't benefit much from it.SEO (Search Engine Optimization), or search engine optimization, helps increase your site's visibility and attract potential customers.
The good news? Even a simple HTML page can be well optimized for SEO if you take care of a few key elements.
1. meta tags - how does Google read your site?
Meta tags are information hidden in the <head> section of a document that help search engines understand the content of your site. Here are some of the most important ones:
1<head>.2 <meta charset="UTF-8">.3 <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">.4 <meta name="description" content="Professional website development for small businesses and startups.">5 <meta name="keywords" content="HTML website development, HTML basics, SEO">.6 <meta name="author" content="Your Company">.7 <title>Web Sites for Businesses | Your Company</title>.8</head>
- <meta name="description">. - The site description that appears in search results. It should be short and enticing to click on.
- <meta name="keywords">. - although Google no longer uses this tag for positioning, other search engines may still take it into account.
- <meta name="viewport">. - Ensures responsiveness of the site on mobile devices.
2. headline structure - crucial for SEO and readability
Google analyzes the structure of headings (<h1>-<h6>) on a page to determine its subject matter. For a business page, it makes sense to use them logically:
1<h1>Our Offer</h1>.2<h2>Web site design</h2>.3<p>We offer comprehensive website development services for small businesses...</p>.45<h2>Positioning and marketing</h2>.6<p>We will help you increase your visibility on Google...</p>.
Key principles:
- Useone <h1>. per page - is the main theme.
- Division into <h2> and <h3>. makes it easier to read and navigate.
- Don't skip the headlines - don't jump from <h1> to <h4>.
3. page load speed - the faster, the better
Google favors fast sites, so it's worth it:
✓ Avoid oversized images - optimize them in tools such asTinyPNG.
✓ Usenew generation formats - e.g.WebP Instead of PNG or JPEG.
✓ Minimize HTML and CSS code - remove unnecessary spaces and comments.
Test your page speed with Google PageSpeed Insights:PageSpeed Insights - pagespeed.web.dev
4 Responsiveness - does your website look good on phones?
Most users browse the Internet on mobile devices, so the website must be responsive. A simple way to do this is to usemeta viewport And CSS Flexbox or Grid:
1<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">.
📌Tip: Check how your site looks on a phone by reducing the width of the browser window.
🔎SEO is a long-term strategy, but just a few simple actions can improve your site's visibility in search results.
HTML vs Branding and Corporate Image
A website is not only technology, but above allYour company's showcase. This is the first place your customer goes - so its appearance and structure are crucial.
1. visual consistency - colors, fonts and layout
Your website should reflect the visual identity of your company. Even if HTML isn't responsible for design (that's what CSS does), it's worth knowing a few basics:
✓ Applyconsistent colors, consistent with the logo and corporate identity.
✓ Selectreadable font - Preferably Google Fonts (e.g. Open Sans, Lato, Montserrat).
✓ Avoid chaos - the site should be clear and intuitive.
Example in HTML and CSS:
html:
1<head>.2 <link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css">.3</head>45<body>6 <header>.7 <h1>My Company</h1>.8 </header>9</body>
css
1body {2 font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif;3 color: #333;4 background-color: #f8f9fa;5}6h1 {7 color: #007bff;8}
2. how to add favicon and improve branding?
Favicon is a small icon displayed in a browser tab. It adds professionalism and enhances brand recognition.
Add the following code in the <head> section:
1<link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="favicon.png">.
Tip: Favicon is best saved in 32x32 px or 64x64 px format.
3. customer reviews and "About Us" section
Customers like to see who is behind the company and what others are saying. You can add a feedback section:
1<section>.2 <h2>What are our customers saying?</h2>.3 <blockquote>.4 "It was a pleasure to work with X company! The website was professionally done and works flawlessly."5 <cite>- Jan Kowalski, CEO of XYZ</cite>.6 </blockquote>.7</section>
Good branding is not only about design, but also about content - The website should clearly communicate your company's values.
Section Summary
✓ You know how to optimize your site for SEO.
✓ You know the key elements that affect a company's online image.
✓ You are able to add favicon, customer reviews and take care of the visual consistency of the site.
In the next section, we will move on toHTML limitations and when it is worth hiring a specialist.
When HTML Is Not Enough? - Limitations of Independent Website Creation
HTML is a great starting point, but if you plan to create a professional site for your business, you need to know where its capabilities end.
🔹HTML = structure
HTML is only responsible for the structure of the page. If you want to add attractive design, you need to use CSS. If you want interaction (e.g. dynamic forms, login), you need JavaScript.
🔹Lack of dynamic content
If your site is going to have a blog, an online store or a login panel -.HTML alone is not enough. This requiresCMS (e.g. WordPress, Payload CMS) orbackend based on PHP, Node.js or Python.
🔹Troublesome editing
When the site grows, manual editing of HTML files becomes a problem. That's when it makes sense to switch to a content management system (CMS) or framework (e.g. React, Vue).
Is HTML a good choice for your business?
✓ Yes, if you want a simple business card page.
✓ Yes, if you have the time and want to learn the basics of coding.
❌ No, if you are planning a dynamic site (e.g., store, blog).
❌ No, if you care about easy content updates.
If you need more than a static site, it may be time to enlist the help of a specialist.
When is it worth hiring a specialist?
Every entrepreneur sooner or later faces a choice:Do the site yourself or hire a specialist?. Here are some situations where outsourcing is a better solution.
1. when you need more than a basic website
If you want an online store, integration with a reservation system, user login - HTML is not enough. It is then worth hiring a programmer or agency to create a suitable solution.
Example: A company offering online bookings may need a system that automatically signs up customers for appointments. HTML alone won't handle this - backend support will be needed.
2. when you don't have time to study HTML
Running a business is a mass of responsibilities. If you don't have time to learn coding and take care of the website yourself,better to outsource it to someone else And focus on growing the company.
3. when you want a site optimized for SEO
SEO is not only about good tags, but also speed, responsiveness, link structure. An expert will help design the site to be more visible in Google.
4. when you want modern design and branding
Ready-made HTML templates may not fit your brand. Designer will createunique design, which will stand out from the competition.
Alternative: If you don't want to hire a programmer on a permanent basis, you can use off-the-shelf tools, such as website builders or CMSs that don't require coding knowledge.
Section Summary
✓ You know when HTML is sufficient, and when it's worth reaching for more advanced tools.
✓ You know the situations where hiring a specialist is a better solution than building the site yourself.
✓ You know how to find the right contractor.
The next step? Summary and what's next!Bottom of Form
Summary and Next Steps
If you've reached this point, congratulations! You now have a solid understanding of what HTML is and how you can use it to create a website for your business.
What did you get out of this guide?
✓Understanding HTML - you know that this is the backbone of any website and how it works in conjunction with CSS and JavaScript.
✓First steps in HTML - You learned the basic structure of the page and how to add elements like headings, paragraphs, images, links and forms.
✓SEO and optimization - You learned how to optimize your site to make it more visible in search engines.
✓Branding and corporate image - learned the importance of visual consistency and the key elements that build a professional site.
✓HTML limitations - know when HTML is enough, and when it's worth reaching for more advanced technologies or CMS.
✓When it's worth hiring a specialist - You are able to assess whether building the site yourself is the best solution, or whether it is better to outsource it to an expert.
What's next? What options do you have?
🔹Create a simple website yourself - If you have the time and want to learn more, you can start with a simple online business card in HTML.
🔹Use page builders - if you want to avoid coding but have control over your site, check out tools likeWix, Webflow, Payload CMS orWordPress.
🔹Hire a specialist - if you want a professional, scalable site, contact an expert to design and implement the best solution.
Remember
A website is an investment. A well-planned, optimized and aesthetically pleasing website is a powerful marketing tool that can significantly increase your online visibility and help you grow your business.
If you have questions or would like to consult on the design of your site -get in touch with us! We will be happy to help you choose the best solution.
About the Author
Digital Vantage
Your Partner in Business, Digital Vantage Team
Digital Vantage team is a group of experienced professionals combining expertise in web development, software engineering, DevOps, UX/UI design and digital marketing. Together we carry out projects from concept to implementation - websites, e-commerce stores, dedicated applications and digital strategies. Our team combines years of experience from technology corporations with the flexibility and immediacy of working in a smaller, close-knit structure. We work in agile methodologies, focus on transparent communication and treat each project as if it were our own business. The strength of the team is the diversity of perspectives - from systems architecture and infrastructure, frontend and design, to SEO and content marketing strategy. As a result, the client receives a cohesive solution where technology, aesthetics and business goals go hand in hand.
