HTML Basics for Business Owners

The programming language used to build Web sites and format email isn't hard to learn if you know where to look
By Meagan Francis, Director Studio 4b If you want to design, tweak or maintain your company's Web site, send an email newsletter, or format your company email with special fonts or colors, it's a good idea to understand how to use hypertext markup language, or HTML, the programming language that dictates details like text placement and font size, background colors and the size and placement of images on many Web sites and e-newsletters.

Learning HTML is a lot like picking up another language. Immersing yourself in it will help you learn to speak it fluently, but it helps to have a teacher along the way to give instruction.

If you want to learn HTML from scratch you have a few basic options:

1. Sign up for a training course
2. Use a DVD or video training program
3. Get a book that walks you through the process step by step.

Use a free online primer

Web sites that offer basic tutorials are a quick and easy way to get your skills up to speed.
Try:  HTML Goodies offers a free basic primer for people who know nothing about HTML. It offers step-by-step directions for basic and advanced HTML programming.

Learn it step-by-step from a book

Learning to build Web sites step-by-step from a book is cheaper than purchasing an expensive HTML editing program and you'll have more control over your creation.
Try:  HTML, XHTML, and CSS (Visual QuickStart Guide), by Elizabeth Castro, combines basic instructions with more advanced coding and makes it easy to build stylish Web sites even if you are a complete "newbie".

Take a class

If you learn best by having an instructor walk you through the steps, and appreciate the accountability of tests and assignments, a class might be the best way for you to learn HTML coding.
Try:  Web Tech University offers free "HTML 101" classes as well as information and classes on other Web languages.

• As new languages and coding styles become more popular, some older codes will become obsolete. Read up on newer languages, like CSS and XHTML, after you've gotten the hang of basic HTML.
• Even if you're using an HTML editor program like Dreamweaver or FrontPage to create your website, it's a good idea to check the HTML code for errors or inconsistencies. This can save you a lot of headache over the long haul.