In cascading style sheets you can specify how your web pages will be presented on the screen by simply predefining page elements such as fonts, headers and links.
You can add these predefined elements in the head-section of your pages, but more interesting is to use them in a single .css file and include that file in every page on your site.
All you have to do is include in your HTML header. (the path in the href must point to the place where your .css file is stored)
There are two main benefits to using css sheets in a separate file:
1. more flexibility; only one (1) file to update
2. less HTML coding and easy replacement of deprecated HTML. I'll explain more of this below.
First, let me tell you I am NOT a cascading style sheet professional. I just use it.
If you want to become one, there are great css resources and tutorials out there.
Just go to
http://www.w3.org/Style/CSS/learning http://www.htmlhelp.com/reference/css/
to mention a few, but there are many more. Type 'cascading style sheets' in your favorite search engine and you get plenty of information.
But just being a layperson in css emphasizes the importance of this web design tool. I started using cascading style sheets in its most elementary form. All you have to do is name the page element that you are going to specify and add its specifications in curly brackets. Here's my first css file:
body { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; color: #000000 }
By simply saving this code in a style sheet file and including it in my webpages I suddenly didn't have to define FONT statements in the body of my pages any more. Wow, that saved me a lot of coding! Big advantage (no. 2).
AND .....
I had fewer errors in my HTML, because I didn't have to close that awkward FONT tag (at the wrong place). Big advantage (no. 2).
When I discovered this, I immediately began adding definitions for other tags like H1, H2, linktext (not visited, visited and hover) and special colors in text.
If I want to change the look of my H1-header, all I have to do is change the specs in my style sheet and presto .... the H1 is changed across my whole site. How's that for flexibility? Big advantage (no. 1).
When I once redesigned my site I used HTML validators to see how I was doing. To my surprise I found that some HTML commands, the most important one being FONT, were deprecated in HTML 4.0. That means eventually these commands will not be used anymore.
So I had to do something. Again, style sheets came to the rescue. All I had to do was define how my fonts would look like in my style sheet and I had the problem solved. Big advantage (no. 2).
Now I use css to define headers, footers, special text colors, special fonts and font sizes, special links etcetera. If I ever discover I need some extra lay-out or style, I just add one line to my .css file. It's so easy!
Try it. Start using style sheets. You're more flexible and it will save you lots of time.
Wish you success.
case stevens
Case Stevens, owner of case stevens, is experimenting with different marketing techniques, websites, traffic and lead generation. He publishes his experiences in a newsletter featuring understandable, successful low cost Internet marketing techniques, ideas and strategies, articles, news, tips & tricks and interesting (free) downloads.
Subscribe at Affordable Online Strategies
family-safe home cleaners Lincolnshire ..1. Loading time:try to be below 20kbless number of imagesspecify... Read More
Let me repeat that.."The technology may change, but human nature... Read More
In my web surfing adventures, I've found a few site... Read More
Sin #5Poor Spelling And GrammarWe all make mistakes when we... Read More
You've come up with a great product. You've got the... Read More
About two years ago, I had a go at commercial... Read More
So your web site's online and you've got high rankings... Read More
We have all seen websites showcasing their testimonials either spread... Read More
Before you take a road trip it is usually a... Read More
1. Web site File Structure / File NamingMost search engines... Read More
Do know your audienceIt's important to know your audience. If... Read More
If you are familiar with my work, then you have... Read More
If you're not getting a lot of traffic to your... Read More
One of the simplest things you can do to give... Read More
This is a very perfunctory look at the website code... Read More
There are several graphic software packages available to help you... Read More
There are plenty of web sites out there in which... Read More
Unarguably, the most important part of your website is content.... Read More
I am constantly bombarded with all sorts of advertisements, single-page... Read More
The best things don't come easy. - QuotedThe finished web... Read More
The internet is full of web design companies pleading for... Read More
Traffic to a site can be a blessing or a... Read More
Automating your online business is one of the most important... Read More
An "include" file is a piece of code that can... Read More
Making a poorly designed website is one of the easiest... Read More
maide service in Buffalo Grove ..Any design on a web application involves the effective input... Read More
Before I discovered the concept of Web site templates, I... Read More
The top ten fonts for website design might change in... Read More
Here's a really simple way... any novice can create a... Read More
You spend time and money promoting your website; but what... Read More
When designing elements for your webpage, you will often be... Read More
Let's face it. Building a web site that browses consistently... Read More
You've come up with a great product. You've got the... Read More
Making a poorly designed website is one of the easiest... Read More
Audio can provide an added dimension to your site. It... Read More
Novice and professional designers alike ? you may probably be... Read More
1. Don't load your web site with a lot of... Read More
Everybody talks about the importance of testing your sales copy... Read More
Remember your vision for your company and the brand or... Read More
A "404 Error" happens when the web server you are... Read More
Where does a person start when setting up a website?... Read More
The first immutable law of effective navigation: It's gotta be... Read More
Good websites stand out from the masses of boring, hard... Read More
When you start building your online business and search for... Read More
A long, long time ago? In a galaxy far, far... Read More
Color is everywhere and conveys a message even if we... Read More
QUESTION: My business is very small, just me and... Read More
The Psychology of ColorAre you using the best colors for... Read More
As my occupation is that of a proofreader, one of... Read More
1. Use .gifs rather than .jpgs. GIFs are smaller in... Read More
Web Design |