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
detailed home cleaning Park Ridge ..First off, I am a designer. Now you're thinking, here's... Read More
What the heck is going on lately? Most internet websites... Read More
It seems that almost every Tom Dick and Harry do... Read More
Before doing anything on the technical side, you need some... Read More
If you think it's simply a case of who will... Read More
When your web site sells more than a dozen items,... Read More
There are many ways to add fancy bells and whistles... Read More
You've likely heard of the movie, Jerry Maguire, with its... Read More
You can create a website that attracts customers, not repels... Read More
Projecting a professional image is paramount to your website's success.... Read More
Flash is a powerful technology that can help you create... Read More
1. Repackage your web site content in to different products... Read More
Have you ever thought about the real stories behind all... Read More
Squeeze pages are a very hot topic in the internet... Read More
Since you'll spend lots of time and money to create... Read More
Designing your website can be a difficult task especially if... Read More
On the internet we don't deal with face to face... Read More
Writing for your web site is not the same as... Read More
Most of us at times need advice on different aspects... Read More
Making your site accessible means making it available to be... Read More
You have good traffic, but low client sign ups and... Read More
Here's a really simple way... any novice can create a... Read More
The title tags of your web pages are more important... Read More
Ever wonder how HTML color codes are put together? For... Read More
You may not bother with html validation or writing simple... Read More
express cleaning service Des Plaines ..Last Thursday afternoon I was working on a garage door... Read More
A website should firstly be searched out by visitors before... Read More
Let me repeat that.."The technology may change, but human nature... Read More
You spend time and money promoting your website; but what... Read More
This is a very perfunctory look at the website code... Read More
Favorite icon appears to the left of your link in... Read More
When considering whether or not to incorporate Flash into your... Read More
First you need original content. Content is the heart beat... Read More
Well it is not Elvis, that's for sure.I am a... Read More
Does your website make a good first impression? Is the... Read More
You know... Before purchasing your product a person comes to... Read More
If you are going to have a web presence for... Read More
FIRST IMPRESSIONS. First impressions often leave lasting impressions. Impressions... Read More
If you are reading this, I assume you either have... Read More
Building a website that is exactly what you want and... Read More
Most people will agree there is nothing more annoying than... Read More
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) allows you to create fast loading... Read More
When I surf the Net, I often see web sites... Read More
So your web site's online and you've got high rankings... Read More
Easy navigation and usability are one of the most important... Read More
Here's the single most important part of your website: YOUR... Read More
Making your site accessible means making it available to be... Read More
I am constantly bombarded with all sorts of advertisements, single-page... Read More
So you're on the computer, as usual. Your eyes are... Read More
If you have a web site to which people pay... Read More
Web Design |