Cascading Style Sheets for Better Web Design

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

cleaning team near Winnetka ..
In The News:

Researchers discover phishing scam using invisible characters to evade email security, with protection tips including password managers and two-factor authentication.
iPhone and Android users can reduce battery drain and data usage by restricting Background App Refresh to Wi-Fi connections instead of mobile networks.
Scammers nearly stole an Apple account by exploiting the support system with authentic-looking tickets and phone calls, users can protect themselves with safety steps.
FoloToy restored sales of its AI teddy bear Kumma after a weeklong suspension following safety group findings of risky and inappropriate responses to children.
Threat intelligence firm Synthient uncovers one of the largest password exposures ever, prompting immediate security recommendations.
Viral video shared by Elon Musk shows Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots performing tasks from cooking to construction, garnering over 58.5 million views on social media.
Chinese hackers used Anthropic's Claude AI to launch autonomous cyberattacks on 30 organizations worldwide, marking a major shift in cybersecurity threats.
Apple's new Sleep Score feature gives you a rating for your nightly rest quality. Learn how to set it up on your Apple Watch and iPhone today.
Essential phone settings to enable before losing your device, including Find My network, location services and security features for iPhone and Android.
The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.
Cybersecurity research shows weak passwords remain a major threat, with simple patterns and number sequences putting millions of accounts at risk.
New Android malware BankBot YNRK silences phones, steals banking data and drains crypto wallets automatically. Learn how this advanced threat works.
FDA approves first human trial for Paradromics' brain-computer interface that could restore speech for paralyzed patients through neural technology.
New phishing platform QRR targets Microsoft 365 users across 1,000 domains in 90 countries. Learn how to spot fake login pages and protect your accounts.
OpenTable now uses AI to track your dining habits and share insights with restaurants. Learn what data they collect and how to protect your privacy.
Google's discontinued Nest thermostats still secretly upload home data to company servers despite losing smart features, raising serious privacy concerns.
New Android malware NGate steals NFC payment codes in real-time, allowing criminals to withdraw cash from ATMs without your card. Learn protection tips.
DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.
Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.
Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.
Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.
A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.
South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.
Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Give Your Website A Chance

I often wonder how serious people are when it comes... Read More

Website Checklist

10 Basic Things Your Website Should Have ...__ all short... Read More

Ten Fatal Mistakes That Make Web Sites Stink

Since you'll spend lots of time and money to create... Read More

Quality Website Design At An Affordable Price

I always have people asking me if I know of... Read More

Facts You Should Know About Web Site Design and Search Engine Optimization

1. Web site File Structure / File NamingMost search engines... Read More

Web Site Design Mistakes ? Database Parameters In URLs

Creating a web site takes thought, planning and execution. Unfortunately,... Read More

Effective Website Design

In this era of ultra-sophisticated internet marketing and web design,... Read More

Web Design: How To Get Your Visitors To Stay

Remember the famous line from the movie Field of Dreams,... Read More

Does Your Homepage Work?

All websites have a homepage. It is the most important... Read More

Text Is King!

Are you building your website? If so, STOP! Take a... Read More

Free Online Tools to Design (and Maintain) Your Website

These days, it seems that everyone has a website. Unfortunately,... Read More

How to Choose Web Design Company?

Before deciding on which web design company to choose, you... Read More

5 Ways To Improve Your Website Immediately

If you are reading this, I assume you either have... Read More

The Secret To A Profitable Website

Whether you are planning on having a website built for... Read More

Build It And Build It Cheap! Part II

If you are familiar with my work, then you have... Read More

Website Promotion Ideas: 10 Tips On How To Use Your Picture Effectively To Increase Your Sales

Seeing is believing.One trick to increase your visibility as well... Read More

Website Conversion Secrets Revealed

In my last article entitled, Maximizing The True Value Of... Read More

5 Website Design Tips to Make Your Site More Attractive

The question that I most frequently hear from people is... Read More

Should I Use Pop-Up Ads?

Web advertising has taken many forms, including those that appear... Read More

Effective Web Design Usability Principles

Website Design Usability Tips1. Getting to know about audience membersYou... Read More

Turn Harmful 404 Error Pages Into Helpful 301 Redirects

It's a fact, Page Not Found, known as a 404... Read More

Keep Your Navigation Simple!

Navigation must be simple. Since it's the backbone of your... Read More

Plugging the Dreaded World Wide Web Black Hole is Just the First Step

You have created your custom error page so now all... Read More

When Your Graphic Designer Costs You Money

So how do you know when your graphic designer costs... Read More

Is a Web Site Builder Right for You?

A web site builder can be a real life saver... Read More

family-safe home cleaners Northbrook ..