Advantages of HTML

In the fast-changing era of Content Management Systems (CMS), interactivity and technology-driven web presence, the good old HTML-based website seems like a thing of the past. But is it really? Is the use of a CMS or other web technologies essential for most small and growing businesses. What do you NEED to have a credible web presence that reflects your business and gives you a platform to compete with more established competitors? Through this article, we explore the advantages of using HTML when conceptualizing your website and the relationship between HTML and SEO.

What is HTML?

HTML or Hyper-text Mark-up Language is a globally accepted programming language for formatting web pages. In today's world, it is commonly used along with JavaScript and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to give web pages the look and feel we desire. Through HTML, the look and appearance of images, links, headings, text, page layout and just about every element of a web page can be formatted. While there are other globally-recognized web programming languages and tools like content management systems today, HTML continues to be the predominant programming language for creating web pages. It is also the most optimal for most small and growing businesses that do not really need advanced functionality on their website. Below are some of the advantages of using HTML while creating your website.

HTML is easy to use and understand

Almost anyone in the web development business would know HTML – be it a freelancer or a large agency. If at any point in time you need to hire the services of a different web design firm or professional for making changes or updates to your website, it would be relatively easy to find cost-effective and affordable solution providers who can make the changes you need to your website.

All browsers support HTML

Almost – if not all – browsers support HTML. Certainly more browsers support HTML than any other web programming language. As a result, when you build a website using HTML, it would show up on most browsers around the world, as long as the programmer takes care to optimize the website for the most commonly used browsers. Optimizing an HTML based website for browser compatibility is neither difficult nor complex.

HTML and XML syntax is very similar

Today, XML is increasingly being used for data storage. The similarity of syntax between HTML and XML means that it is easier and seamless working between the two platforms.

HTML is free

A major advantage of HTML is that it is free. You do not need any software for HTML, no plug-ins are needed and it means that you can save considerably on your website development cost. Even with open source content management systems, all the plug-ins that you may need are not always free.

Most development tools support HTML

Whether it is FrontPage, DreamWeaver or any other programming tool, there are more web development tools that allow you to create HTML based websites, than any other web programming language.

HTML is most search engine friendly

Of all the web programming languages, HTML is the most search engine friendly. Creating SEO compliant websites using HTML is significantly easier than any other programming language. HTML causes the least SEO complications and provides the greatest flexibility when trying to build an SEO compliant website. As long as you have taken care to ensure your HTML code is clean and validated, an HTML website is easiest to read and access for search engine crawlers. This reduces crawling time and improves page load time, helping your website perform better in search results.

In most cases, HTML is all you need

In spite of all the advantages of using HTML, the first step you need to do while conceptualizing a website is to define what exactly your website should do. Are you looking for a website that provides information about your business or are you looking for ecommerce functionality? Is your website essentially going to contain marketing and company information or will it be more news-like, where content is added every few hours or days? Should your website mainly disseminate information to visitors or do you need your visitors to interact?

The operative word in defining your website functionality is "need". It is easy to conceptualize an extremely high-end website with a wish-list of features and functionality, but is it essential for your small or growing business? In most cases, business websites do not need advanced functionality that would justify the need for programming technologies or content management systems, given the extra cost of development.

Aesthetically, an HTML website can look just as appealing as a website using the more advanced technologies. It is easy to be swayed by the desire to be 'up with the times'. However, getting yourself a well made HTML website may be a wiser and more progressive decision for your business than getting a high-tech website.

Author
About Praver Digital

Raghupati is the COO and Director of Operations at Praver Digital. Praver Digital provides high quality outsourced SEO services, web design services and content services to growing businesses around the world. We also offer white label SEO services to web design firms, digital marketing firms and advertising agencies.

Praver Digital is among India's leading SEO firms for growing businesses from around the world. Praver Digital offers outsourced SEO services, HTML based web design services, content services, and other outsourced services from our offices in India and USA.