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 AnOwnSite Internet Marketing, 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
Once, I attempted to create a favicon (the little graphic... Read More
What is a Website Template?Many smart and savvy businesses are... Read More
Most of us at times need advice on different aspects... Read More
So you want to build a website here I will... Read More
They say the eyes are the window to the soul.... Read More
Why is the quality of your text layout and design... Read More
In cascading style sheets you can specify how your web... Read More
The trend today to overuse animation in a website's opening... Read More
The Basics You have a flourishing business ? everything is... Read More
The Internet has seen an explosion in so called 'lance'... Read More
So how do you know when your graphic designer costs... Read More
There are many ways to add fancy bells and whistles... Read More
Internet Explorer, created by microsoft has been the most popular... Read More
Even after you've managed to bring traffic to your site... Read More
The icons in an application are the soul of the... Read More
Should Generating Revenue From A Website Be The Prime Motivator?... Read More
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) allows you to create fast loading... Read More
1. Who needs an artists website?Not everyone! If you are... Read More
Let's look at what your user wants to see at... Read More
What the heck is going on lately? Most internet websites... Read More
Does your website make you any money? Does it SAVE... Read More
An application is not ready for use unless you have... Read More
You've made your website, added a great title and keywords... Read More
7. Create high quality content - make clear points with... Read More
What is the relationship between Marketing and Web designing? How... Read More
Home-based businesses need a strong web presence to combat the... Read More
Whether a business has just got off the ground or... Read More
So your web site's online and you've got high rankings... Read More
Web advertising has taken many forms, including those that appear... Read More
Increasing the length of time a visitor is on your... Read More
Designing your website means you have to be creative, plan... Read More
"It's good.""You've done a nice job.""I don't like it."At some... Read More
If you've a website that is not generating a lot... Read More
As an online Entrepreneur you require a successful website.One that... Read More
There can be zillions of reasons why your visitors return... Read More
What Will My Site Do?This is the first of eight... Read More
If you are designing a web site for which the... Read More
Content is king. Without content your website is an empty... Read More
This may comes as a surprise to you but, if... Read More
Want to see an excellently constructed website? As a writer... Read More
As web designer my self, I have had the unfortunate... Read More
There are many ways to add fancy bells and whistles... Read More
Being a writer, when I was asked to do some... Read More
So, what's in a website design anyway? And, how do... Read More
Favorite icon appears to the left of your link in... Read More
No question about it, web design is an art. Finding... Read More
The ability to create simple, attractive and functional web pages... Read More
If you are one of those who wonder how people... Read More
You may not believe it, but people still judge things... Read More
1. Use .gifs rather than .jpgs. GIFs are smaller in... Read More
For those not familiar with CSS Hacks, they are ways... Read More
Congratulations! You've got a brand new site and it's doing... Read More
An "include" file is a piece of code that can... Read More
~A man [woman] is a success if he [she] gets... Read More
In my web surfing adventures, I've found a few site... Read More
If you are trying to sell a product or service... Read More
These days, it seems that everyone has a website. Unfortunately,... Read More
There is nothing wrong with making your own website if... Read More
**How Colors are Used in web design:**Demarcates screen elements into... Read More
I've seen articles (and websites) that suggest you can buy... Read More
Using CGI scripts to add automation to your web site... Read More
Back to basics. Forget funky design, good copywriting is the... Read More
Do your web pages, sales letters or personal presentations include... Read More
By following feng shui guidelines and techniques, you can build... Read More
Designing a website is hard job, and requires you to... Read More
This is a very perfunctory look at the website code... Read More
Web Design |