Every single web page has a basic HTML structure. There are three tags every web page includes: html, head and body. Keep in mind these tags have nothing to do with the layout of a webpage on the screen. They have to do with the technical structure of the HTML code. Think of them as essential building blocks/sections/groupings (choose your own metaphor).
The basic web page looks like this:
<html>
<head>
general page information that is not always seen
</head>
<body>
Layout and Content
</body>
</html>
Please remember that these tags occur in pairs. The second of the pair is always the closing tag and includes a forward slash before the tag name.
Think of a web page like the following diagram:
The border represents the HTML tag, it holds everything inside of itself.
The Grey section represents the HEAD portion. Most of the information here is not displayed on a web page, at least not within the main browser window.
The Green section represents the BODY section, everything that is seen within a browser window.
Mistakes that typically occur with these tags:
- missing the closing tag of any one of these pairs – by far the most common
- head section missing
Find more information about learning HTML at our recommended HTML Tutorials page or in our HTML archives.
[tags]html, tags, body, head, webpage[/tags]
About the Author
Paul Flyer loves to research the web and find resources and tools for building, maintaining and promoting websites. Based in Saint Louis, MO, he works in management and spends his free time sharpening his web development and copy writing skills. Feel free to contact Paul with any questions, comments or ideas. He is also available to help you with your own website.
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