HTML

HTML in a nutshell

The HTML, for HyperText Markup Language, is the fundamental language of the web. It allows you to structure the contents of a page, by defining the hierarchy of titles, paragraphs, images, links, forms, tables, and other visible or invisible elements. Without HTML, a site would be just a blank screen. Each website is based on an HTML base, whether it is developed by hand, generated by a CMS, a JavaScript framework or a no-code tool like Webflow. It is thanks to it that browsers understand what to display and in what order.

What is HTML and what is it used for?

HTML is not a programming language but a markup language. It is used to organize content in a semantic way: a title is tagged with<h1>, a paragraph with, a <p>link with, <a>an image with<img>, etc. These tags do not provide any visual style in themselves: they only define the nature of the elements. To style the whole thing, we use CSS. And to give it dynamic behavior, we rely on JavaScript. HTML is therefore the skeleton of the site, the raw structure to which the form (CSS) and the functions (JS) are added.

This language is essential for accessibility and SEO, as it provides search engines and assistive technologies with a clear reading of the page. A misused tag, a disorganized structure, or an abusive use of div instead of semantic elements like article, section, nav, or header can hinder content understanding and user experience.

HTML and Webflow: writing without coding, structuring rigorously

In Webflow, the user does not write HTML directly, but each action they perform produces HTML code in the background. When you add a section, a text block, or a button in Webflow, the tool generates HTML tags that will be interpreted by the browser. The block hierarchy, title tags, links, links, images, images, ARIA attributes, or CSS classes are all automatically translated into HTML.

This does not exempt you from understanding HTML logic to use Webflow well. Misstructuring your blocks, stacking sections without hierarchy, or multiplying unnecessary divs produces disorganized, heavy and less accessible code. Conversely, a good practice is to structure your content with containers, sections, headings, paragraphs, while respecting the natural hierarchy of the content. This improves the readability, maintainability and performance of the site, while making it easier for Google to index.

HTML and SEO: a crucial structure

HTML plays a fundamental role in natural referencing. Google reads HTML tags to understand the content of a page. A good use of title tags (from <h1>to<h6>), a clear structuring of sections, the use of attributes such as alt on images or title on links, as well as the presence of well-filled metadata (tags<meta>, Open Graph, Schema.org) contribute to the SEO quality of a site. Even in Webflow, where some of this work is automated, it's important to manually check and optimize important tags.

HTML also influences accessibility: a well-structured site allows screen readers to easily navigate through content, which is not only beneficial for users with disabilities, but also valued by search engines.

Conclusion

HTML is the technical and semantic foundation of any website. Even in a no-code context like Webflow, understanding its logic remains essential to build well-structured, accessible and efficient sites. It's not just about displaying content, but organizing it intelligently so that every browser, search engine, or user can understand and use it effectively. Good HTML is a solid, sustainable site that is optimized for all uses.