HTML, the first language to learn to become a web developer or build a websites.
Or answer a quiz question, talk the talk or just know.
This is a post that leads on from my page where I talk about web development and the tools or skills needed to develop a tailored professional website using the relevant skills which includes html, CSS, JavaScript, PHP and something more. Though we must not forget that a website can be simple or complex, from a simple one page site to many pages.
This post is primarily for beginners but it’s also a guide to great resources for those wishing to know more.
Learning HTML in 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Starting Point
If you’re thinking about learning web development, you’ve probably heard of HTML. Maybe you’ve seen those angle brackets and thought, “That looks like code—I’m out!” But stick with me for a minute. This post isn’t a deep technical guide. It’s a quick, human introduction to what HTML is and where to learn it without getting buried in endless tutorials. Note: If you Right click your mouse button in a website space you will see the option, View Page Source, what you see may scare you, don’t let it, what you see may be compressed or generated by a server application.
💡 So, What Is HTML Really?
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. It’s the foundation of every website on the internet. Think of it as the skeleton of a web page—it tells the browser what goes where.
Here’s a tiny example of what HTML looks like in it’s simplest form:
<h1>Hello World</h1>
<p>This is a paragraph.</p>
Simple, right? It’s like labeling your content so the browser knows what to do with it.
🚀 Why Should You Learn HTML?
Even with website builders like WordPress or Wix, knowing some HTML gives you:
- More control over your website even when using WordPress.
- The power to fix or tweak things under the hood
- A stepping stone into deeper coding, like CSS and JavaScript
Plus, it’s incredibly satisfying to build something from scratch—even a simple page with your name on it.
Let’s watch a video:
This video has been created by W3Schools.
🔍 The Best Places to Learn HTML (Free + Reliable)
I started learning HTML 20 years ago. And I will tell you this, the best way to learn HTML is to get stuck in. There are courses which are free and paid, there are YouTube videos, there are websites by the dozen, which there wasn’t when I started, just find a source like W3Schools and stick with them. HTML continues to evolve so it’s a subject even I have to re visit.
What you need to understand are the rules, like the H1, H2, H3, H4, H5 tags, where and when to use them. The H means Heading, so H1 is the first heading. You can format everything just like you can with and Office Word application.
Also, understand the difference between the page Head, Body and Footer. What goes in the Head, what can go in the Body and what goes in the Footer, or either of the 3. But! Don’t worry about that, start doing and learn as you go.
Here’s my hand-picked list of beginner-friendly HTML learning resources—tried, tested, and trusted:
🖥️ W3Schools
This is where I started. You have lots of free support here, tutorials and tests, even a certificate to validate your training.
- Super simple.
- Great for experimenting quickly.
- Instant feedback with built-in editors.
- Examples for you to follow.
- The biggest reference library.
📚 MDN Web Docs
- Backed by Mozilla (the folks behind Firefox).
- A bit more technical, but it’s gold once you get the basics.
🧠 freeCodeCamp
- Structured curriculum.
- Learn by doing.
- Earn free certifications.
📺 YouTube Channels:
These are perfect if you learn better with visuals and step-by-step walkthroughs.
🔧 Beginner Tips So You Don’t Burn Out
Here’s what I wish someone had told me early on:
- Start with headings, links, paragraphs, images, and lists—these are the core tags you’ll use constantly.
- Don’t aim for perfection. Aim to experiment.
- Build your own mini homepage with your name, photo, and a few links—it’s more fun than copying tutorials.
✍️ My Own Learning Path (And What Kept Me Going)
I didn’t start coding in a classroom. I started by editing a website template and wondering what “div” meant. Bit by bit, it clicked—and once I realized I could shape a website exactly how I wanted, I was hooked.
You don’t need to become a professional developer to benefit from HTML. Even basic knowledge can make your site better, save you time, and help you communicate with designers or developers more clearly.
✅ Wrapping Up: Where to Go From Here
If you’re just starting out:
- Pick one resource above and try the first 5–10 minutes of lessons.
- Copy a few lines of code and watch what happens when you change them.
- Build your confidence, one tag at a time.
Want more help or tutorials? I’ll be sharing more posts soon about CSS, building layouts, and customizing your WordPress site with just a little code.
💬 Got a favorite learning resource I missed? Drop it in the comments or contact me—I’d love to add it!
No you have some idea of what HTML is.
If this is the first time you’ve considered becoming a web developer or just want to know enough to get by, then you will need to know how you actually run a website. That’s my next post.
Please comment if you found this useful or would like to know more, even offer a suggestion for improving this post. I have a lot to do but I will revisit this once I have covered the main subject of Web Development. Phil Donnelly.
