Is there a resource that explains how to code a site correctly?

[budbiss]

I am working on building a new site, yet the more I explore things, the more I find out how little I really know. I am realizing that there is more to HTML code then just manipulating things so that they look good to the user.

I have been dabbling in web design off and on since 96-97, so I wouldn't say I'm a novice, yet I definately wouldn't say I am well experienced either.

Anyways, it is critical that the site I am building be indexed well. I have read alot of material on WW pertaining to techniques and such to get placed, but I haven't been able to find anything about specific coding techniques. As I mentioned before, I am not a newbie at html, but I think I do need a refresher on how to do things right.

Does anyone know of a guide of some sort that teaches these things?

[tedster]

Step 1 is to write valid mark-up according to the W3C [w3c.org] and their HTML Validator [validator.w3.org].

I find the tutorials at the W3Schools [w3schools.com] are some of the best organized, and well aligned to valid mark-up.

Add that to all the conversations you are reading here, and you're well on your way. The rest is the School of Hard Knocks (no link available).

[sderenzi]

There are alot of sources online that can offer you help designing a website. It also depends on what you're trying to do & why? To build a typical site is simple, you may also do it in a number of different ways. You might use a visual editor (WYSIWYG) or windows notepad. There are advantages to both, in the end you'll need to decide what you want. Namo WebEditor is currently the best most versatile WYSIWYG tool available. Windows notepad is the easiest way to get started. Afterwords I might suggest the famous tool UltraEdit, whose use is so versatile it is a text/hex/etc. editor.

Good luck!

[R1chard]

I think the only WYSIWYG editor I would trust is the official one: Amaya.

But yeah, validation is the key. iCab has this built in via a smiley face in the status bar, and many browsers these days have "Validate source" on the context menu.

[g1smd]

Use CSS instead of <font> tags, and cut your code size down.

Get all your CSS and javascript out into external files.

Rather than use lots of line breaks in your code to space things out, instead use headings, paragraphs, lists, tables, and forms just as they are meant to be used.