Introduction to HTML5

Let’s take a quick look into how HTML5 became the ultimate web improving technology. Basically, it started as a competition between Flash by Adobe and HTML5 by Apple. The two technologies were similar in terms of capability and were both successful. The competition came to a head when Apple’s Steve Jobs banned the use of Flash from iOS devices, stating that HTML5 is just as capable as Flash and there has to be one clear path forward. From that point onwards, Flash has been left behind and outdated, with HTML5 taking over our interconnected digital world.

Today, people expect a fast and smooth user experience across all devices. There is no longer a difference between mobile and desktop devices as users expect that you can do anything from any device.

In fact, user experience is so vital that it can easily make or break a business. We recently wrote an article about The importance of User Experience on our eBrochures blog. Keeping your audience happy with great user experience is the best thing you can do to keep them engaged with websites and content. 

This is where HTML5 comes into play.

HTML5 – What is it?

As you probably already know, HTML5 is a coding language. The name is an acronym for Hypertext Markup Language, and it describes webpages. The capabilities of this code include controlling and creating animations, interactivity, apps, music and movies, or even extremely complicated platforms and applications.

HTML5 consists of three codes with the following tasks:

HTML – Structure

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) – Presentation

JavaScript – Action

With the teamwork of these three codes together, our web environment can be as interactive and complex as it currently is.

HTML5 Advantages & Benefits

The Standard

With global technologies, it is vital to have standards in place. With such a complex and versatile online system as the internet, being supported by different search engines and browsers is a huge part of having a successful website and online presence.

HTML5 is becoming (or already is) that standard, as it is supported by all modern browsers and offers fantastic features with interactive and dynamic results. Developers love using it for the results it brings, regardless if it is a website, a flipbook, or an app.

 

HTML5 is Modern, Efficient & Economical

Let’s take a more in-depth look at why the developers love it so much. 

Well, the process of web development is much quicker, more comfortable, and more rewarding when using HTML5. HTML5 is up to date and focusing on the latest writing functionalities and the latest tools that are visually beautiful and work well. This combination will ensure the product will be reliable and compatible with most online environments.  

As mentioned earlier in this article, HTML5 goes hand in hand with other technologies, one of them being CSS, or nowadays CSS3. In fact, it is so common to see these two together that it is mostly presumed that CSS is always included in the definition of HTML5.

Just like HTML5 is an iteration of HTML, CSS 3 is an iteration of CSS. This same pattern is quite wide-spread across a lot of different technologies. The main difference between CSS and CSS3 is that the latter includes more up to date browser support and design elements. 

The latest styling capabilities of CSS3 are making previously time-consuming tasks easy and quick. The developers enjoy working with it as what used to be complicated effects can now be achieved with just a few lines of simple code. We can’t argue that this would also make the development process more fun, letting the developers focus on what’s really important about the project, instead of being stuck coding primary visual effects. 

CSS3 also helps to keep the websites lightweight, and having to make fewer requests, the overall page loading speed is faster, providing improved UX for your audience. 

 

Going Mobile

Before the invincible duo of HTML5 and CSS3 became a standard, developers had to work a lot harder to achieve the desired outcomes. . They would need to use HTML separately and manually combine it with working in external plugins like Microsoft Silverlight or Adobe Flash. With HTML5, this can all be achieved in the browser. Thanks to the support that CSS3 provides for complex transitions and special effects.

And let’s not forget about Javascript API, which helps along with supporting aspects like app storage and Geolocation. 

This allows developers to build web sites and applications with the same technology, covering both desktop and mobile. 

This last point is probably the most relevant in this article, it is the reason why HTML5 is so mobile-friendly, and if you check out the article I suggested in the first paragraph, you will see how important this is.

However, each of the mentioned aspects plays a part; the support from industry and browser vendors, the lightweight results, and easy to create visual effects all make it possible for HTML5 to be what it is today – the best technology for creating responsive web sites and applications.

When comparing desktop devices to tablets and smartphones, smartphones are using completely different operating systems and are based on various native applications. Yet they all support HTML5 regardless of allowing for seamless user experience across all devices.

Content is now king when it comes to marketing, and through our phones it’s more accessible than ever. By building your website in HTML5, you are supported by a huge spectrum of browser vendors for both desktop and mobile devices, ensuring your audience has a great experience with your content.

 

The Verdict

As a business, you can take advantage of the opportunities presented by building your online assets in HTML5. By being so heavily supported by the industry, flexible to create and with responsive outcomes, you can control web experience for your audience and fine-tune your user journey to be optimised from start to finish. 

Not to mention that Google loves websites that are fast to load, lightweight and well structured. So, using HTML5 for your website will also create a solid foundation for your SEO. 

As for the future, it doesnt look like HTML5 is going anywhere soon. It has too much support from the community, and it has spread itself deep and wide into the core of our digital world. 

And this is a good thing.

 

Livebook is a Product of MMR, a small creative agency in South Melbourne. Alongside Livebook, MMR also created Datacleanse.com.au and e-Brochures.com.au