Understanding the difference between HTML and CSS may be complicated to most people, but a standard for website programmers. The following will outline differences for small business website owners, to be comfortable with the terms when discussing HTML and CSS.

HTML handles the structure, or construction and output of webpages, and CSS decorates, aligns and positions the elements in HTML, taking the normal HTML output adding display rules. The three sections of HTML source code include inline, internal and external markup.

HTML inline markup defines the webpage layout and structures the output for tables, divisions, forms, links, buttons, text and images, such as video and flash documents.

Internal markup, unseen by visitors, declares character set and document declarations and keywords. It links languages such as CSS or Javascript used for decorating, aligning and inserting dynamic items.

External markup isn’t contained in the HTML, but is in a different file affecting the webpage a variety of ways. It’s contents are called up by the internal markup section.

CSS, on the other hand, doesn’t “create” anything. CSS takes HTML output and adds display rules by editing element height and width, background color, border, visibility and alignment. HTML does some of these things, but the methods are usually “deprecated”, or soon to be. Deprecated code refers to features of software which are superseded and can be avoided, because their use causes warnings that recommend alternate practices, indicating the feature’s future removal. Labeled as deprecated instead of removing this code gives programmers time for bringing the code into compliance with new standards, and provides backward compatibility.

By understanding the difference between HTML and CSS, and how they interact, may simplify discussion of small business website design projects. HTML and CSS, when used in conjunction, can aid small business websites in keeping up with today’s standards for website design.