What is Semantic HTML and How to Use It Correctly?

Semantic HTML is utilised to denote the general structure of the content on any given webpage rather than the layout. It is stricter than semantically neutral Web 2.0 where one employs tags indicating the type of content they host, such as the <header>, <nav>, <section>, <article> and <footer> tags instead of generating <div> and <span> tags.

Semantic elements make website more accessible and indexer by search engines more effective. They assist the crawling search engines to determine relevance and formatting of the content hence better position on result pages. In the case of assistive technologies, semantic HTML makes the information readable to screen readers and other assistive gadgets, making it easier to use.

Furthermore, correct semantic HTML enhances the structure of the code and makes it relatively simple to work upon for multiple developers. While telling everyone why is a section of the page, going from one to the other reading, or at least hinting at it, semantic HTML improves the readability of the document.

Learn about simple tags in semantic HTML along with their usage. Here’s a quick overview:

• <header>: It can contain the first information on the website such as logos, separated navigation bars, or headings.

• <nav>: for sites Sections These are groups of links to other sections of sites.

• <main>: The section that encompasses the central body of any given web page and which can be visually distinguished from headers, footers, and the sidebars.

• <section>: Divides information into corresponding areas; for example, distinct documents regarding one web site.

• <article>: It refers to a section or a block of content that is stand alone that is in form of a blog post, an article within subject area.

• <aside>: Shares extra content connected to the given article or the section it is included into, including quotes or links to other articles.

• <footer>: Accomplishes the bottom or substance that is normally situated in the foot segment of a site for example other websites, copyright information or other contact details.

   

Here’s an example of a simple HTML page structured with semantic elements:

1. Mostly Using semantic tags like <header>, <main>, <section>, <article> and <footer> instead of <div> tags.

2. Improves Readability: It is still easy to know when and how a section is designed and what role it plays in development.

3. Enhances SEO: It is worth stressing that content in specific tags is favored by search engines more than the containers which are not defined as <article> and <section>.

4. Supports Accessibility: Semantic HTML makes it easier for the screen readers to explain the structure to the visually impaired people efficiently.

    

• On a live project, one could actually replace the non-semantic <div> tags with semantic elements as shown below. For instance:
• Replace a <div> one which contains the navigation links with a <nav>.
• To wrap content section on a page use <section> tags.
• Posts on a blog must be within <article> tags, as would descriptions of a product or service.

After putting your HTML in a semantic structure for the first time, run it with Wave or Lighthouse. These tools assist in making sure that the assistive technologies can make some sense of what you have posted.

Practice Example

See whether you can organize an HTML page for an online shop into headers, products, and a footer. Employ semantic parts like <header> and <main>, <section> & <article> and <footer> to categorise each fragment of your website logically.

Summary

Semantic HTML does not only render your web page more search-engine friendly and accessible but also leads to orderly creation and easier code management.

This means that the implementation of semantic HTML should remain a best practice for achieving quality in accessible, optimised and sustainable website construction. By selecting such elements, that describe the purpose of each content block, namely <header>, <nav>, <section>, <article> and <footer> you arrange the page layout for content, which is beneficial for both user and the developer. Semantic HTML increases readability, provides better orientation for the visually impaired when browsing web page and especially helps search engines rank more important parts of the website, all of which leads to better usability and findability.

Adopting semantic HTML in your works not only makes the right thing to do from the coding standpoint but also demonstrates that you are willing to do the right thing and care about making them comprehensible to the audience. Designing your blog with semantic elements are part of preparing your content for cleaner code and better structure, no matter whether you are creating a simple blog or a complex application.

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