Thanks Laurie!

Bummer, I got a #404 error when I tried to go to the tutorial :-(

You're right, I am having trouble w/the font and <p> tags.  Part of the problem is that someone else put up the original 1st page, then I "edited" it - and built the other pages using much of the same info.  I am definately learning everything from scratch, so-to-speak.

And quite frankly, I'm confused as to exactly when to use the <p> and </p> tags.  Not really sure when I need them since I'm not really writing in paragraph form.

Thanks for the info on the nav bar - I'll try to implement that tomorrow or over the weekend.  I have limited computer access - so have to borrow my "day job" computer when possible  :-)

Rest assured, if you're willing to give instruction - I'm eager to learn!  Hehe - the library is really hounding me to return the books I've been borrowing about html

Thanks again for your help!

And Lynn - Sorry again to jump on your thread!  But I appreciate you tolerating me  :-)

BasketLady

Hi again,
Laurie (and anyone else willing to chime in)- I'm wanting to have a column down the left side of my screen that is a different color, with various links.  I understand (as I just read about that this morning) how to do that.

My question is this:  Do I treat the rest of the information for the page as a single column (the 2nd column)?  Or, well, is there a better way to organize the data? 

Since I'm still building everything (brand new company, just opened in Jan.) I'm constantly adding/changing/deleting content on the site- so I'm open to suggestions! 

I really would like to be able to compete w/the "Big Dogs" - just don't have the skills at this point.

Should I be posting these type of questions on a different thread?  Forgive my ignorance here.  I'll gladly move this discussion elsewhere if it would be more appropriate.

Thanks for any insight!
BasketLady

I believe all text should be contained within one tag or another.  The <p> tag is the most common as it's meant as "normal" text.  You have six levels of headers <h1> ... <h6> for headers, sub-headers, etc.  Those are your primary text containers.  The reason you would want to get used to using them is if you start getting into CSS for formatting text, you'll usually start formatting these containers.  You'll be able to set fonts, sizes even the space between paragraphs (margins) throughout the page with one line of CSS code.  If you want to break a line within the paragraph, you can use the <br> (or <br /> in xhtml) tag for a simple line break.

G'day basketlady.

Steven gives some good advice, both for the present and the future of your web building carreer.

Rather than get into a css driven website at this early stage, I think you need a two column, table based website.

You haven't been specific about the links you wish to put down the side. You could put the main nav there instead of at the top. It's all the same to the SEs (search engines).

I would advise against putting external links there.

I would also strongly advise you against including any links on your site that do not serve your purpose. And your purpose is to provide service to your visitors. Avoid the colourful image links that many novice web builders insert because they think it looks trendy.

Sorry about the link to the tutorial. Looks like he's changed it a little. You'll find this link works: http://www.htmlgoodies.com/primers/html … hp/3478131 He's a real nice guy, Joe Burns. As you work through his tutorials, you'll feel like he's there with you at your computer, leading you along.

And yes, it looks like it might be best to start a new thread for this. Go to Basic HTML Help and give it a suitable title like site layout help or some such.

Regards,
Laurie.

Thanks Steven & Laurie!
I haven't had a chance to implement your suggestions yet - but will work on them today.  Thanks for the new link!  Can't wait to try it out.
I'll also start a new thread as was suggested.
BasketLady

I understand now, BasketLady. The link to Primer No. 1 isn't working.

Well I found the page by a roundabout path. Here's the correct link: http://www.htmlgoodies.com/primers/html … hp/3478141

The rest of the links look OK.

Regards,
Laurie.

Just wanted to update everyone, so you know I didn't give up, or end up in a padded room (although....I'm kinda curious why I never have. )

Colds over. Housework and old website work is really behind, because of cold. Planting season is starting (I also garden.) Vacation is coming...and mostly, have been working on a ton of pictures from a local flower show -- BEFORE finding out that Laurie has a program that would have made short work of a long and boring operation.

All that muddled in with still wanting to get back to my new website. I've reread what everyone said, and it is as if I've read a Gypsy explanation for the fith time -- suddenly it's clicking! Just keep on target, and the KWs will show up enough on their own! Doh!!!

If I work my butt off (and, boy, do I wish I could ), I can be caught up with everything before vacation (two weeks, hopefully), and be able to get that new site up and running before Gardening season really takes off (May 15th.)

Thanks for all the advice. I haven't ignored it, even if it seems I have.

And, Basketlady, thanks for taking off where I ended -- good to know I'm not the only one needing the basics for making a site.

PS Laurie, would you add the link to that article you wrote for Jody's site? Something tells me (100ish pictures to upload) I could really use that info, too!