WordPress disrupted the website creation process when founded in 2003 by simplifying setup, providing theme templates, and kicking the necessity for code to the curb.
WordPress owes much of its success to providing this kind of user-friendly drag and drop platform to the masses, yet there is still a time and place for using code. Perhaps you’re looking to customize text in a personal way that’s unique to your business or even just to your taste. The good news is that WordPress gives its users immediate access to HTML* so that you don’t have to succumb to the same humdrum text templates as everyone else.
*Pro tip: HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language, a long, complicated name for something that actually simplifies your life by enabling you to customize most all of your WordPress needs, in this case text.
Make Your Text Your Own!
The following is a screen capture of your default visual editor.
Now, here’s a screen capture of the same text in HTML:
Bold = <strong> your text </strong>
Italics = <em> your text </em>
Underline = <span style= “text-decoration: underline;”> your text </span>
Got it? Boom! You’re a programmer!
So, whenever you want to see what the HTML version of your visual text is, switch tabs. This is a great way to learn how to program using HTML.
Try These HTML Resources to Learn More
The variety of coding adjustments you can make are practically endless. You can customize fonts, update color patterns, include special characters. Luckily there are many digital resources (and awesome WordPress plugins) that will help you accomplish your coding mission. Here are a few of our faves that will help you maintain your programmer status…
- W3Schools.com – Offers complete (and free) tutorials for nearly all of your HTML needs from basic to advanced.
- Who Is Hosting This HTML for Beginners – An alternative HTML tutorial that may be more accessible to certain users.
- WordPress Support – It can’t hurt to get your learning on directly from the source.
- WordPress HTML plugins – MOJO Marketplace offers a comprehensive suite of everything you’ll need to customize your site until your heart (and HTML) are content.
