Do you need to learn HTML+CSS?

13 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
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Hey guys. Okay so here's the question i have: Is it necessary at all to learn HTML+CSS if you're going to use wordpress? Will any type of HTML skills be needed if wordpress is the main site builder? Would i be at an advantage to have these skills too. Thanks.

-Hydrogen
#css #html #learn
  • Profile picture of the author WPcrew
    No, you don't need to learn HTML & CSS. However, you may quickly be in a situation where you need it. It's not hard, and I would really recommend you to learn it.

    Just go and watch some video on youtube how it works, there's ton's of tutorials for beginners. For example:

    Just get a basic feeling of it, it's not hard, and it will help you a lot. It's 10min video, you can do it.
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  • Thank for your video. Its very helpful for learning HTML basic.
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  • Profile picture of the author NateJasper
    Go to code academy to learn it. It will only take 4-8 hours to learn both html and css. I like code academy because they give you hands on training where you actually write code while you learn. Code academy is free BTW.
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    • Profile picture of the author Brandon Tanner
      Originally Posted by NateJasper View Post

      It will only take 4-8 hours to learn both html and css.
      Unless you're joking, you are using the term "learn" very loosely there, to say the least! Sure, you might be able to comprehend the very basics of the syntax in a single day, but that does not mean you will be even remotely close to knowing how to build or edit a website at that point!

      There's a LOT more to it than just knowing the "syntax". You need to have a good understanding of how design structure and layout works (look up "CSS box model", for starters). You should understand the difference between "fixed width" and "fluid" layouts, and the pros / cons of each. You also need to know which CSS style properties conflict with other style properties. And you should be following modern best practices, and writing code that is standards-compliant. That's just some of the stuff you need to know about, which you won't learn from most "beginner" tutorials. The list goes on and on...

      If you don't have a good understanding of all that stuff, then you'll be constantly pulling your hair out wondering why your design looks good in a one browser, but looks bad in other browsers (same things goes with various screen resolutions -- just because something looks good in one screen resolution, does not mean that it will in a different screen resolution)!

      Getting a handle on all of that stuff comes from lots of practice, and trial and error.

      To get to the point where you're moderately proficient at creating (or even editing) websites will take months, at a minimum, for most people.

      Not to discourage anyone, because knowing HTML & CSS is very beneficial to anyone involved with websites... even WordPress websites. But trust me... after only 4-8 hours of studying... all you are going to know at that point is just enough to be dangerous.
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  • Profile picture of the author Moneymaker2012
    Hey guys. Okay so here's the question i have: Is it necessary at all to learn HTML+CSS if you're going to use wordpress? Will any type of HTML skills be needed if wordpress is the main site builder? Would i be at an advantage to have these skills too. Thanks
    Hi,
    For Wordpress Customization you don't need to learn Html CSS but if you know these things then you are able to do more customization on your site.
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  • Profile picture of the author gerardojv
    Its coming to an era where basic HTML & CSS is beneficial to know.The internet is huuugeee, there are lots of tutorials for HTML and CSS, and like Brandon Tanner said, its very beneficial to anyone involved with websites!

    Learning HTML & CSS is easy once you get the hang of it, its mainly remembering the structure and each possible type of properties you can use for styling and structure.

    Go for it!
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  • Profile picture of the author Oscarfishlover
    Nowadays you can create websites using WordPress and Joomla!, neither of which require you to know HTML or CSS. Having said that, occasionally one of my paragraphs, or some text will go a little bit funny and I will need to go into the basic page and make some adjustments, this is where you will need to know some HTML. CSS is something you could probably avoid having to use, as long as you are happy with what you are given, i.e. a template. But, with all the latest templates you can make all the alterations you need by choosing colours, text, layouts, they are making it very easy for people who don't have the knowledge to put together really good websites.

    If you are going to use a website editor then you will definitely need some knowledge of HTML and CSS. In fact, I Probably wouldn't even bother trying to use additives such as Dreamweaver until you have got the knowledge because you won't know if you're coming or going.

    Just my two cents :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author senderbot
    I wouldnt learn HTML/CSS. I can do most things I need in Wordpress just using "cut and paste".
    One great series of books for learning wordpress is the "Smashing..." series - here they are at Amazon. And if there is anything specific you need to do Google it as a question and you can usually find some more cut and paste stuff. As a bonus you will start to see a pattaren and pick up basic HTML as you go along.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mollywhite
    Just necessary to learn HTML basic knowledge, do not need to learn too much.
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  • Profile picture of the author Christine99
    Not necessary to learn but if you know can be helpful to do the tricks.
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  • Profile picture of the author sham2
    If you want to make your website template good and make some changes in design then you must have some knowledge about HTML and Css. Because HTML and CSS is the basic things for starting your website. You can learn HTML and CSS from w3schools.com.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jesse Kemper
    If your serious about Web Design(Even within Wordpress/Joomla/etc.), then you need to know HTML/CSS along with various front end tools/frameworks. Try W3Schools, thats where I started out learning at least the basics, from there I just searched for articles, and videos on how to do certain things. I also downloaded a lot of pre-made templates in an effort to understand the syntax etc. Trial and error will be your best friend, and when your stuck... come to a web forum for help. =)
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  • Profile picture of the author jaintechnosoft
    If you get a handle on the basics, you’ll be amazed at the awesome things you can accomplish on your WordPress site or blog.
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