HTML Foundations

HTML Document Structure

Learn to create a valid document with head and body and give the browser a complete document in this beginner-friendly website development lesson.

Learning outcomes

  • Explain how to create a valid document with head and body.
  • Complete the guided practice safely.
  • Check that you can give the browser a complete document.

Before you begin

Work on a practice copy, keep filenames lowercase and hyphenated, and create a backup before changing a live website.

Open official guidance ↗

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Open the relevant project page, file or WordPress screen and confirm you are working on a safe practice copy.
  2. Build a minimal HTML page with viewport metadata.
  3. Inspect the result using browser tools or WordPress Preview; do not publish yet.
  4. Check keyboard use, mobile layout, content accuracy, links, images and privacy where applicable.
  5. Confirm that you can give the browser a complete document, then save a clearly named version or backup.
Ian's practical tip: Preview first, test at desktop and mobile sizes, and keep a recoverable copy before publishing.

Practical activity

Build a minimal HTML page with viewport metadata. The expected result is to give the browser a complete document.

Completion checklist