In this article, ONELINE shows where HTML5 is used everywhere and what advantages it offers compared to other programming solutions.
Why use HTML5 for programming?
Website development and design has undergone some fundamental transformations over more than 20 years. In the early days of the Internet, development with HTML or later PHP with dynamic functions was the standard. Based on this and other languages, content management systems like WordPress or Typo3 with connection to databases for managing photos, store products and more have established themselves over the last decade.
Basic versions of these systems rarely meet the individual needs of an operator. The standard here is to rely on additional plug-ins to expand the functional spectrum of the website. This comes with some disadvantages:
- The offered plug-ins do not have to correspond exactly to the own intention.
- Many professional plug-ins can only be used commercially.
- The site operator is dependent on regular updates from the publisher.
- Compilation and administration can become complex for large websites.
The alternative is to implement the desired functions on the website yourself and develop them with a versatile programming language. HTML5 is the right approach here. With a wealth of display options and functions, implementation is simple, individual and search engine friendly.
The essential replacement for Flash
Just a few years ago, the integration of Flash elements was indispensable for dynamic and creative webdesign. Despite all the efforts of the publisher Adobe, there was always criticism in terms of security. After the official announcement that Flash should not be offered for mobile devices, an alternative in programming was inevitable.
In the meantime, HTML5 has completely replaced Flash. Videos, audio elements or 2D/3D graphics can be dynamically integrated into websites with HTML5. A connection with further programming languages, for example JavaScript, is possible. Designed from the outset for mobile devices, HTML5 is likely to become all the more popular in the future as the use of smartphones and tablets continues to grow.
What are the advantages of HTML5?
Using HTML5 to program or augment web pages includes a wealth of useful features and functionality. Among the most important benefits for developers and users are:
- HTML5 supports geolocation discovery. Using GPS, WLAN or other technologies, the user’s current location can be determined. For example, to provide ideal results in the immediate vicinity during a web search.
- audio and video files can be integrated into web pages without having to resort to separate third-party applications. This is a significant advantage over previous versions of HTML.
- HTML5 is ideally suited for the implementation of mobile applications or websites. The language offers all the functions and properties to ensure optimal display of digital content on mobile devices in various formats.
- HTML5 has a “clean” and lean source code. If this is properly implemented by an expert developer, it will have a positive impact on the search engine optimization (SEO) of the website and Google ranking.
- Depending on the element of the website, it is possible to use it even if there is no active internet connection. Texts, image files or videos can thus be called up in an offline state and ensure greater user comfort without data transfer.
Is a complete conversion to HTML5 necessary?
Laymen in the field of programming wonder whether, for example, a WordPress website has to be completely converted to HTML5. This is not the case, since HTML5 is supported as a modern standard by all major content management systems. In the case of websites, the programming language should therefore not be understood as competition to familiar solutions.
Rather, the programming language helps solve problems and provide additional functionality that could not otherwise be relied upon without a plug-in. An experienced web development agency like ONELINE implements the wishes and requirements individually and thus ensures the targeted addition to the existing web offer.
In the case of app development, HTML5 should be considered as the leading programming language from the start. Due to its dynamic and flexible character with a comparatively simple source code, ideas can be implemented quickly and reliably. The large selection of functionalities can become a full-fledged alternative to Android or iOS. Here it is advisable to seek concrete advice from a web development agency.
When is HTML5 not an alternative for me?
Whether it’s a website or an application, a programming language is never the optimal solution for all the plans and requirements of companies and developers. HTML5 brings its strengths through the provision of interactive content without additional plug-ins as well as the optimal use on mobile devices. These aspects do not have to be in the foreground of the individual project.
Those who do not think about the integration of media elements on their website or do not design their application primarily for mobile users will be able to do without HTML5. Likewise, it is worth considering whether a plug-in offered by a third-party provider who ensures security with regular updates is sufficient for a small additional function. The larger the web project and the more extensive the operator’s requirements, the more likely HTML5 could become the desired alternative.
Conclusion on the advantages of HTML5
For programming modern, dynamic websites without plug-ins as well as powerful apps, HTML5 is a global standard. The above-mentioned advantages show why the platform could also come into question for your individual projects. To see concrete advantages, an agency for SEO and web development like ONELINE will be happy to help you. As a WordPress agency, a custom-fit addition is easy to realize here.
