Go To Namecheap.com
Hero image of 5 Reasons why HTML5 is the future
Creating & Managing Content, Tech Tips & Tools

5 Reasons why HTML5 is the future

Websites have come a long way since the early days of HTML and CSS. Back then, web developers were limited to using basic text and images on their pages. They also had to rely on third-party plugins like Flash or Java to add interactivity. 

Today, however, HTML5 offers several features that make website development much more dynamic and versatile. This latest version of the HTML standard includes new features allowing developers to create richer, well-supported, and more interactive websites without needing plugins. HTML5 has allowed businesses to ensure that their websites are compatible with most mobile devices and operating systems. This is crucial for businesses, as most people now use their smartphones and tablets to access the Internet.

Whether you’re a small startup looking to build a simple website, or a larger company wanting to develop a complex web-based application, HTML5 is the way to go.

How did HTML5 change the game?

Before HTML5, there was HTML4. One of the biggest problems with HTML4 was that it couldn’t do much. As mentioned before, you need different plugins to do anything more than just show text or images.

HTML5 was developed based on principles that would make browsing a better experience for users. This includes:

  • Fewer plugins
  • Allowing the use of replacing scripting with markups (unlike scripting languages, markups do not require an algorithm and simply define the structure of data)
  • Ensuring that the user experience is similar on different types of devices
  • Making the web development process public for greater transparency
banner with 5 for HTML5

Why HTML5 is the future

Here are five big reasons why HTML5 represents the future:

1. Improved semantics

HTML5 introduced many new elements that improve the semantics of web pages. These include new tags for representing different types of content, such as <header>, <footer>, and <aside>. 

These tags help developers structure their pages more effectively. This can be helpful for the design process as well as for screen readers, plugins, and other technology that needs to understand the sections of a website. 

In this same way, these HTML5 tags also make it easier for search engines to understand the content on a page. In terms of SEO, improved semantics is a dream come true — it can be very difficult to get your content indexed by Google if the search engine can’t understand what the page is about.

These are just a couple of examples of how these input types can be used. There are many more, such as email inputs to ensure that a valid email address has been entered or number inputs to ensure that only numbers can be entered. These features make it much easier to develop web pages that are more user-friendly and error-free.

2. Improved performance

One thing we know for sure is that users hate waiting. We’ve all been there, sitting in front of a website that’s taking forever to load. It’s frustrating, and most of us will just give up and go somewhere else.

HTML5 addresses this problem by introducing several new features that improve performance. For example, the async attribute for script tags allows the browser to load scripts independently from the rest of the page. This attribute tells the browser that it can continue to process the page while the script is loading without waiting for it to finish. This means that pages can load faster, and users can get started using the page sooner.

If you have a page with a video on it, you can use the preload attribute to tell the browser to start loading the video as soon as the page loads. This way, when the user clicks to play the video, it will start immediately, without having to buffer first.

These features make it possible to create websites that are much more responsive and user-friendly.

3. Offline support

HTML5 provides support for offline applications, so users can still use your web page even if they don’t have an Internet connection. It is a great way to improve the user experience on your website. 

Offline support is achieved using two technologies: 

AppCache allows developers to specify what resources should be cached and how they should be used offline. Service Workers provide a way to intercept network requests and perform various actions, such as serving cached content or providing offline access to certain features.

4. Audio and video support

Audio and video are the bread and butter of the web. HTML5 provides a standard way to embed this content on web pages without using plugins. It also provides many features that can be used to control the playback of media, such as play/pause buttons and seeking (jumping to a specific point in the media file).

One of the best things about HTML5 audio and video is that it makes your web pages more accessible. Users unable to see or hear can still access the content on your page using screen readers and other assistive technologies.

In addition, HTML5 audio and video provide better control over media playback, so media files don’t auto-play when a page is loaded.

5. Storage and databases

HTML5 provides two different ways to store data: local storage and databases.

Local storage allows you to store data on the user’s device, such as preferences or settings. This data is stored in key/value pairs and is accessible even after the user has closed the browser.

Databases provide a more structured way to store data. They are similar to relational databases and can be used to store data such as blog posts, comments, and user information. HTML5 databases can be accessed using JavaScript APIs.

In addition, both local storage and databases provide a way to store data that can be used across devices. This means that users can access the same data on their desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone.

Hedgehog with laptop showing off his HTML5 prowess

What’s the relation between HTML5 and blockchain technology?

Blockchain technology has taken HTML5 to an entirely new level. When merged with HTML5, blockchain tech has allowed businesses worldwide to provide more embedded finance options for their services.

Take crypto payments, for instance.  Purchasing crypto such as Bitcoin online has been made possible through blockchain integration into HTML5. Customers can now make direct crypto purchases from merchants without going through a third-party payment processor.

In addition, blockchain has also helped to improve the security of HTML5 applications.  

According to the Tokenist, an average of 2,244 cyber-mobile attacks happen every single day. By storing data on a decentralized ledger such as the blockchain, businesses can help to protect their data from hacks and other cyber threats.

Into the future

HTML5 is the future of web development. It provides a more powerful and flexible way to develop web applications and has empowered business owners and entrepreneurs to provide better customer experiences.

In the years to come, you can expect more advances in HTML5 that will continue to make the web a more powerful and user-friendly place. If you’re not already using HTML5, now is the time to start!

If you’re ready to start building your own website, look no further than Namecheap. We can hook you up with a new domain, web hosting, and even email for your new business. 

Was this article helpful?
0
Get the latest news and deals Sign up for email updates covering blogs, offers, and lots more.
I'd like to receive:

Your data is kept safe and private in line with our values and the GDPR.

Check your inbox

We’ve sent you a confirmation email to check we 100% have the right address.

Help us blog better

What would you like us to write more about?

Thank you for your help

We are working hard to bring your suggestions to life.

Gary Stevens avatar

Gary Stevens

Gary Stevens is a web developer and technology writer. He's a part-time blockchain geek and a volunteer working for the Ethereum foundation as well as an active Github contributor. More articles written by Gary.

More articles like this
Get the latest news and deals Sign up for email updates covering blogs, offers, and lots more.
I'd like to receive:

Your data is kept safe and private in line with our values and the GDPR.

Check your inbox

We’ve sent you a confirmation email to check we 100% have the right address.

Hero image of Build a brand from scratch with Visual5 Reasons why HTML5 is the future
Next Post

Build a brand from scratch with Visual

Read More