Structuring Content with Semantic HTML

In this post, we'll explore how to structure your content using semantic HTML elements.

Alexander Juul Jakobsen

WordPress Developer for over 10 years

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When it comes to creating websites, it’s not just about how they look, but also about how they are structured. Structuring content with semantic HTML elements is essential for creating a logical and readable structure that enhances the user experience.

Structuring Content with Semantic HTML

Headings and Subheadings

Break up the content into logical sections with headings and subheadings. Making it easier to read and understand. Headings are used in descending order, with the main heading being the H1 element. Subsequent subheadings uses the H2, H3, H4, H5, and H6 elements.

<article>
  <section>
    <h2>Increased Flexibility</h2>
    <p>Yoga poses help improve flexibility and range of motion, making everyday movements easier and less painful.</p>
  </section>
  <section>
    <h2>Reduced Stress and Anxiety</h2>
    <p>The breathing techniques and meditation practiced in yoga help reduce stress and anxiety, improving mental health and overall wellbeing.</p>
  </section>
  <section>
    <h2>Improved Strength and Balance</h2>
    <p>Many yoga poses require balance and strength, which help to improve muscle tone and prevent falls in older adults.</p>
</section>

Paragraphs

A paragraphs breaks up the content into smaller, more manageable chunks. Each paragraph should contain a single idea or concept, making it easier to read and understand.

<article>
  <p>Yoga has many benefits for both the mind and body.</p>
  <p>Increased flexibility is one of the most significant benefits of yoga. Yoga poses help improve flexibility and range of motion, making everyday movements easier and less painful.</p>
  <p>The breathing techniques and meditation practiced in yoga help reduce stress and anxiety, improving mental health and overall wellbeing. Many people find that practicing yoga helps them feel more relaxed and centered.</p>
  <p>Yoga also helps improve strength and balance, which can be especially important for older adults. Many yoga poses require balance and strength, which help to improve muscle tone and prevent falls.</p>
</article>

Lists

Use lists to present information in a clear and organized manner. There are two types of lists in HTML: ordered lists and unordered lists. Use ordered lists for items that are numbered. Unordered lists are used when the items are not ordered.

<article>
  <h2>Benefits of Yoga</h2>
  <ul>
    <li>Increased flexibility</li>
    <li>Reduced stress and anxiety</li>
    <li>Improved strength and balance</li>
    <li>Enhanced respiratory and cardiovascular function</li>
    <li>Improved sleep</li>
  </ul>
  <h2>Types of Yoga</h2>
  <ol>
    <li>Hatha Yoga</li>
    <li>Vinyasa Yoga</li>
    <li>Ashtanga Yoga</li>
    <li>Bikram Yoga</li>
    <li>Iyengar Yoga</li>
  </ol>
</article>

Other Semantic HTML Elements

There are many other semantic HTML elements that structure content, including:

• <header> and <footer> elements, which define the top and bottom sections of a page or section.
• <nav> element, which defines a section containing navigation links.
• <section> element, which defines a section of related content.
• <aside> element, which defines a section of content that is tangentially related to the main content.

Using these elements can help create a more meaningful and logical structure for your content, making it easier for users to understand and navigate.

Benefits of structuring content with semantic HTML

Using semantic HTML elements to structure content has several benefits, including:

• Improved accessibility
  Semantic HTML makes it easier for screen readers and other assistive technologies to interpret and understand the content, improving accessibility for users with disabilities.
• Improved SEO
  Search engines use semantic HTML to understand the content and structure of a page, which can improve the page’s ranking in search results.
• Improved usability
  Semantic HTML makes it easier for users to understand and navigate the content. Basically, this improves the overall user experience.

Conclusion

Structuring content with semantic HTML elements is an essential part of creating a logical and readable structure for your web pages. Using headings and subheadings, paragraphs, lists, and other semantic elements, you can create a more meaningful and understandable structure for your content. Additionally, using semantic HTML has several benefits, including improved accessibility, SEO, and usability.

If you are interested, you might also read about the Common Semantic Elements.