When I began learning web development, I made a promise to myself: I wouldn’t just passively watch tutorials—I would actively build something. So, I decided to create my very first website using only HTML and CSS. It wasn’t complex or flashy, but it worked, and along the way, I gained valuable experience.
What I Created
My project was a simple personal homepage featuring:
- A header displaying my name and navigation links
- A brief “About Me” section
- A basic contact form (without any backend functionality yet)
- A clean, organized layout with carefully chosen colors and spacing
I wrote all the code myself using VS Code and tested the site regularly in Google Chrome.
Challenges I Faced
- Learning how to properly position elements was difficult at first—I struggled with concepts like margins, padding, and Flexbox layouts.
- Making the website responsive and mobile-friendly required several attempts and adjustments.
- I often forgot small syntax details, like semicolons and curly braces, which caused frustrating errors.
Lessons Learned
- HTML provides the essential structure of a webpage—it’s like the skeleton holding everything together.
- CSS adds style and visual appeal by controlling colors, spacing, and layout.
- Testing your work frequently helps catch issues early and improves the final product.
- Perfection isn’t necessary at the start; the important thing is to begin building and learn as you go.
Advice for Fellow Beginners
Don’t wait until you feel you “know everything.” Start building now, even if it’s something simple. Practical experience will teach you far more than watching countless tutorial videos.
My first website might not be award-winning, but it marks an important milestone in my journey to becoming a web developer.
