Monday, March 26, 2012

How HTML5 Can Turbo-Charge Your Freelance Business

No doubt you've heard about HTML5, Canvas, CSS3, accessibility and graceful degredation a lot lately.What is all the fuss about and why are these things so special?


HTML5, in particular, is the evolution of website markup marked for readiness in 2009 and set to be finished this year or next. It has come to mean more than just a simple set of tags, combining several technologies that work in parity in order to achieve newer, faster, better results.



Web developers are adopting HTML5 at an alarming rate in the wake of increased browser support and a need for mobile-optimized mutlimedia and other functionality. As Apple's Steve Jobs put it,"If developers need to rewrite their Flash websites, why not use modern technologies like HTML5, CSS and JavaScript?" Let's take a look at why you should..


Newer, Faster, Better


html5 is better


Together with CSS3, JavaScript and new, improved native browser functionality, HTML5 is capable of doing almost anything Flash and Java applets can, with a smaller footprint and lower development ceiling. No longer do you need to learn complex proprietary rules and languages, or work within heavy software suites to produce interaction or animation. If designer or developer want to find out about html5 so for that there are countless tutorials and free html5 templates over the internet. These all resources will be very helpful for grip on html5.


Created for an applied web - one in which websites are envisioned to evolve into useful and functional tools - HTML5 is more than a fad or Flash-killer, it is a new standard that, once learned, grants you an opportunity to stretch your creative limits and gain a competative edge.


Competitive Advantages


Not only can HTML5 be deployed across multiple platforms, it takes less time to implement and is much easier to learn. Even though game and application development require additional skillsets, the tehnologies involved are familiar to both developers and designers, making it easier to collaborate and execute simple projects with seemingly complex results. Here are just a few ways using HTML5 can open new doors for your business:


1. WordPress


udesign html wordpress themes


WordPress is the most-used publishing platform on the web. With the majority of WordPress users willing to pay a small amount for the added functionality and design of premium themes, a huge opportunity exists to make passive income from WordPress themes through marketplaces like Themeforest. HTML5 themes are in high demand due to their increased mobile compatibility and modern functionality. As HTML5 gains exposure to the WordPress community, themes designed with HTML5 and CSS3 will have a significant advantage over those that aren't. In fact, the top selling theme on ThemeForest, uDesign, was created with HTML5 and has earned the author over $31,000.


Getting Started:



2. Mobile


html5 mobile


HTML5 is designed to be adaptive, accessible and lightweight, making it the roadmap standard for top mobile platforms, including the upcoming Windows8 Metro. Thanks to this trend, you are able to tap into an outlet for apps and websites where only specialized developers were once able to tread with exclusivity. Rather than simply designing responsive websites, consider using the unique qualities of HTML5 to create mobile-specific websites and applications that take advantage of touch, geolocation and offline storageand broaden your product offering.



3. Windows8 METRO


windows8 metro


Windows8 Metro, Microsoft's new mobile-optimized platform, introduces an exciting opportunity for creating Metro style apps,which are rich, interactive and touch-driven applications that can do anything you choose to imagine. Best of all, Microsoft has opened the platform to allow development using a wide variety of languages, intended to harness your existing skills and encourage reuse of code assets and techniques already in use today.


What it means for you as a web designer or developer is that for the first time, you can explore true mobile application development using HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript libraries. As a result, any app, from a simple drag n' drop task manager to a complex game, has a chance to thrive and create revenue for you or your startup once the Windows8 store is opened upon release of the OS, with early adopters awarded a higher potential of success.


Get Started



 


4. Interactive Websites


juxt


Reaching beyond the boxy restrictions of business websites and comfortable design and doing something different can feel risky, but it can open doors to new clients and creative outlets. HTML5 allows for easier implementation of interactivity through drag and drop, animation, navite forms and multi-media that only Flash could deliver before.If you are new to HTML5 or coding in general, or want a robust solution for rapid prototyping or visual brainstorming, visual design applications are the best way to learn and provide excellent tools for designers of all skill levels.


The new HTML5 Website Builder from Wix is a completely free online tool for designing valid, rich HTML5 websites using a visual drag-and-drop editor, giving you the power of complete creative freedom. It is extremely easy to master and comes with an extensive library of animations, widgets and graphics to get you started designing with HTML5 right now. You can design and style any layout from the ground up and add HTML5 audio, video, slideshows and more without extensive and time-consuming hand-coding. Use it to offer value-add services to your clients like Facebook pages, or use it as a primary development tool for maximum profitability.


Get Started



 


Conclusion


As a designer, you simply have to stay on top of the newest web technologies like HTML5 and CSS3 t stay competative, and at least understand their relationship with PHP and JavaScript. Hopefully this primer gives you a jump-start on the fundamentals and provides a handful of valuable resources for making HTML5 your secret weapon for success.


Learn More About HTML5



Author's Bio


Vail Joy is a professional writer, designer and developer with a vibrant background in music business, photography and social media. When she is not contributing her expertise to blogs and e-zines, she is building HTML websites and slaying dragons for Obox Design.

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