Using HTML effectively

Effective use of HTML can help you create an ad that is visually appealing and easy to read.

Where do you add HTML?

You can add HTML designs to your ad by using the HTML Editor in the Online Full Description.

Good HTML practices

If you are using HTML:

• Avoid excessive formatting (it may be irritating to read and slow to download)
• Consider using just two or three colours for your text
• Use bold and colour to highlight keywords, rather than slabs of text
• Avoid using flashing or scrolling text and images
• Be aware that some colours are difficult to read on certain backgrounds
• Use borders sparingly
• Validate your code.

HTML basics

HTML is the language used to create web pages.  HTML pages are made up of a series of HTML tags (words or abbreviations within angle <> brackets) that tell a browser how to display the page and the page elements (including text, images and tables etc).

For example:

• <p> is the tag for a new paragraph
• <b> is the tag for bold
• <li> is the tag for a list
• <u> is the tag for underlined text.
  
  

Using tags

To work effectively, most tags need both opening and closing tags and all content you want to format using a particular tag should be placed between them.

Example

This how to use the 'bold' tag.

<b>bold text</b> would display as bold

(<b> opens the tag, </b> closes the tag)

Guidelines for HTML

To ensure Trading Post® remains a safe and accessible place to buy and sell online, rules apply to the use of HTML.

Allowed

• HTML that is W3C compliant
• URL for image source must be fully qualified (e.g. http://www.) and may include http & https
• jpg, jpeg and gif image file sources
• Limited use of CSS written into the HTML (some CSS tags are not permitted)
• Links to external sites are only permitted when pointing to:
  • more images or information about the item for sale
  • third party content providers (auction templates, Paypal, Channel Advisor etc.)
    
    

Not allowed

• Certain types of HTML and all scripting (eg JavaScript, XML, PHP, ASP etc)
• Applets, forms, executable files or active content
• Video, sound and animations
• Direct links to downloadable files
• Inputs from Microsoft Word or PowerPoint
• Links to external CSS, storefronts or websites that offer services or goods for sale
• Dynamic scripting languages (eg Flash, XML, CGI and PHP)
  
  

Important points about HTML use on Trading Post

• The total of your input code (HTML) must be no greater than 50,000 characters.
• Links to external websites or images will open in a new window with a warning page.
• HTML code considered to be unacceptable will be removed from the ad when it is submitted.
• We reserve the right to modify, remove or delete any ads or listings that do not meet our requirements.

Any breaches of these guidelines may result in the removal of ads or suspension of your account. See the HTML Policy for further details.

HTML Resources

Try these resources for more info on how to write HTML. Please note that HTML examples provided by the following websites may not be accepted by the HTML Editor on Trading Post®.

HTML tutorials

W3Schools HTML
http://www.w3schools.com/HTML/

Webmonkey HTML Basics
http://www.webmonkey.com/webmonkey/authoring/html_basics/

W3 HTML Mark Up Guide
http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/Guide/

HTML for auction sellers
http://www.auctiontemplates.org/articles/view/10/htmlforauctionsellers.html

HTML Dog Beginner’s Tutorial
http://www.htmldog.com/guides/htmlbeginner/

HTML templates

W3 HTML Examples
http://www.w3schools.com/HTML/html_examples.asp

HTML Dog Examples
http://www.htmldog.com/examples/

Free HTML Templates
http://www.lyris.com/resources/tools/html_templates.html

Other resources

Webmonkey HTML Cheatsheet
http://www.webmonkey.com/webmonkey/reference/html_cheatsheet/

Colour Names
http://www.w3schools.com/tags/ref_colornames.asp

Related topics

HTML Policy
Rules for ad details
Safer trading tips
Selecting payment & delivery preferences