How Government Works

Best practices for clean HTML focus on structure, readability, and accessibility. Use semantic elements such as header, main, section, and footer so the document is easier to understand and maintain.[3][5]

Start with the HTML5 doctype, use lowercase element and attribute names, and put attribute values in double quotes.[2][4] Keep indentation consistent, avoid trailing spaces, and use short, well-separated blocks of content for easier scanning.[1][2][7]

For text content, prefer paragraphs for regular copy and reserve headings for a clear hierarchy.[3][12] Include only one h1 per page when possible, then step through h2 and lower levels in logical order.[5][15]

Use CSS for presentation rather than inline styling, and keep markup focused on meaning.[3][7] If a draft includes parenthetical links, convert them into natural in-text hyperlinks like Hold Mail service or P.O. Box.

Remove unnecessary markup such as extra quotes, code fences, or decorative emphasis beyond section headers. This keeps the final HTML cleaner, more accessible, and easier to publish.[4][7]