Welcome

# Let's build your first webpage

HTML is the markup language that forms the backbone of the internet. In this course, you will learn how to build a clean, stunning webpage using HTML which you can set as your browser's default start page. This is only the first step in your journey, but it will form an important foundation in your journey as a new developer.


## What is HTML?

HTML stands for **H**yper **T**ext **M**arkup **L**anguage. HTML is not a programming language. It is simply a way to describe the structure of your website. Your web browser reads the HTML document and displays it in the window.

## Where does your website begin?

When someone enters your web address, the web standards will automatically look for a file called index.html and display it in your browser. Most people call this your home page.

## Step 1: Hosting your webpage

It isn't enough to simply create a webpage on GitHub. You must deploy your webpage to a web host that is connected to the internet. For this course we will use GitHub Pages, but you could publish the HTML to any static host.

## :keyboard: Activity: Turn on GitHub Pages

1. Under your repository name, click [**Settings**](https://github.com/msandfor/intro-html/settings).
1. In the **GitHub Pages** section, use the **Select source** drop-down menu to select `master` as your GitHub Pages publishing source.
1. Return to this issue.

> _I may take up to a minute to respond as I wait for GitHub Pages to create a deployment of your repository. If you don't see anything after a minute, refresh this page_.

> _For more information, see [Configuring a publishing source for GitHub Pages](https://help.github.com/articles/configuring-a-publishing-source-for-github-pages/) in the GitHub Help._

I'll respond in this issue after GitHub Pages has finished deploying your site.

Start with the GitHub Pages instructions in this issue and use the repository's Settings page to select master as the publishing source. Done means the site has deployed and the learner can return to the issue for the next course response.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.