While writing this piece, I did what any other tech researcher would’ve done. I googled “PSD to HTML” and a thousand results popped up. My expectations? I was hoping for tutorials that’d probably tell me how to convert PSD to HTML, but the reality hit me and it jolted it well. Most of those articles were all about how PSD to HTML is dead and the world has outcasted this strategy for good.
Let’s look at the bigger and more practical picture — the one that goes above all the fads and frolic. There are still millions of people who search for ways to convert PSD to HTML online and it’s not like they want to know that it’s ‘dead’. They do it to get a solution, or probably a web developer who can do an apt PSD to HTML conversion for them.
PSD to HTML business is still a thing and there’s a market for it. There’s a huge demand for it and we are going to understand why. Let’s begin with a bit of bottom-drawer knowledge as to what is PSD to HTML conversion.
PSD to HTML: A Breakdown
The process of converting a web page that was designed in a Photoshop Document aka PSD into code with the use of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is summed up in three words — PSD to HTML. It’s not like Adobe Photoshop is the only editor out there. It can be Sketch, Pixelmator, GIMP or the likes of it. The basic concept is that it’s a step-by-step procedure of converting sketch to code. Here’s how it goes:
- Firstly, a high-resolution wireframe of the desired website is created on an image editor. This is pretty much what the website is going to be like.
- With the slice tool, the website’s imagery is divided and exported to be hosted on the web.
- Finally, the HTML and CSS are written down concerning the imagery exported from the image editor aka PSD file.
If this procedure is that simplistic and easy, then why are people declaring it dead? Let’s see the other side of it to know why people don’t prefer it.
Why Dig the PSD to HTML Grave?
It’s a strong debate that responsive web design is the utmost crucial thing for the sake of a myriad of devices on which the websites can be opened. From desktops to phones, tablets to gaming consoles and probably in near future– smart wearables– it’s all a hosting place for the website. HTML conversion makes it a tad bit tough to make it happen.
With technological evolution, CSS frameworks like Bootstrap and Foundation increase the viability to design in the browser.
Let’s not forget it though — this technology has lasted the effects of time and it will stay that way for long times to come. Let’s look at the benefits of the PSD to HTML conversion and let’s fill that grave with dirt for now.
Benefits of PSD to HTML Conversion
Sublime Online Presence
The HTML code always has a wider stride when it comes to online visibility. It’s a crucial thing for brand awareness as it gives a unique recognition to the website converted from an image editor file to lines of code in HTML. The best part? If an online presence needs a tweak, you can always check under the hood to see if there’s something wrong with the code.
W3C Compliance
The W3C i.e the World Wide Web Consortium is a benchmark of an international organization for the www. Not only do these standards form the best practices framework of all the good things that should be on the ‘net, but these web standards decide on the prominence of websites. The PSD to HTML procedure is W3C compliant.
Dynamic Functionality
A PSD file cannot carry out a lot of action, but it surely can give an idea as to how dynamic it can be. A static PSD file can be brought to life with an HTML code, which makes it the perfect combo.
Less Sizzle, More Steak
Sure, the PSD to HTML procedure might sound like a primitive approach, but it’s minimal, simplistic and there’s a lot of time in your hands to take care of real things. From zero mark-up problems to a rich amount of time for promotion of things, designing, and customer relations, it’s better to focus on what’s crucial and go with PSD to HTML method of web development.
