As you prepare your content:

Conceptualize/organize/evaluate your resources prior to coding. Do not start writing a HTML document first, only to then try to organize the structure and navigation later. The REAL value of the WWW is sharing and propagating USEFUL resources over the net. "bells & whistles" can always be put later on. Remember, the sooner you start the coding process, the longer the project will require.
Think about the size and number of HTML documents you'll have six months from now. What would be the best and most flexible management and navigation strategy?
Include as many comments as practical for yourself and any poor souls trying to understand your HTML.
Construct your HTML documents to be structured/modular. This makes HTML documents more understandable. Be generous with space and additional lines. They won't slow down the loading or execution of your HTML documents.
Work to find the proper balance of design elements and content with the structure of your code. Simplify tags, but try to use the published standard, even though you know shortcuts may get by on some browsers. E.g., specifying BGCOLOR="#FF0000" is better than BGCOLOR=red because the first syntax will work on more browsers. All tags should comply strictly with the most basic standard that allows reasonable design. (Use HTML 2 tags unless HTML 3 better address design needs).
Consider efficiency of design and presentation. Not everyone viewing your site will have high speed communication, and the server will always have fixed resources. Brief is elegant. Text should be concise, and graphics and multimedia elements need to be optimized for Web presentation. Use small images and icons in place of large graphics, to the greatest extent possible. Consider the efficiency of image formats (e.g. gif vs. jpg vs png). Minimize the color palettes of gifs, and use the highest compression practical for jpgs. If is is vital to show large images, preview with thumbnails, and let the user decide to view.
Check and recheck content, spelling, tags, links, etc. Use tools available, and check out the Net often for new programs and services (such as W3C Markup Validation Service) to assure quality of your work.
Last and not least, after you are comfortable with the mechanics of producing a document, reflect on what and how you will publish on the net. Formulate content and organization</>.