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Glossary of Terms

We have compiled this list of terms and definitions to help you better understand the terminology used within the web development community.

Internal CSS

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Internal CSS is styling code written directly inside your HTML page rather than in an external file. It works for page-specific tweaks, but overusing it leads to repetition and weaker browser caching. Keeping most of your styles in external files improves performance and maintainability.

Internal CSS

Internal CSS (also called embedded CSS) is styling written inside a <style> block in the <head> of your HTML page. Unlike inline CSS, which goes on individual elements, internal CSS uses proper selectors and rules — just placed inside the HTML document instead of in a separate .css file. It is useful for page-specific styles, but relying on it too heavily means every page carries its own copy of the CSS with no caching benefit.

Why It Matters

  • It is not cacheable. External CSS files are downloaded once and cached by the browser. Internal CSS rides along with the HTML on every page load. On sites with many pages, this adds up to unnecessary repeated data transfer.
  • It can speed up single-page experiences. For standalone landing pages or email templates where there is no multi-page caching benefit, internal CSS eliminates an extra HTTP request and ensures styles arrive with the HTML in one shot.
  • It creates maintenance challenges. If the same styles appear in <style> blocks across multiple pages, updating a color or font means editing every single page. External stylesheets let you change it once.
  • It increases HTML document size. Every style rule inside the HTML adds to the overall page weight. For pages with lots of CSS, this can noticeably slow down the initial download and parsing of the HTML document.

How to Use It Well

  1. Use it for critical above-the-fold CSS. Embedding the styles needed for the visible portion of the page in a <style> block lets the browser render content immediately — a legitimate and well-established performance technique.
  2. Keep page-specific overrides small. If one page needs a few unique styles that no other page uses, a small internal <style> block is reasonable. Just keep it minimal — do not duplicate your entire theme.
  3. Move shared styles to external files. Any CSS that applies to more than one page should live in an external stylesheet. This enables caching, reduces HTML size, and makes updates far simpler.
  4. Avoid mixing internal and inline styles. Using both internal CSS and inline style attributes on the same page creates confusing specificity conflicts. Pick one approach for page-specific styling and stick with it.
  5. Consider the email exception. HTML emails often require internal CSS because many email clients strip external stylesheet links. In this specific context, internal CSS is the standard and expected approach.

Common Mistakes

  • Putting the entire stylesheet inside the HTML. Embedding hundreds of lines of CSS in every page defeats the purpose of stylesheets. The HTML becomes bloated, nothing gets cached, and every page carries unnecessary weight.
  • Duplicating styles across pages. If you copy the same <style> block into multiple pages, you now have to update every copy whenever something changes. Move shared styles to an external file.
  • Confusing internal CSS with inline CSS. Internal CSS goes in a <style> block in the <head>. Inline CSS goes directly on elements via style attributes. They behave differently in terms of specificity and maintainability.
  • Not loading the external stylesheet at all. Some developers embed critical CSS internally but then forget to also load the full external stylesheet. Below-the-fold content ends up unstyled.
Bottom Line: Use internal CSS sparingly — for critical above-the-fold styles or truly page-specific tweaks. Keep the bulk of your CSS in external, cacheable files for better performance, easier maintenance, and smaller HTML documents.
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Synonyms: Embedded Styles, Style Tag

What Does "Liquid Purple" mean?

noun | / LIK-wid PUR-pul /

  1. (biochemistry) Also known as visual purple or rhodopsin — a light-sensitive receptor protein found in the rods of the retina. It enables vision in dim light by transforming invisible darkness into visible form. Derived from the Greek rhódon (rose) and ópsis (sight), its name reflects its delicate pink hue and vital role in perception.

  2. (modern usage) Liquid Purple — a digital marketing agency specializing in uncovering unseen opportunities and illuminating brands hidden in the digital dark. Much like its biological namesake, Liquid Purple transforms faint signals into clear visibility — revealing what others overlook and bringing businesses into the light.

Origin: From the scientific term rhodopsin, discovered by Franz Christian Boll in 1876; adopted metaphorically by a marketing firm dedicated to visual clarity in the age of algorithms.

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For over 20 years, Liquid Purple has been headquartered in the heart of Southern California, serving clients across Irvine, Newport Beach, Anaheim, and the greater Los Angeles area. While we are proud of our local roots, our digital reach extends far beyond our local area. We support businesses in major hubs like Denver, Dallas, New York, and Miami, as well as international clients. Our ability to operate across time zones means you can often wake up to completed tasks and progress updates—keeping your business moving while you sleep.