AI-Generated HTML Best Practices
AI can generate impressive HTML, but it's not perfect. Here's a practical checklist for reviewing AI code before you publish.
The Quick Review Checklist
Before publishing any AI-generated HTML, run through these checks:
Click every button, submit every form, trigger every hover state
Resize your browser or use dev tools to test different screen sizes
Fonts, icons, and images should all appear correctly
Replace "Lorem ipsum" and example.com links with real content
Common Issues to Watch For
Broken External Links
AI often generates placeholder URLs like https://example.com or # for links. These should either be updated to real URLs or removed entirely.
Hardcoded Dimensions
Watch for fixed pixel widths that break on mobile:
/* Problematic */
.container { width: 1200px; }
/* Better */
.container { max-width: 1200px; width: 100%; }Missing Error States
AI-generated forms often lack proper error handling. If you have a form, check:
- What happens when validation fails?
- Is there visual feedback for errors?
- Does the submit button disable during processing?
Inconsistent Styling
Sometimes AI generates slightly different styles for similar elements. Look for:
- Buttons with different padding or colors
- Inconsistent spacing between sections
- Mixed font sizes for similar headings
Security Considerations
Never publish HTML that handles sensitive data (passwords, credit cards, personal info) without proper security review. AI-generated code is for demos and prototypes, not production applications handling user data.
For simple landing pages, portfolios, and interactive demos, AI-generated HTML is generally safe. Just be cautious with anything that:
- Collects user input beyond basic forms
- Attempts to store data (localStorage is fine for demos)
- Makes API calls to external services
Quick Fixes for Common Problems
Add Missing Viewport Meta Tag
If your page doesn't scale properly on mobile, add this to the <head>:
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">Fix FOUC (Flash of Unstyled Content)
If you see unstyled content briefly, move your <style> tag to the very top of <head>.
Make Buttons Look Clickable
Add cursor and hover styles if missing:
button {
cursor: pointer;
transition: opacity 0.2s;
}
button:hover {
opacity: 0.8;
}