Are there best practices for optimizing HTML code directly during development rather than relying on post-processing cleanup functions in PHP?

When developing HTML code, it is best practice to optimize it directly during development rather than relying on post-processing cleanup functions in PHP. This ensures that the code is clean and efficient from the start, reducing the need for additional processing later on. By following HTML best practices such as using semantic tags, minimizing unnecessary code, and organizing the structure efficiently, you can improve the performance and maintainability of your website.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>Optimized HTML</title>
</head>
<body>
    <header>
        <h1>Welcome to our website</h1>
    </header>
    
    <nav>
        <ul>
            <li><a href="#">Home</a></li>
            <li><a href="#">About</a></li>
            <li><a href="#">Services</a></li>
            <li><a href="#">Contact</a></li>
        </ul>
    </nav>
    
    <main>
        <section>
            <h2>About Us</h2>
            <p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.</p>
        </section>
        
        <section>
            <h2>Our Services</h2>
            <ul>
                <li>Service 1</li>
                <li>Service 2</li>
                <li>Service 3</li>
            </ul>
        </section>
    </main>
    
    <footer>
        <p>© 2022 Company Name. All rights reserved.</p>
    </footer>
</body>
</html>