Finding the Best Online Web Development Courses in 2021
Web development is becoming more in-demand due to an increase in e-commerce. A sleek, user-friendly website can help legitimize a company and bring in new customers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for web developers is expected to grow eight percent by 2029. The best online web development courses can help you quickly improve your skills. If you are interested in becoming a web developer, take a look at the online courses in this guide.
What Is Web Development?
Web development is the process of building web applications by integrating front-end engineering, backend engineering, and database management. Front-end development refers to the visible aspect of the website, while backend engineering involves the structure and server-side of the site. Professionals who master both ends are full-stack developers.
Web development involves different programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and SQL. They all have different functions and characteristics. You should learn HTML or CSS if you’re interested in front-end engineering, whereas you should learn PHP or SQL if you want to work with servers and databases.
The Best Online Web Development Courses of 2021
Most web developers have an Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science. Increasingly, however, web developers are getting their training at web development boot camps. These short-term, low-cost, and immersive programs can be intimidating for beginners unless they have some prior exposure to the subject.
That’s where online courses come in. To begin your journey toward becoming a web developer in 2021, check out the following list of the best options.
Back-End Engineer by Codecademy
Price: Free
Length: 4 months
Certificate: Yes, with a $15.99/month subscription
Codecademy’s backend programming course dives into the server-side of the development process. You will learn how to use tools like Express.js, Node.js, SQL, PostgreSQL, and TDD. This course will also help you understand the dynamics of application architecture.
Another thing you’ll learn is how to design and develop APIs. At the end of the modules, you will receive career guidance and preparation. You will earn a certificate of completion for your efforts.
Become a Web Developer by Codecademy
Price: Free
Length: 30 weeks
Certificate: Yes, with a $15.99/month subscription
Codecademy offers a full stack web development program where you’ll learn how to develop interactive websites by using programming frameworks and languages like Node.js, JavaScript, SQL, React, TDD, and Express.js.
This program is entirely online and has a self-paced schedule. You will learn how to develop your own applications with intensive practice and guidance. Keep in mind that Codecademy only offers certificates to Pro members, for a fee of $15.99 per month.
The Complete React Developer Course by Udemy
Price: $9.99 (subject to change)
Length: 39 hours
Certificate: Yes
This Udemy course will help you understand how Redux, React and React Router work. You will learn how to use React to deploy and test applications and websites. You don’t need to have programming experience, but a basic understanding of coding fundamentals would be helpful.
In this course, you learn through experience. You’ll work on developing your own React website throughout the program. Keep in mind this is entirely online and self-paced. You will have 39 hours of video instructions, but you can complete the exercises whenever you have time.
Computer Programming by Khan Academy
Price: Free
Length: Self-paced
Certificate: No
Khan Academy is a non-profit organization that offers various education programs in math, science, arts, and humanities. While the courses are generally free, you can choose to donate money or become a volunteer to keep the school running.
The school offers a computer programming course that will train you to become a web or software developer and build responsive websites. You’ll learn CSS, HTML, SQL, and JavaScript.
CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science by edX
Price: Free
Length: 12 weeks
Certificate: Yes, for a $199 fee
This edX course is offered in collaboration with Harvard University. The topics covered in this course include software engineering, web development, algorithms, resource management, data structures, encapsulation, and website security.
You will learn all this by using vital programming languages like SQL, C, Python, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. Although it seems like an advanced program, you won’t need to have any programming skills before attending the course.
Front-End Engineer by Codecademy
Price: Free
Length: 350 hours
Certificate: Yes, with a $15.99/month subscription
Codecademy offers a front end engineering course that will teach you how to build interactive web applications and become a front end web developer. You will learn about web design and development fundamentals such as responsive design, animations, and command lines.
You will also learn how to use programming languages and frameworks like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React. This program ends with interview and resume preparation, along with other career services.
HTML, CSS, and Javascript for Web Developers by Coursera
Price: Free
Length: 40 hours
Certificate: Yes
Coursera offers an introductory course provided by Johns Hopkins University to help you get familiar with coding principles. You will learn how to build a website from scratch by using tools like HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and CSS frameworks.
You will also put the theory into practice by building a restaurant website. You will work alongside a fictional and potential client to help them decide the best structures and designs for their website.
Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python by edX
Price: Free
Length: 9 weeks
Certificate: Yes, for $75
This course by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology via edX is part of a sequence of courses in computer science and data analysis. You will learn how to build websites using Python. Python is used to work with databases on the server-side of a website. You will also learn how to combine it with JavaScript on the front end.
This comprehensive online course is an introductory program that will teach you about data structures, basic algorithms, and other Python programming fundamentals. This program provides you with a professional certificate if you pay a small fee.
Learn Python Programming Masterclass by Udemy
Price: $9.99 (subject to change)
Length: 61 hours
Certificate: Yes
Udemy’s Python masterclass is the best way to learn how to build applications with Python. You will learn how to use Python 2 and 3, and implement this programming language in machine learning and data science.
You will use object oriented programming (OOP) to work on your programs. To join this course, you will need to have a high-quality computer and an enthusiasm for coding. You don’t need to have programming experience.
Learn Web Development by Mozilla
Price: Free
Length: Self-paced
Certificate: No
Mozilla offers a certificate course in web development that will show you how to go from beginner to expert. You will learn the most crucial elements of the web development process, such as front-end and backend engineering and optimization.
You will also learn how to use JavaScript to make your website more dynamic. This course is perfect for those who want to become full-stack software engineers and learn how to use the Mozilla Developer Network platform to build websites.
Modern HTML + CSS for Beginners by Udemy
Price: $9.99 (subject to change)
Length: 21 hours
Certificate: Yes
This is a hands-on Udemy course that teaches you how to develop modern web applications by working on a capstone project throughout the program. You will learn about responsive layouts, animations, flexbox, and keyframes by creating a hotel website.
You’ll design the home page, information pages, and contact pages, and more. This program includes lessons on CSS and HTML.
Programming for Everybody by Coursera
Price: Free
Length: 19 hours
Certificate: Yes
Coursera has a wide variety of courses conducted by leading schools like Harvard and the University of California. This course is offered by the University of Michigan. It includes chapters from the Python for Everybody textbook.
You will learn how to create web apps by using Python. You will learn how to store and manage datasets, loops, variables, and functions. You will receive a certificate at the end of the course.
Web Design for Web Developers by Udemy
Price: $9.99 (subject to change)
Length: 44.5 hours
Certificate: Yes
This Udemy course is focused on responsive design. If you’re passionate about design and you’d like to add design skills to your programming toolkit, this course might be for you. You will learn everything about web design by using front end tools like HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript to create a more dynamic website.
This course also covers other topics like search engine optimization (SEO), Git, GitHub, and 3D design. In addition to acquiring hard programming skills, you’ll sharpen your soft skills like attention to detail, precision, and logical thinking.
The Web Developer Bootcamp by Udemy
Price: $9.99 (subject to change)
Length: 63 hours
Certificate: Yes
This course provided by Udemy is an in-depth program that will train you in front-end and back-end programming. You will learn how to use coding languages like HTML, CSS, modern JavaScript, and the Node.js framework.
Other topics covered by this program include Express, Ajax, and MongoDB. This is an extensive course that will show you how to create Node modules and design an aesthetically pleasing website.
Web Fundamentals by Google
Price: Free
Length: Self-paced
Certificate: No
Google has begun to offer its own web development training programs. This one will teach you essential skills like HTML, responsive design, CSS, and more. You will learn all this through coding exercises and case studies.
This program also digs into other advanced topics like architectural pattern design, user experience, virtual reality, and security techniques.
What Do Web Development Courses Cover?
Web development courses usually cover all aspects of the development process, including the front end, the backend, and databases. However, some only focus on a particular area, such as web design or backend engineering.
You will learn how to use C#, HTML, JavaScript, CSS, or other programming languages. It will all depend on the project you’re working on.
Another thing you’ll probably see in web development courses are different frameworks such as Node.js and Ruby on Rails. Frameworks are programming environments that developers use to provide commands to the computer.
How to Choose the Best Web Development Course
There are a couple of aspects you should consider before joining a web development course. You should check the subjects it covers, the price, the completion time, and whether it offers a certificate.
Credentials
Most programs offer a certificate upon completion. This credential is an excellent way to authenticate your knowledge. It works for your resume so your future employers can see you have programming skills.
However, certificates often come with an additional cost. If you’re interested in obtaining a certification, keep in mind that some programs may require an additional fee.
Time of Completion
Another thing you should consider is the duration of the program. Some web development courses only take a few days to complete, while others might take months. Many courses offer a self-paced curriculum, which allows for flexibility but also requires good time-management skills.
Curriculum
The curriculum is also a crucial factor to consider. You should go with the course that offers the most up-to-date information. Some programs might be outdated or barely scratch the surface, meaning you won’t be fully qualified after completing your course.
Cost
Most of these programs have a very low price or are even free, but others have a higher cost because of the credentials offered. You should know how much the program costs to make sure it is something you can afford. Sometimes, however, it is worth paying a little more to obtain a certificate from a reputable program or school.
Web Development Certifications
After taking a course, you may want to consider pursuing additional certifications. While there are not many professional certifications for web developers, they offer firmer proof of your skills than an online course certificate. Below are a couple of the best certifications available for web developers.
Oracle Java EE Developer Certifications
This Oracle certification validates that you are competent in creating JavaScript-driven applications. It will show that you can design, build, and analyze JS websites. To be eligible for this credential, you must pass the Oracle exam.
Microsoft 365 Certified: Developer Associate
Microsoft is one of the most reputable sources to obtain a certification in the web development field. This certification is a good one for authenticating your programming skills. The certification fee is $165, and you must pass an exam to get the credential.
Next Steps After Finishing Your Course
Most online web development courses are for beginners who want to learn the fundamentals of computer science topics. This is a great way for you to familiarize yourself with the field or update your skills in web development.
However, if you’d like to advance your career and have more in-depth professional training, you should opt for a bachelor’s degree or a coding bootcamp. This last option is more versatile and less expensive.
The Bottomline
Web development is a profession that will give you a high salary and career benefits. Since many companies are investing in their digital presence, you’ll probably enjoy having job security, which means there is a low chance of unemployment.
An online coding course is often the gateway to learning a subject in more depth. They’re short-term and have a flexible schedule. They provide you with core computer science skills and give you a head start on top web development careers.