Are you a newbie to the world of website development or looking for ways to enhance your skills, but hesitant to spend money on expensive courses or specialized schools? Fear not, because there are numerous free courses and resources available online to help you get started or take your skills to the next level.
Here are some of the best free website development courses for beginners:
1. Codecademy:
Codecademy is a learning platform that has a range of courses available for people new to coding. You can learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other programming languages easily with their bite-sized lessons. Once you’ve grasped the basics, Codecademy also offers larger-scale projects that can help you hone your skills.
Codecademy takes a unique approach to learning. They have an interface that is easy to navigate but challenging enough to give you the knowledge that you need. The company also offers a Codecademy Pro version, which provides a more customizable experience and an upgrade to a wider range of courses and career paths.
2. Udacity:
Udacity is an online learning platform that offers free courses to beginners and advanced learners alike. Beginner courses include HTML/CSS, JavaScript, and Web Development, with intermediate and advanced level courses in Full Stack Web Development, Front-end Web Developer, and React. In addition to all the free resources they provide, Udacity also offers premium paid courses and professional-level certification for those who need in-depth education.
Udacity’s learning environment provides a more immersive approach that allows for you to have real-time projects to work alongside other students. You can work in Udacity’s Code Editor, which is beneficial since you don’t have to worry about a command line or downloading additional software. Plus, Udacity also offers job placement services to help students find work in their field.
3. Coursera:
Coursera is an online website where you can audit courses for free that are offered by top-ranked universities in the world. They have courses available in Web Development, Front-end and full stack development, JavaScript, and more. The best part about Coursera is that it offers a massive catalogue of courses covering a wide range of topics, so there is always something new to learn.
With Coursera, the learning process may be slightly longer due to the specialized courses it provides. But, once enrolled, you have access to other students, who you can seek help or collaborate alongside. If you’re interested in a specific career as a web developer, you’ll find a specific program (or multiple programs) addressing that career path. Certificates and degrees are available on Coursera, along with paid subscriptions that offer additional features to help students learn faster.
4. Khan Academy:
Khan Academy offers beginner-level courses in Web Development, CSS, and HTML that are free of charge. The company was initially established to provide learning resources for students in K-12, but it has expanded over the years to offer high-quality resources for post-secondary education.
Khan Academy’s learning environment is geared towards a casual self-paced learning approach that can fit into almost anyone’s lifestyle. However, if you are looking to earn a degree or certification, they lack that upgrade opportunity, which would cause trouble if you intend to pursue a career path with your new skills.
5. MIT OpenCourseWare:
As one of the most respected universities in the world, it is a fantastic opportunity to have access to their free Web Development courses. MIT provides many resources for intermediate and advanced students who want to further improve their skills in web development. They provide three courses, namely Introduction to Computers and Engineering, User Interface Design, and Website Design.
MIT OpenCourseWare offers an incredibly in-depth course that exposes students to a high level of research and theory. While such courses are suitable for professionals or post-secondary students, it may not be suitable for beginners as it may seem too advanced.
Final Thoughts
Free website development courses make it much easier for interested people who want to break into the world of web development without having to worry about spending thousands of dollars on formal education. However, these courses might not offer all the certificates, degrees, or advanced-levels courses required in some of the larger firms. But getting the basics is where it all starts, as it could give you a chance to learn and practice your new skills. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, there is a course available online that suits your level and needs. Take advantage of these resources and find the one that works best for you.