Where to Find the Best Online Web Design Courses in 2021
If you want to become a web designer or just build your own website, a web design course can help you. It can teach you everything you need to know about building and maintaining websites and planning online business strategies.
Today, there are web design courses online that can fit your needs and expectations. Coding boot camps, college degrees, and self-learning are all fantastic options you should consider. We have compiled a guide to take you through the best online web design courses in 2021.
What Is Web Design?
Web design is the creation and maintenance of websites. Web designers have many responsibilities. These can include analyzing a business model or website idea, planning and implementing a design strategy, and building a functional website using coding tools.
Other web design strands include graphic design, authoring, and search engine optimization. Web design is a broad-ranging field and offers heaps of specialization options. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, web designer and developer jobs will grow in demand by eight percent by 2029. This is higher than the average growth rate.
What Will You Learn in a Web Design Course?
As a beginner, you need to start by learning the fundamentals of web design. Web design courses start with programming basics that cover HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It is expected that you master these technologies before going any further.
Once you know the basics, these courses will cover more complex topics, including rules of visual design, color principles, interaction design, and front-end coding. If you already have some experience, there are courses that offer direct specialization in UI/UX design or Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
Top Online Web Design Courses in 2021 at a Glance
Below is a list of web design courses to help you streamline your search for the perfect program. These courses offer different specializations, so make you find topics that interest you. The list is in alphabetical order, and all information is sourced from the course providers.
Provider and Course | Price | Length | Certificate |
---|---|---|---|
Codecademy Pro Web Development Path |
$39.99 per month | 100 hours | Yes |
Coursera Basics of Web Development and Coding Specialization |
Free | 70 hours | Yes, with a $49 per month membership |
Coursera HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for Web Developers |
Free | 40 hours | Yes |
edX W3CX Front End Developer Program |
Free | 140 hours | Yes, with an $895 one-time fee |
Envato Tuts+ Responsive Web Design for Beginners |
$16.50 per month | 3 hours | No |
Freecodecamp Responsive Web Design |
Free | 40 hours | Yes |
Front End Masters CSS Grids / Flexbox Course |
$39 per month | 5 hours | Yes |
Future Learn User Experience Design and Research |
Free | 88 hours | Yes, for an extra fee of $345 |
OpenClassrooms Build Your First Web Pages With HTML and CSS |
Free | 10 hours | Yes, with a $20 per month membership |
OpenHPI Human-Centered Design Course |
Free | 11 hours | Yes |
Skillcrush Front End Development Course |
$549 | 3 months | Yes |
Treehouse Web Design Track |
$25-$49 per month | 43 hours | Yes |
Udacity Front End Development Nanodegree |
$1,356 | 100 hours | Yes |
Udemy Web Design for Beginners |
$16.99 | 11 hours | Yes |
Webflow University Ultimate Web Design Course |
Free | 5 hours | No |
Best Web Design Courses of 2021
Online courses offer exciting programs that cover everything from web design fundamentals to more specialized topics. Try to choose a web design course that provides a certificate if you want to start a career in the field. Read below to learn more about the best online web design courses of 2021.
Web Development Path by Codecademy Pro
Many of Codecademy’s courses are available for free. However, the Web Development Path course costs $39.99 per month for complete access. The membership option gives you access to hundreds of hours of resources. All lessons are interactive and the school provides a certificate upon completion.
This course is more broad-ranging than most programs on this list. This is because the technologies covered are more extensive. Modules here include JavaScript, Node.js, SQL, Express.js, and React. Beginners can enroll, although this course is designed for intermediate-level designers.
Basics of Web Development and Coding Specialization by Coursera
Coursera is a very popular Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) provider. The Basics of Web Development and Coding Specialization course is designed and developed in collaboration with the University of Michigan.
This course covers the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript before moving on to more complex topics like responsive web design, web accessibility, Document Object Model (DOM), and Bootstrap. Sitting for this course is free and takes 70 hours to complete. If you would like a certificate, you’d have to opt for the $49 monthly membership.
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for Web Developers by Coursera
This course has been designed in partnership with the Johns Hopkins University. It is a completely flexible course that offers a certificate upon completion. The curriculum covers HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The program delves deep into showing you how to use JavaScript to build functional web applications.
The course structure includes video content, interactive games, and quizzes. This is a fun introductory course to web design and is perfectly suitable for complete beginners.
WC3X Front End Developer Program by edX
This edX developer program is a fantastic option for absolute beginners. This program offers over 140 hours of online interactive content and can be completed free of charge. If you would like a certificate, you’d have to pay a one-time $895 fee.
This is an intensive course that takes you through web design fundamental topics such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The curriculum also covers more complex technologies like CSS Grid, Flexbox, HTML5 APIs, and device orientation. edX’s platform also boasts a huge online community. You can sign up and network with colleagues and peers.
Responsive Web Design for Beginners by Envato Tuts+
Envato Tuts+ is an online platform that provides tutorials and introductory courses into the world of tech. The Responsive Web Design for Beginners course is a great option for absolute beginners for a monthly $16.50 membership fee.
Membership comes with access to course content and thousands of tech resources available on the school’s learning website. The curriculum covers HTML, CSS, JavaScript basics, media queries, responsive design, and grid layouts. The Envato Tuts+ site also has great resources on Adobe XD and Sketch.
Responsive Web Design by Freecodecamp
Freecodecamp is a great online resource for beginners. You can sign up to attend its Responsive Web Design course for free and use it like a game. Every lesson is a level, and you must complete each level to reach the next lesson, making it a fun and interactive way to learn.
The course covers HTML and CSS and more complex technologies like Flexbox and CSS Grid. Be prepared for the course’s final project as it asks you to create a Twitter card box.
CSS Grids / Flexbox Course by Front End Masters
This course by Front End Masters is suitable for intermediate-level designers. The curriculum taught here focuses on responsive layout basics. Modules include CSS, Flexbox basics and implementation, and responsive images. The course is taught by Front End Masters’ savvy professionals.
This is a great course if you are pursuing a career in wireframe or layout design. The program is slightly more expensive at $39 per month. However, a certificate is provided upon completion.
User Experience Design and Research by Future Learn
This course is created in collaboration with the University of Michigan. This course is for those who want to specialize in UX design. The program offers over 80 hours of intensive learning for free. However, if you want to get a certificate, you’ll have to pay a $480 fee. This option also gives you lifetime access to the course content.
The curriculum focuses on UX design, and modules cover design heuristics, user experience research basics, design process, and prototyping. This course is recommended for those with some programming experience.
Build Your First Web Pages With HTML and CSS by OpenClassrooms
This course is designed for complete beginners. It eases you into the world of web design. The modules cover HTML, CSS, JavaScript, page structure, SEO, color theory, fonts, and more. This is a well-rounded foundation course.
The course can be completed in just 10 hours. It includes interactive quizzes and video lessons. A certificate is available, although you would have to enroll with a $20 monthly membership with OpenClassrooms.
Human-Centred Design Course by OpenHPI
This is a beginner course that provides over 10 hours of web design content. The program is completely free and covers an introduction to web design, making it ideal for those who aren’t sure about what design concepts are. The curriculum covers defining goals, ideation, and synthesis.
OpenHPI provides its students with a certificate upon course completion. This course can be completed in your own time, which makes it perfect if you’re already working in the field and want to learn more.
Front End Development Course by Skillcrush
Skillcrush is an online boot camp that specializes in web design and development. Its Front End Development Course is a three-month intensive program that costs $549. The price is steep, but the school offers an alternative option. You can make monthly payments of $199 over the duration of the course through its installment plan.
The Front End Development Course provides an extensive introduction to development and programming. Its modules include HTML, CSS, and JavaScript basics. The curriculum then goes deeper into the more complex field of responsive images. Technologies covered here include GitHub, Flexbox, and jQuery.
Web Design Track by Treehouse
Treehouse offers an in-depth program in web design. The course merges elements of programming and designing, making it a challenging but rewarding option. Topics covered here include HTML, CSS, tables, typography, responsive layout, Flexbox, and Bootstrap. This web design track course also teaches how to convert modules in graphic design.
The course costs $25 per month, although you can upgrade to $49 per month for additional benefits. The upgraded course allows for more flexibility and more video content. Certificates are available for added costs.
Front End Development Nanodegree by Udacity
Udacity is a popular MOOC provider. This program offers over 100 hours of interactive content. The cost to attend this nanodegree course is $1,356, and it comes with a valuable certificate. However, you can pay on a monthly basis at $399 per month.
The course covers development fundamentals like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The program then moves on to advanced responsive design and modern web APIs. This course also offers the chance to learn relevant technologies like Webpack, Flexbox, and workflow tools.
Web Design for Beginners by Udemy
Udemy programs are popular because the platform offers great value for your money. This web design program has over 11 hours of content and is great for beginners. Modules include HTML, media, fonts, typography, navigation, CSS fundamentals, CSS3 animations, and JavaScript.
Udemy allows students to interact and ask questions with tutors. The course content is updated regularly, making it relevant in 2021 and beyond. It only costs $16.99 to take.
Ultimate Web Design Course by Webflow University
This program is a great option for beginners. The course covers coding fundamentals such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript before easing you into more challenging topics. The program covers how to build page design elements using different industry-standard tools.
The course has over five hours of video content and can be completed at your own pace. The program does not offer a certificate, but it would still look great on your resume. The course is free, so you have nothing to lose when you enroll.
Web Design Certifications
There are a few certifications you can obtain to improve your legitimacy as a web designer. With certification comes a higher web designer salary. Although they are not mandatory, certifications can help you move up in the field. We’ve listed the top three web design certifications for your consideration.
Google Analytics IQ
Understanding web analytics is a vital skill for web designers. The Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ) assessment consists of a short course and a 90-minute exam. You will be tested on setting up dashboards, tracking events, and reporting site performance.
Adobe Certified Expert
Adobe is another big name in the world of web design. This certification costs $180 and is obtained after completing an exam. There’s an increasing demand for Adobe experts, and certification demonstrates your fluency in a particular Adobe software to employers.
Hubspot Academy
Hubspot merges web design with the field of digital marketing. Hubspot Academy offers a number of certifications revolving around financial and business growth. Topics include growth-driven design, marketing, and social media. Hubspot offers great certifications useful for web designers and obtaining one is completely free.
Next Steps After Your Course
After completing a web design course, aim to specialize in a strand of design. This could be UI/UX design, eCommerce, marketing, or SEO. After completing an introductory course, you should enroll in a coding boot camp or a degree course.
A Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science is a fantastic option, although obtaining degrees in the United States can be a lengthy and expensive process. If you would like to kickstart your web design career as soon as possible, coding boot camps offer laser-sharp courses on web design.
Should You Learn Web Design?
Yes, you should learn web design. Web designers will always be in demand. Businesses, artists, and small ventures rely on web designers to make their products visible online. Web design is an incredibly exciting field as well because it offers many options for specialization.
According to PayScale, the average salary for web designers is $51,353. The field of web design offers financially comfortable and exciting careers everywhere in the world. If you want to learn web design, an online course is a great place to start.