Web development is a challenging skill that requires a lot of practice. But it’s also a great way to launch a career in the tech industry!

The time it takes to learn web development depends on your personal preferences and career goals. It can take anywhere from a few months to a year or more, depending on the route you choose.

Getting Started

A well-designed and functioning website is a critical part of any business. That’s why web developers, whether front-end or back-end, are in demand.

Learning how to create websites is a challenging but rewarding career for those with analytical and creative skills. Web development is a diverse field that involves writing code as well as building the site structure and design.

Depending on the type of website you are working on, you may need to learn different languages and tools. The most common coding languages are HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

You can learn these languages on your own with some online resources. However, it’s best to find a course that fits your level of expertise and skill set.

To get started, you’ll need a web browser, text editor and a local web server. The latter is especially useful if you are working with multiple clients. You’ll also need build tools, which automate specific development tasks. These tools can help you save time and energy in the long run.

Self-Paced Resources

If you want to learn web development online, there are many free resources available. The best ones are easy to navigate and provide a clear pathway to learning.

Self-paced learning resources offer a variety of courses that range in length and difficulty. Some are beginner-focused, while others focus on a specific skill or programming language.

A good place to start is with a free course that teaches you the basics of HTML and CSS. These two technologies are essential to creating a website.

Once you have these skills, there are a few things that you can do to accelerate your learning process. First, set goals and prioritize your tasks.

Then, try to work through the material at a comfortable pace. This way, you can avoid relapsing and make sure that you learn everything before moving on to the next lesson.

College

Several colleges and universities near New York offer a variety of courses that allow you to learn web development on your own schedule. These courses can be as short as a few weeks to as long as a year or more.

The BLS estimates that 13% of the nation’s workforce will need web developers and digital designers by 2020, with many positions available in smaller cities. The demand for these professionals is expected to grow due to the growth of e-commerce and online services.

The University of Arkansas-Little Rock offers a two-year program in web design and development that will help you prepare for careers in web content management, applications development and UX/UI design. Graduates of this program typically transfer to a bachelor’s degree program to continue their studies.

Coding Boot Camps

If you’re looking for a structured educational path that will give you the skills you need to find a job, coding bootcamps may be the right choice. These short-term schools teach modern coding languages and frameworks, as well as UX/UI Design, Data Science and cybersecurity.

Many of these programs also provide internships and job placement assistance to graduates, according to Course Report’s research. Those services can include resume prep, on-site interviews and networking events.

But even if you decide to enroll in a coding bootcamp, it’s important to do your homework and ask questions about student outcomes. A recent study by RTI International found that many bootcamp job placement claims are unaudited and may not be accurate.

The most effective way to research a bootcamp’s curriculum is to review its accreditation and graduation rates, according to the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting (CIRR), an industry-wide group of organizations that track these outcomes. You can also find reviews from online sources, alumni and news reports.