Add these tools to your toolbox:
HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript, PHP, MySQL, Beaver Builder, and WordPress
Where Would You Like to Start?
HTML and CSS
The Building Blocks of Websites
If you're wondering where to start learning to code, this is your launching point. HTML and CSS are the best first languages to learn — I recommend starting with them before moving on to anything else.
The HTML and CSS lessons on WebDevStudents.com are short, focused lessons organized in a logical order, so each one builds naturally on the last. Every category also has a quiz, so you can check your understanding as you go.
MinnState Materials
Everything in one place
If you're taking one of my courses at MinnState, this is where you'll find copies of all the curriculum for your course. I currently teach CSCI1450 at Saint Paul College and BUS1880 at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.
Once your class ends, you'll lose access to D2L Brightspace — but everything will still be here. You may also find it's easier to navigate WebDevStudents.com using the search options to find what you need.
WordPress 101
It's not intuitive but easy.
Are you interested in learning WordPress? Good news — most of this training program doesn't require any previous experience with HTML and CSS.
The program starts by explaining what WordPress is and how it works, then walks you through editing an existing website before moving on to building your own from scratch. You'll even learn how to build an e-commerce website through the WooCommerce lessons included here.
Beaver Builder
The trick to making professional websites
I've been using Beaver Builder to design beautiful websites for many years, and I highly recommend it. Among page builders, it's often called the "developer-friendly" option.
Beaver Builder isn't free, but it's worth every penny. With it, you can build beautiful, full-width, modern-looking websites without writing any code.
About Web Dev Students
When I started teaching Web Fundamentals at Saint Paul College, I created WebDevStudents.com as a resource for my students. I've kept building on it every semester since.
- Taking one of my courses at MinnState? You can find the curriculum on the Web Fundamentals and Developing Web Pages page.
- New to web development? Start with my HTML and CSS Lessons.
- Want to learn WordPress? You don't need to know HTML or CSS first — my curriculum is on the WordPress page.
- Want to build WordPress websites with Beaver Builder? Check out my Beaver Builder Tutorial. You don't need to code to build with WordPress and Beaver Builder, though it helps if you can.
- Looking for some fun practice? My Practice Exercises are a great way to sharpen your HTML and CSS.
I hope you find something here to add to your developer toolbox!
Susan
| 10 | Learn the coding languages that drive the Web, the same ones AI tools use to build it: HTML and CSS! |
| 9 | HTML and CSS are the ideal languages to learn first. Markup languages are easier to learn than traditional programming languages. |
| 8 | Software for game development exports code to web languages, so learning the web languages will give you stronger game development skills. |
| 7 | Making websites is a creative outlet, using both technical and artistic skills. |
| 6 | You will be able to make a website for your family or friend's business! |
| 5 | Employers are looking for employees with skills to build and manage websites. |
| 4 | Most developers create software that is web-based. Java and C# developers compile to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. |
| 3 | The problem-solving involved in coding feels similar to beating the boss in a video game. |
| 2 | Recruiters want employees with experience in Bootstrap, JavaScript, PHP, jQuery, React, and now AI-assisted development tools, all of which work with HTML and CSS. |
| 1 | Making websites is a blast! |