The 10 Best Online Web Design Classes of 2022 – Intelligent

Online web design courses help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to establish a lucrative career as a web designer or frontend developer. But there are countless of these courses available on the internet, each offering a different approach, covering different topics, and designed for different audiences. To help find the best web design course for you, we found the 10 best web design courses online.

Our Ranking Criteria

The best web design courses focus on in-demand skills that modern employers look for when hiring web designers. We reviewed dozens of these courses and narrowed our selection down to the top 10 based on several key factors.

Basic Ranking Criteria

There are a few basic factors that apply to every online course. Before choosing one, it’s helpful to know how long it takes to complete, how flexible the schedule is, whether or not there are any prerequisites, and if you’ll receive a certificate of completion after finishing the course.

Time to complete. The faster you’re able to complete the course, the sooner you’ll be able to start using your new skills and obtain a job in your desired field. The majority of the courses on this list can be completed in as little as a few weeks while committing only a few hours per week to your studies.

Prerequisites required. Most people taking online courses have little to no experience in web design, so it is important to find a course that does not require any previous knowledge or prerequisites. With few exceptions, the courses on this list do not require any previous experience to get started.

Flexible schedule. Due to family and work obligations, it’s important to be able to balance your online coursework with your daily life. We prioritized including courses that allow participants to complete their work on a part-time or self-paced schedule.

Certificate of completion. A certificate of completion is a great way to enhance your resume and highlight your skills. While not every course offers one, we made sure to include several courses that do offer a verified certificate of participation.

Advanced Ranking Criteria

In addition to the aforementioned basic criteria, we also made sure to consider a few key factors that are specific to web design courses. To make sure we found the best courses available, we took into account the following advanced criteria:

• The course covers a variety of in-demand technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.)
• The course includes practical projects that give participants real-world web design experience.
• The course covers both UI and UX design.
• The course offers services and resources designed to help students find a job following completion of the course.
• The instructors are experienced web design professionals who can draw on their professional experiences to create practical and impactful lessons.
• The course provides the opportunity for students to interact with instructors and other students.
• The course teaches students how to use common industry tools like GitHub, IDEs, Bootstrap, etc.

10 Best Web Design Courses

Coursera
Web Design for Everybody

Intelligent Award: Top Pick

As suggested by the name, Coursera’s Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development & Coding Specialization course focuses on covering all of the necessary skills needed to begin a new career in web design. This includes teaching students the basics of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design. The course is offered by the University of Michigan, which makes it very reputable. Students conclude the course with a capstone project that requires them to create a high-quality professional portfolio that they can use during their job search. Post completion, participants will receive a certificate of completion that they can include on their resumes and share with prospective employers. Before signing up for a paid membership, you can sign up for a seven-day free trial to determine whether or not this course is for you.

• Price: $49 per month
• Time to complete: 6 months
• Prerequisites required: None
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? As our top pick, this course is great for anybody interested in switching to a career in web design. If you’re new to web design, this is our best pick for getting a well-rounded view of the profession.

What we like
What we don’t like

Highly qualified instructors.
No career coaching or job search services.

Free trial available.

Practical capstone project.

Learn more

 

Webflow University
Ultimate Web Design Course

Intelligent Award: Best Introduction to Web Design

Webflow University is a completely free platform that offers comprehensive web design courses and tutorials. The Ultimate Web Design course features a comprehensive curriculum that covers everything from basic HTML and CSS to 3D design, typography, and SEO. At only five hours in length, this course enables participants to quickly establish a foundation in web design, but to develop all of the skills necessary for an entry-level position, you’ll likely have to continue your education through other courses or study resources. The course will also teach you how to build professional custom websites without coding by using the Webflow platform.

• Price: Free
• Time to complete: 5 hours
• Prerequisites required: None
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: No

Who should take this course? This course is ideal for hobbyists looking for an easy introduction to web design using the Webflow platform.

What we like
What we don’t like

Course is free.
No certificate of completion.

Only takes 5 hours to complete.
No projects.

Self-paced.

Learn more

 

edX
W3Cx Frontend Developer Program

Intelligent Award: Most Comprehensive Curriculum

Web design is one aspect of web development, but to build fully functioning web apps, you’ll need to learn the fundamentals of JavaScript to add interactivity to your websites. Unlike the other courses on our list, the W3Cx Frontend Developer Program covers the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to help students enhance their web design abilities by learning how to develop websites, interactive web apps, and games. At nearly $900, this is one of the most expensive courses on the list, but it also offers one of the most extensive curriculums to justify the price. Assuming a commitment of about five to eight hours per week, the course takes about seven months to complete and offers a certificate of completion to verify your newfound skills.

• Price: $895.50
• Time to complete: 7 months
• Prerequisites required: None
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This web design course is best suited for web designers that want to learn the additional skills needed to do web development.

What we like
What we don’t like

Self-paced program.
Long course length.

Teaches web development.

Learn more

 

Don’t Fear the Internet
Basic HTML & CSS for Non-Web Designers

Intelligent Award: Best for Non-Web Designers

Don’t Fear the Internet’s introduction to basic web design is designed for individuals that want to build the basic skills needed to develop websites for personal use. Instead of creating a curriculum for aspiring web design professionals, this course aims to help individuals in other professions create personal online websites and portfolios through a series of eight short videos that cover the basics of HTML, CSS, typography, and web page layouts. The course is completely free and self-paced, making it a great option for those with busy schedules that simply want to develop a basic understanding of modern web design best practices.

• Price: Free
• Time to complete: Self-paced
• Prerequisites required: None
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: No

Who should take this course? This course is designed specifically for individuals that do not want a career in web design, but instead want to learn how to build basic websites for personal and professional use.

What we like
What we don’t like

Covers the basics of web design.
Does not cover more advanced topics.

Self-paced curriculum.

Good for building a personal portfolio site.

Learn more

 

Udacity
Front End Development Nanodegree

Intelligent Award: Best Career Services

Udacity’s Nanodgrees aim to replace traditional degrees by teaching individuals everything they need to know about web design and frontend web development in a fast-paced, streamlined manner. Instead of spending four years on a bachelor’s degree, Nanodegrees take four months to complete and cover all of the necessary skills needed for an entry-level web design position. This includes HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and the curriculum includes several projects that students can add to their professional portfolios. Unlike many of the other options on our list, this course includes career services to help students build their resumes and land high-paying roles after completing the program. Students can also talk to technical mentors to ask questions and receive advice from experienced web development professionals. Financing is also available for those that can’t afford the tuition up front.

• Price: $1,356
• Time to complete: 4 months
• Prerequisites required: Knowledge of basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This is a great choice for individuals that value career coaching services and direct interaction with instructors. Anyone that wants to build an impressive portfolio while learning how to design and build websites should take this course.

What we like
What we don’t like

Great career coaching services.
More expensive than other options.

Impressive portfolio projects.

Helpful financing options.

Learn more

 

Intelligent Award: Best for Beginners

Taught by professional web developer and educator Brad Schiff, Web Design for Beginners is designed to help complete beginners launch a new career through 11 hours of on-demand videos. These videos focus on teaching participants how to build responsive websites with HTML, CSS, Sass, and Bootstrap. You’ll also learn how to build forms, add interactivity with JavaScript, and launch live websites using GitHub Pages. After buying the course, you’ll have lifetime access, so you can always revisit course content to refresh your skills. The course is entirely self-paced, and students also have access to 51 downloadable resources to help them develop their skills.

• Price: $124.99
• Time to complete: 11 hours
• Prerequisites required: None
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course doesn’t assume any prior experience, making it a perfect option for complete novices that need to start at square one of the web design process.

What we like
What we don’t like

Covers the basics of web design.
Only one project.

Includes popular tools like GitHub.
No career services or interaction with the instructor.

Learn more

 

Alison
How to Create Your First Website

Intelligent Award: Best for Basic Web Design

Alison is a free online learning platform that has 20 million learners, 3.5 million graduates, and 3,000 courses. This particular course is focused on teaching participants how to build their first website. While this course won’t prepare you for a career in web design or development, it does a great job of quickly turning beginners into competent designers capable of building basic static web pages. At only three hours in length, this online course is incredibly streamlined and focuses only on the core principles of web design. On top of learning how to build your first website, you’ll find information on obtaining domain names and hosting your website. This is the only course on our list that requires students to build and launch their first custom website in order to earn a certificate of completion. But this requirement serves as a great addition to students’ professional portfolios.

• Price: Free
• Time to complete: 3 hours
• Prerequisites required: None
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? Due to its short runtime, this course by Alison is ideal for those that can’t commit a significant amount of time to learning web design and aren’t trying to start a new career as a web designer but are interested in learning how to build basic websites.

What we like
What we don’t like

Course is free.
Only one project.

Covers how to host websites.
Does not cover advanced topics.

Learn more

 

BrainStation
UX Design Course Online

Intelligent Award: Best Interactive Learning Environment

BrainStation’s UX Design course teaches students to improve their websites and web apps through expert-level UX (user experience) design. During the course, students will master UX tools like Figma and InVision and learn to perform high-level user research, develop functioning prototypes, and create intuitive web-based experiences. To achieve the UX design certification, students must develop and design a fully functioning digital experience. While the course is quite expensive at $3,250, several financing options are available, including payment plans, employer sponsorship, and scholarships.

• Price: $3,250
• Time to complete: 5 to 10 days
• Prerequisites required: None
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is best suited for web designers and developers that want to focus on improving their UX design capabilities and those who value learning in an interactive environment.

What we like
What we don’t like

Multiple financing options.
Most expensive course on our list.

Interactive lectures.

Introduces you to a network of other industry professionals.

Learn more

 

Channel 9
HTML5 & CSS3 Fundamentals

Intelligent Award: Best Free Course

Channel 9 offers one of the most accessible and comprehensive free web design courses for complete beginners. This course consists of 21 videos that cover the fundamentals of HTML5 & CSS3 programming. Each lesson can be completed at your own pace, and by the end of the course, participants will have the skills and knowledge they need to build basic websites from scratch. You’ll learn how to structure pages, work with images, create and validate forms, embed videos, and work with SVG files in HTML5.

• Price: Free
• Time to complete: 21 self-paced episodes
• Prerequisites required: None
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: No

Who should take this course? This web design course by Channel 9 is best for aspiring web designers that can’t afford the tuition for other online courses and those that want a free comprehensive introduction to web design and development.

What we like
What we don’t like

Completely free.
No projects or certificate of completion.

Self-paced.
Does not cover advanced topics.

Learn more

 

Intelligent Award: Best for Web Developers

Design+Code’s UI Design course is designed to help experienced developers improve their visual design capabilities. Participants will learn design systems, well-established principles, and modern design techniques that translate well to code. You’ll learn to master Figma to easily create intuitive web-based experiences, how to create wireframes, build app mockups, and build working prototypes. Students will also learn how to use other in-demand design and development tools, including Sketch, Framer X, Swift, and React. Unlike many of the other courses on our list, you’ll have to pass an assessment to receive your certificate of completion in order to prove your mastery of the skills. While the course costs $19 per month, a free trial is available to help users decide whether or not this program is the right one for them.

• Price: $19 per month
• Time to complete: 111 hours
• Prerequisites required: None
• Flexible schedule: Yes
• Includes verified certificate of participation: Yes

Who should take this course? This course is built for developers that need to improve their design skills. As such, it is not ideal for beginners and is best suited for experienced web and app developers.

What we like
What we don’t like

Free trial available.
Not suited for design novices.

Teaches multiple popular design tools.

Learn more

 

Online Course Comparison Chart

Tips for Succeeding in an Online Web Design Course

1. Consider the cost

How much do coding bootcamps cost?

Most online web design courses are very affordable, ranging from completely free to just over $3,000. Our list includes several free options, including Webflow University, Don’t Fear the Website, Alison, and Channel 9, while the most expensive course provider on our list is BrainStation at $3,250. Depending on the course provider, you may be able to find financing options, including loans and discounts.

Will my employer pay for me to take the course?

Many employers will pay for employees to take web design courses like these to encourage employees to further their education and develop new skills. If you are having trouble paying for your online course, check with your boss or HR department to find out whether or not your employer can help cover these expenses.

2. Get your tech squared away

Many of the tools you need to complete these courses, including GitHub, Bootstrap, and text editors, are completely free to use. In most cases, the only tech you’ll need to complete these courses is a computer with at least 8GB of RAM and a modern processor to ensure it can run the necessary programs. As these courses are conducted online, you’ll also need access to a reliable internet connection to ensure you are able to view online lectures without any issues.

3. Use the right study resources

Most of the online courses on this list are focused on taking individuals from being complete beginners to industry-ready web design professionals, meaning you ideally won’t need to spend too much time studying third-party resources. That being said, it’s never a bad idea to dedicate extra time to polishing your skills and refining your knowledge.

If you’re interested in supplemental study resources while going through an online web design course, check out Khan Academy’s Intro to HTML and CSS, W3Schools’ free web design tutorials, and web design tutorials by Envato Tuts+.

Frequently Asked Questions About Web Design Courses

What jobs can you get after completing a web design course?

After completing a web design course, you may be qualified for positions such as web designer, web developer, frontend developer, UX designer, UI designer, or WordPress developer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a web developer or digital designer is $77,200 per year. However, this varies depending on your specific job title and location.

Are there free online web design courses?

Yes, there are many free online web design courses, tutorials, and resources available online — many of which are included on our list. While most of the best online web design courses do cost money, free courses and resources offer a great way for students and beginner web designers to bolster their knowledge and learn new skills.

How long is the average online web design course?

Web design courses vary in length depending on the range of topics they cover. The courses on our list can take anywhere from a few hours to several months to complete. On average, you should expect to spend at least a few weeks on a web design course to complete it in its entirety.

What qualifications are needed to be a web designer?

As a fast-growing field that values results over everything else, web designers don’t typically need college degrees to find employment. Instead, most employers value a robust portfolio that demonstrates your skills and knowledge as a designer and developer. In most cases, you’ll be expected to complete a technical interview before being hired as a web designer.