Front end web development is a very popular field. As the name indicates, it involves managing what people see when they visit a website.
Since front end developers are responsible for the look and feel of a website, they have a really important job. After all, a site can’t just be easy to use. It must look great too.
Featured Programs
- Become a React Developer
- Professional Certification in Front End Development
- HTML Essential Training
- UI/ UX Design Specialization
Disclaimer: Some courses may include an affiliate link. Courses were chosen first based on the methodology with affiliate links only added after the ranking was complete.
To become a front end developer, you need to have a solid education in languages like HTML and CSS. There are many front end development courses that focus on these languages.
But front end developer training goes well beyond that. You’ll need to learn Javascript. An understanding of responsive design is a must as well. Front end web development courses can teach you how to evaluate web performance and debug sites too.
In other words, there are many different topics you can explore in front end web development courses. And if you want to take your knowledge and skills even further, a front end developer certification is the way to go.
To help you determine which front end development courses are best for your needs, we’ve ranked 10 classes using a unique methodology. Our methodology takes several factors into account:
- Affordability
- Certification
- Learning Level
By looking at front end web development courses based on these three criteria, we’re able to see which courses have the best mix of features. This gives you a good overview of each course. Hopefully, you can use this information to make an informed decision regarding which of these online front end development courses is the best fit for you.
Before we get to the rankings, let’s explore how our methodology is structured.
Methodology to Determine the Best Online Courses for Front End Development
As noted above, we use a three-factor method for ranking the best online courses for front end development. By using these factors, we can provide you with a clearer picture of what each course has to offer.
For example, you can compare each course in terms of each factor. You might do this for affordability. Doing so shows you which classes are priced the best.
As another option, you can evaluate each course on the total point value. This represents how good a class might be based on all three criteria combined.
These criteria were chosen for specific reasons.
First, affordability is typically at the forefront of people’s minds when looking for online courses. It is by far the most important factor for the largest number of learners.
Second, whether a course offers certification is a big feature. Certification is not always required. However, it can help set you apart from other candidates for a front end developer job.
Finally, you should look at a course based on its learning level. Taking a course that’s appropriate for your current knowledge and skills will help you advance your learning much faster than if you are in a course that’s below or above your learning level.
Below, we’ve broken down these factors in more detail.
Affordability
Front end web development courses come in many forms. This includes all kinds of prices too. Some classes are free. Others have a small fee. Some front end development classes are very expensive.
Some people think that the more money a class costs, the better it must be. This is not always the case. Price doesn’t necessarily indicate quality!
That said, there are many excellent free front end developer trainings online. And because so many people are budget conscious, we’ve prioritized affordability as the most important factor in our methodology.
As you can see below, free courses receive the most points, with a sliding scale as the price of a course increases:
- Free: 6 points
- Under $10: 5 points
- $11-20: 4 points
- $21-30: 3 points
- $31-40: 2 points
- $41 and above: 1 point
While affordability has the most weight in our rankings, it isn’t the only important criterion. It should be evaluated in light of the other two criteria discussed next.
Certification
Being certified isn’t always required to get a front end development job. But it certainly doesn’t hurt! A certification can help you in other ways as well. For example, taking courses that offer certifications can help you advance higher in the job you already have.
But not all certifications are the same.
Many of the best front end development courses offer a completion certificate. These certificates can be listed on your resume. They can be posted to your professional profile too. They show your commitment to learning more skills. They also highlight the specific skills you have learned. But they are not a professional certification.
Professional certification is offered by far fewer front end developer training courses. A professional certification indicates that you have completed a series of steps. These steps are outlined by a certifying body. By outlining specific steps to take, professional certifications make sure that each person has the same set of skills regardless of where they take the certification courses.
The same can be said for educational certifications. These certifications are offered by colleges and universities. This type of certification can be extremely helpful in preparing you for a career as a web developer.
Professional certifications are much more involved. They might take several weeks or even months to complete. This being the case, we award more points to classes that have a professional certification option:
- Offers a professional or educational certification: 2 points
- Offers a completion certification: 1 point
- No certification: 0 points
Learning Level
Of course, your learning level is a big part of deciding what front end web development course to take.
If you’re just starting out, one of the beginner courses we’ve listed below is the best place to start. These courses will help you lay the foundation of knowledge and skills that’s needed to become a skilled front end developer.
If you’ve got some skills in front end web development and want to add to your skill set, an intermediate course might be the way to go. These courses offer more detailed instruction in specific front end development topics. This kind of class helps elevate your skill level beyond just the basics.
But let’s assume you’re an experienced front end web developer. Perhaps you need to refresh old skills. Maybe you need to learn new skills. Either way, an advanced course is likely your best option. These courses tend to focus on a handful of topics so you can develop specialized skills in front end web development.
Here’s how we’ve scored this criterion:
- Advanced: 3 points
- Intermediate: 2 points
- Beginner: 1 point
Using this methodology, we’ve ranked the 10 best online courses for front end development. See the list below.
Ranking the Best Online Courses for Front End Development
#10: Become a React Developer
This is a complete degree course from Udacity. It is an advanced class on front end development. As such, there are several prerequisites. This includes having a working knowledge of GIT, HTML, and JavaScript.
The focus of this online front end development course is on React. You’ll learn how to use React to:
- Build declarative interfaces for the web
- Build iOS and Android interfaces
- Manage application states using Redux
One of the highlights of this course is that you get a personal career coach. Likewise, you are assigned a technical support mentor to help you along the way.
This course should take around four months to complete. However, if time allows, you can complete the class much faster.
Points: 4
Affordability: Free to enroll. There is a fee of $399 per month after that (at the time of writing). Scored as a paid course.
Certification: No.
Learning Level: Advanced
#9 Web Development Certificate
This educational certificate program is offered by the University of California at San Diego. It is an intensive class. Most students complete this front end development course in about four months’ time.
You’ll learn how to take information from website designers and turn it into a functioning website. There are various applications you’ll learn how to use to accomplish this goal, including:
- HTML5
- JavaScript
- CSS3
- jQuery
These tools can also be used to create mobile applications. Apps are a component of this class as well.
By completing this program, you’ll develop the skills needed to manage front end development of many different kinds of projects. You will also have a working portfolio of professional work to show potential employers.
Points: 6
Affordability: Approximately $3,590 (at the time of writing)
Certification: Yes. By completing this program, you’ll earn an educational certificate in front end development.
Learning Level: This course includes intermediate and advanced studies. Scored as an advanced course.
#8: Professional Certificate in Front End Web Development
This professional certification program was developed by the World Wide Web Consortium and is offered by edX. There are five classes within the curriculum. Each course focuses on a different front end web development topic.
Most of this class revolves around three programming languages: HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. To help you learn these languages, this course includes:
- Guided lessons
- Step-by-step instructions
- Interactive examples
Each course also pushes you to practice your new skills. Doing so helps you learn how to code and do so correctly.
This is a long online course in front end development. It’s estimated that it will take most students seven months to complete.
Points: 6
Affordability: $895 (at the time of writing).
Certification: Yes. Completing this course results in a professional certification in front end development.
Learning Level: Topics vary from beginner to advanced. Score as advanced.
#7: The Web Developer Boot Camp
This is a detailed beginner-level course from Udemy. Its focus is on web development tools for the modern era. This means you’ll learn important skills for today’s internet. Your skills will apply to tomorrow’s internet as well.
In this comprehensive class, you’ll explore many topics. Some of these topics include:
- NodeJS
- CSS3
- HTML5
- ExpressJS
You’ll also get to learn about authentication and Bootstrap 4. You learn in the context of many types of activities. Some lessons are lectures. Others allow you to practice coding. You’ll also complete more than a dozen projects to help you apply what you’ve learned.
This is a comprehensive course. If you’re just starting out in front end web development, this is a great place to start. There are nearly 50 hours of on-demand video. There are more than 100 downloadable resources too.
Points: 6
Affordability: $14.99 (at the time of writing)
Certification: Yes. There is a certificate of course completion.
Learning Level: Beginner
#6: Advanced CSS and Sass: Flexbox, Grid, Animations and More!
This intermediate front end developer course from Udemy will help you develop more advanced skills in CSS and Sass. By the course’s end, you’ll be able to use these tools to create incredible web designs and effects.
One of the focuses of the course is on how CSS works. This means you’ll learn about things like inheritance, the cascade, and specificity.
You’ll also learn how to use Flexbox layouts. You’ll do so while building a real-world project with Flexbox.
You can expect to learn about the following as well:
- CSS architecture
- CSS grid layouts
- Advanced responsive design
There is also a unit of study on the NPM ecosystem. You’ll learn about development workflows. You’ll also learn about the building processes.
This course includes 28 hours of on-demand video. Once enrolled, you can access the course for life.
Points: 7
Affordability: $11.99 (at the time of writing)
Certification: Yes. There is a certificate of course completion.
Learning Level: Intermediate
#5: HTML Essential Training
One of the foundations of front end web development is HTML. This course from LinkedIn Learning is for beginners that need to learn the basics of HTML.
You’ll learn how to create HTML. Not only that, you’ll learn how to create good HTML. The focus is on semantic markup, which involves:
- Tagging content appropriately
- Linking and navigation for pages
- Creating forms and interactive elements
As a beginner course, there are no prerequisites. Once you enroll, you have one month free before you’re required to pay. This course is quite short, so it can be finished in one month or less.
Points: 7
Affordability: Free to enroll ($34.99 after that). Scored as a free course. Try a free trial for Linkedin Learning.
Certification: No
Learning Level: Beginner
#4: jQuery: Master Web Development with jQuery
For advanced learners, this jQuery course from Udemy presents an interesting option. You can learn specialized skills that allow you to use jQuery to develop engaging and interesting websites.
More specifically, you’ll learn different styling and animation effects using jQuery. This includes:
- Using jQuery NPM packages
- Learning to develop jQuery plugins
- How to manipulate animations
- How to create custom events
You’ll also explore the concept of selectors. Furthermore, you will gain skills that help you use selectors to manipulate a website in just about any way you wish.
This online course in front end development includes 65 lectures. However, each lecture is quite short. There are 6.5 hours of on-demand video to help you understand the course materials.
Points: 8
Affordability: $11.99 (at the time of writing)
Certification: Yes. There is a certificate of course completion.
Learning Level: Advanced
#3: UI/UX Design Specialization
This third-best front end development specialization is from Coursera. Course materials were developed by the California Institute of the Arts.
The focus of this class is on designing websites that look good and function well. The skill-based instruction revolves around visual communications. There are aspects of marketing and programming as well.
There is a sequence of four classes. This includes:
- Visual Elements of User Interface Design
- UX Design Fundamentals
- Web Design: Strategy and Information Architecture
- Web Design: Wireframes to Prototypes
In completing these courses, you will be familiar with all aspects of the UI/UX development process. You’ll learn about these things in lectures and exercises.
Points: 8
Affordability: Free to enroll. A fee (usually around $50) might be required. Other costs may be involved if you participate in a specialization. Learn more about Coursera pricing. This course is scored as a free course.
Certification: Yes. There is a certificate of course completion for each course in the specialization. There is also a specialization certification. This is granted upon completing the entire course.
Learning Level: Beginner
#2: Front-End Web UI Frameworks and Tools: Bootstrap 4
This intermediate course is by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. It is offered by Coursera.
This second-best front end web class is a general overview of user-interface frameworks. The focus is on Bootstrap 4. However, you will learn parts of other development tools, including:
- JavaScript
- Bootstrap CSS
- Sass
- Less
This course also includes a unit of study on Node.js and NPM. You’ll also learn how to use task runners such as Gulp and Grunt.
After taking this course, you’ll have many different skills. You will be able to design and style a website. You’ll also understand responsive design.
You can access this course 100 percent online. There are flexible deadlines to meet your needs. There are 38 hours of coursework to complete. This could be done in as little as a few weeks.
Points: 9
Affordability: Free to enroll. A fee (usually around $50) might be required. Other costs may be involved if you participate in a specialization. Learn more about Coursera pricing. This course is scored as a free course.
Certification: Yes. There is a certificate of course completion. This course also applies to several specializations on Coursera. It can apply toward fulfilling requirements for professional certificates as well.
Learning Level: Intermediate
#1: Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development & Coding Specialization
This specialization from Coursera was designed by faculty at the University of Michigan. It is a comprehensive collection of classes. By completing each class, you will fulfill the requirements of getting certified in website design.
You’ll explore basic to advanced topics in this best course for front end web developement. This includes:
- Coding HTML5
- Coding CSS3
- Using JavaScript to create interactive experiences
You’ll also learn how to design websites that work on different platforms. This includes mobile, tablet, and large screens.
There is a capstone project in this specialization too. The project requires you to develop a professional portfolio. The purpose of the portfolio is to give you a way to show your skills to potential employers.
Points: 9
Affordability: Free to enroll. A fee (usually around $50) might be required. Other costs may be involved if you participate in a specialization. Learn more about Coursera pricing. This course is scored as a free course.
Certification: Yes. There is a certificate of course completion for each course in the specialization. There is also a specialization certification. This is granted upon completing the entire course.
Learning Level: Intermediate
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a front-end developer?
In short, a front-end developer is responsible for how a website or application looks. It is also known as client-side development. This is because front-end developers deal with what the client, or user, sees. But their job is much more complex.
So, when you visit a website or use an app, everything you see was done by a front end developer. They determine the fonts and color scheme. They design the site navigation and menus as well.
Front end developers use various tools to do their job. They use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript most frequently. However, how websites and apps are developed is constantly evolving. This means that front end developers have to continually learn new methods of developing websites.
Typically, front end developers also need to be up to speed on the following tools:
- Bootstrap
- jQuery
- LESS
- Foundation
- AngularJS
- EmberJS
- Backbone
These tools have various functions, including helping websites and apps respond to the size of the screen being used to view the content. Some, like jQuery and LESS, work to make code more streamlined.
Workers in this field aren’t just concerned with how a website or application looks. Instead, their goal is to create a website or app in such a way that users can easily interact with them. Furthermore, things like text should be easy to read. Navigating around the website or the app should be easy as well.
One of the biggest challenges of front end development is that websites and apps must render properly on all sorts of different screens. So, front end developers aren’t just designing a website for a large computer screen. Rather, they have to design the website or app to be responsive. This means that the site’s appearance adjusts to fit whatever size of screen the user has.
Front end developers also have to consider that people use many different browsers. So, when developing how a site or app looks, they have to ensure it will look right on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and more.
Likewise, since users have different operating systems, front end developers have to think about how the website or app will work on MacOS, Windows, Android, iOS, and so forth.
Is client-side development the same as front-end development?
Yes. Client-side development is a synonym for front-end development.
As noted above, since these workers are responsible for how a website or application looks, it’s often referred to as client-side development. The work they do is seen by the client or user.
The term “front end” refers to the fact that what users see is the “front” of the website or application. The “back end” of a website or application is how it works. That is, the back end is all the underlying code that makes a website or app function. See the next question and answer for a more detailed comparison of front end and back end development.
What is the difference between front end and back end development?
While front end and back end development both deal with web development, there are significant differences between the two.
As noted above, front end development deals with how a website or application looks to the user. Likewise, front end developers are responsible for how a user interacts with a website or app.
Back end developers are responsible for making a website or app work. They use different programming languages that allow servers to execute what the front end developer wants the website or app to do.
Typically, front end developers utilize HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create websites and apps. These languages do different things:
- HTML is used to format things like text.
- CSS tells the server what colors to utilize on a website or app
- JavaScript is used to create interactive graphics
You can think of front end development like building a house. The foundation could be HTML. CSS would be the design features like the architectural style of the house. JavaScript could be considered everything that makes the house liveable and allows people to interact with it.
Back end developers have their languages to make the front end of a site or app work correctly. These include:
- Ruby
- Python
- PHP
So, not only do front end and back end developers have different jobs, but they also use different programming languages to do their jobs.
Is front end development easy to learn?
The answer to this question is, it depends.
Some people are naturally adept at technical things like web development. For them, learning front end development would be much easier than for someone that does not have technical skills.
Likewise, if you have some experience with computers, web design, or development, learning additional front end development skills will come more easily than if you’re starting fresh.
The ease of learning front end development also depends on the time you have to commit to learning. If you can study each day for several hours, learning new front end development skills will be a much easier task.
But if you can only study once a week, gaining the same skills will take longer. It will also be more difficult because the time between study sessions is so long. This usually results in some loss of understanding over the course of the week between study sessions. Spending more time reviewing things to refresh your memory will extend the time you need to learn.
How you choose to learn front end development will influence how easy it is to learn as well. For example, taking one of the classes listed in the rankings above is one of the easiest ways to learn new skills. This is because these courses are self-paced and allow you to interact with the learning materials online. With easy access to learning when you have the time, gaining new skills will be a simpler process.
Furthermore, trying to learn various parts of front end development at the same time could hinder your progress. For some people, focusing their learning on one thing at a time (i.e., HTML and then CSS) makes front end development easier to master.
Additionally, you have to consider how front end development courses are structured.
For example, if you’re a visual learner, taking a lecture-based course will make learning more difficult. But, if you take a course that includes hands-on learning, understanding key concepts will be easier for you.
Another factor that influences how easy front end development is to learn is your base of skills. As noted earlier, having experience in development will shorten the timeline you need to learn front end development. So, if you’re familiar with HTML, even just a little bit, learning front end development will come more naturally.
What is a career in front end development?
If you were to read a job description for a front end developer, it might be something like the following:
“This position requires that you are proficient in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and that you can utilize these programming languages to create effective user interfaces for web and mobile. Candidates for the position will be asked to work hand-in-hand with back end developers, software designers, and other stakeholders to create, update, and manage websites and apps for user consumption. Problem-solving and analytical skills are a must, as are a keen eye for good design and the ability to work well as a member of a team.”
The above job description is pretty broad, but it generally covers the primary duties of most front end developers.
Below are a few different careers in front end development.
JavaScript Developer – These developers are responsible for building front end applications using JavaScript. These workers should have highly advanced JavaScript skills. They should also possess knowledge of software development and application development. Usually, JavaScript developers have a background in computer science
Front End Web Designer – A front end web designer is responsible for the appearance and functionality of a website or mobile app. Typically, when “designer” is in the job title, it means the successful candidate has the technical skills of front end development (i.e., CSS) and the design skills (i.e., professional design) to create beautiful websites.
Front End SEO Specialist – SEO specialists are responsible for helping a website achieve optimal SEO performance.
Front End DevOps – A front end developer with this job title can be responsible for several things. They might be in charge of deploying a website or application. They might also automate processes on the website or app. Furthermore, these workers might be asked to measure the performance of a website or app.
CSS/HTML Developer – As the title indicates, this kind of front end developer specializes in CSS and HTML. They use these languages to craft websites and apps that are aesthetically pleasing and functional.
UI Engineer – These workers are responsible for the user interface of a website or app. They should have the skills to design how a website or app looks. They should also possess the skills needed to develop apps and sites with an interface design that makes using the site or app an easy and intuitive experience.
What skills are needed to become a front end developer?
Becoming a good front end developer requires you to have a wide range of skills. That skill set should include certain hard and soft skills.
Hard skills are concrete skills that can be measured. Coding HTML is a hard skill. Using JavaScript to create an interactive website is a hard skill as well.
Soft skills are traits or characteristics that you possess. Being punctual is an example of a soft skill. Having good analytical skills is another example of a soft skill.
Below is a list of hard skills and soft skills that come in handy as a front end developer.
HTML and CSS – HTML and CSS are the foundational languages of front end development. They are used to style websites and apps. Without these skills, the “design” of a website or app would be simple, plain text on a screen.
JavaScript – JavaScript is used with HTML and CSS to make a website or application an interactive experience. For example, you might use JavaScript to add an interactive map to a page on a website.
JS Frameworks – Many different JavaScript frameworks are handy to understand as a front end web developer. There are four primary frameworks: ReactJS, Ember, Backbone, and AngularJS. Each one helps streamline the development process. In particular, they can minimize how much coding must be done.
jQuery – Mastery of jQuery is a big help for front end developers. It is a JavaScript library. That means you can use it to access plugins and extensions that make working with JavaScript a simpler task.
Responsive Design – Front end developers should have a good grasp of how to make websites and applications adapt to the size of the screen that the end-user is utilizing.
Testing and Debugging – A huge part of front end development is being able to test the code and finding issues that impact how the site renders or functions.
Analytical skills – Having the ability to analyze code and problem solve is a critical soft skill for front end developers.
Capacity to work as part of a team – Front end developers don’t work independently. Instead, they must work with a host of other coders, developers, designers, and so forth to create the final product.
Adaptability – Technology is rapidly changing. Front end developers must be able to adapt to those changes. They must also be willing to learn new skills to harness the power of emerging technologies.
Effective Communication – Front end developers must be able to listen to the needs of their clients. They must also be able to communicate with other members of the team in order to accomplish the goals of the project.
Patience – Front end development can be a frustrating job. This is especially true when there are bugs that must be worked out. Patience is a huge benefit that allows you to stay calm and work through problems without getting frustrated.
Capacity for Self-Direction – Effective front end web developers should be self-starters. Designing websites and apps is very task intensive, so taking the initiative to complete those tasks is a must.
OCR Staff
June 2020
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