Are Front-End Web Development Classes Worth It?

Top-quality tech training can be expensive, but it is a good investment. Web development jobs are well-paid and in high demand. The skills you will learn in a front end development class can be useful for yourself or as the first step on a new career path. 

What Can You Do with Front End Web Development?

Web development is a broad field that’s typically separated into two different specialties: front end and back end development. Front end web development involves coding all of the client-side elements of a website. A Front End Web Developer is responsible for creating everything the user sees and interacts with, making sure the website is not only beautiful and user-friendly but runs seamlessly as well.

Front End Developers use three languages most of the time when coding websites: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These control layout, fonts, colors, graphics, text, and animation on the site. 

Front end development skills can open up opportunities in a variety of industries, such as tech, retail, government, education, marketing, media, transportation, healthcare, and finance. In the United States, salaries for these positions typically run between $70,000 and $104,000 based on your education, qualifications, experience, and location.

Advantages of Taking a Front End Web Development Class

If you want to learn front end web development skills to start a new career, taking a class will get you started faster. While it is possible to teach yourself to code, having access to an instructor with significant industry experience can shorten the process considerably. Here are some skills you will learn in a front end web development class that can help you find a job in a new career. 

Coding

You’ll need to know how to use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to work as a Front End Web Developer. Each of these languages plays a vital role in the creation of websites. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the standard markup language for creating web pages, providing instructions on how data should be displayed on a web browser. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) works in tandem with HTML; it’s the language used to style elements on a website such as the fonts, color, and layout to give the site a unique look. JavaScript allows programmers to add interactive elements to web pages, making them more dynamic and engaging.

Version Control

Front End Web Developers must be able to track and control changes that are made to the code. This is called version control and most programmers use a tool called Git to do this. Version control is an important part of debugging.

Libraries and Frameworks

Web Developers use libraries and frameworks to save themselves time and effort when coding. Instead of coding everything from scratch, these libraries and frameworks contain pieces of code you can use to perform particular tasks. JavaScript has many libraries, like jQuery, Lodash, and D3.js, and numerous frameworks, including React, Angular, and Vue. Front end web development classes go into depth on the libraries and frameworks and what they do.

Testing and Debugging

Another skill you will learn in a front end web development class is the methods used to look for mistakes. This is called testing and debugging, and Web Developers spend a lot of their time making sure their website works the way they are supposed to. A class will teach you the fastest, most efficient and most effective ways to do this.

Design Skills

Front End Web Developers also need design skills. They need to consider how users interact with the product and if the website meets their needs. Design is about more than how a website looks; it is about the user's experience with the product.

What to Look for in a Front End Web Development Class

When you have decided to sign up for a front end web development class, ask yourself some questions to decide what you want in a course. Are you a beginner or do you have some experience with web development? What kind of schedule are you looking for? What is your budget? Does the program offer career coaching? Don't forget to check out ratings and reviews.

Comprehensive Curriculum

The first thing you should look for when evaluating your bootcamp options is a broad-based education that covers all the skills needed to succeed in web development. If your goal is to become a Front End Web Developer, then the bootcamp you enroll in should provide in-depth instruction on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript plus some of the most commonly used front end tools, libraries, and frameworks such as Git, Flexbox, Bootstrap, and React. 

Convenient Schedule

Consider how much time you have in your schedule to attend a class and study. If you are taking a course to change careers, ull-time schedule will get you started in front end web development more quickly. If you simply want to learn about HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for your own projects, a part-time schedule might be a better fit.

Make sure classes are offered at convenient times. If you are already working full-time, have a family, or are a high school or college student, you will need to work around your other commitments. If you can't find an in-person class that fits your schedule, consider an online option. You can attend class from anywhere and don't have to spend time commuting. 

Cost

Cost is another consideration when you are deciding what class to sign up for. Bootcamp classes are shorter and usually cost less than certificate courses. For example, a 6-hour bootcamp class costs a few hundred dollars, while a 120-hour certificate course can cost several thousand. 

Check to see if the training program offers any kind of financial assistance. Some schools allow you to make payments or offer loans, and bootcamp classes are often offered at a discount if you sign up for a certificate course. Take a look at your budget and choose a class that works for you.

Another thing to look at is the program's policies on missed classes and retakes. Some schools offer students class recordings so they can catch up on classes they miss. Another plus is the option to retake classes for free to review concepts when preparing for job applications.

Career Help

If your goal is a new career as a Front End Web Developer, you will want to check to see if the training program offers any kind of career help or mentoring. Some schools help students create digital portfolios from class assignments, including portfolio review, resume polishing, and job search coaching. 

Ratings and Reviews

Ratings and reviews can give you an idea of what other students thought of the course. While each review is based on the reviewer's personal experience, if you read a collection of responses from graduates and current students, you should get an idea of what the course is like.

Is it Worth Enrolling in a Front End Web Development Class?

Whether you want to learn front end web development to create your own websites or to start a new career, signing up for a class can give you the skills you need. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developer jobs are expected to grow by 16% over the next decade, a rate that is more than double the national average. 

Front End Web Developers in the U.S. earn about $92,000 a year. Some people choose to specialize in a particular language, like JavaScript, and earn $105,000 annually.

Learn Front End Web Development Skills with Noble Desktop

Learn front end web development skills with Noble Desktop's Front End Web Development Certificate. This beginner-friendly course will teach you the coding skills you need to change to a career as a Front End Web Developer. Learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Git to create responsive websites optimized for any screen size. You will also learn to use WordPress, the world's number one content management system. The course also includes HTML Email Bootcamp and a portfolio bootcamp.

JavaScript is powerful and flexible. Developers have written a variety of tools on top of the core JavaScript language, unlocking a vast amount of functionality with minimum effort. In Noble's JavaScript Development Certificate, you will learn to build dynamic web applications with React and Node.js, create APIs with Express.js, and work with databases with MongoDB. You will also learn about Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that provide functionality such as dynamically creating HTML and setting CSS. APIs allow developers to incorporate functionality in websites from other content providers, such as Twitter or Facebook. The course also covers third-party frameworks and libraries you can apply to HTML to accelerate the work of building sites and applications. No previous coding experience is required.

If you prefer, you can take these Noble classes included in the certificates one at a time. Web Development with HTML & CSS covers building websites with HTML & CSS; creating multi-page websites with text, images, and graphics; styling with CSS; and uploading files using FTP. 

Advanced HTML & CSS includes important CSS concepts like positioning, advanced selectors, and relative type sizing. You will also learn to work with multiple background images, transparent color using RGBA, CSS gradients, and shadows. The course also covers creating animated effects with CSS transitions and transforms.

Flexbox, Grid, and Bootstrap covers laying out and aligning website content with CSS Flexbox. Learn CSS Grid to layout websites and Bootstrap to build layouts quickly.

JavaScript for Front End teaches you to make dynamic and engaging websites with JavaScript and GreenSock. Learn the basics of JavaScript and how to use free pre-made JavaScripts to add functionality. Create animated slideshows and build animated image enlargers.

WordPress enables you to create and maintain a website, even if you have no web design background or knowledge of the code that makes websites work. Noble's WordPress Bootcamp covers building websites and blogs with WordPress. Learn to install themes and plugins, test your code, and customize your website.

Learn how to code custom-designed emails that adapt to different screen sizes in HTML Email Bootcamp. Build and work with multiple layouts and gain a deeper understanding of email-friendly HTML/CSS and how to manage various email client issues. Create responsive emails that work across various devices, optimize images and graphics for mobile devices, and use media queries to fine-tune mobile styles