Comparison of HTML & CSS Training Formats

HTML and CSS are the foundation for all web development and programming, making them two extremely valuable skill sets for professionals in a variety of fields. Choosing a course is the most important step, one that starts with deciding how it is you plan to learn these skills. Most students learn better when they receive guided training and a structured curriculum. There is no shortage of options for students to receive guidance in their HTML & CSS training, so it’s important to understand the different training formats available. To learn more about the different HTML & CSS training options, and what advantages and disadvantages they carry with them, read on.

What is HTML & CSS?

HTML and CSS are two essential tools that form the foundations of any web page. They’re often used together, but they both serve different purposes for web coding. The key differences lie in their implementation, ease of use, various features, and their structure, but both are essential to web development. 

HyperText Markup Language HTML) HyperText is a markup language that’s understood by computers, designed to describe web pages and make text more interactive. Originally invented in 1989, HTML is used for creating the primary content of a website, is supported by every single browser, and is established on pretty much every web page in existence. No licenses are required, you don’t need to pay for it, and it can be pretty easy to learn and code.

Cascade Styling Sheets (CSS) is a type of language you can use to describe the presentation of a markup language, like HTML. It effectively determines how the building blocks, as laid by HTML, are decorated and presented to the user. CSS originated in 1996 and is used for background color, styling, layout, borders, and shadowing, all the essential design features that make a webpage look smart and navigate easily. It allows you to distinguish between presentation and content by modifying the design and display of HTML elements.

If you’re interested in exploring the world of programming and web development, HTML and CSS are the ideal place to start. Mastering these tools will provide you with the appropriate foundation to learn programming languages like JavaScript, Ruby, Python, or SQL. 

What Can You Do with HTML & CSS Skills?

HTML and CSS are considered the building blocks to coding and programming, with HTML providing web page structure and CSS used to control web page styling. With HTML and CSS alone, you can build static multi-page websites, code email templates, design beautiful user interfaces, and work with other developers on larger projects. Some example projects are outlined below:

• Building landing pages or sales pages
• Creating static menus for restaurants
• Building multi-page static websites like online resumes, simple portfolio pages, or informational websites
• Becoming a volunteer Wikipedia contributor or editor
• Converting PSD files to HTML and CSS
• Creating email templates for email platforms (like Mailchimp or HubSpot, for example)
• Customizing a WordPress.com or Squarespace.com site

If you work in a creative field like marketing or design, learning HTML and CSS can provide you with a more balanced skill set and give you insight into the technical work of the colleagues that you collaborate with. If you’re looking to launch a career in programming or web development, learning HTML and CSS is the best place to start. Mastering these two fundamental tools will instill the confidence you need to tackle harder programming languages like JavaScript, SQL, and more. 

Whether you’re looking for a career change or simply pursuing a new hobby, learning HTML and CSS is a worthwhile cause. From soft skills like effective communication, problem solving, organization, and collaboration, to more technical skills like hyperlinking, page formatting, and testing and debugging, the knowledge you gain from studying HTML and CSS provides a lifetime of value. 

Why Training Format Matters

The way you learn is important and specific to you. There are countless factors that influence your choice in training formats, so it’s important to keep these in mind while researching classes. Things like your schedule, preferred learning method, and where you live will all impact which training format is best for you. Below are some questions you can ask yourself to help guide your decision making.

• How much flexibility do I need?
• What hours (evenings and weekends or daytime) do I have available for learning?
• Do I live in a location with in-person offerings?
• Do I thrive in a collaborative environment or prefer to learn on my own?
• Is my learning pace slower than others?
• How important is instant feedback to me?
• What level of accountability do I need to succeed?

It’s a lot to consider, so this article will help you learn about all your options and how to decide which one is best for you. 

Types of Training Formats

There are four main ways to learn HTML and CSS: live in-person classes, live online courses, on-demand classes, and free resources. Each one has been outlined below so that you can consider the pros and cons. 

Live In-Person Classes

In-person classes are considered the best way to master HTML and CSS as quickly and efficiently as possible. Held on location at scheduled times, these classes offer face-to-face interaction with your fellow students and your expert instructor. If you encounter any challenging material, you can ask questions in real time instead of spending unnecessary time figuring it out on your own. You are also able to work with other students, allowing you to practice teamwork skills and build relationships. This collaborative environment is available for both full-time and part-time classes and provides structure and accountability, two things that can help you succeed. 

Live Online Classes

Live virtual courses are considered the middle ground between on-demand and in-person classes. You’ll attend scheduled class times from the comfort of your own home (or wherever you choose) to learn from an expert instructor. Live online classes offer instant feedback from your teacher and interactions with other students, creating the opportunity for a deeper understanding of the coursework. These classes are ideal for students that thrive in a structured learning environment but perhaps don’t live near any in-person offerings. Or, if you simply prefer online learning, then a live virtual class could be for you. 

Live online classes do have some downsides, though. If you rely on the accountability of attending things in-person, you may struggle to stay focused in an online course. These classes can also vary in cost, from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the length and depth of the program. Financial assistance is rarely available for these courses, but you can typically set up a payment plan to help make these courses more accessible. 

On-Demand Classes

Also known as self-paced, on-demand classes offer the most flexibility of any class option but don’t win any awards for speed. They do have quite a few benefits for busy professionals, though. Not only can you learn from wherever you want, you can also learn whenever you want. There are no due dates or scheduled class times, so you can take your time on challenging topics or skip over ones you’ve already mastered. 

These classes are ideal for learners with complicated schedules who need to squeeze their studying in around their work and other obligations. You’ll need to be an independent and self-motivated student to succeed in an on-demand class. It’s very easy to lose momentum or fall behind when you don’t have any outside accountability, so these courses tend to take longer than a structured live course. 

Free Courses

You could take advantage of free resources like YouTube making the most of the insights, tools, and short tutorials made available by industry experts. Code Academy offers some free intro courses in HTML and CSS that are ideal for beginners. Coursera is another option, with various training sessions and videos lasting from just a few minutes to a few days. 

While free resources are financially helpful, this method can take the most time. You’ll be responsible for sourcing all your learning materials and ensuring that you’ve covered all the important subjects of HTML and CSS, and this process can take a substantial amount of time. Additionally, like on-demand courses, it’s easy to lose motivation and fall behind with free resources. 

As you can see, there are several options available if you don’t choose the self-taught route. On-demand, live online, and in-person classes are all great ways to study HTML and CSS, so the choice will come down to which learning method is best for your schedule and lifestyle. 

Depth of Training Formats

It’s important to keep in mind that training formats will provide various levels of depth in their curriculum. Some courses, like intro classes, are designed to focus on the basics. Other classes may focus on specific tools or skills, while some may provide an in-depth holistic approach to an overarching subject, like web development or programming. These are all outlined for you below. 

Certificate Programs

Certificate programs are focused on professional development, meaning they’ll cover topics that will be relevant to a career in web development or programming. These are longer than attending a quick course or bootcamp, and can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months (depending on if you attend full-time or part-time. While their curriculum is robust and a certificate of competency will look good to potential employers, they may not be the best option if you’re wanting to focus on one individual skill (like HTML as opposed to an entire programming language) or want to complete a course quickly. 

It’s important to note that certificates can cost substantially more than a quick course, but the higher cost is often worth the more in-depth curriculum that these programs provide. Noble Desktop’s Front End Web Development Certificate is a great example. You’ll learn HTML to mark up web pages, CSS for styling, JavaScript to add interactivity and animation, and Git to track code changes and collaborate with other developers. Ideal for those new to coding, you’ll develop the skills to create responsive websites optimized for any size screen (mobile, tablet, and desktop). Additionally, you’ll learn how to use WordPress, the world's leading content management system, to create customizable websites and edit content without the need to be a programming expert.

Training Bootcamps

Bootcamps are typically held live either in-person or virtually. Bootcamps allow for in-the-moment discourse with an expert instructor. If you’re struggling with a particular subject, you can ask questions and receive feedback instantly. Additionally, live bootcamps offer a level of accountability that many students say they need to succeed. Schedule class times and assignment due dates motivate you to stay on track. 

These courses tend to be shorter (a few hours to a few days) and cost less than a certificate program, in part due to how they primarily focus on one skill or tool, as opposed to an entire subject (like programming or web development). Noble Desktop’s HTML Email Bootcamp focuses on teaching you how to code custom-designed emails that adapt to different screen sizes. Held live online, you’ll learn how to code emails with custom designed layouts and graphics to engage with your customer base. You’ll also master using HTML and CSS to code emails, and how the coding techniques differ from coding web pages.

Introductory Courses

The shortest classes you’ll find will be introductory level courses. These classes can typically be completed in just a day or two. These classes are designed for complete beginners, so they’ll focus on the basics of HTML and CSS and the fundamental techniques and tools associated with both. These classes are often held live, either in-person or online, allowing you to chat with your instructor and receive feedback in real time. It’s important to keep in mind that these classes won’t cover advanced subjects, so if you want to learn more than just the basics, an introductory class may not be the best option for you.

Introductory courses are often your cheapest option (not including free resources, of course). These classes offer you a low-pressure way to test out a new subject of interest. If you end up loving it, you can move on to an advanced course or attend a bootcamp or certificate course. A great place to start would be Intro to HTML & CSS, a hands-on course that will teach you the basics of both of these fundamental tools. You’ll hand code a webpage from scratch using HTML, learning how to format paragraphs, headings, and lists. You’ll also learn how to create links, add images, and modify tags with attributes. By the end of class, you’ll be familiar with CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), including tag selectors, class selectors, and the class attribute.

Learn HTML & CSS Skills with Noble Desktop

Live HTML and CSS courses are an ideal learning method for those entirely new to the field. Live online classes are great for those who prefer a solitary learning environment with minimal distractions. They allow you to learn from the comfort of your own home (or wherever you choose), providing more flexibility. Additionally, if you live in an area with limited (or no) in-person options, online classes open up more opportunities for you. 

Live classes allow you to work with other students, make new friends, and receive feedback and input from your instructor in the moment. These classes also provide a higher level of accountability and are a superb choice for those who struggle to keep themselves motivated or on task. They are, of course, less flexible than an online class, but often their advantages outweigh this one disadvantage. 

Noble Desktop’s HTML Email Certificate will help you gain skills to create responsive emails with personality. Boasting small class sizes led by expert instructors, you’ll learn HTML and CSS coding, including how to code effective and cross-mail-client compatible emails and optimize emails for desktop, webmail, and mobile users. By the end of this program, you’ll be able to code emails that display properly in various email apps for your business or clients.

Their Web Development with HTML & CSS will teach you how to develop websites with HTML and CSS, the coding languages used to create web pages. Using HTML, you’ll learn how to create webpages with text, images, and more. Then you’ll use CSS to style the content, create centered page layouts, add background images, style navigation, and make the page responsive so it adapts to various screen sizes using media queries. Finally, you’ll upload files to FTP to make your site go live.