What You Need to Know About Web Design

You’ve decided to dive head first into designing a website. Congrats! You’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about web design including how to become a web designer, the differences between responsive and mobile web design, and much more.

How to Become a Web Designer

If you’re looking to dive head first into web design, there are plenty of accredited paths you can take to become a web designer. You can earn a traditional 4-year degree in graphic design, develop your skills through on-the-job-learning, or gain in-demand certifications. Check out these platforms to help you get there:

• Google Digital Marketing & SEO Specialization (GMDS): This is a relatively new certification offered by Google. You don’t need any experience to be able to learn the basics of SEO and digital marketing. After completing the program, you’ll be able to design and develop SEO-optimized websites as well as create marketing material like logos and ads. One of the biggest advantages of this program is that you’ll be learning from experts in the field.
• Foundation Level Web Design Course (FOWDT): This is a free course offered by the world-famous Institute of Designers and Developers. The course provides you with everything you need to know about creating a functional and attractive website, including navigation, layout, and content strategy. Unlike many other web design courses, this one focuses heavily on user experience, mobile friendliness, and SEO.
• HTML 101, 102, or 201 (HTM 101, HTM 102, HTM 201): These are the original three courses that defined the world of web design back in the 90s. The HTM 101 introductory course teaches you the basic elements of HTML, the markup language used for structuring websites.
• Web Design Bootcamp (WDBootcamp): This is an accelerated program that teaches you all the basics of web design and how to minimize your learning curve as quickly as possible. The program also focuses on teaching you how to code from scratch and utilize pre-made components to build functional and attractive websites.
• A Web Design Degree (AD)strong>: If you’re looking for an accredited route to become a web designer, you can’t go wrong with a college degree. The average annual cost of a bachelors degree in web design is about $20,000, but some schools like the University of Phoenix can get you a bachelors for as low as $13,000.
• Certifications: If you’ve decided to go this route, you have a variety of options. You can become a web designer and be prepared to start your career with a high-paying job. Some of the certifications you can get are:
• SEO (SEO Certification): If you’re looking to spice up your resume, you can get certified in SEO. With this certification, you’ll be able to conduct in-depth SEO audits as well as implement proper keyword optimization across various platforms like Amazon, Google, and Facebook.
• Mobile User Experience (MOBI): Not just for smartphones anymore, the mobile user experience field focuses on optimizing websites and mobile applications for use on multiple devices including tablets and laptops. If you’re looking to break into the mobile world, this certification is for you.
• WordPress (WP): The most popular CMS (content management system) for websites, WordPress also offers a nearly complete web design and development package including a theme and a hosting account. This is why we listed it as one of the best platforms for web designers.
• Advanced WordPress (A+WP): If you’re already a WordPress user, why not take the next step and learn how to build your own websites using the platform. With A+WP, you’ll be able to take your knowledge of WordPress to the next level and develop custom plugins and themes as well as design functional and attractive websites. For those looking to get into web design but don’t have the time to complete a formal education, this is the next best thing.
• JavaScript (JS): JavaScript is a computer language that serves as the backbone of most websites. Just like HTML, it’s used to define the structure of a website while the CSS is used to style it. Most websites don’t load completely without JavaScript. Unfortunately, for security reasons, the W3C (World Wide Web consortium) does not recommend using older versions of JavaScript. If you’re looking for a secure and stable platform for your websites, you should consider moving to a version of JavaScript that’s been verified as “safe” by the W3C.
• Responsive Web Design (RWD) (Responsive): With RWD, the idea is to create websites that look as good on large as on small screens. One of the biggest challenges in web design is achieving this goal. Fortunately, with technologies like CSS and JavaScript, it’s possible to make a website look the same (or nearly the same) on any screen. In the future, all web pages will work on any device regardless of its size. Thanks to technologies like RWD.
• HTML 5 (HTML 5): If you’re looking for the most up-to-date version of HTML, you’ll want to learn and use HTML 5 (Hypertext Markup Language). HTML 5 brings with it a variety of new elements and features that make it easier for web designers to create modern, semantic, and accessible websites.
• XHTML (XHTML): XHTML is an XML-based markup language that simplifies the process of creating semantic and mobile-friendly websites. XHTML is backward compatible with HTML 4.0, so existing websites can be easily transformed to use XHTML.
• Cross-Browser Testing (cross-browser): You’ll eventually have to test your websites across different browsers (web browsers) to ensure they work the same way in each one. A great way to do this is via a tool like Browserstack which can (among other things) automatically open multiple browsers and load your website into each one. After going through the tool’s free 7-day trial, you’ll be able to perform cross-browser testing for free.