How do I choose the right web development course for my goals?

Start by considering whether you want to focus on front-end , back-end , or full-stack development —and whether you're building websites, applications , or career-ready skills. For a job-aligned, end-to-end path, try the Meta Front-End Developer Professional Certificate or Meta Back-End Developer Certificate . Want to start building right away? Try Introduction to Web Development by UC Davis. For full-stack fundamentals, explore the Meta Full-Stack Developer Specialization .

Which web development course should I start with as a beginner?

These beginner-friendly options teach you how the web works and help you write your first lines of HTML , CSS , and JavaScript : Introduction to Web Development – Covers structure, styling, and publishing websites using standard tools. HTML, CSS, and Javascript for Web Developers by Johns Hopkins University – A hands-on Specialization for absolute beginners. Meta Front-End Developer Certificate – Beginner-friendly and includes responsive design , React , and version control .

What’s the difference between a web development course, Specialization, and Professional Certificate?

A course focuses on one topic or tool—like Building Web Applications in PHP Basics . A Specialization is a sequence of courses that builds layered skills—such as Responsive Website Development and Design Specialization . A Professional Certificate prepares you for job roles through career-aligned training, projects, and interview support—like Meta Front-End Developer or IBM Full-Stack JavaScript Developer .

Not sure where to begin with web development?

Take a quick quiz to find the right course for your goals—whether you're learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for the first time, building full-stack applications, or exploring frameworks like React. Take the quiz to discover your ideal starting point.

Can I take free web development courses on Coursera?

Yes. You can start learning web development on Coursera for free in two ways: Preview the first module of many web development courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera Coach (where available). Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial. If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in web development, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.

What will I learn in a web development course?

You’ll learn how to build websites and web applications using core technologies like HTML , CSS , and JavaScript . Some courses also introduce frameworks and tools like React , Bootstrap , GitHub , and APIs , along with responsive design and deployment basics.

Do I need experience to start learning web development?

No experience is needed. Many courses are beginner-friendly and start with the fundamentals. You can progress at your own pace and choose advanced topics as you grow more comfortable with the basics.

Top Web Development Courses - Learn Web Development Online

Find the Best Web Development Course for Your Goals

Status: Free Trial
IBM
Introduction to HTML, CSS, & JavaScript
Skills you'll gain: Web Development Tools, Responsive Web Design, Web Development, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Javascript, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Debugging, Data Validation
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
562 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Introduction to Front-End Development
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, Front-End Web Development, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), HTML and CSS, Web Development, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Web Design, Web Development Tools, User Interface (UI), Full-Stack Web Development, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Javascript, General Networking
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
13K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Meta Front-End Developer
Skills you'll gain: Version Control, Unix Commands, HTML and CSS, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), User Research, UI/UX Research, Git (Version Control System), Usability Testing, React.js, User Experience Design, Responsive Web Design, GitHub, Interaction Design, Data Structures, Front-End Web Development, Pseudocode, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Javascript, JavaScript Frameworks
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
23K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
IBM
IBM Full Stack Software Developer
Skills you'll gain: Serverless Computing, Software Development Life Cycle, Node.JS, OpenShift, GitHub, Software Architecture, ChatGPT, React Redux, Web Development Tools, Microservices, Containerization, Responsive Web Design, React.js, Kubernetes, Cloud Computing Architecture, Object-Relational Mapping, CI/CD, Flask (Web Framework), Jupyter, Professional Networking
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
57K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Introduction to Web Development
Skills you'll gain: Version Control, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), GitHub, Git (Version Control System), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web Design and Development, Web Design, Web Development, Web Content, Front-End Web Development, Web Applications, Image Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Web Development Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Event-Driven Programming, Responsive Web Design, Front-End Web Development, Data Storage Technologies, Javascript, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Data Management, Application Security, Semantic Web, Data Validation
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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Status: Free Trial
IBM
Python for Data Science, AI & Development
Skills you'll gain: Jupyter, Web Scraping, Python Programming, Data Collection, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Pandas (Python Package), Programming Principles, Data Structures, NumPy, Data Processing, Data Manipulation, Application Programming Interface (API), Data Import/Export, Computer Programming, Data Analysis
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
42K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
Illinois Tech
Fundamentals of Web Development
Skills you'll gain: Javascript and jQuery, HTML and CSS, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Responsive Web Design, Web Design and Development, GitHub, Web Applications, Git (Version Control System), Web Servers, Web Services, Software Architecture, Animations
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
17 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development & Coding
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Wireframing, HTML and CSS, Web Design, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Javascript, Web Design and Development, Web Development Tools, Web Development, Browser Compatibility, Web Applications, Front-End Web Development, Code Review, User Interface (UI), Usability, Web Content, Event-Driven Programming
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
35K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
HTML, CSS, and Javascript for Web Developers
Skills you'll gain: Ajax, JSON, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), HTML and CSS, Javascript, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Responsive Web Design, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Web Applications, Web Design and Development, Development Environment, Web Design, Project Management, Full-Stack Web Development, Web Development Tools, Web Development, Front-End Web Development, Usability, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Event-Driven Programming
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
17K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Build a Portfolio Website with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Skills you'll gain: Web Design and Development, HTML and CSS, Web Development, Web Applications, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Front-End Web Development, Responsive Web Design, Web Design, Javascript, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web Content
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
100 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Amazon
Full Stack Web Development
Skills you'll gain: Full-Stack Web Development, Model View Controller, Spring Boot, Responsive Web Design, Restful API, HTML and CSS, Application Deployment, Server Side, Java, Web Applications, Amazon Web Services, Web Services, Back-End Web Development, Software Architecture, Javascript
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
21 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks