CSS can be a little daunting for beginners; as a beginner myself, I know! But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to learn CSS. This blog post will explore some of the best ways to Learn CSS for beginners. So, whether you are just starting or looking for a refresher course, keep reading for tips and advice on how to master CSS.
There are many resources available for a beginner to learn CSS. Which resource is best for you will depend greatly on you and how you prefer to learn. For example, do you prefer a structured course over an unstructured format? Do you learn by doing, by reading, or by watching?
Let us dive in and take a look at some of the most popular ways to learn CSS, with pros and cons for each to make an informed decision!
Learn CSS through the official documentation
One of the best ways to learn CSS is through official documentation. This approach can be good for beginners because it is structured, and you can find everything you need in one place, with detailed explanations.
The main disadvantage of this approach is that it can be a bit, well, boring, which means it can be tough to stay motivated, specifically if you are working through it on your own. It can also be a little confusing at first because you are learning a practical skill by learning the theory.
I have found the CSS documentation a great resource to learn from, which is expected, as it is the official documentation. But I didn’t start with the official documentation. I only jumped into the CSS documentation towards the end of my learning journey, when I had what I felt was good a practical grasp on the basic principles of the language and needed help with more complex topics (and to do research for this blog).
Learn CSS with Google
The more you learn to code, the more you will realise that Google is a developer’s best friend! You can find the answer to pretty much any coding question by searching for it on Google.
It is possible to learn CSS with Google, and you will find many different resources available on CSS with a quick Google search, including courses, tutorials, and articles.
One of the benefits of learning CSS this way is to tailor your learning to your own needs and interests. You can find resources on specific topics or find general tutorials that will teach you the basics. You can also find resources for all levels of learners to find something appropriate for your skill level.
The disadvantage of learning CSS this way is that it can be difficult to find quality resources, and it can be tough to know which ones are worth your time. My advice here is once you find a reliable resource, try and sign up to a mailing list so that you get updates when new posts are made.
That reminds me – if you like this post so far and think the World of Dev can help you on your coding journey, sign up to our mailing list here to get updates when we have released new content.
Learn CSS with a coding Bootcamp
If you are looking for a more structured way to learn CSS, a coding Bootcamp might be your right option. Bootcamps offer in-depth courses that teach you everything you need to know to start coding.
The main benefit of a coding Bootcamp is that you get all your learning in one place. You don’t have to spend time hunting for resources, and you can be sure that all the content is high quality. You also benefit from working with an instructor who can help you with any problems you might have and answer questions immediately and directly. This could save you a vast amount of time searching for the answer you need on Google or places like Stack Overflow.
The disadvantage of a coding Bootcamp is the price tag. Bootcamps can be expensive, and they can be a big investment.
Based on my journey, I would not sign up for a coding Bootcamp to learn CSS, specifically if it is a Bootcamp that only covers CSS. There are enough resources at lower price points to teach you all you need to know.
If the Bootcamp covers CSS, HTML and JS, it may be worth the investment. In this case, I would also try and make sure that a framework like React, Vue or Angular is included.
Learn CSS on YouTube
I learn well with videos, which is why learning on YouTube is great for me. YouTube has taught me countless things in my life and is a great platform to teach yourself any skill, CSS included.
It is possible to learn CSS on YouTube, and there are some great channels dedicated just to teaching CSS. YouTube channels that teach CSS will often have tutorials in playlists for different skills levels, making it great for beginners.
The advantage of learning CSS on YouTube is that you can see how it works in practice and follow along with the instructor. If you get stuck, you can also ask questions in the comments section, but these will often go unanswered, so be aware of that.
The disadvantage of learning CSS on YouTube is that you might not always be able to follow along if you are a beginner. The videos can also be overwhelming, and it can be hard to find the right one to start with. I often found that many instructors were great at coding but often assumed I had knowledge that I did not have or brushed over code without explaining the code, which left me feeling like I only understood part of the solution. This issue was part of my motivation behind launching World of Dev: to explain code to beginners in a language that beginners understand and explain as much of a solution as possible to get a solid foundation.
One way to overcome this is to search for a video tutorial specifically for beginners. You can also look for a channel that offers courses so that you can follow along step-by-step.
Learn CSS with Structured Courses
If you prefer a more structured learning environment, you might want to consider a structured course. There are a lot of different courses available, and they vary in price and quality.
The advantage of a structured course is that you can be sure that you are learning everything you need to know. The disadvantage is that Bootcamps can be expensive, and you might not be able to find a course that fits your needs.
If you decide to take a structured course, do your research first. There are a lot of different courses available, and not all of them are created equal. Try to find a course specifically for beginners that offers a lot of support. You might also want to consider a course that includes a certificate or diploma.
I like the idea of structured courses, and two that I took when learning CSS (and CSS) were the CS50 introduction to computer science and the freecodecamp responsive web design certification
Learn CSS on your Phone
Mobile apps have become a popular way to learn to code. There are a lot of different apps available, and they vary in price and quality. The advantage of learning CSS this way is that you can learn on the go and choose which topics you want to learn about. The disadvantage is that the quality of the apps can vary, and it can be hard to find a good one.
An app that I have tried and found useful is Mimo, which is available on both the Google and Apple play store.
Personally, learning on a mobile app was not the best way for me to learn. I found learning to code at my PC to be more productive and realistic. You aren’t going to code on a mobile device, so why learn on one, unless you do not have a computer or laptop available to you. When learning on a mobile app, you also don’t pick up the muscle memory you would gain from learning on your computer.
Learn CSS through Blogs
Another way to learn CSS is by reading blogs and written content. The advantage of learning this way is that you can take your time, easily finding information about any topic you want to learn about.
Learning CSS through blogs can be great because code snippets are often placed directly in the blog post, which you can copy and paste. This is often not the case with YouTube videos, where you often have to retype all the code you are looking for.
The disadvantage is that it can be hard to find useful information, and it can be hard to know which information is correct. Another disadvantage is that the person writing the blog could be writing to a more “qualified” developer, making it difficult for beginners to understand the solution – another reason World of Dev started!
The best way to learn CSS for beginners
There are numerous ways to learn CSS; however, I found that the best approach wasn’t all or nothing. For me, the best approach was mixed. I started with CS50, then I did the Freecodecamp course, and started doing Frontend mentor challenges to improve my skills.
Everyone is different, and there is no one best way to learn CSS as a beginner. The important thing is that you play to your strengths by learning in the easiest way for you, making your journey more pleasant. Learning to code can be a long journey, depending on how far you want to go with it, so try to make it as easy on yourself as possible!
While I was doing Frontend mentor challenges, I did many Google searches. I watched YouTube tutorials to help me understand different concepts, making the best approach for me a mixed approach.
I hope this article helped or inspired you on your coding journey. Click Here to meet other new coders like you by joining our Discord community.
