So, you want to start learning HTML? Awesome! HTML is a relatively easy language for beginners to learn because it is straightforward and doesn’t require much knowledge in other areas. But where should you start and what is the best way for a beginner to learn HTML? There are many different ways to learn HTML, and it can be tricky to figure out which one is the best for you; trust me, as a beginner myself, I know, which is why I am writing this article.
There are many resources available for a beginner to learn HTML; which one is best will depend 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 look at some of the most popular ways to learn HTML, and we will give you some advice on how to choose the right one for you. Read on to find out more!
Learn HTML through the official documentation
One of the best ways to learn HTML is through official documentation. This approach is good for beginners because it is structured and easy to follow. You can find everything you need in one place, and the instructions are clear and concise.
The main disadvantage of this approach is that it can be a bit dry, and it can be tough to stay motivated 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 find the HTML documentation a great resource to learn from, and yes, because it is the official documentation, it would be one of the best places to use. Personally, I only jumped into the HTML documentation towards the end of my HTM learning journey when I had 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 HTML with Google
Google is a developer’s best friend, and you can find the answer to any question by searching for it.
This is also true for learning HTML. There are many different resources available online, and you can find about anything you need, including courses, tutorials, and articles.
One of the benefits of learning HTML with Google is you can 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 HTML with Google 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 and 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 let you know when we have released new content.
Learn HTML with a coding Bootcamp
If you are looking for a more structured way to learn HTML, you could learn HTML with a coding Bootcamp. Depending on how you like to learn, this may be the ideal way for you. Bootcamps offer in-depth courses that teach you everything you need to know to start coding.
The main benefit of learning HTML with a coding Bootcamp is that you get all your learning in one place. You do not have to spend time hunting for resources, and you can be sure that all the content is high quality. You also benefit from collaborating with a teacher who can help you with any problems you might have.
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 HTML, specifically if it is a Bootcamp that only covers HTML. In my opinion, there are enough resources at lower price points that will teach you all you need to know.
If the Bootcamp covers HTML, CSS, and JS, then it may be worth the investment, try and make sure that a framework like React, Vue or Angular is included in it too.
Learn HTML on YouTube
One of the most popular ways to learn HTML is by watching YouTube videos. There are a lot of different channels that offer video tutorials, and a lot of them are really good. The advantage of learning HTML on YouTube is that you can see how it works in practice and follow along with the instructor. You can also ask questions in the comments section if you get stuck. But often, these will go unanswered, which is where a site like Quora may be better for you.
The disadvantage of learning HTML on YouTube is that you might not 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 found this to be the case often.
When you start to learn HTML on YouTube you may soon find that many instructors are great at coding but often assume you have knowledge that you don’t yet and tend to brush over code without giving an explanation on the code being used. Brushing over code like this always left me feeling like I only understood part of the solution. This was part of the motivation behind launching World of Dev, to explain code to beginners in a language that beginners understand.
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. World of dev will start releasing short videos on HTML and other coding languages soon. You can subscribe to our channel here
HTML for Beginners Structured Courses
If you prefer a more structured learning environment, you might want to consider a structured course. There are literally 1000’s 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 they 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 which offers comprehensive 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 HTML (and CSS) were the CS50 introduction to computer science and the freecodecamp responsive web design certification
Learn HTML on your phone
Recently, mobile apps have become a trendy way to learn HTML. There are many different apps available, and they vary in price and quality. The advantage of learning HTML on your phone 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 an app called 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 probably aren’t going to code on a mobile device or phone, so why learn on one?
When learning HTML on your phone, you do not pick up the muscle memory that you would gain learning on your computer, muscle memory that will help you in the future because you need to get used to using colons, semi-colons, and curly brackets.
Learn HTML through Blogs
Another way to learn HTML 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.
Another advantage of learning HTML through blogs or written content is that often code snippets are placed directly in the blog post, which you can copy and paste where needed. This is often not the case with YouTube videos, where you often must 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.
The best way for a beginner to learn HTML
There are several ways to learn HTML; 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 for a beginner to learn HTML. The important thing is that you play to your strengths by learning in the most efficient way for you, which will make 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 a fair amount of google searches and watched YouTube tutorials to help me understand different concepts.
If you want to find out how I learnt HTML in 9 hours and what I did with those 9 hours you can find out here.
I hope this article inspired you to take that leap and start learning to code. Click Here to meet other new coders like you and join our community.
