How to Learn Web Design Online for Free

If you've ever had the desire to start your own website, but can't afford to pay a professional's design fees, then it may be in you best interest to learn on your own. The basic language of websites is HTML. It really isn't a programming code, but rather a "Markup Language". Web Browsers such as Netscape, Internet Explorer, and Firefox read and interpret HTML "tags", then display the HTML elements in the proper format. It's really pretty simple once you dive in!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• computer
• Internet access to www.w3schools.com

1. Learn the Basics of HTML 4.01
   Your first step to becoming a "state-of-the-art" Web Designer: Learn HTML.
   Below is a link to an ABSOLUTELY FREE online web school called W3schools.com. They have everything you need to become proficient at Web Development and design.
   You'll learn in a "baby-step by step" manner, through the use of tutorials, edit-and-click examples, and reference tables.
   
   To Begin, open this weblink, or the one at the bottom of the page:
   http://www.w3schools.com/sitemap/sitemap_tutorials.asp
   
   It should take you less than a day to learn the Basics of HTML.

2. Next comes CSS.
   CSS stands for "Cascade Style Sheet'. CSS allows for a more global styling of parameters for fonts, colors, and text. It is usually stored in an external file with the file suffix (*.css).
   Multiple web pages may be formatted simultaneously through one CSS file.
   CSS build upon an HTML foundation.

3. Now comes Javascript.
   Javascript is THE scripting language of web page development. It allows you to add functionality to your page, such as performing mathematical calculations, querying functions, and much more!
   You may want to stop here, and begin building your first webpages. if you have a simple site, then this may be all you need to learn. However, learning ASP and PHP scripting is simple and will allow for a much more secure site.

4. Next step: ASP and PHP scripting.
   Because ASP and PHP scripting is performed on your server, the coding is hidden from prying eyes, whereas basic HTML files are there for everyone to see, and manipulate.

5. Finally learn MYSQL:
   MySQL is the database component of a well-built website. If you are going to have an Ecommerce site, then this is a must.

6. To build a site quickly and easily, you can use the free Sitebuilder programs, which come free with most web-hosting contracts. Also, programs such as Frontpage or Dreamweaver, will build your pages, with very little programming knowledge on your part. There are also open source(ie.-free!) CMS's (Content Management Systems) such as Joomla or Drupal which will build a very complex site and script it in the advanced PHP format, and build your MYSQL database for you.
   However, it is wise to learn the basics of the above coding languages so that you may debug, fine-tune, and manipulate your web page elements, without paying and paying, and paying someone else!

Resources

• W3Schools Free Online Web Courses

[tammyfrost]

on 10/23/2009 Absolutely wonderful article on web design! Thanks...I do use the w3schools site once in awhile!