Learn More About Web Development Classes in Atlanta
Web development is the process of creating what people see and interact with on the internet. It’s a network of webpages that share a common coding structure (HyperText Markup Language, or HTML) that allows them to be displayed by particular software (web browsers or browsers) and connected by a common addressing and transmission format (HyperText Transfer Protocol, or HTTP) accessed by hyperlinks, or more simply, links. Webpages are hosted on servers located anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection and an address.
A website, or site, is a group of related webpages that are closely interconnected and similarly addressed and usually share the same owner and server. From this simple architecture, the Web has bloomed into the hub of the modern internet, its sites and pages containing not only simple text and graphics but also videos, data entry forms, and applications. Webpages also connect to external devices like cameras, alarms, appliances, and smartphones (the Internet of Things). With the Web’s interweaving with cloud computing, the distinction between ‘the Web’ and ‘the internet’ is becoming slimmer.
What Can You Do with Web Development Training?
While most people can design a functional webpage, particularly with the help of web design software, few users can build a complete website, and even fewer can build a functionally diverse site that contains more than just text and images. With training in web development, you can learn how to use more of the Web’s capabilities and create websites for many valuable purposes. Embedded code, database management tools, linked media files, and interfaces with external devices can transform ordinary websites into complex applications in their own right. Experienced web developers are continually creating new Web-based technologies, ranging from generative applications that can hold conversations or write code, to Web-based video games, to immersive Web experiences utilizing animated interfaces and VR technologies. Web developers also manage the implementation and architecture of web servers for their employers, overseeing networking hardware and software, designing data structures, instructing users on the use of new web tools, monitoring website traffic, and troubleshooting these operations.
What Will I Learn in a Web Development Class?
HyperText Markup Language (HTML)
The common unifying language of the Web, HTML is the basic code structure for web documents, identifying their contents, describing how they should be displayed on web browsers, and enabling them to access other pages. Some webpages today are still composed in pure HTML, although most pages include embedded information in CSS, which specifies their style and presentation, and JavaScript, which runs software scripts that further generate pages’ contents and behavior. Web development lessons start with HTML so that students will understand the Web’s original and underlying architecture. In a web development class, you will learn how to write a basic webpage in HTML, read HTML to understand how a webpage works, and edit HTML to change a page’s appearance and contents. You will also work with HTML editing programs that can automatically create and modify pages based on user instructions, either for convenience or to generate new webpages on the fly.
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
CSS is a style sheet language that tells programs how to display documents. When used in an HTML document, CSS tells web browsers how to present the page’s contents. This information separates appearance from content and allows shared elements to be viewed differently on different pages or devices and improves page loading speed. Using CSS also allows for more stylistically complex and sophisticated webpages, improving on bare HTML. In a web development course, you will usually learn CSS alongside HTML as part of webpage code, as most modern webpages use both languages. You will also learn to use CSS modules that give the language additional functionality, like Flexbox for flexible sizing and layout of page contents and Grid for a fixed table-like layout of contents. Finally, most web development courses explain the use of Bootstrap, a CSS framework that controls page layouts and integrates JavaScript to ensure that interactive components appear and function consistently in any display format.
JavaScript (JS)
JavaScript is a programming language used for various applications. When JavaScript is included in webpages, web browsers execute this code to produce a wide variety of effects: launching content like animations, video, and sound; loading additional pages within the selected page; running embedded programs like plug-ins, games, or search engines; or recording, verifying, or transmitting data. Most webpages now use some form of JavaScript, with most using one or more standard JavaScript libraries to expand and simplify this code.
Students learning web development must know this language to use its functions effectively in their website designs. Front-end developers might only need to know JavaScript’s fundamental structure and functions to add prebuilt code to their web projects and edit it appropriately. Back-end and full-stack web developers, though, will need fluency in JavaScript to fully write and modify applications, whether to build their own pages and plugins or to build and manage scripts and servers. Web development classes also practice working with Node.js (a runtime environment that executes JavaScript code), JavaScript libraries like React.js, and web application development frameworks like Express.js (for Node.js) and Next.js (based on React.js).
Git
Git is a widely used system for collaborative software design that tracks changes to a shared program so that its developers can see prior file versions and work on the same current version. GitHub is a software platform that implements Git and allows distributed workers to store and share code in progress. Web developers use Git and GitHub to track a website’s evolving structure so that different developers can share information and, when necessary, roll back unwanted or incorrect changes. Web development classes teach how to use Git and GitHub because they are used by most web developers, and especially by large web development companies.
Database Management
Many websites access separately stored data to support their functions, requiring a database management system (DBMS) to store, edit, and access this information through interaction with the site or its server. Web development courses address how DBMSs work, how they are used in websites, and how to choose, implement, and modify data structures and DBMSs. Classes typically introduce the most popular relational DBMSs, particularly structured query language (SQL) systems like MySQL (an open-source system), Microsoft SQL, or PostgreSQL. Other NoSQL DBMSs covered by web development courses include Oracle Database and MongoDB.
Web developers may also study Python, a programming language, as a useful component of websites’ data transfer and processing routines. Python has several additional uses throughout the web development process, and several Python frameworks, particularly Django and Flask, were created specifically to support web development.
Web Design
Web development is distinguished from web design, the discipline that shapes the appearance and interactive flow of webpages and websites. Web design is a form of graphic design that considers how different elements (text, graphics, animation, links, etc.) and their arrangements on webpages and across a website better inform, persuade, guide, and appeal to users. At a minimum, web developers should understand the needs and methods of web design so that they can complement designers’ work with suitable tools and site structures. The two areas particularly overlap in the creation of user interfaces and experiential elements like site navigation, data entry and output forms, and functional elements like plugins. Some web developers do include web design as part of their services, building websites even more thoroughly than full-stack developers.
UI/UX Design
As subfields of digital design, User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design apply to any digital product, including webpages, websites, and web-based services. UI design considers how the components of a program’s interface—its information, images, links, and other control features—work together to assist and appeal to users. UI design is closely related to web design, but it is also a consideration for web development, particularly in terms of responsiveness and control feature functionality. UX design considers how an entire product assists and appeals to its users, including its interfaces, but also the clarity and accuracy of output, ease of use, correct functionality, and user satisfaction. Good UX design considers factors like human-focused design and communications, data management and security, streamlining of controls and code, and inclusion of assistive features. Minimally, web developers should consider the needs of UX design when building a website’s structure or writing web-related code. For these reasons, many web development courses discuss UI and UX design as it relates to web products.
How Hard Is It to Learn Web Development?
Web development is a broad subject, covering an expanding array of project types, tasks, sub-skills, and tools. Only the most studied and practiced professionals understand this field completely. Most practicing web developers manage with a broad understanding of their field, a core set of skills and tools, and a deeper examination of the specific problems, methods, and tools within their chosen subfield. Even this entry-level expertise requires careful study of several programming languages and software programs. Web developers must understand programming logic, the technologies of the Web and the Internet, and the working methods used by web developers. A background in computer science can jump-start this study, although dedicated students can learn the most necessary concepts, tools, and basic programming skills by taking several web development courses. This classroom study may be enough to understand the field and build common website structures, especially as a front-end developer. However, creating original, custom websites, especially those with complex interfaces, data structures, and server architectures, takes more practice with web development tools, more coding skills, and an understanding of management practices for large web development projects.
What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Web Development?
For most web developers, their first major challenge is coding. Learning a new programming language is a significant task, especially for students without prior coding knowledge. Gaining fluency with languages like HTML and JavaScript can take considerable time and effort. Using pre-built code libraries and development environments can help with the routine tasks of website construction, but developers still need to understand the languages’ underlying syntax and logic. Another common challenge is collaborative work. On a large website project, individual developers may work on separate aspects of the whole site, like user logins or search functions, but they have to coordinate with other developers, web designers, and clients or management. Again, tools like GitHub can assist collaboration, but learning these tools and how to communicate effectively with a team can take practice. Finally, when making the transition from study to work, many web developers must learn how to create sites that are not only functional but efficient. Clients want websites that load quickly, are easy to use, and avoid redundancies for both their external and internal users. Creating sophisticated websites that not only achieve their goals but do so in the cleanest possible way is more difficult and often requires advanced expertise.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Web Development?
Web development is a field with multiple degrees of knowledge. Some developers only need enough study to build a specific type of website for their personal or business use. A short web development course of several class sessions, plus some independent practice, might be enough to create a simple website or modify a website template. In such an introductory course, students will gain a general understanding of web development; familiarity with central topics like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and database management; and an introduction to additional tools like Git, website prototyping systems, and a few popular database management systems. However, anyone interested in working in web development will need further study over multiple courses. In particular, web developers need time to become fluent in the coding languages and data structures that support the diverse functions of modern websites. A complete web development bootcamp typically requires 3-4 months of regular study and practice to prepare you for entry-level employment in this field. Afterward, you should expect to keep learning, on the job or through additional courses, to increase your expertise in specific areas like JavaScript programming, Python for web development, UI design, server design, web security, AI expert systems, and many more subjects. Reaching capable, confident expertise in this field can take several years of dedicated work, and there is always more to learn.
What Should I Learn Alongside Web Development?
No web development class, not even a college course, can cover all of the systems, languages, and techniques used by professional web developers. Even casual website creators can benefit from additional study beyond the standard web development classwork. In particular, several additional programming languages are useful for solving problems and providing new options for your websites. Web development classes touch on these languages, but rarely teach them in depth. PHP is a general scripting language designed for web development that runs on web servers and generates webpages and their elements when prompted by an HTTP request. Python is an even more general-purpose language that can be adapted for web scripting. Java, similar to but distinct from JavaScript, can also be used to write web applications as well as web server code. Other popular web development languages include Ruby, Swift, and Angular. In addition to these separate languages, there are multiple versions, implementations, libraries, and platforms to learn for each language.
This same diversity applies to database management systems. While web development classes will typically address some DBMSs, especially relational systems like SQL, there are many other options, some with features that may be more useful for specific development projects. IBM, Amazon, and Oracle, for example, each have unique database systems. Web developers may also want to study web design applications, since even if they are not designing pages themselves, they should be familiar with the tools their site’s designers are likely to use. Learning about web design itself can be equally useful to know the features and support designers will need. For similar reasons, a separate class on UI/UX design can supplement a Web Developer’s understanding of the considerations and tools involved in building a webpage as a user interface and designing a website as a complete user experience. Prototyping programs are a common tool for web designers and developers, used to define a website’s flow and functionality before its construction begins. Learning more about these programs, especially popular products like Figma, Adobe XD, and Axure RP, will prepare you to work as part of a larger web development team.
Atlanta Industries That Use Web Development
In Atlanta, web development professionals play a crucial role in various sectors, supporting a diverse range of companies. For instance, Delta Air Lines utilizes web developers to enhance their online booking systems, ensuring a seamless user experience for travelers. Coca-Cola leverages web developers to create engaging marketing campaigns and interactive content on its brand website. The Georgia Institute of Technology employs web experts to maintain and improve its educational platforms, providing students and faculty with a robust digital learning environment. Meanwhile, CNN relies on developers to keep its news website fast, responsive, and easy to navigate, delivering timely updates to viewers. The Atlanta Botanical Garden engages web professionals to create stunning visual experiences and educational resources that enhance visitor engagement.
Leading healthcare providers like Emory Healthcare utilize web developers for patient portals that facilitate appointment scheduling and access to medical records. Startups like Mailchimp depend on web developers to refine their user interfaces and improve customer interactions on their marketing platforms. The high-tech company, NCR Corporation, taps into web development to build innovative online banking solutions for clients. Local restaurants and food delivery services, such as Grubhub, count on web developers to create visually appealing and user-friendly platforms for customers to order meals. Lastly, non-profit organizations like the Atlanta Community Food Bank employ web developers to effectively communicate their mission and streamline donation processes online. Each of these companies illustrates the vital role web development professionals play in enhancing functionality, user engagement, and overall online presence.
Web Development
As an industry, web development takes the form of web development contractors who offer website services to clients, usually businesses. In Atlanta, The Turing Group is known for providing comprehensive web solutions, including custom website development and user experience design. A company might purchase an entire website, including its page designs, site structure, functional features, and server architecture. A Web Developer will work alongside network engineers, software engineers, web designers, and possibly graphic designers and marketing experts. Alternatively, CayModeration specializes in adding specific functionalities, such as payment processing or searchable knowledge bases, to existing web services. Developers are assigned to determine the client’s needs, examine their existing site, and create and implement new features.
Web Design
While web design itself is distinct from web development, some web design companies like The Creative Approach in Atlanta will hire web developers to support their work. Developers implement and test designs, create code to support particular designs, or advise designers about the feasibility and technical requirements of their ideas. This collaborative process ensures that web designers can effectively bring their concepts to life while leveraging the technical expertise of web developers.
Software Publishing
Software publishing includes designing and programming new software applications and the modification, marketing, distribution, and support of those products. An example in Atlanta is Smartsheet, which specializes in work management and automation software. Web developers may be part of the programming team or may advise on the features needed for software that is web-related. Similarly, when marketing their products, companies like Insight Global benefit from having web developers who understand their work and can tailor campaigns to their peers. Websites need features to handle purchases, monitor product subscriptions, provide updates, and host discussions, which is where skilled web developers play a crucial role.
Ecommerce
Almost everything that can be bought can be found online, supported by web developers who build e-commerce features. Atlanta’s own Zifty, providing on-demand delivery from local restaurants, utilizes web developers to build interactive catalog pages, secure login and payment systems, as well as customer loyalty programs. Businesses may hire web developers directly, contract a web development company for this work, or use pre-built sales sites from companies like Shopify, which are maintained by web developers. Unique product types, such as real estate or construction, require custom websites and sales structures, illustrated by Realtor.com, which delivers tailored services through its platform.
Finance
Financial services heavily rely on web developers to ensure secure and reliable online transactions. Atlanta-based SunTrust Bank, now part of Truist, engages web developers to build robust online banking systems that meet strict legal requirements. Web developers must design these systems to provide security for sensitive financial data, responding to changes in security and privacy regulations. Investment firms like E*TRADE use their websites to display market information, demonstrating the importance of skilled web developers in keeping these sites current and functional.
Advertising
Advertising has a significant presence on the web, evolving from simple banners to complex campaigns. In Atlanta, BBDO Atlanta has sought the expertise of web developers to create sophisticated online advertising strategies. As the web grew, developers helped integrate ads into various platforms, including embedding advertisements in free hosting services. This collaborative effort between developers and advertising firms allows for innovative ad formats that engage users effectively. Companies like Engauge illustrate the importance of a strong web presence in delivering successful advertising campaigns.
Web Development Job Titles and Salaries in Atlanta
Web Developer
The most common job title for workers in web development is simply Web Developer. Web Developers are in high and increasing demand, with 19,000 or more job openings created every year. In Atlanta, a Web Developer may expect an average annual salary of around $100,000, depending on experience level, employer, and duties. This range includes professionals working for web development contractors and those hired directly by companies to create and manage their web services. A Web Developer may work on any or all aspects of website construction, depending on the employer and the type of hire.
Some positions handle more specific portions of website development. A Front-end Web Developer manages websites’ user-facing, interactive elements such as data entry forms, navigation, and embedded applications, which may overlap with web design. While a Front-end Developer may also need to know more than other Web Developers about UI and UX design and search engine optimization (SEO), their required technical knowledge is lower overall. Many Web Developers enter the workforce as Front-End Developers, and a single certificate program sufficiently prepares some. A Front-end Developer typically earns about $103,000 per year in Atlanta.
In contrast, a Back-end Web Developer manages a website’s hidden functions, operations that occur on servers, such as scripts, database management, and integration with external devices. Accordingly, Back-end Developers need stronger coding and overall technical skills, requiring additional study to master more programming languages, database systems, and software design tools. The average annual salary for a Back-end Developer in the United States is approximately $116,000.
Finally, a full-stack web Developer handles all parts of a website project, from its interfaces and user features to its database and server structures, and all the code in between. A full-stack web Developer might also include web design among their services. These roles typically have the highest educational requirements, as they require mastery of multiple techniques and tools. Salaries for full-stack developers are correspondingly higher, typically around $127,000 per year across the United States.
Web Designer
Web design refers to the creation of a website’s pages, individually and as a whole, and particularly the selection of their components, layouts, and interface elements. Web design overlaps with graphic design, but includes some technical aspects that are informed by web development. Studying web development alongside web design can enable a Designer to better interact with developers in a combined team, create better designs that are easier to implement, or even offer both services as a Web Designer and Developer. A Web Designer in Atlanta earns $83,000 per year, on average.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers invent and implement new programs, from smaller, contained applications to expansive frameworks used for creating other programs and devices. Software Engineers created all of the languages and services that support the Web, as HTML, HTTP, CSS, and JavaScript, which are each implemented by specific software. Some Software Engineers continue to create programs and adapt pre-existing code to support Web Developers. Separately, many software products are developed with Web-based versions, requiring Software Engineers who are also versed in web development, either to work alongside Web Developers or to implement these Web-based programs directly. In Atlanta, Software Engineers earn around $99,000 annually, on average.
Digital Designer
A Digital Designer creates content for digital devices, like graphics, videos, and interactive experiences. Much of this content is intended for use on websites, and an understanding of web development helps Digital Designers create better, more complete, ready-to-use web content. Some Digital Designers with a strong coding background can create full web-based experiences on their own. A Digital Designer typically earns $95,000 annually across the United States.
JavaScript Developer
Rather than developing specific websites, some professionals trained in web development specialize in the languages and systems that support Web Developers. Many JavaScript Developers create new JavaScript libraries and environments, extending the language in useful directions and building tools that give Web Developers new options and make their work more efficient. Other JavaScript Developers write websites themselves, building their structures fully within JavaScript, or they write website templates that other Web Developers can adapt based on their clients’ needs. A JavaScript Developer can typically earn $111,000 per year in the United States.
Atlanta Web Development Classes
Noble Desktop holds live online courses for many professional skills, including technical areas like web development. For beginning students, Web Development with HTML & CSS is an introductory short course that covers the foundational languages of web development, teaching you how to create and modify webpages and websites. In addition to live class sessions, this course includes a workbook, one 1-on-1 study session with an instructor, and a certificate awarded upon completion. Students can also retake the course once for free within a year.
Noble Desktop’s Front-end Web Development Certificate is a comprehensive program that can prepare you for employment in this field. Beginning with the introductory HTML & CSS course above, this course then addresses advanced HTML and CSS concepts and techniques, practices different CSS layouts, covers JavaScript for front-end development, and teaches Git and GitHub for collaboration with a web development team. The course concludes with two bootcamp courses: WordPress (a popular website management system) and HTML Email. This course includes supplemental workbooks and videos, access to recordings of each live class after they conclude, and six 1-on-1 mentoring sessions to address questions, practice difficult topics, or discuss career planning. After completion, you will receive a course certificate and can retake the course once for up to a year, if needed.
For a more comprehensive education in web development, Noble Desktop’s Full Stack Web Development Certificate begins with the same curriculum as their Front-end Certificate course, then expands with coursework covering back-end web development and preparing students for various types of web development careers. This course adds a JavaScript Bootcamp, classes on several popular JavaScript libraries and database management systems, a separate React Development Bootcamp, and your choice of further study in an SQL Bootcamp or WordPress Bootcamp. The course also includes multiple coding labs, practice projects, and instruction on building a professional portfolio and preparing for industry interviews. Students receive supplemental printed and video materials for all subjects, including access to recordings of live classes, and ten 1-on-1 mentoring sessions for further study and development. This course also provides a certificate after completion and one retake for up to one year.
Web Development Corporate Training in Atlanta
Whether training new or current employees in web development or updating your existing developers, Noble Desktop can provide expert live instruction, either online or onsite at your location. You can choose any of Noble Desktop’s existing web development courses or create a custom course to fit your needs, including general web development or specific software tools. You can also adjust class scheduling by request for both in-person and online courses. For existing courses, you can purchase vouchers for your preferred courses—at a discount for bulk purchases—and provide these to your employees to schedule classes when convenient. In addition to instructor-led lessons, all courses include Noble Desktop’s supporting reference texts and videos.
For a free consultation to design your custom web design course, ask questions about available instruction, or purchase course vouchers, contact Noble Desktop at corporate@nobledesktop.com.
Learn From Noble Desktop’s Experienced Web Development Instructors in Atlanta
Atlanta’s professional scene is diverse and powerful, making it perfect for anyone looking to expand their skills in tech, design, business, or data. As one of the Southeast’s most important hubs for companies, the city brings together industries like finance, media, technology, and logistics. Through Noble Desktop’s network of experienced instructors, Atlanta-based professionals can access training from experts who truly understand the local job market.
Web development centers on coding, problem-solving, and building functional web applications. Noble Desktop's instructors help students understand modern frameworks and best practices through structured, real-world lessons. These professionals have spent years in their fields and have developed a sense of pride in imparting their knowledge to others. This is a surefire way for students to turn their interests into real-world, applicable skills.
Willie Morris
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Willie Morris is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with over 30 years of experience leading initiatives across government, aviation, and transportation industries. Willie, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, has also held roles with the Department of Homeland Security and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. He has served as a Registered Educational Provider with the Project Management Institute and an Authorized Training Partner with Rita Mulcahy Learning Solutions. Drawing on his background of teaching PMP Exam Prep Certification courses, Willie now instructs professionals in Atlanta and nationwide, helping teams in federal industries strengthen their leadership and project management skills.
Kim Peppers
Kimberly Peppers dedicated 37 years to federal service, building her career through a range of audit, budget, and program analysis roles. Over the course of those decades, she rose to senior leadership positions, including Regional Inspector General and Audit Director across different federal agencies. She earned her Doctorate in Business Administration while simultaneously working on audit and investigative assignments in the Middle East. After retiring from federal service, Kim continued work in the public sector by moving into the federal consulting field. She is also an instructor at Graduate School USA, teaching mainly finance and accounting classes.
Ashley Otto
With more than 20 years of both personal and professional involvement in government HR, Ashley is an experienced human resources professional and educator. She currently works as an instructor at Graduate School USA, where she earned a reputation for delivering comprehensive marketing, project management, and HR concepts in a clear, understandable way. Drawing on her extensive experience, Ashley brings a unique twist to her courses through real-life, practical examples that help students bridge the gap between theory and actual application of the skills. Ashley holds a Master’s in Public Administration and remains dedicated to strengthening the public service sector through professional development and advanced education.