Web development and design are among the top 25 fastest-growing fields in the U.S., with a faster-than-average growth rate of 8%. 

With so much competition, you need a proven track record of creating high-quality web designs to impress potential employers and clients. Earning credible web design certificates is one of the best ways to quickly boost your job prospects and set you up for a successful career, especially if you're new to the field. 

Read on to learn about a few certification programs that’ll help you stand out.

Do you need a certification to be a web designer?

Certificates aren't compulsory — you can become a web designer without them. Many clients prefer working with designers with legitimate credentials, however, so lacking certifications might make you less competitive. 

Beyond improving your resume, online courses deepen your knowledge and help you stay current on the latest market trends. Whether you sign up for user experience (UX) design or marketing courses, certificates show you have the skill set to be a worthy hire.

What can you do with a web design certification?

Earning an online web design certificate allows you to advance your career by building your credentials. You can proudly display digital badges or case studies in your portfolio to tell companies and clients that you've completed a specialized course.

Certifications and badges clearly outline your expertise, making a strong first impression that sets you apart from other candidates. These documents also open doors to networking opportunities and continued education, keeping you connected to the latest industry trends and best practices.

The 8 best web design certificates for beginners

There are thousands of online web design certifications to choose from, but here are eight courses that stood out to us.

1. Webflow University: Ultimate Web Design Course

Webflow University's Ultimate Web Design Course offers a comprehensive introduction to web design and development. If you’re a beginner or intermediate designer looking to learn the ins and outs of Webflow’s visual design platform, this workshop has over 100 videos spread across 74 lessons to support you. The comprehensive modules cover information such as: 

• Programming languages like HTML and CSS
• Website architecture elements, such as divs, Flexboxes, and grids
• Advanced topics like responsive design, SEO, and 3D styles
• Revision techniques like updating websites using Webflow's content management system (CMS)

Webflow's interface and tutorial styles are user friendly, making the learning curve enjoyable for beginners. You can also find related courses and web design certifications on even more topics, including accessibility, Figma integrations, and ecommerce. No matter which web design skill you’re trying to learn, Webflow’s courses have you covered. 

Course length: Five hours and 27 minutes

Cost: Free

2. Adobe’s Web Authoring Using Adobe Dreamweaver

Adobe's Web Authoring Using Adobe Dreamweaver certification is an Adobe Certified Professional certificate. If you want to validate your skills in Adobe Creative Cloud, this certification is a highly respected credential to have.

The course includes practice tests, tutorials, and hands-on projects. Adobe recommends completing 150 hours of instruction and practical experience using Adobe Creative Cloud software before taking the exam. The exam, available online or at Adobe test centers, covers five key areas: 

• Working in the web industry
• Setting up projects and interface designs
• Organizing content on a page
• Working with code to create and modify content
• Publishing digital media

Adobe offers eight other exams for their various products, and each certificate is valid for three years.

Course length: 150 hours of practice 

Exam length: 50 minutes

Cost: Varies depending on your certification level

3. Google Analytics IQ

The Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ) teaches you how to use Google's data visualization tool for websites. You’ll learn how to set up dashboards, read in-depth site reports, and analyze conversions from incoming traffic. Google Analytics teaches you what content effectively attracts and converts visitors, which helps you base design decisions on statistics rather than assumptions.

Google offers four free courses to help you prepare for the test, which you can find through Google's Analytics Academy. The exam is available on Skillshop, and the certification is valid for 12 months.

Google doesn't offer an official badge for the IQ certification, but having it on your resume improves your credibility and shows your commitment to data-driven design.

Course length: Four hours and 55 minutes

Exam length: 90 minutes

Cost: Free

4. Responsive Web Design Certification by freeCodeCamp

freeCodeCamp's Responsive Web Design Certification is a free course that covers essential skills for creating websites suited to any device. It includes fundamental techniques like HTML, CSS, typography, and responsive front-end development tactics.

The certification emphasizes practical, hands-on coding experience that you can apply directly to real-world scenarios. Through a series of interactive lessons, you'll learn how to build landing pages, personal portfolios, and other digital content types that adapt seamlessly to various screen sizes and devices. 

Course length: Unlimited access, self-paced

Cost: Free

5. UX Design Short Course by General Assembly

General Assembly's UX Design Short Course offers a deep dive into essential site-building techniques like prototyping, wireframing, and usability testing. You can take this course in one of two formats: a 10-week evening program or an accelerated one-week option.

Classes meet twice weekly in the evening or all day on Saturdays, depending on your location. While the course workload should be manageable alongside a full-time job, you'll still need to dedicate time outside of classes for homework and projects. If you miss a session, General Assembly provides resources to make up for it.

Course length: 10 weeks for the regular program, one week for the accelerated course

Cost: $4,500, with installment and financing options available

6. Springboard’s UI/UX Design Bootcamp

Springboard's UI/UX Design Bootcamp offers an online, project-based curriculum. Through part-time study, the course teaches you how to use software like Adobe XD and Figma. Lessons cover the entire design cycle, from conducting user research to building high-fidelity assets and mockups. To help you stay ahead of industry trends, classes also explore AI features in various learning units.

The bootcamp includes one-on-one mentorship, career coaching, and a four-week externship. Job preparation support extends up to six months after graduating from the course. 

Course length: Nine months

Cost: $11,900, with financing options available for U.S. residents

7. Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development & Coding Specialization by Coursera

The Web Design for Everybody certification on Coursera, offered by the University of Michigan, is an excellent introduction to web development and design. You’ll learn everything from writing HTML and CSS to adding interactivity with JavaScript. You'll also create responsive designs, ensuring your website layouts perform consistently across devices.

The course requires you to build a professional-quality portfolio to show how well you understand accessible web design. You'll create sites that appeal to a broad audience, including those with visual, auditory, physical, and cognitive disabilities.

During the camp, university and industry experts will guide you through hands-on projects, helping you understand in-demand tools and creative concepts. After completion, you'll earn a shareable certificate to add to your resume and LinkedIn.

Course length: 1–6 months, self-paced

Cost: Enroll for free, flexible pricing based on course length

8. Udemy’s Web Design for Beginners: Real-World Coding in HTML and CSS

Udemy's Web Design for Beginners certification requires no prerequisite knowledge or software, allowing anyone interested in web development and design to take the course. It covers the essentials of HTML and CSS, focusing on real-world applications like building responsive web pages.

Throughout 11.5 hours of on-demand video, you'll learn to add effects with the latest version of CSS and develop a solid grasp of common industry jargon. The sessions include one coding exercise, 51 downloadable resources, and mobile and TV access, meaning you can continue learning anytime, anywhere.

Course length: 11 hours 30 minutes

Cost: Varies for individuals and teams

Become a certified web designer with Webflow

To build engaging websites, every web developer and designer should be up to date with the latest techniques. Continuous learning keeps you ahead of the competition and attracts more clients.

Webflow University offers dozens of courses and certifications to help you advance your career. And when you’re ready to apply what you’ve learned, build layouts with real page content while Webflow automatically generates the back-end code.

Start your web design journey and grow your personal brand with Webflow.