Web Developer Certification: Is it Worth It? (+ How to Choose)

As skill-based hiring continues to be a top trend amongst employers, certifications and certificates may be more relevant than ever. The following article breaks down key questions about web development certifications and certificates, like whether they’re worth pursuing, where to start, and how to include them on your resume. You can also browse a list of 12 popular web developer certifications and certificates.

If you're ready to start preparing for your next web development role, consider learning from the experts at Meta by enrolling to earn the Meta Front-End Developer Professional Certificate.

Certificates vs. certifications

Despite being used interchangeably, certificates and certifications represent different accomplishments. Both are effective ways to demonstrate your skill, expertise, and motivation. However, certifications typically indicate that you’ve passed an exam, whereas certificates verify that you've successfully completed specialized training.

What is a web developer certification?

A web developer certification is a credential that demonstrates your proficiency in web development technologies, concepts, or methodologies. Relevant areas of expertise include:

• Front-end development. The term front end refers to everything users can see when they interact with a website or application. Front-end developers work on the client side, creating interactive elements like buttons and search bars and visual components such as logos. 

• Back-end development. The term back end is used to describe everything users cannot see when they interact with a website or application. Back-end developers work on the server side, including logic, integrations, databases, and servers. 

• Full-stack development. Full stack is a term that describes both the front end (or client side) and back end (or server side) of a website or application. Full-stack developers are involved in all aspects of the software development life cycle (SDLC) and have the ability to work with front-end and back-end languages and technologies. 

• User interface (UI) design. UI design is the process of creating interfaces for websites or applications that users find pleasant and easy to use. UI designers might study graphical user interfaces (GUIs) such as your computer’s desktop, voice-controlled interfaces (VUIs) like the iPhone’s Siri, or gesture-based interfaces like in virtual reality (VR). 

• User experience (UX) design. UX design is the process of crafting a user’s experience from the moment the user acquires a product or enters a website throughout its use. While UI designers tend to focus on visual elements and interactivity, UX designers also manage branding efforts and emphasize usability. 

• Search engine optimization (SEO). Search engine optimization is a set of practices that aim to boost the visibility of websites and content on search engines. SEO is a key subcategory of digital marketing, making the SEO skill set a valuable one to have. It includes content strategy, keyword research, link building, and data analytics. 

• Visual design. Visual design is the process of creating an aesthetic website via the strategic use of fonts, colors, images, and other elements. Visual designers enhance websites and applications by designing the icons, graphics, logos, and other visual components that make up the front end of a product. 

Read more: Front-End vs. Back-End Developer: Understanding the Differences

Is a web developer certification worth it?

Whether or not you think a web developer certification or certificate is worth your time and effort depends on your ideal outcome. Many people pursue these career credentials for one of the following two reasons:

1. Career advancement. If you plan to use this credential to get a job, you’ll need to choose one based on the skills requested by employers in your desired industry. Search job postings for positions you’re interested in. Take note of any recurring skills or qualifications to consider acquiring. Certifications may be more suitable than certificates depending on your desired role. 

2. Skill improvement. Aside from credentials, the process of earning a professional credential will grant you knowledge and provide you with structured practice time. In some cases, you’ll also gain hands-on experience with tools and platforms commonly used in the field. If education or experience is your primary objective, certificate programs may be a better match for you. 

Keep your desired outcome in mind as you browse the benefits and drawbacks in the sections below. Setting an end goal can help you narrow down your options. It can also ensure the web development certificate or certification you choose aligns with your desired results and, therefore, feels worth pursuing. 

Do employers care about certifications and certificates?

These types of credentials can reduce the amount of on-the-job training required for new hires. As a result, many employers offer higher pay to candidates with relevant certifications or certificates. In a competitive job market, they can also help you stand out from other job seekers. 

Benefits of web development certificates and certifications

In many cases, certificates and certification programs include projects you can use to enhance your web development portfolio. If you don’t yet have a portfolio, it can be challenging to know where to start. The guidance and structure a certificate program provides can help ensure you complete your portfolio projects in a timely manner. If your chosen program is instructor-led, you’ll also have guidance available when you need it. 

For those new to the field of web development, certifications and certificates can be an excellent way to fill in the gaps on your resume. Often, employers expect hands-on experience, even for entry-level roles. Internships can prepare you for these requirements, but they aren’t a good fit for everyone, especially if they’re unpaid. These programs can be a lower commitment alternative, offering more flexibility for those working full-time jobs or caring for family. 

Things to consider before earning a web development certification or certificate

It’s important to note that not all certifications and certificate programs are equal in value. Make sure the source you receive your credentials from is recognizable and reputable in your field. Many industry leaders in technology offer certification and certificate programs, such as Meta, Google, and IBM. Additionally, certifications vary in difficulty, cost, and duration. It can be discouraging to enroll in a certification course that’s too challenging and tedious to enroll in one that’s below your current skill level. Consider your previous experience, budget, and the amount of time and effort you have to contribute to earning your credential. 

13 popular web developer certificates and certifications

The sections below outline a few popular certificates for web developers in various fields of expertise ranging from entry-level to intermediate. If you're transitioning into web development from a related role, a certificate focusing on foundational knowledge of the front-end, back-end, or full-stack can be a great place to start. If you already work in web development and you're looking to advance your career, you can use a certificate or certification in a focused area such as UI/UX or artificial intelligence (AI) to pursue a specialization.

1. Meta Front-End Developer Professional Certificate

The Meta Front-End Developer Professional Certificate program focuses on the tools and languages commonly used in front-end web development. You’ll use HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React to develop web pages and learn to manage GitHub repositories and branches. By the end, you’ll have built a portfolio to showcase your work to potential employers through participating in labs and hands-on projects. Earning a Meta Professional Certificate will also provide you with career resources such as resume review, interview prep, and career support with Coursera’s job search guide. 

Experience level: Beginner

Time to complete: About 7 months at 6 hours of study per week

Cost: Included with $59/mo Coursera Plus subscription

Read more: What Skills Should a Front-End Developer Have?

2. Meta React Native Specialization

The Meta React Native Specialization is an online course series that focuses on programming fundamentals for UI design. You’ll gain the skills you need to create cross-platform applications with React, React Native, and JavaScript while building out your portfolio with hands-on projects.

Experience level: Beginner

Time to complete: About 8 months at 6 hours of study per week

Cost: Included with $59/mo Coursera Plus subscription

Read more: What is a React Native Developer? (And How to Become One)

3. AWS Certified Developer - Associate

The AWS Certified Developer Associate certification demonstrates your knowledge of developing and deploying applications using AWS platforms and CI/CD workflows. Keep in mind this option is an exam, meaning it does not include training and you'll need to study on your own before taking the test. If you have no prior experience with Amazon Web Services, you might consider preparing for this exam with an online course such as Hands-on with AWS: Software Development Practices, which covers CI/CD, AWS CodeDeploy, and source control and can be completed in about three weeks.

Experience level: Beginner (Associate)

Exam duration: 130 minutes

Cost: $150 USD

Read more: Your Guide to AWS Certification

4. IBM Back-End Development Professional Certificate

The IBM Back-End Development Professional Certificate program focuses on back-end tools and technologies like Kubernetes, Docker, and server-side Python. You’ll learn to write back-end applications and employ software development methodology like continuous integration/continuous development (CI/CD) for automation. 

Experience level: Beginner

Time to complete: About 12 months at 10 hours of study per week

Cost: Included with $59/mo Coursera Plus subscription

Read more: What Does a Back-End Developer Do?

5. IBM Full-Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate

In the IBM Full-Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate program, you’ll learn to develop, deploy, and scale cloud applications using Cloud Native tools and technologies such as containers and microservices. You’ll practice using front-end development languages like React and Bootstrap while building your GitHub portfolio with hands-on full-stack web-development projects and a capstone. 

Experience level: Beginner

Time to complete: About 5 months at 10 hours of study per week

Cost: Included with $59/mo Coursera Plus subscription

Read more: What is a Full-Stack Developer?

UI/UX web developer certifications and certificates

If you're interested in becoming a UI or UX designer or transitioning into web design from a related role, the following certifications and certificates can be used to fill the gaps in your resume.

6. Google UX Design Professional Certificate

In the Google UX Design Professional Certificate program, you’ll learn about the entire UX design process. You’ll find out how to apply foundational UX concepts like user-centered design and accessibility, as well as create a professional portfolio with three end-to-end projects. Upon earning a Google Career Certificate, you’ll gain access to Google’s Employer Consortium with 150+ hiring organizations, career support, and interview preparation resources like mock interviews and resume review. 

Experience level: Beginner

Time to complete: About 6 months at 10 hours of study per week

Cost: Included with $59/mo Coursera Plus subscription

Read more: UI vs. UX Design: What's the Difference?

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

The Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development & Coding Specialization is an approachable course series offered by the University of Michigan that covers the use of document object model (DOM) to modify pages, interactivity development with JavaScript, and the fundamentals of CSS. By the end, you’ll be able to add responsive web design that’s viewable on various devices. 

Experience level: Beginner

Time to complete: About 2 months at 10 hours of study per week

Cost: Included with $59/mo Coursera Plus subscription

Read more: What is Responsive Web Design? And How to Get Started

8. Adobe Certified Professional

The Adobe Certified Professional Certificates represent your knowledge of industry-standard tools and your ability to pass thorough technical evaluations. They include a variety of specialized certification exams, including visual and graphic design, multiplatform animation, and web authoring. 

Experience level: Varied

Time to complete: Depends on the chosen exam and study time

Cost: Depends on the chosen exam

Read more: What Is a Visual Designer? (+ How to Become One in 5 Steps)

AI certificates for web developers

AI proficiency has become an in-demand skill in recent years, in the tech sector and beyond. You can get ahead of the curve by learning to effectively apply AI to your role with one of the following certificate programs.

9. IBM Applied AI Professional Certificate

In the IBM Applied AI Professional Certificate program, you’ll learn about key AI concepts like machine learning, deep learning, and neural networks. Without any programming, you’ll learn to create and deploy AI chatbots and virtual assistants. 

Experience level: Beginner

Time to complete: About 6 months at 4 hours of study per week

Cost: Included with $59/mo Coursera Plus subscription

Read more: 5 In-Demand Jobs Requiring AI Skills

10. Microsoft Copilot for Software Development Specialization

The Microsoft Copilot for Software Development Specialization focuses on leveraging the AI tool Copilot to increase your efficiency and productivity when writing code. If you're interested in building in-demand generative AI skills into your programming practice, this course series can be an excellent starting point.

Experience level: Intermediate

Time to complete: About 1 month at 5 hours of study per week

Cost: Included with $59/mo Coursera Plus subscription

Read more: 5 In-Demand Jobs Requiring AI Skills

Tool, language, or platform-based certificates and certifications

Prospective employers often value experience with specific development tools and platforms. Having experience with industry-standard languages and technologies minimizes the amount of time a new hire will spend getting acclimated to their role. Once you’ve browsed job postings and identified the technologies that are most relevant to you, consider earning a certificate that aligns. Here are a few platform-based certificates to get you started:

11. Django for Everybody Specialization

The Django for Everybody Specialization is offered by the University of Michigan, this intermediate-level specialization is taught by subject matter experts. It covers the essentials of building full-featured web applications with the Django library. You’ll strengthen your coding skills in Python, learn SQL, and get hands-on practice with jQuery and JSON web services. 

Experience level: Intermediate

Time to complete: About 2 months at 10 hours of study per week

Cost: Included with $59/mo Coursera Plus subscription

12. Developing Applications with Google Cloud Specialization

In the intermediate-level Developing Applications with Google Cloud Specialization offered by Google, you’ll learn the best practices for cloud-native application development with Google Cloud products and services. By the end, you’ll be able to deploy applications using Container Builder, Container Registry, and Terraform. 

Experience level: Intermediate

Time to complete: About 1 month at 10 hours of study per week

Cost: Included with $59/mo Coursera Plus subscription

13. Google Developers Certification

Google Developers Certifications have several different technology focus areas, including Tensorflow, Android, and Cloud. 

Experience level: Varied

Time to complete: Depends on the chosen exam and study time

Cost: Depends on the chosen exam

Read more: Google Cloud Certification: 2024 Guide

How to list web developer certifications and certificates on your resume

Where you list your certifications depends on the layout of your resume. You may create a section titled “certifications and licenses” or simply place them alongside your education. If you want your certification to stand out first, consider including it in your resume summary. Mentioning your certifications in your cover letter is also an excellent way to showcase them. 

Read more: How to List Certifications on Your Resume: Guide + Examples

Start earning your web developer certificate today on Coursera 

If you didn’t find a recommendation that aligns with your goals in this article, consider browsing our catalog of web development courses, specializations, certificates, and degrees. With a subscription to Coursera Plus, you'll gain access to over 7,000 job-ready certificate programs, courses, and hands-on projects.

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