Do you need a better paying remote job? If so, learning to code is one of the most useful skills you can develop.
Coding seems complicated at first for most of us, but it’s essentially like learning a new language. Once you understand the basics, you can qualify for real remote jobs that offer flexibility and solid pay.
Coding skills open the door to many different types of work without phone from home, jobs like these this probably seemed very “technical” to you if you ever met them. Here are some examples of remote jobs where coding is used almost daily:
- Web Developer – Create and update websites.
- App Developer – Create mobile apps for iPhone and Android.
- Software Engineer – Help develop complete software programs.
- QA Tester – Test apps and websites for bugs and errors.
- Data Analyst – Use code to sort data and extract insights.
- Front End Developer – Focus on the parts of a website that users see.
- Back-End Developer – Work on the systems that run behind the scenes.
Many companies hiring for these positions post open positions on FlexJobs (you can browse here).
And no, you do NOT always need a degree to get started on one of these career paths! Many people teach themselves online, practice on small projects, and then work on a portfolio that helps them get hired.
To help you get started, I’ve listed five of the highest-rated places to learn to code for free, based on community reviews I found around the web.
Before we get into the list, please know that you can subscribe to my weekly work from home newsletters for FREE. I send remote job leads, extra money ideas, side gig info, and much more! Just put your email here to start receiving them.
Free Code Camp is widely recommended for beginners because it teaches through hands-on lessons and real-world projects. You can learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python and much more. When you finish the projects, you can add them to your portfolio to show employers. Everything on this site is free.
The Odin Project is a comprehensive learning roadmap that can take you from beginner to ready-to-go level. It focuses on web development and teaches HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Git, and other skills used in real-world tech jobs. Many learners say the project-based approach helps them understand how coding works in practice.
CS50 is one of the most respected beginner computer courses online. It teaches problem solving, programming basics and how computers work. The course is demanding, but thousands of people say it has given them the confidence to continue learning. You can take the entire course for free.
Codecademy the free tier gives you access to beginner courses in Python, HTML, JavaScript, and other languages. The interactive layout is simple and beginner-friendly. You learn by completing short exercises that show you exactly how your code works as you type.
Coursera offers free access to college courses in coding, web development, and computer science. You don’t have to pay unless you want a certificate. Many learners start with an introductory course and then move on to more advanced topics once they feel comfortable.
Coding cannot be mastered overnight, but you can make steady progress with constant practice! Once you understand the basics and build a few small projects, you can start applying for remote jobs. Many companies recruit solely on the basis of skills, no diplomas.
You don’t need expensive equipment either. A regular computer and an Internet connection are enough for most people to get started.
If you take the time to learn, coding can lead to better pay, more job options, and the ability to work from home.
Once you’ve started learning to code, the next step is to find real remote jobs that match your new skills. Flexible jobs is a great place to look because they list legitimate, hand-selected openings from trusted companies. You can find roles such as:
- entry-level web development
- junior software support
- Quality Assurance Testing
- technical apprenticeships
- coding-related internships
- remote data and other computing tasks
FlexJobs posts new jobs every day, and nothing on the site is a scam or low-quality listing. It’s one of the easiest ways to see what companies are hiring and what skills they’re looking for as you learn.
You can try FlexJobs for 14 days for only $2.95! It’s easy to cancel if you find it’s not for you.
It’s an easy way to explore the job market while you build your portfolio.
Good luck!
Photo by Danny Meneses: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-turned-on-laptop-computer-943096/
Anna Thurman is a work-from-home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 15 years. His findings are published weekly here on Real Ways to Earn.
