The Most Affordable Website Design Courses in South Africa
The Most Affordable Website Design Courses
Beginner-Friendly Training in WordPress, Wix, HTML & CSS
In today’s digital world, knowing how to build and design websites isn’t just a tech skill—it’s a life skill. Whether you’re an aspiring freelancer, small business owner, or someone looking to start a side hustle, learning website design opens the door to endless opportunities. The good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune or have a computer science degree to get started.
South Africa offers a wide range of affordable website design courses, especially for beginners. Many of these programmes focus on user-friendly tools like WordPress, Wix, and basic HTML/CSS, making it easy for anyone to learn. This guide highlights some of the most accessible, beginner-friendly website design courses that won’t break the bank.
The Most Affordable Website Design Courses
Why Learn Website Design in 2025?
Before diving into course options, let’s explore why learning website design is a smart move in today’s digital economy.
1. In-Demand Skill
Almost every business, NGO, and personal brand needs a website. With skills in web design, you can find work as a freelancer, web assistant, or even launch your own agency.
2. Flexible Work Options
Web design offers remote work potential, part-time jobs, and freelancing—ideal for students, stay-at-home parents, and side hustlers.
3. Entrepreneurial Edge
Learning how to create your own website can save you thousands if you run a small business or online shop.
4. No Prior Experience Needed
Tools like WordPress and Wix make it possible to build professional websites with no coding background.
The Most Affordable Website Design Courses
What to Look for in a Beginner Web Design Course
When searching for an affordable website design course in South Africa, keep the following in mind:
- Beginner-friendly material: Look for content that covers basic concepts and tools.
- Practical projects: Courses that allow you to build real websites.
- Flexible learning: Online, part-time, or weekend formats.
- Affordable pricing: Ideally under R2,000 or even free.
- Local relevance: South African support, payment options, or case studies.
Top Affordable Website Design Courses in South Africa
1. UCT WordPress Website Design Short Course (GetSmarter)
- Platform: GetSmarter in partnership with the University of Cape Town
- Cost: ±R12,000 (although this is higher, it’s a full certificate from UCT)
- Duration: 10 weeks (fully online)
- Best for: Beginners wanting a certificate from a reputable institution
The Most Affordable Website Design Courses
Highlights:
- No coding needed
- Learn WordPress basics, design tools, and plugins
- Build a fully functional website
Why it’s worth it: Though pricier than others, it’s comprehensive, SAQA-aligned, and perfect for those who want formal credentials.
2. Shaw Academy – Online Web Design Course
- Platform: Shaw Academy (Online)
- Cost: Free 4-week trial, then about R499/month
- Duration: Self-paced
- Best for: Learners who prefer flexible schedules
What you’ll learn:
- HTML, CSS, JavaScript basics
- Responsive design principles
- WordPress CMS setup and design
Why it’s affordable: If you complete the course within the trial period, you won’t pay anything.
The Most Affordable Website Design Courses
3. CodeSpace Web Starter Course
- Platform: CodeSpace Academy (Cape Town-based)
- Cost: R1,999 (once-off)
- Duration: 4 weeks (part-time online)
- Best for: Total beginners with zero experience
Key features:
- Introduction to HTML and CSS
- Hands-on projects
- Localised learning with South African mentors
Bonus: Good student support and a focus on employability.
4. FreeCodeCamp.org (International but relevant to SA learners)
- Platform: FreeCodeCamp (100% Free, online)
- Cost: Free
- Duration: Self-paced (80–300 hours depending on course)
What you’ll learn:
- Responsive Web Design Certification
- HTML5, CSS3, and Flexbox
- Mobile-first design
Why it’s great: Totally free, globally respected, and packed with practical challenges.
The Most Affordable Website Design Courses
5. W3Schools HTML & CSS Online Certification
- Platform: W3Schools
- Cost: Free tutorials or R795 for certification
- Duration: Self-paced
- Best for: Beginners who want short tutorials with immediate practice
Strengths:
- Bite-sized lessons
- Hands-on editor
- Optional exam to get certified
Why it works: Great for self-learners who want low-cost, quick lessons.
6. WordPress for Beginners – Udemy Course
- Platform: Udemy
- Cost: ±R200 during sales (frequent discounts)
- Duration: 5–10 hours of video content
- Instructor-led: Yes
What you’ll learn:
- Installing WordPress
- Customizing themes and plugins
- Hosting and domain setup
Why it’s popular: Affordable, practical, and ideal for those focused on WordPress.
The Most Affordable Website Design Courses
7. Wix Website Builder Tutorials (Wix Learning Hub)
- Platform: Wix.com
- Cost: Free
- Duration: Self-paced
- Best for: Non-coders who want to use drag-and-drop website builders
Features:
- Free video tutorials
- Step-by-step projects
- E-commerce and blog setups
Who it’s for: Small business owners and freelancers wanting fast results without technical skills.
South African Colleges Offering Budget-Friendly Web Design
1. Damelin Correspondence College
- Course: Website Design and Development Certificate
- Cost: From R7,500 (payment plans available)
- Best for: Students seeking a distance learning format with certification
2. Boston City Campus
- Course: Web and Multimedia Design Short Course
- Cost: ±R9,000 (ask for updated pricing)
- Accreditation: Locally recognized NQF-aligned certificate
3. College SA
- Course: Introduction to Web Design (HTML/CSS)
- Cost: R5,000 – R8,000
- Mode: Distance learning
Why choose local colleges: You benefit from support, payment plans, and nationally recognized qualifications.
The Most Affordable Website Design Courses
Free vs Paid: What Should You Choose?
| Free Courses | Paid Courses |
|---|---|
| Great for self-motivated learners | Structured learning paths |
| No financial commitment | Tutor/mentor support |
| No certification (in most cases) | Often includes a certificate |
| Limited feedback | Practical projects and career guidance |
Recommendation: Start with free courses to build your confidence. Once you’ve decided to go deeper, invest in a low-cost or certified programme.
The Most Affordable Website Design Courses
What You’ll Learn as a Beginner Web Designer
Most beginner web design courses will cover:
- HTML Basics: The building blocks of all websites
- CSS Styling: Make your site look beautiful
- Responsive Design: Make websites work on mobile devices
- WordPress/Wix Setup: Build without coding
- User Experience (UX): How visitors interact with your site
- Hosting & Domains: Get your website online
Many courses now also include e-commerce, SEO basics, and Google Analytics training.
Career Paths After Learning Web Design
Once you’ve completed a beginner course, the possibilities are endless. You could work as a:
- Freelance Web Designer
- Website Administrator
- WordPress Site Builder
- Junior Front-End Developer
- Digital Marketing Assistant (with web editing skills)
Many people in South Africa also use web design skills to support their own business, create portfolio sites, or earn income from blogging or affiliate marketing.
The Most Affordable Website Design Courses
Tips for Succeeding in Website Design Courses
- Practice daily: Don’t just watch—build your own test websites.
- Use online forums: Join communities like Stack Overflow, GitHub, or South African Facebook groups for support.
- Create a portfolio: Document every project you build.
- Stay updated: Web design trends change rapidly—follow blogs like Smashing Magazine and CSS-Tricks.
- Offer to design for friends or NGOs: Gain experience while giving back.
The Most Affordable Website Design Courses
Final Thoughts
Learning website design no longer requires a huge investment. With tools like WordPress, Wix, and free HTML/CSS platforms, anyone in South Africa can gain valuable digital skills—often for little to no cost.
Whether you’re a student, job seeker, entrepreneur, or creative, affordable web design courses give you the power to build your digital presence, earn income, and stay relevant in the modern world.
Start with a free course, explore low-cost certifications, and take that first step toward your digital future. With passion and practice, web design can transform your career, your business, or even your life.
The Most Affordable Website Design Courses
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