Coding: What a marketer should know

Coding & Marketing:

Let's face it. Coding is a complex topic and as marketers, we don't necessarily need to be experts, but it is important to have a basic understanding of coding. Coding is writing a computer program and "is how computers and machines can receive instructions on what actions to perform and commands to carry out". The most common types of code are:

• HyperText Markup Language (HTML)
• Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
• JavaScript (JS)

These codes are the bread and butter to running successful applications, websites, and programs. Hubspot describes coding as the next must-have skill of modern marketers. Benefits of marketers learning coding include:

• It saves time and inspires: If the marketer understands the coding tools made available to them, they will have more possibilities to create, saving time and money.
• Informs marketers of the process: Knowing what goes into building a website or form and how to make changes allows the marketer to make informed decisions about the cost and timeframes for projects
• Can make quick fixes with coding knowledge: The marketer can fix minor issues in web design without having to reach out to a web designer
• Can make an impact with even basic skills: Marketers can make more insightful recommendations regarding designs which can increase ROI in marketing campaigns

Code Academy:

Code Academy is a website that offers lessons in many different coding languages. This is an example of one of the HTML lessons. It is more in-depth coding and really lets you build your website from scratch.

SquareSpace & Wordpress:

SquareSpace is a website that allows users to create websites. It offers many website templates to choose from. It allows users to edit the website and see what it looks like from a desktop and mobile view.

Wordpress is another website that allows you to create websites, but also other kinds of content like blog posts. It is known as a content management system (CMS). It allows you to add blogs to your site and publish newsletters and even includes call-to-action buttons.

On both of these websites the coding has already been done for you, all you have to do is create and edit your content!

Disney Codeillusion:

It is never too early to learn how to code. An amazing training program is Disney's Codeillusion. This program is not just for kids! It can also teach adults who are just learning how to code. The program is split into three main categories: game development, web design, and media art. This teaches basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

This is an example of how Disney makes coding fun. This lesson is teaching HTML and CSS and using it to format a Zootopia-themed webpage.

Coding is a valuable skill to have as a marketer as it expands your knowledge of what's going on in your business, which allows you to save time and money.