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What does coding really do for us?

There are many purposes for coding. These include software development and website or app building. But what does it have to do with marketers today? In the constant digital age we have been evolving in, knowing the basics of coding is now a requirement. Websites are the main form of communication between consumers and businesses, so knowing how to properly code a well structured site, makes all the difference.

I decided to take on some basic coding, provided by Code Academy. This was a really good way to learn some basic coding and understand what the direct result of it is. I started out with some HTML.

During the various sections that Code Academy took me through, I found it essential to think about the extent that I learn coding. Being a marketer, its easy to think that something like coding shouldn't be a required skill, but it in fact should be required. In order to be a well-rounded, "T-shaped Marketer" or "Full Stack Marketer" understanding all components of digital marketing, including coding, are essential. The ability to communicate with various departments, or collaborate with other teams based on knowledge in coding, can go a long way for benefiting a business and its potential. This is also an important skill to differentiate marketing candidates from others.

My experience with Code Academy was really insightful, because it allowed me to understand the visual side of it. I think that learning from this perspective will help me grow more comfortable with the coding lingo, and be able to advance onto other program types like CSS, C++, SQL and so on.

In the two hours that I spent coding, most of my time was spent in HTML. But I tried to retry all of the exercises in order to practice and remember all the various formats. I hope that this learning platform can be a bridge for me to continue coding with more advanced levels.

Coding for the Future

As my dad has constantly been working in the field of IT, I can clearly see how much the field has developed. It only makes it more apparent that understanding concepts like coding can go a lot farther than just creating a page or website layout. It can also be the space where the business reaches further in their goals, and incorporates various ideas that were always seen as individual.

Watching marketing become an industry full of numerous skills and techniques shows that while there is a benefit to specializing, you are more inclined to have an overall understanding. If we can communicate with developers and work closer with them, this opens up new possibilities to Marketing and IT for the future.

So why don't you start coding today?