Why Digital Marketers Should Know a Little Code

Coding isn’t just for developers anymore. As a digital marketer, knowing even a little code can set you apart. It gives you the power to tweak website designs, automate tasks, and troubleshoot issues without relying on developers.?

Main Takeaways from Article:

1. Knowing HTML/CSS lets marketers tweak websites, fix issues, and customize platforms like WordPress without developer help.
2. No Code tools (e.g., Pineapple Builder) are great for quick projects, while Low Code platforms (e.g., WordPress) offer more customization for those with coding skills.
3. Proper HTML improves website structure, making sites more accessible and SEO-friendly.

My Experience Learning to Code

For this project, I dove into Codecademy’s HTML course, spending a couple hours going through lessons.?

Even while learning just the basics it became clear how helpful this foundation is for digital marketers who need to make quick edits on a website or understand how content management systems work under the hood. Here are some basics I picked up:

• Text Formatting: Setting up headings, paragraphs, and line breaks to structure content properly. It made me think about how much we take webpage layouts for granted when we’re just clicking around a site.
• Lists: Both ordered and unordered lists are surprisingly useful for structuring menus, content sections, and even product descriptions in an e-commerce setting.
• Hyperlinks & Images: Learning how to embed images and create links felt like a small thing at first, but it reinforced how much control HTML gives you over user navigation and engagement.?
• Semantic HTML: Semantic HTML was a game changer for me because it clarified how elements like <header>, <footer>, and <section> create a clear structure that improves both SEO and accessibility. It made me realize how often I’ve struggled with poorly structured websites and how simple changes like using <nav> for menus instead of generic <div>s could make a huge difference.
• Attributes & Accessibility: Things like src, alt, and href help control how elements behave, but more importantly, they make content accessible. I had never really considered how much proper HTML contributes to making websites usable for screen readers and other assistive technologies.

Comparing Platforms: Squarespace, WordPress, Pineapple Builder, and Readymag

After spending time on Codecademy, I explored some different website building platforms to see how they stack up in terms of functionality and ease of use.?

• Squarespace: A very user-friendly website builder designed for those who don’t want to touch code. It’s great for creating good looking sites quickly but offers limited flexibility.?

• WordPress: More customizable than Squarespace, especially if you use plugins or have the know-how to tinker with CSS and HTML.?

• Pineapple Builder: A “No Code” platform focused on simplicity. It allows you to build landing pages and websites without technical skills. I prompted the AI website generator to create a kitchen supply e-commerce web store with themes of beige and green, and was pretty surprised with how well it worked:

• Readymag: I already had experience with Readymag before this exercise as I used it to make my website. It’s highly visual and design oriented, great for creating interactive sites and digital presentations. It’s a No Code tool, but it offers a lot of design freedom compared to other builders.

No Code vs. Low Code: What’s the Difference?

• No Code: Platforms like Pineapple Builder and Readymag are completely No Code, meaning you don’t need any technical knowledge to use them. These tools are almost completely drag-and-drop, making them accessible but sometimes restrictive in terms of customization.?
• Low Code: WordPress and Squarespace fall more into the Low Code category. While you don’t need to code to use them, having some knowledge of HTML and CSS can help customize layouts, fix design issues, or improve site performance.

How I’d Use These Tools as a Digital Marketer

• Codecademy: When I first started with Codecademy, I didn’t expect to retain much in just a couple of hours, but it quickly became clear how valuable even a basic knowledge of HTML is.?
• Squarespace: I’ve helped a friend set up a quick Squarespace portfolio before, and while it’s great for launching a modern, branded website fast, there are limitations that a little knowledge of coding would aid.?
• WordPress: Managing a WordPress site is like being handed the keys to a supercar, you can do a lot if you know how to drive it. Plugins, themes, and some coding knowledge can go a very long way.
• Pineapple Builder: This one felt like the perfect tool for quick landing page creation. I could see myself using it for A/B testing ad campaigns since you don’t need a dev team to roll out variations quickly.
• Readymag: Since I had already used Readymag, I knew it was powerful for storytelling and making something that felt interactive and unique.

Final Thoughts

This experience reinforced why knowing a little code is so valuable. Even though No Code tools are powerful, having coding knowledge gives marketers more flexibility and control. Whether it’s tweaking a WordPress site, customizing a Squarespace template, or just understanding what’s happening behind the scenes, a little coding goes a long way in making a marketer more effective.