Is there point learning how to code websites nowdays?

Question

This may sound like a dumb question. With the growing number of website builders available such as Wix, Weebly, Squarespace, the need for coding sites from scratch becomes less. I've coded appealing websites with HTML and CSS from scratch but many people with no coding experience said they could have done it better and faster with Wix. If that's the case, should I spend time and effort learning programming languages to code websites? Wouldn't website builders take over all web development jobs in the future?

Answer 1

If Toyota can product best cars, do we still care to study car engine design?

Answer 2

Wix and the like are good for some users that want minimal customization. If companies don’t want to use premade templates they hire someone to code from scratch. That way it can have a unique appearance and exactly the features that are relevant. Web development jobs are increasing.

To use another metaphor you can buy cookies at the grocery store, but they’re mass produced and never going to taste the way your grandma made them.

Answer 3

Website builders are handy tools, for people who don't know what they're doing.
They limit your options to a degree, if you learn the languages, you can become limitless.

Should aspiring chefs still learn how to cook, if there are so many microwave meals available?

Also keep in mind, that they're still going to be needing people to code the website builder itself.

Answer 4

If you want a basic template that looks and behaves like everything else then wix is fine, but coding has always been about customization. You could take the best CRM software in the world and still some user will say "yeah but I wish it could do..."

Long story short, don't aspire to be a template web developer. Instead ask what it is people want and make an app or website that does that thing.