Level Up Your Web Development Journey: Top YouTube Channels to Follow

Introduction

Are you diving into the world of web development and feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information? In this blog post, I'm sharing a curated list of YouTube channels that have personally helped me on my coding journey. I'll give you context behind why you should listen to my suggestions. I've spent a decade in the tech industry as a product manager, UX/UI designer, and even briefly in engineering management. After a startup that didn't pan out (because I wasn't technical enough!), I realized that learning to code was essential. So, over the past year and a half, I've been on a mission to teach myself the ins and outs of web development, and along the way, I’ve realized a lot. This is the best time ever to learn how to program!

This isn't just about grinding through tutorials or completing a massive online course to say you did it. It's about making the learning process fun and sustainable because this is a lifestyle. Just like running or going to the gym, you need to build a habit, and the best way to do that is to enjoy the climb. These YouTube channels offer a mix of entertainment and education, or "edutainment," to help you on your path.

Estimated Reading Time: 8-10 minutes Target Audience: Beginners and intermediate web developers

YouTube Channels to Accelerate Your Learning

1. Web Dev Cody

Web Dev Cody is a fantastic resource, primarily focusing on Next.js, TypeScript, and React. What sets this channel apart is its raw, unedited screen recordings of Cody's actual work. He is a practitioner, balancing a day job, family, and YouTube, all while generating impressive results with side projects (like $100k in one year!).

• What to Expect:

  • Detailed tutorials on specific tactics (e.g., drag-and-drop in React)

  • Big-picture insights into launching and marketing your first SaaS product

  • Behind-the-scenes looks at his own successes and lessons learned.

Cody’s content is a blend of practical tips and high-level strategies, which makes his content great for aspiring developers.

2. Theo - t3.gg

Theo is a more opinionated and somewhat controversial figure, but he's undeniably a skilled practitioner. Like Cody, Theo is a full-time developer with his own projects and companies including uploadthing, picturething, and ping. This channel delves into the full scope of web development.

• What to Expect:

  • Tools and techniques to make web development more enjoyable.

  • News, opinions, and live coding sessions on Twitch.

  • Comprehensive code-alongs (like building a Twitter clone) on YouTube.

Important Note: Watching Theo's live streams on Twitch offers the best learning experience. If you're watching a code along, don’t just copy code. Pause, research, and understand each concept, even if it takes longer. Use an LLM like Claude to help you. A two-hour code along should take days. Your goal is to learn, not just copy.

3. Peter Levels

Peter Levels is a no-nonsense product maker. He doesn't get bogged down in tech stacks. He just ships products, with 70+ projects over the last decade. He's not afraid to charge for his products, which he believes is the best way to see if there is actually a market. Peter doesn’t get caught up in the “Web Dev industrial complex”, and advocates for learning to deploy and manage your own infrastructure, instead of relying on expensive third-party services.

• What to Expect:

  • Insights on turning ideas into profitable products.

  • Advice on avoiding unnecessary industry trends and expenses

  • Real-world stories of building and launching businesses.

His YouTube videos are not as nitty-gritty as others but are valuable for the ideology behind shipping products and making a living. His Hood Maps project is a great watch. You'll learn how to deal with the challenges of building and launching a product. Watching him problem-solve live is encouraging.

4. DHH (David Heinemeier Hansson)

David Heinemeier Hansson is the founder of 37signals, the company behind Basecamp and HEY. He gets deep into Ruby on Rails.

• What to Expect:

  • The details of building software.

  • Encouragement to think differently and not follow trends.

  • Insights into shipping products that matter and avoiding what doesn't.

  • A framework called Shape Up, which is about fixed timelines and variable scope.

  • Podcast (Rework podcast) and blog for further learning

DHH challenges the norms and encourages a more sensible approach to software development.

5. Primagen

Primagen is a fantastic instructor and all-around "nerd" who focuses on how to learn, rather than specific technologies.

• What to Expect:

  • Deep dives into the technicalities of various topics, such as how to learn and how to use Vim and Lua.

  • A wide breadth of programming languages like Rust.

  • Entertaining and realistic guidance on what to learn and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Primagen mixes detailed technical knowledge with an entertaining presentation style.

Combine Learning Resources

Don't just rely on YouTube. Combine these resources to make the most of your learning journey:

• GitHub: Explore projects related to what you're learning.

• CS50: A free online computer science course from Harvard.

• Textbooks: Although they can be dry, they provide a solid foundation.

• Blog posts: Stay current on the latest developments and insights.

• Twitter (X): Follow industry experts and engage with the community.

Trick Your Brain into Enjoying the Process

Make learning a habit. Use small tricks to motivate yourself:

• GitHub Contributions Graph: The green blocks are great motivation. Get that daily streak going.

• 5-Minute Rule: Commit to coding for just five minutes a day. Often, you'll find yourself going longer.

• Commit: Commit often. This not only tracks your work but gives you a sense of accomplishment.

Conclusion

Learning web development is a journey, not a destination. Make it enjoyable and stick to it. These YouTube channels, combined with other resources and a good mindset, will help you on your path. Don't be afraid to pause, research, and challenge yourself. Happy coding!

What other channels do you recommend? Let me know in the comments below! Also, be sure to hit me up on X!