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How to Prove ROI on L&D Through Retention (For L&D Leaders)

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How to Prove ROI on L&D Through Retention (For L&D Leaders)

Introduction: The CFO Problem in L&D – Why L&D Teams Struggle to Justify Investment

If you work in L&D, you’ve probably heard it: “Training is a cost centre.” When budgets tighten, the question arrives fast: “What’s the ROI on L&D, really?”

The challenge isn’t that learning doesn’t deliver value. It’s that the value is often reported in “learning language” (hours trained, courses completed) rather than in business language (revenue, risk, and retention). To achieve real buy-in, ROI on L&D must be framed in terms that a CFO cares about.

Here’s the key:

Learning is not a perk. It’s a measurable retention strategy.

Research repeatedly shows that employees stay longer in companies that invest in their learning and development. LinkedIn’s Workplace Learning data, for example, shows that 94% of employees would stay longer if their employer invested in their development.

When you anchor learning and development ROI in reduced turnover, you move L&D from “nice to have” to “profit protection”.

Why Retention Is the Real ROI on L&D

Traditional attempts to show ROI on learning and development often fixate on:

  • Course satisfaction scores
  • Completion rates
  • Number of learning hours

All useful, but none of them convince a finance leader that your programmes are protecting margin.

Retention does. Learning impacts retention because:

  • It signals career growth and future opportunities
  • It boosts engagement and motivation
  • It gives people reasons to stay when recruiters come calling

According to Devlin Peck, 92% of employees say workplace training has a positive impact on their job engagement. Companies with strong learning cultures also experience better profit margins and stronger overall performance.

On the finance side, turnover is brutally expensive. Various studies put replacement costs between 50% and 200% of an employee’s annual salary, depending on seniority. So if your learning programs reduce avoidable turnover, your ROI on learning is directly visible as:

  • Fewer resignations
  • Lower hiring cost
  • Faster time to productivity
  • Less disruption and knowledge loss

That’s the kind of learning and development ROI a CFO can’t ignore.

The Retention ROI Formula (Explained Simply)

To keep this practical, here’s a simple way to express ROI on L&D in CFO-friendly terms.

Retention ROI (in currency) = Retention Gain × Average Turnover Cost per Employee × Number of Employees in Scope

Where:

  • Retention Gain = the reduction in turnover after training
    • Example: Turnover drops from 20% to 16% → retention gain = 4 percentage points (0.04)
  • Average Turnover Cost per Employee = all costs of replacing one person
    • Recruitment, onboarding, training, lost productivity, knowledge loss, and impact on teams.
    • Conservative benchmark: 50–200% of annual salary
  • Number of Employees in Scope = the group exposed to your L&D initiative

You can then compare the retention savings to the cost of the learning programme:

ROI on learning and development (%) = (Retention Savings – L&D Programme Cost) ÷ L&D Programme Cost × 100

That’s ROI on L&D in pure business language.

A Practical Example for L&D Teams

Imagine:

  • 500 employees in a key population (e.g. sales, engineering, or frontline leaders)
  • Average salary: $50,000
  • Conservative turnover cost: 75% of salary = $37,500 per leaver
  • Current annual turnover: 18% (90 people leaving)
  • After a targeted development programme, turnover drops to 14% (70 people leaving)

Step 1: Calculate reduced leavers

  • Before: 90 leavers
  • After: 70 leavers
  • Retention gain: 20 fewer leavers

Step 2: Convert to cost savings

  • 20 fewer leavers × $37,500 average turnover cost
  • Retention savings = $750,000

Step 3: Compare to programme costs

  • L&D initiative cost (content, platform, facilitation, internal time): $150,000

ROI on L&D = ($750,000 – $150,000) ÷ $150,000 × 100
= 400% learning and development ROI

Four times payback, in one year, on a single programme – entirely based on retention. That’s ROI on learning a CFO can sign off on.

What Learning Leaders Need to Communicate to CFOs

To unlock serious investment, each stakeholder group needs to tell a clear ROI story.

a. L&D Specialists

Focus on:

  • Demonstrate outcome-based results (skills gained, performance improvements, time-to-competence)
  • Track retention metrics (turnover rates before and after major programmes)
  • Evidence behaviour change and on-the-job application (via manager feedback and observation)

If your own capability needs a boost, a structured programme like Alison’s Diploma in Learning and Development (L&D) course can help you design learning experiences that deliver measurable ROI on learning and development.

b. HR Managers

Connect learning to:

  • Reduced regrettable turnover in key roles
  • Improved engagement scores (especially questions about development and growth)
  • Themes from exit interviews that highlight “lack of development” or “limited progression”

Your message: Strategic L&D cuts churn in our most expensive roles.

c. Chief Learning Officers (CLOs)

Your job is to position L&D as a strategic business lever:

  • Align the learning roadmap with the organisation’s top priorities (growth, transformation, risk, compliance)
  • Present ROI on L&D at the executive table using retention, performance, and risk avoidance
  • Show how learning supports long-term capability (digital, leadership, customer-centricity)

d. Training Coordinators

You provide the evidence trail:

  • Track participation, completion, and assessment results
  • Capture learner feedback and NPS
  • Work with managers to log observable behaviour changes after key programmes

Together, these roles turn “people liked the course” into “this programme delivered X% retention improvement and Y% ROI on L&D.”

How to Build a Retention-Focused L&D Strategy

To design learning that proves its ROI through retention, focus on:

1. Map learning to real performance and retention needs
Don’t start with courses; start with problems.

  • Look at the data: churn hotspots, regrettable turnover, underperforming teams, and skills shortages.
  • Segment by role, department, and tenure to see where turnover hurts most.

Benefit: You point L&D spend directly at the areas where losing people is most expensive.

2. Prioritise the highest-impact skill gaps
From those problem areas, identify the skills that would make the biggest difference.

  • Leadership capability (especially frontline managers).
  • Sales and customer success skills that drive revenue and loyalty.
  • Critical technical or specialist roles that are hard and costly to replace.

Benefit: You avoid “nice to have” training and focus on capabilities that protect revenue and reduce churn in key roles.

3. Design programmes with built-in checkpoints
Before launch, decide exactly how you’ll measure impact.

  • Pre-/post-assessments to show skills growth.
  • Productivity, quality, or customer metrics tied to the roles in scope.
  • Retention stats for cohorts that complete key programmes vs. those who don’t.

Benefit: You create a clear “before and after” story that links learning to performance and retention, not just satisfaction scores.

4. Integrate measurement into your LMS and HR systems

  • Use your LMS to track completions, assessment scores, and progression through learning paths.
  • Connect LMS data with HRIS data (including turnover, tenure, and performance ratings) for the populations in scope.

Benefit: You can quickly pull evidence like “Managers who completed the programme had X% lower turnover in their teams.”

5. Share quarterly learning impact updates with leadership

  • Summarise: where you invested, who participated, and what changed (performance, engagement, and retention).
  • Include a straightforward retention slide:
    • “Here’s where we invested.”
    • “Here’s what changed in behaviour/performance.”
    • “Here’s the estimated retention savings and ROI.”

Benefit: You condition executives to see L&D as a recurring source of cost savings and risk reduction, not a line-item expense.

A modern LMS makes this far easier. A platform like Alison LMS enables you to manage content, automate assessments, and track who is learning what – and how that learning relates to completion, performance, and retention. You can explore features and pricing at Alison LMS pricing and features, or talk to the team via Alison LMS contact.

Common Mistakes That Undermine L&D ROI

Even strong programmes can fail to show learning and development ROI if you:

1. Mistake: Only reporting participation numbers
“500 people trained” is not a business result.

  • Why does it undermine ROI
    Participation data is activity, not impact. It doesn’t show whether skills improved, behaviour changed, or retention increased. To a CFO, it sounds like a cost with no clear return.
  • How to fix it
    Pair participation numbers with outcome metrics: pre-/post-assessments, performance KPIs, and retention changes for the trained group vs. a similar untrained group.

2. Mistake: Not linking learning to business outcomes
No baseline, no follow-up metrics, no retention view.

  • Why does it undermine ROI
    Without a “before and after” anchored to business metrics (productivity, quality, customer scores, turnover), your programmes look disconnected from results. It becomes impossible to quantify savings or value.
  • How to fix it
    Set a baseline before launching major programmes (e.g. current turnover, performance, error rates), then measure the same metrics at regular intervals post-training. Show the deltas and estimate the financial impact.

3. Mistake: Focusing on content instead of capability
Many courses, but little impact on critical skills.

  • Why does it undermine ROI
    An extensive content catalogue can be impressive, but if it doesn’t address priority skill gaps in critical roles, the business sees minimal performance or retention improvements. You get “busy learning” instead of “effective learning.”
  • How to fix it
    Start with capability needs tied to strategy and retention risk: leadership, frontline management, sales, customer success, and key technical skills. Build or curate learning journeys that explicitly target those gaps and measure capability shifts over time.

4. Mistake: Excluding managers from reinforcement
If managers aren’t coaching and reinforcing, behaviour change and retention gains collapse.

  • Why does it undermine ROI
    Learning that lives only in the classroom, or LMS, rarely sticks. Without manager support, employees struggle to apply new skills, and any potential performance or retention gains fade quickly.
  • How to fix it
    Involve managers before, during, and after programmes. Provide them with simple reinforcement tools, such as coaching guides, checklists, follow-up questions, and agreed-upon post-training actions—track manager participation as part of your ROI story.

Avoid these, and your ROI on learning story becomes dramatically stronger.

The Business Case: Developing People Costs Less Than Replacing Them

Turnover’s real cost is often hidden:

  • Recruitment and onboarding expenses
  • Lost productivity while the role is vacant
  • Ramp-up time for new hires
  • Knowledge loss and customer impact
  • Lower morale and increased burnout for remaining staff

Estimates consistently show that replacing an employee can cost from 50% to 200% of their annual salary, sometimes more for specialist or senior roles.

By contrast, an effective learning programme that reduces turnover even a few percentage points delivers compound savings year after year.

That’s the core ROI on L&D argument:

It’s more cost-effective to develop talent than to continually replace it.

When Budgets Tighten: How L&D Proves Its Value

In budget-tight cycles, L&D thrives by demonstrating that it is a risk mitigation, not a discretionary expense.

Focus your case on:

  • Lead with cost savings, not costs
    Open with what the organisation saves through reduced turnover, faster time-to-productivity, and fewer quality issues, then show the programme cost as a fraction of those savings.
  • Use simple calculators to quantify the impact of retention.
    Translate retention into currency with an explicit formula:
    Number of prevented leavers × estimated replacement cost per role = annual savings.
    Keep the assumptions conservative so finance leaders can trust the numbers.
  • Present “with vs. without L&D” scenarios
    Model what happens if the programme runs versus if it is cut: expected turnover, vacancies, hiring costs, and productivity loss in each case. This makes the opportunity cost of cutting L&D visible.
  • Frame your argument in risk language
    Position cuts to L&D due to an increase in turnover and capability risk:
    “If we pause this programme, we increase turnover risk in this business-critical group by X%, which could cost approximately $Y over the next 12 months.”
  • Link learning investments to strategic priorities
    Explicitly connect each major programme to board-level goals (growth, transformation, customer experience, compliance). For each, answer: “What risk does this programme reduce, and where does it protect or create revenue?”
  • Summarise in one page, CFO-ready visuals
    Bring a single slide or one-page summary showing: Investment, key metrics (retention, performance), and estimated savings/ROI. Make it easy for finance to see the upside at a glance.

Here, having an LMS that can quickly show learner activity, completion, and progression, like Alison’s LMS – makes presenting ROI on learning and development much faster and more credible.

Conclusion

The real question isn’t “Can we afford this training?” It’s:

Can we afford not to invest in learning when retention is at stake?

When you frame ROI on L&D through retention, you translate learning into the language of risk, savings, and strategic advantage. That’s how L&D leaders win lasting support from CFOs and CEOs.

Make retention a core KPI for every major learning initiative. Start tracking how your programmes reduce churn in critical roles, and build a simple retention ROI dashboard that you can bring to every budget conversation.

And if you’re ready to operationalise this, explore how Alison LMS and Alison’s Diploma in Learning and Development course can help you design, deliver, and demonstrate the retention-driven roi on L&D your organisation needs.

Why the Future of Learning Starts with Building

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Coding has always served two purposes: the intrinsic drive to build something, and the practical path to a lucrative career. Even the most passionate code aficionados don’t dream of variables or syntax — they want to make a website, a tool, a game. For years, the career upside was impossible to ignore. You could land a stable SWE job, bootstrap your own app, or join a buzzy startup as a first hire.  

Generative AI flipped the script. AI now handles the repetitive tasks that used to define entry-level developer roles. At the same time, the barrier to entry for coding and building is lower than ever — you can spin up a working prototype with just an idea and a natural language prompt.  

This shift hasn’t eliminated the desire to code, but it’s changed what and who coding is for. If you’re not learning to land a junior dev role, you’re learning to build the thing you’ve been imagining, to add a technical skill to your existing career, or to understand the tools you’re already using at work. And here’s the catch: those goals all require understanding your code, not just having code that works. 

At Codecademy, all of these changes excite us about the future of learning to code. We’re introducing the AI Builder, a new project-based learning tool that flips the script by teaching you how to work with AI-generated code from the start. Our approach brings together the immediacy of modern AI tools and the rigor of real instructional design.

Why we created the AI Builder 

AI’s speed and efficiency often come with a tradeoff; you can get working code immediately, but you don’t really know what it’s giving you or why it’s built a certain way. Developers use the term “vibe coding” to describe this phenomenon — it’s fast, fun, but shallow; great for demos, less great for long-term skill-building.  

If your goal is to understand what you’re building, generic AI output alone won’t get you there. And the more you push these tools into real-world complexity, “the harder it is for them to give you exactly what you want,” says Zoe Bachman, Head of Learning at Codecademy.  

Switch to Learn for behind-the-scenes insights and your personalized roadmap.

With the AI Builder you get an education along with the AI output. In the workspace, you can toggle between two tabs: Build, where you work directly with a project and can modify and change code in real time; and Learn, where you get a personalized learning roadmap that’s based on your project.  

“We pair the experience of having a working app with a learning path that allows you to reverse engineer how it’s built, so you can deeply understand it and modify it confidently,” Zoe says. We’re calling our hybrid approach to learning-driven development “vibe learning” — it’s powered by AI guidance but rooted in learning science.  

Build first; learn continuously 

With AI Builder, you start with what you want to do: build the thing in your head. Whether that’s a habit tracker, a portfolio site, or the seed of a bigger idea, you don’t need to have prior coding knowledge to learn and build with the AI Builder. In other words, there are no pre-requisites for creation.  

You create a prototype by typing what you’d like to create in natural language. The AI chatbot will ask a few clarifying questions about your needs and overall goal before generating the project. Once the project is created, you can use the chat function to continue describing what you want. (You’re also welcome to go right into the code and start making changes if you already know your way around!)  

“It was fun to build something so quickly and be able to see the code and a learning plan for it,” says Grace Krishna, a Code Crew member who beta tested the AI Builder.   

When you need clarity on what’s going on behind the scenes in your code, or you hit a wall with AI, that’s a great time to flip over to the Learn tab.  

We’re calling our hybrid approach to learning-driven development ‘vibe learning’ — it’s powered by AI guidance but rooted in learning science.

Your project becomes the curriculum 

Rather than teaching concepts in the abstract and hoping learners translate them later, AI Builder removes that translation tax entirely. “We’re showing you specifically your code from your project and helping you understand it,” Zoe says.  

Rework your prototype in real time with the help of AI.

To build that personalized curriculum, the AI Builder breaks your project’s code into clear milestones and tasks. For each task, it generates an interactive learning loop, which is an activity designed to help you form a mental model of what your specific code is doing.  

These loops help you understand the logic behind each part of your project, so you can confidently apply the same thinking to other sections, or even future projects. This approach also ensures everything you learn is directly relevant to what you’re making — so you don’t have to guess when you’ll ever use this. 

Why this is vibe learning (not vibe coding) 

A key misconception about AI‑assisted development is that it makes learning superficial. AI Builder challenges that by grounding the entire experience in learning science rather than simple code generation. Our entire system is intentionally designed for you to retain knowledge. So, while it might not feel like you’re taking a course, you’re absorbing key concepts just by interacting with AI-generated code.  

A Socratic AI, not an answer-spitting chatbot 

Our educational AI chatbot is designed to guide you toward an answer through an in-depth questioning approach that’s based on the Socratic method of teaching. Instead of spitting out shortcuts or answers like AI typically does, you get strategic nudges, hints, and questions that build durable mental models.  

Research on AI in education shows that just providing an answer makes it harder for learners to retain the information on their own. Zoe compares the Socratic AI to “a personalized tutor, facilitating you acquiring more knowledge, so you’re not totally left on your own.” Our method encourages you to think critically so you really grasp the concepts and can continue to use them in the real world.  

Learning loops with real instructional design 

Behind the scenes, every learning loop in the Learn tab is built on proven frameworks like inductive learning and the 5E model, a popular STEM teaching framework that’s shorthand for engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate.

You’ll notice that the questions and exercises in the Learn tab feel different than the rest of our courses and paths, and that’s intentional. “The learning loops are designed very well — they get you there inductively,” Zoe says. They’re exploratory without being overwhelming, and evaluative without feeling like tests.  

Negar Vahid, a beta tester for the AI Builder appreciated the AI’s interactive question format. “The question-based learning feels engaging, and the starter project it builds is simple but useful,” she says.  

This structure ensures you don’t develop the wrong mental models — a known risk in fully constructivist or student-centered environments — while still giving you the freedom to explore.

Why learn when AI can build? 

There are some projects that are well-suited for simply vibe coding, like making a personal HTML website or a single-use script to automate a one-time task. Tools like Lovable and v0 are suited exactly for these types of projects.  

The longer your code needs to live, and the more complex your project becomes, the more you need to actually understand what you’re building. Joe Holmes, Codecademy Curriculum Developer in the AI and machine learning domain, uses the term “ignorance debt” to describe what happens when you don’t: 

“It’s like tech debt squared. It’s much, much worse,” Joe says. “You don’t know what kind of code is coming out. You just are only looking at: Does this kind of generally appear to be what I asked for? You don’t know if there are security flaws. You don’t know if there are performance flaws. You don’t know if you’re leaking sensitive information. You don’t know how to fix anything.” 

The tipping point comes down to two factors: complexity and time. If you’re developing software professionally, you’re legally responsible for the code you output. If you’re building something that will serve actual users, you need to be accountable for security, performance, and maintainability. And if your project will need updates or fixes over time (which most do) understanding your codebase becomes essential, not optional. 

The good news? Learning doesn’t have to feel like eating your vegetables. “Kids hate veggies and broccoli because we don’t cook it well enough to make it tasty when we first introduce it to them,” says Nhi Pham, Codecademy Curriculum Developer. The same is true for teaching AI: “If you do it well, you’re inspiring people to have these very hygienic practices when working with AI,” she says.  

That’s exactly what AI Builder is designed to do — make learning feel as immediate and rewarding as building, so you develop good habits from the start rather than building a lifelong aversion to understanding your own code. 

Get started with the AI Builder 

AI isn’t a replacement for learning, it’s a tool — and a powerful one when it comes to education. Our new AI Builder allows for “just‑in‑time learning that’s highly personalized,” Zoe says. Even the best teachers or bootcamps can’t deliver that for every learner, on every project, instantly. Perhaps the most exciting vision is how AI changes what a learning environment can be. 

Zoe described it beautifully: “I imagine the AI Builder as a workspace… like having all your resources around you and an AI tutor in the background.” 

That’s the shift: from learning before you build to learning while you build. We can’t wait to see what you create. 

35+ Easy Resolutions to Kickstart Your Coding in 2026

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35+ Easy Resolutions to Kickstart Your Coding in 2026

January might be winding down, but that doesn’t mean you’ve missed your chance to set goals for the year ahead. In fact, now is the perfect time to make resolutions — you’ve had a few weeks to shake off the holiday haze and can set intentions based on what you actually want to accomplish, not just the ambitious plans you made on New Year’s Day. And here’s the thing: the loftiest resolutions are usually the first to be abandoned. This year, let’s resolve to make resolutions we can keep.

Every major accomplishment requires a smaller first step. You can’t run a marathon before you can run the first mile, and the same goes for learning how to code. Before you can code a website, you need to learn to write your first “Hello, World!” Before you can become a Data Scientist, you need to learn how to acquire data. Resolving to take the first step is the easiest way to ensure you get started down the road to success this year.

Learn something new for free

Starting small: Inspiration for your 2026 resolutions

To help you start 2026 on an inspired and motivated note, Codecademy Curriculum Developers shared some ideas for bite-sized goals you can set for yourself this year. We’ve broken them out into a few categories — goals for getting started, building your portfolio, becoming an active community member, tracking your progress, and more.

Resolve to get started with coding

Brand new to coding? The best way to get started is to just dive in. So make a resolution to take the first step in the beginning of 2026. Here are a few ideas for resolutions you can choose to get started with coding this year:

  • I’m going to write my first program that prints “Hello, World!” This is one of the first things you’ll learn in our Code Foundations Path.
  • I’m going to learn how to install a language on my computer.
  • I’m going to learn how to use a text editor on my computer. We recommend Visual Studio Code (VSCode) if you’re not sure where to get started.
  • I’m going to create a GitHub account and create a repository to share my code. Learn more about getting set up with Git and GitHub and making your first pull request.
  • I’m going to start collecting a data set about myself. This can be a fun one if you’re interested in data science. It could be anything from how many steps you take each day to what time you wake up. ​​

Resolve to get familiar with AI

AI is transforming how we code, learn, and build — and 2026 is the year to get hands-on with these tools. Whether you want to understand how AI works, use it to accelerate your coding, or build your own AI-powered projects, here are some resolutions to get you started:

  • I’m going to work with AI coding tools. Tools like GitHub Copilot can help you write code faster and learn new patterns. Start with our beginner-friendly Intro to GitHub Copilot course.
  • I’m going to take an AI course. Explore Codecademy’s AI catalog to learn about machine learning, neural networks, and AI fundamentals.
  • I’m going to try the AI Builder product experience. Build real projects with AI assistance and see how AI can help bring your ideas to life faster.

Resolve to tie your learning to something you enjoy

When you’re just getting started, you’ll be spending time learning the fundamentals and building simple projects. Learning new things is always rewarding, but when you find that first project that really inspires you, you’ll really start having fun! Here are a few resolutions to get you working on something you enjoy:

Being a part of a community is a great way to keep yourself accountable to your goals and to make your learning journey more enjoyable. You’ll be able to find help when you need it, share your experiences, learn from the experiences of others, and make new friends. Here are a few ideas for becoming a more active community member in 2026:

  • I’m going to attend a local hackathon and try to help out on a project. Looking for local hackathons? Check out Major League Hacking or Eventbrite.
  • I’m going to participate in a local coding club in my town. Check out our City Clubs to connect with learners in your area.
  • I’m going to collaborate with someone in the Codecademy community. In the Collaboration Corner of our community platform, you can connect with other learners who are looking for support and collaboration.
  • I’m going to attend a programming-related meetup or conference. Why not start with one of our virtual community events? Check out the calendar of events here.
  • I’m going to follow 10 developers on social media.
  • I’m going to submit my first post on Stack Overflow.

Resolve to make progress on your portfolio

If your end goal is a career in web development or data science then you’ll ultimately need to build a portfolio. Resolve to make progress on your portfolio in 2026 with one of the following ideas:

  • I’m going to build a simple portfolio website and host it.
  • I’m going to make a website version of my resume.
  • I’m going to build one project for my portfolio. Our Career Paths include portfolio-ready projects that you can use when you begin your job search.
  • I’m going to send my portfolio to one of my peers to get their feedback.

If you need help building a portfolio, watch the video below for a step-by-step breakdown.

For an added challenge, try adding JavaScript to make it interactive.

Resolve to make progress on career goals

Whether you’ve been toying with the idea of changing careers, are already in the process, or are interested in learning technical skills to advance in your current job, the New Year is a good time to set some goals to help you make progress. Check out the following goals for inspiration:

  • I’m going to add Codecademy to my LinkedIn profile. You can list Codecademy as your school on LinkedIn to let your network know you’re learning.
  • I’m going to search for jobs and look over their requirements. Give our job-readiness checker a spin when you find a position you’re interested in.
  • I’m going to complete the first module of a Career Path. We currently offer Career Paths in Data Science, Front-End, Back-End, and Full-Stack Web Development. Consider joining our Full-Stack Chapter to connect with other people on the same journey as you.
  • I’m going to speak with someone that works in a field I’m interested in.
  • I’m going to put my technical resume together.
  • I’m going to improve my soft skills. Take one of our professional skills courses to work on transferable non-technical skills like communication, collaboration, and problem solving.
  • I’m going to join a Career Club. We have clubs on our community platform that are for learners with shared professional goals, like Future Founders and Freelancers.

Resolve to hone your coding skills

Here are a few ideas for goals that’ll help you become a better and more efficient programmer in 2026:

  • I’m going to Google my error and read documentation instead of clicking “Get a solution” right away. To get started, check out Codecademy Docs.
  • I’m going to complete a series of code challenges.
  • I’m going to contribute to my first open-sourced project on GitHub.
  • I’m going to learn to use AI tools like GitHub Copilot to streamline my workflow. We offer a beginner-friendly Intro to GitHub Copilot course that teaches you how to use the AI coding assistant.

Resolve to track your progress

This last batch of ideas is all about tracking your progress. Sometimes tracking and sharing your progress is just the boost you need to keep on going — plus you can look back and see how far you’ve come!

  • I’m going to earn XP in key skills. Skill XP is a new way you can measure your progress as you complete items in courses and paths.
  • I’m going to create my own coding journey notebook.
  • I’m going to write a blog post about something I’ve learned. Read this story about a learner who started a coding blog that got the attention of an engineering hiring manager and helped her land a job.
  • I’m going to set a weekly target and stick to it. Check out our article on tips for staying accountable to your goals to learn more about weekly targets, streaks, and more.

We hope this list has helped you come up with a few bite-sized goals to start the year out on the right foot. Sign up for Codecademy Pro now to get access to our skill paths, career paths, and everything else you’ll need to achieve your 2026 goals. Then, share your resolutions with us on social media!

This post was originally published in December 2020, and has been updated with additional relevant goals.

What Is a Career Coach & How Can They Help You Succeed?

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What Is a Career Coach & How Can They Help You Succeed?

Let’s be honest: if you’re Googling “what is a career coach,” you’re probably a little skeptical. Is it just expensive advice you could get from a YouTube video? Are career coaches even… real? 

Fair questions. The career coaching industry is full of people with wildly different backgrounds, approaches, and qualifications. So let’s break down what career coaching is, what makes someone a legitimate coach, and how to know if it’s something you need. 

What career coaching is (and isn’t) 

Career coaching is a structured process where you work with someone who helps you think more clearly about your career goals and how to reach them. It’s not magic, it’s not therapy, and it’s not someone handing you a step-by-step plan to follow blindly. 

As Jeff Herman, Senior Data Scientist at H&R Block and Career Coach at Codecademy, puts it: “Career coaching is not about telling you what to do, it’s about helping you think more clearly. Good coaching gives you structure, confidence, and direction so you can make better decisions on your own.” 

Good coaching provides structure and accountability, is tailored to your specific situation, and helps you build a repeatable process. Liz Tracy, a Career Coach at Codecademy, is clear about what it’s not: “Coaching is not advice giving. It’s not about a coach telling you what job you should take — it’s about sharpening how you think, decide, and show up.” 

And you still have to do the work. “Coaching is not magic,” Liz says. “When you’re committed to getting where you want to go, it can be truly transformative.” The key word there is committed

At Codecademy, our coaches focus on bridging the gap between learning and doing—helping you turn technical skills into real career outcomes. Learn more about our coaching approach here.

What makes a career coach legitimate 

Choosing the right 1:1 coach for your goals is a personal decision. Here are a few details that we considered when hiring our Codecademy career coaches: 

Professional credentials and real-world experience 

Certifications from organizations like the International Coaching Federation or Society for Human Resource Management show formal training. But especially in tech, you also might want someone who’s worked in the field and understands the market, the hiring process, and the skills that matter. 

Recruiting or hiring experience 

If your coach has been on the other side of the hiring table, they can tell you what makes a difference when someone’s reviewing your resume or interviewing you. 

For tech coaching, technical background is key  

You want a coach who speaks the language and understands the tools, workflows, and specific challenges you’re facing. 

Codecademy’s coaching team includes developers, data scientists, and engineers who also have recruiting experience, plus professional career coaches who specialize in helping people navigate transitions. See our full roster of coaches here

What you get from career coaching 

Clarity on your career direction. A coach helps you think through your options based on your strengths, interests, and market realities — then maps out what skills and experiences will get you there. 

Feedback on real work. Tutorials can teach you syntax. A coach can tell you if your code is solid, if your portfolio projects would impress a hiring manager, or if your resume is selling you short. With Codecademy Coaching, you might review your GitHub projects in one session, then use the next to prep for upcoming interviews. 

Accountability and momentum. It’s easy to lose steam when you’re learning on your own. A coach keeps you moving forward, even when motivation dips. After each session, your coach sends follow-up materials and resources. 

A different perspective. Tyler Lemke, a software engineering manager and Codecademy coach, puts it this way: “Sometimes we need other perspectives to be able to see and focus in on what we’re really good at, and to find those nuggets that help us to stand out as individuals.” 

4 signs you need a career coach 

You might benefit from coaching if: 

  • You’re stuck between learning and doing. You’ve completed courses but you’re not sure how to turn that into a job or career move. 
  • You’re making progress but want to accelerate. As Jeff Herman says: “You do not need to be stuck or struggling to benefit from coaching. Coaching works best when you want clarity, direction, or a plan—even if you’re already making progress.” 
  • You’re switching careers. Jeff adds: “The biggest misconception people have is they need to be fully ready before applying or making a move. In reality, most people grow into roles. You don’t need perfection—you need momentum and a plan.” 
  • You lack accountability or direction. You know what you want to learn, but you keep putting it off or losing focus. 

You probably DON’T need a coach if you’re not ready to put in the work or you’re looking for someone to do it for you. 

If you’re nodding along to those first signs, it might be worth trying a coaching session. With Codecademy Coaching, there’s no long-term commitment — just month-to-month flexibility. 

Not ready for 1:1 career coaching? Browse our professional skills courses. We have lots of free courses you can take to improve specific business skills, including communication, problem-solving, effective listening, and more.  

Is career coaching worth it? 

If you’re committed to making a change, coaching can save you months of spinning your wheels. The ROI isn’t just financial — it’s also about confidence, clarity, and time saved. 

Codecademy Coaching is $149.99/month for two sessions. See pricing here

As Bee Hamzai, a Career Coach at Codecademy, puts it: “This is the only investment that you are doing for yourself. There are talented coaches out there that can share with you a lot of knowledge and tips and tricks that you have never thought about before.” 

What to expect from Codecademy Career Coaching 

Before your session, you choose a coach based on their expertise and fill out a quick intake form. Sessions are 45-60 minutes, and you set the agenda. Maybe you’re reviewing a portfolio project, doing a mock interview, or mapping out a learning plan. Your coach works through your specific challenges with you. 

After your session, your coach sends follow-up materials and resources. When you’re ready, you book your next session. The whole thing is flexible — you work on what matters most to you, at your own pace.  

As Liz Tracy says: “Don’t wait until you feel ready to start moving. Start showing up like the next level version of yourself now. You bring your next role to you through small, repeated action steps, not perfection.” 

Your Goals, Guided: Introducing 1:1 Coaching on Codecademy

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Your Goals, Guided: Introducing 1:1 Coaching on Codecademy

It’s January, which means your feed is probably full of goal-setting advice. New year, new skills, new career — you know the drill. 

But if you’re trying to switch careers or level up in tech, you already know the hard part isn’t deciding what to learn. It’s getting from “I finished the course” to “I’m confident I can do this job.” 

Maybe you’ve completed Python courses but freeze when it’s time to build something for your portfolio. Or you’re learning AI and data science but can’t tell if you’re focusing on the right skills for the roles you want. Or you’ve built projects but have no idea if they’d impress a hiring manager (and no one to ask). 

“I’ve seen smart, capable people get stuck — not because they weren’t good enough, but because they didn’t have clarity or confidence,” says Liz Tracy, a Leadership and Career Coach at Codecademy. It’s a pattern she’s seen over and over: people who have the skills but lack the direction or feedback to use them. 

We know you need more than courses and paths to reach your goals. You need someone in your corner who can tell you what to prioritize, give you feedback on your work, and help you stay on track when motivation dips. Someone who’s been on the hiring side and knows what matters. 

That’s why we’re introducing Codecademy Coaching

What is Codecademy Coaching 

Codecademy Coaching is 1:1 mentorship with tech professionals and career coaches who’ve been where you’re trying to go. Our coaches are developers, data scientists, and engineers who also have recruiting experience — which means they know what it takes to learn the skills and what it takes to land the job. We also have professional career coaches and leadership coaches on the team who specialize in helping people navigate transitions and grow in their roles. 

Here’s what that looks like in practice: You work with a coach who tailors two sessions a month to your specific goals. If you’re trying to break into data science, your coach helps you build projects that demonstrate real analytical thinking, not just tutorial follow-alongs. If you’re upskilling in AI, they’ll help you understand what’s being used in the industry right now and what’s just hype. If you’re prepping for interviews, they’ll review your code, your portfolio, and your resume with an insider’s perspective. 

With a Codecademy Coaching subscription, you get 2 sessions for $149.99 a month. It’s not a course. It’s not office hours. It’s personalized guidance from someone who understands both the technical skills you’re building, and the career moves you’re trying to make. 

The coaches bring real-world experience and industry insights you won’t find in any lesson plan. And because they’ve been on the hiring side, they can tell you what will make a difference when someone’s reviewing your application or sitting across from you in an interview. 

What to expect in a coaching session 

Before your first session, you’ll choose a coach based on their expertise and timezone, then fill out a quick form about what you want to focus on. This gives your coach context so you’re not spending the session explaining your situation from scratch. 

From there, sessions are built around what you need. That might look like: 

  • Building portfolio projects with real feedback: Your coach reviews your code, asks questions about your decision-making, and helps you think through how to showcase your work in a way that stands out to employers. 
  • Planning your next career move: Maybe you’re trying to figure out if you should specialize or broaden your skills first. Or you’re weighing a job offer and need someone who understands the market to help you think it through. Your coach can help you map out a strategy that makes sense for where you are and where you’re trying to go. 
  • Staying current in a fast-moving field: Tech changes quickly, and it’s hard to know what’s worth learning. Your coach helps you see past the hype and focus on skills that are being used in the industry. 
  • Interview prep and resume review: Your coach can do mock interviews, review your portfolio, and give you feedback on how you’re presenting yourself — all from the perspective of someone who’s been on the hiring side. 

After each session, your coach sends follow-up materials, notes, or resources to keep you moving forward. And you can book your next session whenever you’re ready. 

The whole thing is designed to be flexible. Coaching sessions are 45-60 minutes long, and you get to set the agenda based on what’s most urgent or challenging for you right now. 

Keep in mind that “coaching is not magic,” Liz says. If you want to see results, be prepared to put in the work with your coach. “When you’re committed to getting where you want to go it can be truly transformative.”  

Meet the Codecademy coaches 

The people you’ll be working with aren’t just technically sharp — they’re the kind of people who genuinely want to see you succeed. They’ve built careers in tech, hired for tech roles, and in some cases, made their own pivots into the industry. They know what it’s like to feel stuck, unsure, or overwhelmed, because they’ve been there too. 

Hear from some of the coaches you can work with:  

Liz Tracy, Leadership and Career Coach at Codecademy 

What to expect: “The best coaching sessions are when direction clicks into place, when clarity replaces overthinking, and my client leaves knowing one to two small steps to move them forward in a direction they have identified.”  

Jeff Herman, Senior Data Scientist at H&R Block and Career Coach at Codecademy 

On coaching misconceptions: “Career coaching is not about telling you what to do, it’s about helping you think more clearly. Good coaching gives you structure, confidence, and direction so you can make better decisions on your own.”  

Bee Hamzai, Career Coach at Codecademy 

What excites me about Codecademy Coaching: “I have a background in computer sciences and technologies, so I can speak the same language. Sometimes people with computer sciences background are quite shy. I’m amazing with interpersonal skills, so I want to share those insights and help them communicate in the best possible way.”  

Tyler Lemke, Software Engineering Manager at Veterans United and Career Coach at Codecademy 

Why coaching works: “Sometimes we need other perspectives to be able to see and focus in on what we’re really good at, and to find those nuggets that help us to stand out as individuals and to grow in our own special way.” 

Alison Goldstein, Career Coach at Codecademy  

On switching careers: “The one thing that I wish people knew about career coaching is that when you’re changing careers, your confidence takes a nosedive, and it makes complete sense [why]. Coaching helps you reconnect the dots between your previous experience and where you’re headed.” 

Learn more about our coaches and their offerings to find the right coach for you. 

Who coaching is for 

If you’re reading this and thinking “that sounds like what I need, but is it really for someone at my level?” — the answer is probably yes.  

“You do not need to be stuck or struggling to benefit from coaching,” Jeff Herman, Senior Data Scientist at H&R Block and Codecademy Career Coach. “Coaching works best when you want clarity, direction, or a plan — even if you’re already making progress.”  

If you’re switching careers, coaching helps you cut through the noise. You don’t need to learn everything — you need to learn the right things, in the right order, and know how to talk about them when you’re applying for jobs. “I saw how confusing and overwhelming the path into data science roles can be,” Jeff says. “Having someone help translate skills into real-world expectations can save people months or even years of frustration.” A coach tells you which skills matter, helps you build a portfolio that demonstrates you can do the work, and preps you for interviews. The hardest part of a career switch isn’t learning the skills — it’s navigating a job market you don’t know yet. 

If you’re upskilling or deepening your technical skills, coaching gives you what tutorials can’t: feedback on your work. Tyler Lemke, a Codecademy Career Coach, explains: “One thing I wish more people knew about career coaching is that it’s not something you just do when you’re struggling, but something you can do to get to that next level. This is what peak athletes and performers do all the time.” A coach reviews your code, explains why certain approaches work better, and helps you build projects that show you can solve real problems. 

If you’re early in your career or just starting out, coaching helps you build confidence and stay on track. Jeff’s advice? “Stop comparing your chapter 1 to someone else’s chapter 10. Everyone’s background is different and progress matters far more than speed.” A coach gives you a clear path forward and keeps you accountable when motivation dips. 

The thread that connects all three? You’re trying to go from learning to doing, and you need someone who can help you close that gap. 

Get started with Codecademy Coaching 

Sign up for Codecademy Coaching, pick a coach whose expertise matches what you’re working on, and tell them what you want to focus on. Then you schedule your first session. 

That’s it. No prerequisites, no commitments beyond the month-to-month subscription. You can work with the same coach every time or switch it up depending on what you need. 

If you’ve been stuck between “I’m learning” and “I’m ready to apply for this job” or “I can actually build this thing,” coaching might be exactly what you need to close that gap. 

Why I’m Learning Python to Automate & Upskill in HR

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Why I’m Learning Python to Automate & Upskill in HR

Learning to code so that you can land a job in tech can feel daunting. That’s why we’re sharing inspiring stories from Codecademy’s community — to show how people like you (yes, you!) can embark on a learning journey and end up with a totally new career. We hope these stories serve as a reminder that there’s no single path to a more fulfilling work life. 

Today’s story is from Tatiana Kurbanova, a 26-year-old HR Business Partner at a construction company, living in the UK. Read more stories from Codecademy learners here — and be sure to share your story here. 

Why I chose to learn to code 

“My first experience with coding wasn’t great. During my master’s program, we had business math courses that required using tools like Stata or R to analyze data. It was honestly terrifying, and I didn’t think I’d ever code again. 

But in my second year working in HR, I realized how many manual processes we had — Excel spreadsheets, data handling — it was overwhelming, time-consuming, and inefficient. About 4 years ago, I expressed interest in process automation. I worked in different companies within the construction industry, but none of them prioritized automation. So, while I was interested, the business wasn’t. 

That was the first realization: there’s a problem — too much manual data management. The second came when I asked myself: I know I can teach languages, I’m good at HR, but what unique skill could make me more competitive?” 

Learn something new for free

How I decided what to learn 

“My husband, a software developer, has always been a strong advocate for programming as an essential modern skill. I thought, maybe coding could be that unique skill. It could be a good match — knowing HR systems, Excel, having soft skills, and being able to code. That could lead to roles in data transformation or analytics. 

At my previous job, I worked a lot with data — manually calculating KPI dashboards, for example. I thought coding might be a good option. Python seemed like a good starting point for automation. But because of my negative [coding] experience in university, I was hesitant. 

I love languages; I speak Russian, English, Chinese, and German. Coding is still a language. I’ve heard from a lot of people who studied linguistics that coding is just another language.”  

How I made time to learn 

“I could sometimes find half an hour or an hour during my workdays, but mostly I studied on weekends. I took it bit by bit. I knew that if I told myself to commit to two hours every day, it would be overwhelming. 

I went step by step, lesson by lesson, without overloading myself. At the end of the day, I reminded myself that this was my choice — it wasn’t imposed by anyone — so I was committed to completing it.”  

How I saved up money to pay for Codecademy Pro 

“My husband was like, ‘Okay, I really want to support you… Let me just pay for the first month of Codecademy.’ He was the one who offered Codecademy.” 

What I want to build and learn next 

“It’s probably not back-end development! What I would love to try and do is create a chatbot for business needs. I just need more advanced Python skills for that. My husband got me a book called Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, and I skipped through the basic chapters to get to how Python can be used to send emails or extract information from a file or website. I’m learning that now and am going to try to automate one of my processes.”  

What I wish I knew before I started 

“I would’ve definitely benefitted from learning the nuts and bolts of programming — like working with the terminal and knowing basic built-in commands — before embarking on learning Python. Without the help of my husband [who is a programmer], I would’ve struggled a lot. 

I wish that in the beginning of my course, I just took it slightly easier and was less harsh on myself. Everybody who starts learning coding will struggle. You expect to learn all those functions and modules by heart, but that’s not the case. People who program always refer back to websites, dictionaries, Reddit. You’re not capable of holding everything in your head.” 

Not sure where to start? Check out our personality quiz! We’ll help you find the best programming language to learn based on your strengths and interests. 

Want to share your Codecademy learner story? Drop us a line here. And don’t forget to join the discussions in our community. 

Free February 2026 Wallpaper – Pretty in Pink

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Free February 2026 Wallpaper – Pretty in Pink

Free February 2026 Wallpaper - Pretty in Pink

Free February 2025 wallpaper is here!

We are fully embracing the season of love with this month’s wallpaper. To get you in the mood for Valentine’s Day, we’ve designed a soft, dreamy scene featuring 3D hearts in varying shades of pink. It is a sweet, simple way to add a touch of romance and warmth to your screens this month.

Your February Free Wallpaper Package Includes:

  • Standard Wallpaper
  • Calendar Wallpaper
  • Quote Wallpaper

Available in multiple sizes to fit your phone, tablet, and desktop. As an added bonus, I’ve included a social media-ready image featuring graphics from this month’s wallpaper and quote.


Pure & Simple

With a background this full of hearts, we knew the text needed to be just as sweet. “Time to love” isn’t just about romance; it’s a broad invitation to be kind. The soft, pillowy texture of the wallpaper emphasizes that gentle feeling, reminding you to make a little extra space for love in your life this February.

time to love quote

time to love

P.S. This image is included as a larger file in the download package below! Feel free to post it on your Instagram or Facebook.



What’s included?

Pretty in Pink - wallpaper set

Looking for more? Check our previous wallpapers!

With the free download, you get three different desktop options: one with a calendar, a plain one (without any text), and another with a quote. Additionally, there’s a wallpaper available for tablets and three phone options. You’ll also find a social media-ready size that features this month’s quote.

Free February 2026 Wallpaper download includes the following:

  • Desktop wallpaper x3 (plain, with the calendar, and with a quote)
  • Phone wallpaper x3 (plain, with the calendar and with a quote)
  • Tablet wallpaper
  • Instagram/Facebook ready quote
Free Wallpaper for PC, Tablet and Phone featuring lovely pink hearts

FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.

NOTE: This wallpaper is available as a free download through February 28, 2026 only. After that, a $5 download fee applies.


Looking for more?

Browse all wallpapers from this series.



Design Your Digital Success

Just like a great wallpaper transforms a room, a stunning design can elevate your website or blog. A fresh, visually appealing look captures attention and keeps visitors engaged. Take a look at the designs below to find the perfect one to enhance your online presence!

Blogger templates

WordPress Themes


Your voice matters!

If you have your favorite quotes or lyrics and would like them to appear on the next free wallpaper, make sure to post them in the comments below or send us your ideas via email.

Enjoy!

Related posts:

How to Start a Blog or Website (updated for 2026!)

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How to Start a Blog or Website (updated for 2026!)

How to Start a Blog or Website (updated for 2025!)

Ever thought about starting your own blog or website? It’s a great way to express yourself, connect with others, or even grow a business. But let’s be real, the whole process can seem a bit daunting. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! This post walks you through the key steps, making the journey from idea to online reality much easier. Learn how to start a website or blog in 4 quick steps!


This tutorial will walk you through how to launch a self-hosted WordPress site on Bluehost (our preferred web host) in 3 simple steps.


How to start a blog or website

I know what you’re thinking: “I’m not techy enough,” or “I don’t have the time.” But trust me, starting a blog or website is much easier than you think. This post breaks down the process into manageable chunks, so you can take it one step at a time, at your own pace. No coding skills or endless hours are required!

Step 1 – Find a space for your new site

Think of a website or blog like building a house. First things first, you need some land, right? Online, that land is called hosting. It’s basically your little slice of the internet where your website lives, and you usually rent it out for a monthly or yearly fee.

To get your hosting in place, head to Bluehost and click on that big blue button.

Note: receive exclusive pricing by signing up through this link.*


Step 2 – Select a plan

The “business” plan is the most popular and really does give you the most bang for your buck, but if you want to start with the “personal” plan due to limited funds, know you can always upgrade in the future if needed.

If you haven’t thought about what you want to call your blog, now’s the time.

Next up, you’ll need a domain name – think of it like your website’s address. If you don’t have one already, no worries! You can easily create one. It’s how people will find your site and remember it. Ideally, your domain name should match your blog’s title (like ours is Designer Blogs, so our domain is www.designerblogs.com). If your dream domain is already taken, try playing around with variations of your title – the system will usually give you some suggestions.

Already have a domain you love? Check the box ‘I want to use a domain I already own‘!

RELATED: 5 Blog Investments Worth Making (read this for tips on choosing a killer domain)

Review your cart

Now check your package details and add extras. You do not really need any of them if you start your site, so do not feel pressured to check all the boxes.

Keep your shopping cart simple. All you really need right now is the hosting and a domain (if you’re getting a new one). Those other “free” goodies? They might seem tempting, but they’ll probably cost you later on when the free trial runs out. Trust me, you can always add them later if you need them.

Make sure to choose the billing cycle that works best for you. Keep in mind that the longer the period you commit to, the lower the monthly rate will be!

Finally, enter your billing information, confirm that you’ve read the fine print, and hit the ‘Submit Payment’ button. Be sure to use a working email address because this is where your login info will be sent.

Your hosting account will now be in place.

Follow the instructions on your screen to set up your Bluehost login details and install your new WordPress. Remember to note all the logins and passwords in a safe place, as you will need them later!



Step 3 – Open WordPress

If you follow all the steps, Bluehost will automatically install WordPress for you, and you can start working on your new blog right away.

You can log into your site by going to:

www.yourdomain.com/wp-admin (“yourdomain.com” being your own personal domain).

This will bring you to the login area on the backend of your site. Bookmarking your login page so you can easily access it when you need to log in is a good idea.

Enter the login info you wrote down from the previous step and then click “Log In.”

WordPress Login Screen - Designer Blogs

RELATED: How to Change Logo on WordPress Login Page

First, let’s get your basic settings in place, so in your dashboard, go to “Settings” and then “General.”

WordPress Dashboard Settings - Designer Blogs

Enter your site title and tagline here and correct other information if needed. Once ready, save all the changes.

WordPress General Settings - Designer Blogs

Now, I highly recommend that you change your permalink settings for SEO purposes. To do this, go to “Settings” and then “Permalinks,” select the “Post name,” and click “Save Changes.”

WordPress Permalink Settings - Designer Blogs

I also recommend you click through each option under “Settings” to get the additional options set up like you want. You can also visit our WordPress Tutorials page for additional help in setting up other areas of your site.


Step 4 – Make it Gorgeous!

You have learned how to start your own website, now it’s time to make it look fabulous! You have a few options when it comes to the look of your site. You can use one of the free generic themes that are included with your WordPress install. Go to “Appearance” and then “Themes” to find them. As you can see, there isn’t much to look at, and there isn’t much variety, but if it’s not within your budget to spend money on a theme right now, then it’s a good place to start.

Get something more unique

You can hire a blog design company (like Designer Blogs!) to create a fabulous design for you. We offer very affordable WordPress Themes or if you want a one-of-a-kind blog design, you can request a quote for a custom design.

Explore Our Latest Theme Additions

Browse ALL WordPress Themes

With either option, we take care of the design work (including installation), so you don’t have to worry about a thing!

We hope you’ve found this tutorial helpful and, by now, you know exactly how to start a website or blog. If you have any questions, please comment below, and we’ll do our best to answer!


*Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links, which means your clicks and purchases help support Designer Blogs at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we absolutely love.

Related posts:

68% OFF: The Complete 2025 Wallpaper Archive is here!

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68% OFF: The Complete 2025 Wallpaper Archive is here!

The Complete 2025 Wallpaper Archive is here!

If you’ve been following my monthly releases, you know that each bundle is free for exactly one month. After that, they remain in the shop for $5 each.

If you missed a few months in 2025 – or if you want the ultimate shortcut to a beautiful screen – now is the time to act! We’ve gathered all 12 monthly bundles from 2025 into our Fourth Wallpaper Collection.

Fourth Wallpaper Collection - 12 monthly bundles from 2025

The “January Special” Deal

Instead of paying $60 to buy all 12 bundles separately, you can grab the entire year’s archive right now for just $19. That’s a 68% discount!

  • The 2025 Quote-Only Pack: $9 (Regularly $24)
  • The Full 2025 Collection: $19 (Regularly $60)
2025 Wallpaper Bundle


This limited-time offer ends on February 28.

What’s Inside?

2025 Wallpaper Bundle - 12 unique designs in 8 formats

This 4th edition features 96 files in total. For every month of 2025, you receive:

  • 3 Computer Wallpapers
  • 1 Tablet Wallpaper
  • 3 Phone Wallpapers
  • 1 Social Media Quote

Updated for 2025

New Quote Dimensions! We’ve made a big change this year. Since Instagram has moved away from the standard square, all 12 inspirational quotes in this bundle are now Instagram-friendly rectangles. No more awkward cropping – just beautiful, ready-to-post designs that look perfect on modern feeds.

Social Media Quotes

(Note: While the 2025 designs include calendars, the artwork is timeless, so you can keep your screens looking fresh for years to come!)


Complete Your Set

If you’re looking for our previous archives, the 2022, 2023, and 2024 collections are still available in the shop. You can also browse the full library to purchase individual monthly bundles you might have missed.


This offer is available only until the end of February.

Add it to your cart by clicking the button below.

2025 Wallpaper Bundle


Hurry up and grab it now!

Grab the 4th Collection now and get your digital spaces ready for 2026!

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Free January 2026 Wallpaper – Frosty Morning

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Free January 2026 Wallpaper – Frosty Morning

Free January 2026 Wallpaper - Frosty Morning

Free January 2025 wallpaper is here!

Welcome to the New Year! After the colorful busyness of December, we are craving something a little more peaceful and minimalist for our screens. This January, we’re bringing you a breath of fresh, frosty air. Our latest wallpaper features soft, sunlit snowdrifts and sparkling crystals, creating a bright, clutter-free background to help you stay focused this month.

Your January Free Wallpaper Package Includes:

  • Standard Wallpaper
  • Calendar Wallpaper
  • Quote Wallpaper

Available in multiple sizes to fit your phone, tablet, and desktop. As an added bonus, I’ve included a social media-ready image featuring graphics from this month’s wallpaper and quote.


A Fresh Perspective

We wanted to kick off 2026 with a powerful little affirmation. The text is straightforward and optimistic, perfectly matching the bright, sunlit snow in the background. We paired this positive thought with the crisp, clean imagery to represent the “blank canvas” of the year ahead. It’s a gentle daily reminder on your screen that, just like this sparkling winter morning, the year is full of bright potential.

this will be a good year

this will be a good year

P.S. This image is included as a larger file in the download package below! Feel free to post it on your Instagram or Facebook.



What’s included?

Frosty Morning - wallpaper set

Looking for more? Check our previous wallpapers!

With the free download, you get three different desktop options: one with a calendar, a plain one (without any text), and another with a quote. Additionally, there’s a wallpaper available for tablets and three phone options. You’ll also find a social media-ready size that features this month’s quote.

Free January 2026 Wallpaper download includes the following:

  • Desktop wallpaper x3 (plain, with the calendar, and with a quote)
  • Phone wallpaper x3 (plain, with the calendar and with a quote)
  • Tablet wallpaper
  • Instagram/Facebook ready quote
Free Wallpaper for PC, Tablet and Phone featuring snowy winter scenery

FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.

NOTE: This wallpaper is available as a free download through January 31, 2026 only. After that, a $5 download fee applies.


Looking for more?

Browse all wallpapers from this series.



Design Your Digital Success

Just like a great wallpaper transforms a room, a stunning design can elevate your website or blog. A fresh, visually appealing look captures attention and keeps visitors engaged. Take a look at the designs below to find the perfect one to enhance your online presence!

Blogger templates

WordPress Themes


Your voice matters!

If you have your favorite quotes or lyrics and would like them to appear on the next free wallpaper, make sure to post them in the comments below or send us your ideas via email.

Enjoy!

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