Complete Guide to be a WordPress Developer
With WordPress having such a big market share with a large number of users, entering into the realm of WordPress development becomes a profitable career pathway and would attract not only companies but also independent freelancers. The report Delicious Brains provides shows WordPress developers earning between $45,000 and $150,000 annually on their development efforts.
What is a WordPress developer?
A WordPress developer specializes in the architecture and ecosystem of WordPress. These professionals may enhance the WordPress software, develop new plugins and themes, or assist clients in creating and managing their WordPress websites. This field encompasses a wide array of activities: from coding custom themes and plugins to contributing to the WordPress core and helping clients with site maintenance.
Despite WordPress’s user-friendly design that requires no coding skills for basic site setup and management, technical challenges such as security, site backups, theme customization, and comprehensive redesigns necessitate professional developer intervention. Hence, WordPress developers are pivotal in addressing complex issues that non-technical users cannot manage.
What does a WordPress developer do?
WordPress developers can handle both back-end and front-end development tasks, which include creating custom themes and plugins, migrating sites to WordPress, optimizing SEO, or even enhancing the WordPress core software. Their role might vary widely — from direct client work on custom projects to contributing to the overarching WordPress community by debugging and refining the core codebase.
Understanding the comprehensive role of a WordPress developer begins with familiarizing oneself with coding and WordPress-specific principles.
Steps to Becoming a WordPress Developer
Step 1: Master Basic Coding Skills
The foundation of WordPress development lies in understanding HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. These skills are essential for setting up, customizing, and enhancing WordPress sites beyond the basics provided by themes and plugins.
Step 2: Immerse Yourself in WordPress
Engage with WordPress-specific resources to deepen your knowledge:
WordPress Codex: The official WordPress manual that covers everything from basic setup to advanced features.
Envato Tuts+: Offers extensive tutorials, including video content for visual learners, covering a wide range of WordPress topics.
WordPress Developer Resources: Official resources including API handbooks and code references essential for professional development.
Know the Code: A platform offering video tutorials focused on theme and plugin development.
Step 3: Choose a Specialty
Specialize in one of the three key areas of work: core software development, theme development, or plugin development. Each has a different set of challenges and opportunities, and even though transferable skills abound in the development area, specialization can make you more proficient in some of the fields.
Step 4: Set Up a Development Environment
Create a local or cloud-based environment to develop and test WordPress projects efficiently. This setup mimics live servers, allowing for real-time testing and debugging.
Step 5: Engage with the Community
Participate in WordPress forums, attend WordCamps, and engage with other community events to network and enhance your skills through collaboration.
Step 6: Build a Portfolio
Showcase your WordPress projects and solutions in a portfolio. This is crucial whether you aim to work as a freelancer or secure employment, as it demonstrates your capabilities and experience.
Step 7: Prepare Your Technical Resume
Develop a detailed resume that highlights your WordPress skills, projects, and educational background. This document should be tailored to showcase technical capabilities and past project successes.
Step 8: Evaluate Your Preferred Work Environment
Consider what type of work setting suits you best — whether freelancing, working at an agency, or participating in corporate projects. Each setting offers different benefits and challenges.
WordPress Developer Opportunities
WordPress development can occur in various environments, each with its unique dynamics and requirements:
Corporate: Offers structured environments with clear tasks and timelines.
Agencies: Places you in diverse projects, ideal for adaptable developers.
Freelancing: Provides flexibility and independence, ideal for those seeking varied projects and client interactions.
Remote Agencies: Combines freelance flexibility with structured agency support.
Developing Themes and Plugins:
Themes and plugins are essential for customizing and enhancing WordPress functionality. Developers can create unique designs or extend site capabilities through plugins tailored to specific needs.
Conclusion
Becoming a WordPress developer involves a combination of technical skill development, community engagement, and strategic career planning. This field not only offers lucrative financial rewards but also the opportunity to work on diverse projects and impact the digital landscape significantly.
