So, you’ve wanted to become a WordPress developer? It’s probably because you know this CMS is here to stay, and there’s great demand for developers with these skills. And, you’re right – learning how to develop for WordPress can set you up for a great career path.

Choosing WordPress as your development platform has a lot of advantages. For starters, it’s relatively easy to learn compared to other popular CMSs. And once you get the hang of things, you can create amazing sites and applications with WordPress.

What is a WordPress Developer?

A WordPress developer is a person who specializes in designing, creating, and modifying WordPress websites. Developers can work with themes, plugins, and the WordPress codebase itself to create custom functionality for their clients or employers.

What Does a WordPress Developer Do?

The role of a WordPress developer varies depending on the project. Sometimes, developers may be responsible for designing and building an entire website from scratch. Other times, they may be brought in to troubleshoot issues or add new features to an existing site.

Here are some common tasks that a WordPress developer might do:

Designing and building custom WordPress themes

Your job as a WordPress developer might be to design and develop custom themes for your clients. This involves creating HTML, CSS, and PHP code that meets the client’s specifications.

Creating custom plugins

Another common task for WordPress developers is creating custom plugins. This involves writing code that extends the functionality of WordPress. For example, you might create a plugin that allows users to book appointments online.

Working with the WordPress codebase

As a WordPress developer, you may also be asked to work with the WordPress codebase itself. This might involve fixing bugs, adding new features, or improving performance.

What Skills Does a WordPress Developer Need?

To be a successful WordPress developer, you’ll need a combination of technical and soft skills.

On the technical side, you should have a strong understanding of HTML, CSS, and PHP. You should also be familiar with the WordPress codebase and be able to use the command line.

In terms of soft skills, you should be a good communicator and work well with others. You should also be able to take direction and feedback well.

How to Become a WordPress Developer

You need to become a coding whiz

Well, technically you don’t need to be a coding whiz, but it certainly helps. As a WordPress developer, you’ll be working with code daily. You’ll likely struggle in this role if you’re not comfortable with HTML, CSS, and PHP.

Become an expert at everything WordPress

You need to know WordPress like it’s the back of your hand. This means being familiar with the WordPress codebase, hooks, filters, and APIs. You should also have a strong understanding of how WordPress works under the hood.

Get involved in the WordPress community

One of the best ways to learn about WordPress is to get involved in the community. There are numerous WordPress meetups and conferences that you can attend. You can also get involved in the development of WordPress by contributing to the codebase or translating WordPress into your native language.

Specialize in One Area

Let’s say you’re particularly good at designing custom themes. In that case, you might want to specialize in theme development. This will make you more attractive to potential employers or clients

Find a Mentor

Another great way to learn about WordPress is to find a mentor. This is someone who can guide you through becoming a WordPress developer. It’s invaluable to have someone you can ask questions and get feedback from.

Build Your Portfolio

As a WordPress developer, your portfolio is your calling card. Having a strong portfolio showcasing your skills and abilities is important. Be sure to include examples of both custom themes and plugins that you’ve created.

Ask yourself what type of work environment do you want?

Are you looking to work in an office or at home in your PJs? Do you want to work for a company or be a freelancer? These are all important questions to ask yourself before you start your job search.

Now let’s turn our attention to the types of job environments you might get as a WordPress developer:

Agency

One option is to work for a WordPress agency. This is a company that specializes in designing and developing WordPress websites. As a WordPress developer, you would be responsible for creating custom themes and plugins.

In-house development team

Another option is to work as part of an in-house development team. This is a team that is responsible for all aspects of website development, including WordPress. Your job would be to develop custom themes and plugins.

Freelance

Everyone probably knows what freelancing is, but if you’re not familiar with it, it simply means that you work for yourself. As a freelance WordPress developer, you would be responsible for finding your own clients and working on their WordPress websites.

You also might be in a situation where you must be a jack of all trades. This could be working in a small business where you are responsible for developing, designing, and maintaining the website.

Start your own business

If you feel especially entrepreneurial, you could start your own WordPress development business. This would involve finding clients and working on their WordPress websites.

You probably wonder when we will talk about WordPress themes and plugin development. Let’s take a look at each of these two things and what you’re expected to do and know.

WordPress Theme Development

WordPress themes are what give WordPress flexibility and power. Themes control the look and feel of a WordPress website. They are made up of template files that output content from the WordPress database.

As a WordPress theme developer, your job would be to create custom themes for clients or for sale on theme shops like ThemeForest.

To create a custom theme, you need to have a good understanding of both HTML and CSS. You also need to be familiar with the WordPress codebase and be able to use the WordPress Codex.

WordPress Plugin Development

WordPress plugins are what give WordPress its functionality. Plugins are small pieces of software that add functionality to a WordPress website.

Your job as a WordPress plugin developer would be to create custom plugins for clients or for sale on plugin shops like CodeCanyon.

The process of creating a WordPress plugin is similar to creating a custom theme. You need to have a good understanding of both HTML and CSS. You also need to be familiar with the WordPress codebase and be able to use the WordPress Codex.

In addition to knowing how to code, it’s also essential to understand how WordPress works. This includes being familiar with the WordPress database and using WP_Query.

The main problem with themes and plugins is they need to be updated

Updates are vital for both security and compatibility. That means you’re going to have to invest time and maybe even money long after you sell the theme or plugin. This is only a big deal if you go into business for yourself. If you work for a company, it’s not much of a concern of yours at all. After all, you get paid the same, no matter if you create an update or something new.

Becoming a WordPress Developer

Now that we’ve talked about what a WordPress developer does and the different ways you can become one, it’s time to start learning how to code.

There are a lot of resources out there that can teach you how to code. Here are a few of our favorites:

Codecademy

Codecademy is a great place to start if you’re a complete beginner. They have a very interactive approach to learning which makes it easy to follow along

FreeCodeCamp

FreeCodeCamp is a great place to learn how to code if you’re on a budget. They have a comprehensive curriculum that will teach you everything you need to know to become a WordPress developer.

Lynda.com

Lynda.com is a great resource for learning how to code. They have a wide variety of courses on different programming languages.

Treehouse

Treehouse is another excellent resource for learning how to code. You’ll learn everything you need to know to become a WordPress developer.

Udemy

Udemy has a wide variety of courses on different programming languages. You’ll be able to find a course that covers everything you need to know to become a WordPress developer.

These are just a few of the resources available to you. There are many more out there. The important thing is just to get started and learn as much as you can.

The Demand for WordPress Developers Isn’t Going to Go Away

As WordPress continues to grow in popularity, the demand for WordPress developers will not go away. In fact, it’s only going to increase.

If you’re thinking about becoming a WordPress developer, now is the time to get started. The sooner you start learning, the sooner you’ll be able to start your career.

The first thing to ask yourself is what you’re most interested in when it comes to WordPress, and from there, you can start learning about the different aspects of becoming a WordPress developer.

Best of luck! You’re going to need it. Even with all the resources available, becoming a WordPress developer is still a challenge. But it’s a challenge that’s worth taking on. Moreover, it’s a challenge that can lead to a very rewarding career.