WordPress developers create and guide the website architecture to make it attractive and user-friendly. They provide WordPress training, troubleshoot, and resolve website problems for co-workers and clients.
WordPress developers are employed in all industries and sizes of organizations, from large advertising agencies to corporate departments to freelancers. And here are some wordpress experts for hire.
How to Become a WordPress Developer
WordPress is the most widely used content management system. People will always be looking for developers who can help them enhance their websites.
You can share your work for free or monetize it by becoming a WordPress Developer. Its essential first to understand the basics of the job.
What Can You Create And Develop In Wordpress?
Modifying WordPress requires writing standalone code which interfaces with WordPress core code. If you make any errors, the core code remains untouched, so you can experiment with all you want without reinstalling the WordPress software.
A developer can alter the look and feel, change the core behavior of the website, tweak the admin panel, or create an entirely new user profile page. What you can do depends on your ability to learn and how much knowledge you have. Here are five of the primary creations a WordPress developer makes:
Themes
Themes define the style and layout of a WordPress site. The theme is responsible for the look and feel of the website.
WordPress themes combine HTML, CSS, PHP, JavaScript, and JQuery. There are still plenty of options to showcase your work, as there is a high demand for it. A free theme in the WordPress repository is an excellent way to boost your developers reputation.
The trend for developers is to create a responsive WordPress theme. WordPress sites that use responsive themes look great on all devices, whether mobile phones, tablet computers, monitors, or large screens.
This is because of the fluid workflows provided by grid systems, images, and CSS media queries. Themes can be created from scratch or use starter themes like OceanWP Divi and Astra. These are essentially "blank canvas" themes or minimal layouts with essential elements.
You can then improvise on them and develop them.
Plugins
There are currently more than 54,000 WordPress plugins. This is the most popular WordPress feature. You can also contribute to the pool.
You can modify the behavior and Appearance of WordPress using plugins without having to touch the core code. The user can add a lot of additional functions to their site without any programming knowledge. When creating a plugin, PHP hooks play a significant role.
This technique allows an application to run a class or function automatically. Hooks come in two different types: action and filter. To create a plugin, youll have to master them both. Many simple WordPress plugins like Search & Filter are handy.
Widgets
Web components, or widgets, are typically added to websites for extra functionality and content. They are used to quickly access specific pages or sections of a site and can also be used as a shortcut for certain features.
WordPress includes a set of widgets by default that you can arrange via the dashboard. Click Appearance, then Widgets. Installing plugins such as Ninja Forms will allow you to get widgets from third parties.
Like creating plugins, WordPress widgets require a good understanding of PHP. Start by accessing functions.php on your theme.
Then, construct the widget by combining functions on the WP-Widget class. Custom widgets are often the best way to get the function you need. This is true, especially if you want to create your WordPress theme or plugin.
Wordpress Websites In Their Entirety
When you design and develop a WordPress site, you combine themes, widgets, plugins, and custom codes (SASS CSS JavaScript and PHP) to create an individual website that meets the needs of a client (or yourself).
It would help if you had more than technical skills to build a website. It would help if you also had creativity, a basic understanding of UI/UX, and reliable resources like fast and secure WordPress-managed Hosting.
Rest API for Web Applications
Web applications are dynamic, functional web pages accessed through a browser. They operate via a server. The program is compatible with all operating systems and devices, provided the browsers are compatible.
A web application is more valuable than a website. The web application is interactive, unlike static websites. You must be familiar with Gmail, Google Docs, and Facebook.
WordPress core files have been integrated with an independent REST API. This communication architecture acts as a "bridge," connecting the WordPress core to any application running on a web server.
You can create a WordPress web application by mastering the REST API concepts.
What You Should Know As A WordPress Developer
WordPress is built on the standard web languages PHP and MYSQL. Front-end presentation combines HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery with AJAX.
Take a look at them one by one:
HTML5 (or HTML4)
For a seamless user experience, it is essential to implement valid Hyper-Text markup language (HTML). This ensures your pages will look good in any browser.
Browsers may misinterpret the code of your website and display some parts poorly if your code is invalid. HTML5 is the most recent version of this markup Language. It offers several advantages over HTML4, including video and audio compatibility, JavaScript compatibility, and many brand-new elements like the footer and header.
Valid HTML is written with the correct syntax and formula, which refers to the overall document structure. It also includes the order in which HTML elements are nested, formatting attributes, and nesting elements.
Structures should always begin with a DOCTYPE statement and opening Tags, followed by a section containing document metadata such as the title or body of each page, and finally, a closing tag.
HTML has three main elements: flow, metadata, and phrasing. The application model rules are different for each of them.
Inline content can be placed inside paragraph tags, for example. (bold), (italics), (links), etc. It is not permitted to include flow elements (blocks), such as At first, learning to use the correct HTML tags, formats, and structures can be daunting.
You can use an HTML cheat sheet to help you create the perfect line of code. Then, run it through W3C HTML Validator and see the results.
CSS (Preferably)
CSS is used to style the page and its contents. CSS determines the way HTML elements appear on a computer screen.
With this stylesheet language, you can make significant style changes quickly to your entire website. Media Queries is a CSS feature that allows you to specify how each webpage element behaves depending on the screen size.
This is a crucial feature of a responsive site, as it allows the website to adapt based on the device of the visitor.
CSS has its syntax, just like any other language. The CSS syntax comprises only two elements, namely, the selector block and the declaration block.
The selector block selects the HTML part you want to style. At the same time, the declaration block specifies the style to use on each part selected. CSS3 is currently the most updated Cascading Style Sheet available.
CSS3 is the successor to CSS2.1 and comes with many new features, such as new layouts, a flexible grid, text effects, multiple-column design, etc. You can also hire css developers for more information.
PHP
PHP is a powerful language used for web development. It performs tasks on the server and then sends back requests as HTML.
PHP is responsible for the backend, and HTML is the tool used to display the results of the script once the tasks have been completed. WordPress is built using PHP and MySQL. PHP is extremely flexible because it runs on most operating systems and servers.
There are many features. You will most likely use:
- Variables are used to store data such as text strings or numbers.
- Arrays store the information assigned to a specific variable.
- Functions complete tasks and produce results that can be used in the future. The result of a function can be assigned to a variable.
- Conditionals A conditional statement states that the runtime acts if 1==1 is true. If 1==1 is false, then it runs a different response.
- Comparison operators compare values There is a distinction between == and ===. They can affect the results of conditional sentences.
PHP classes are required if you want to build Object-Oriented Programming with PHP. Classes allow you to group variables and functions related to one another neatly.
You can access the information about PHP classes through the WordPress Codex page on Class Reference/WP object Cache.
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MySQL
MySQL is the Database that stores all of the information for a WordPress website. PHP is used to retrieve the information from a database.
This is where the actual content for every page or post on a WordPress site is stored. WordPress offers many PHP functions that allow you to interact safely with the WordPress database. Some functions use SQL statements, while others use arrays.
JavaScript
JavaScript is an internet scripting language used for the development of websites. You can change the behavior of content on a webpage.
JavaScript can display a running message only when a user clicks on a button. This language turns static HTML into a dynamic web page. The script can be embedded into the HTML file of a web page and will work automatically whenever the page is accessed.
It also has full integration with CSS. JavaScript is dependent on the browser to perform its functions. Node.js is required to run JavaScript outside of the browser.
JavaScript is essential for all WordPress developers. Check out the Using Javascript WordPress Codex page for more information and Wordpress developer services.
jQuery
jQuery, a popular JavaScript library, is a must-have. This program allows you to use JavaScript more efficiently by chaining multiple functions.
The code will become "cleaner" as well as easier to read. You will save a lot of time by learning jQuery when writing a large amount of JavaScript code. The library offers many features that make the process easier, including hiding specific HTML elements, creating an animation, manipulating CSS, and creating a slide effect on HTML.
Read More: Hiring WordPress Developer Providing 5 Advantages To WordPress Customisation
Share Your Work for Free Through WordPress Repositories
WordPress repository allows you to share your theme and plugin. Your work must be released with a GPL-compatible license.
This gives users certain rights to your work. WordPress recommends that developers use GNU General Public License Version 3 or higher. This license must be adhered to by all files, including third-party libraries.
If you include third-party libraries, you must have the right to distribute them.
GNU generally ensures that you retain the appropriate copyrights for your original work. It allows users to modify and redistribute their work in whole or part.
The licensee must pass on a copy that includes the original copyright notices and the license. The user must clearly state that the software is not covered by warranty. It must be made clear to the user that they are not distributing the original software if they modify it and then distribute it.
WordPress: Benefits and Advantages
Its important to understand that there are two versions of WordPress: WordPress.org and WordPress.com. Both versions use the same core software, but key differences will impact your user experience.
WordPress.org, an open-source platform for web publishing that is completely free, gives you full access to the features and functionality of the software. This version allows you to add any theme, plugin, or extension to your website. Youll need to download and install it on your server or local storage.
Self-hosted WordPress is also known as self-hosted WordPress.
WordPress.com, on the other hand, is a more restricted version. WordPress will host your website and take care of other tasks for you but for a small fee.
Depending on the subscription plan, you may have limited access to certain themes and plugins. WordPress.org is the only WordPress.org we recommend for the best WordPress experience. All the pros and cons of WordPress.org are listed below.
Affordable Web Development Solution
WordPress allows you to build a website for a fraction of the cost of other web development technologies. Hiring a designer or developer to set up a website using web development stacks is usually required.
This can be expensive. WordPress no-code solution for beginners helps you start with a small budget. WordPress is open-source and free, which is its biggest advantage.
Youll only need to pay for Hosting and register your domain name. All other costs are optional. Many free WordPress plugins and themes can help you create a professional website, whether a blog or an eCommerce store.
It Is Easy To Get Started And Suitable For Beginners
WordPress also offers the advantage that you do not need any previous coding or website development experience to create your first site.
Today, most WordPress hosts allow you to easily add WordPress to your account with just one click. After youve gotten past this, you can use the setup wizard to navigate quickly. You can easily name your website, create a color scheme, and install a theme and plugins.
After activating many plugins, youll be taken to an installation wizard.
It is easy to add content (either a post or a page) to your website. Gutenberg Block Editor has a user interface that is very intuitive.
You can use the content blocks to create almost any kind of website quickly. Once you have mastered the software, its easy to move up. You can upgrade to a more robust Hosting option or purchase a premium WordPress theme with more features and hire dedicated wordpress developer.
Highly Modular (Thousands of Plugins and themes)
Youll soon discover that there are thousands of options, both premium and free. You can find an elegant WordPress theme that matches your style, regardless of what industry youre in.
Many WordPress theme developers add starter sites to the library of their templates. Click Import, and youll have your site ready in less than a minute. Youll only need to customize the text and media for your website.
WordPress plugin repository is equally large. There is a WordPress plugin available for almost any feature that you want to offer to your visitors.
Youre covered for everything from eCommerce to CRM, SEO, and file sharing. The plugin architecture lets you add only the code and features you need to your site. Modularity is essential for improving your websites speed and user experience.
You Can Build Almost Any Type Of Website
Wordpress developer services, as we have already mentioned, has evolved over the years from a simple blogging platform into a fully-fledged software for web development.
WordPress themes and plugins allow you to build any kind of website, both front and back. WordPress is not just for beginners; its also a great tool for developers. WordPress open-source nature makes it as flexible as web development technologies can be.
The platform allows you to build plugins and themes or add custom code. All your site files are under your control. It integrates with third-party services well to provide features that are not native to WordPress.
Responsive Websites
Are you worried about the look of your website on mobile devices and other screen sizes? WordPress is responsive out of the box.
All major WordPress theme developers ensure that their products also comply with this WordPress requirement. You can rest assured that your website will look fantastic on any device, whether you use the Block Editor by default or a page builder such as Elementor or Beaver Builder.
You can adjust design elements such as padding and margins for three different screen sizes, including Desktop, Tablet, and Mobile.
By default, SEO-Friendly
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is another major concern for web developers. WordPress core software is SEO-friendly.
The core WordPress software is SEO-friendly. The majority of WordPress themes are built with SEO as a priority. You can also choose from an array of SEO plugins.
These plugins, like Yoast SEO, help you optimize your blog posts and pages for more organic traffic.
eCommerce Features (plus Social Sharing, Online Marketing, and More)
Installing WooCommerce, a free WordPress plugin, is all it takes to start selling physical or digital goods on your website.
This plugin will add powerful eCommerce features to any website. It is no wonder that it powers over 99% of all WordPress stores across the US, Canada, and the UK. You can integrate your social media accounts with your online store to automatically update your followers when you add new services, products, or educational content.
Youll find all the tools you need when you want to run online promotional campaigns (on your website or as paid advertisements).
Low Hosting Resource Needs
When discussing WordPresss advantages and disadvantages, it is important to keep in mind the server hosting resources.
Its important to know whether a particular software stack is resource-hungry when choosing it. As an example, Ruby on Rails applications often use a large amount of server resources. WordPress is relatively lightweight.
It is for this reason that WordPress hosting costs less than other Hosting types. In general, youll need less bandwidth and storage to accommodate consistent traffic.
Regular Updates And Increased Security
WordPress also has a great upgrade system. Automattic, the umbrella company that is behind WordPress, also regularly updates its core software.
It is important that you update your website to the latest version of PHP.
Vibrant Community
The list of pros and cons of WordPress would be incomplete if it did not mention the vibrant and large community of users and developers.
WordPress is, without a doubt, one of the largest communities around any software development "stack." There are thousands of blogs, forums, and other resources to help you if you get stuck building or managing your website. Google can solve many of the problems you will face. There are many physical WordPress events that you can attend to learn more, meet WordPress professionals, or even advance your career.
Cons of WordPress (and Possible Fixes)
There Are Too Many Options To Choose From
Theres no doubt that the sheer variety of options you have when choosing a WordPress theme or plugin can be a disadvantage.
It can be difficult for beginners to sort through the thousands of products they dont know much about. WordPress has many features that can be difficult to understand. It is best to seek as much online help as possible.
Its best to look at what other blogs have to say if you are looking for a certain type of plugin or theme.
Keeping Up With Updates Is A Major Concern
Another WordPress pro can easily turn into a con. WordPresss frequent updates are great for security and functionality.
Keeping up with the updates is difficult if you have a lot of plugins installed on your website. If you choose managed WordPress hosting, the host will also take care of all your software and plugin updates. Many plugin developers support automatic updates.
You may need to manually update the theme or plugin if you dont have access to your WordPress dashboard.
Security Vulnerabilities
Both sides of WordPresss pros and cons also include security. WordPress sites are susceptible to spamming and hacking, just like any other website.
WordPress can sometimes pose a higher risk due to its open-source nature. The popularity of WordPress makes it a popular target for hackers. WordPress security plugins will help you to mitigate these vulnerabilities.
Use anti-spam software to ensure that your comment section and forms are free of spam.
Optimizing Site Speed Can Be Challenging
Most fully-functional WordPress sites require many plugins and extensions in order to provide the sites main features.
Although modularity can be a positive thing, too many plugins on your website may slow it down. When combined with other factors, such as an unreliable host, the loading time of your pages can be significantly affected.
To tackle this problem, the first thing you should do is choose a web host that offers high performance and has servers located in the most appropriate locations for your audience. After your website is live, you can use Cloud Delivery Networks (CDN) and caching plugins.
Custom Wordpress Solutions Can Be Expensive
WordPress is a great way to save money. There are many free themes and plugins to choose from, as well as hosting that is affordable.
Costs can quickly escalate if you require a custom plugin or theme. The average hourly rate for a WordPress expert from a low-income country is approx $30. The rates can reach as high as $175/hour for US developers.
Premium WordPress themes, plugins, and extensions can be expensive. You may have to drastically increase your budget if you want to add more than one theme to your website.
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The Conclusion Of The Article Is:
What can you do as a WordPress Developer? It can be almost anything, but there are five main types of creations: themes, plugins, and widgets.
A whole WordPress site is also possible. This is why Developers.dev has dedicated WordPress developers differently. You should also learn HTML5, CSS3, PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, jQuery, and Ajax.
They are all equally important since you will need to combine at least two of them in order to create a theme/app/plugin.
You need to know the best way to share your work and how to monetize it. You should share your work via WordPress for free, as a well-rounded portfolio is often required to find clients who pay higher rates.
You can also search for freelance work via platforms that offer freelancing or hire wordpress developers.