WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that enables users to create a website or blog from scratch, or improve an existing website. According to W3Techs, WordPress is used by 35.8% of all websites as of April 2020, making it the most popular CMS in the world. If you’re thinking of becoming a WordPress developer, here are some essential skills you’ll need to succeed.
Do Your Research
When you’re looking for a freelance WordPress developer, it’s important that you do your research. Not all developers are created equal and you want to make sure that you find someone who has the experience and skillset necessary to meet your needs. A great way to do this is by reading online reviews and testimonials. This will give you a good idea of what others have thought about working with a particular developer. You can also check out portfolios to see examples of a developer’s previous work.
Set Your Budget
Once you’ve done your research and have an idea of what you’re looking for, it’s time to set your budget. When it comes to hiring a freelance WordPress developer, you get what you pay for. So, if you’re looking for someone to create a custom plugin or theme for your site, then be prepared to pay accordingly. On the other hand, if you just need someone to make some minor tweaks or adjustments to your existing site, then you won’t have to spend as much money.
1. A Solid Understanding of Core WordPress Concepts
If you want to be a WordPress developer, you need to have a solid understanding of how WordPress works “under the hood.” You should know the difference between a post and a page, understand how taxonomies work, and be familiar with the template hierarchy. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available to help you learn these concepts, including the WordPress Codex and various blog posts and tutorials.
2. Proficiency in at Least One Programming Language
To be an effective WordPress developer, you need to be proficient in at least one programming language. While PHP is the language most commonly used for developing WordPress themes and plugins, other languages can be used as well. These include Java, Python, and Ruby. If you’re not sure which language to learn, start with PHP; it’s relatively easy to learn compared to other languages and will give you the most bang for your buck in terms of being able to develop for WordPress.
3. Ability to Use Code Editors and Development Tools
As a WordPress developer, you’ll need to be able to use code editors and development tools such as GitHub and local development environments. A code editor is a type of software that helps you write code more efficiently by providing features such as syntax highlighting and code completion. GitHub is a popular version control system that enables developers to track changes made to their code over time and collaborate with other developers on projects. Local development environments are used for developing WordPress sites locally on your computer before pushing them live to a server. This is important because it allows you to test changes on your site without affecting the live version that your visitors see.