To help you get started, we\u2019re going to talk about how to become a WordPress developer, focusing on what you\u2019ll need to know and introducing some resources to assist you. \u2328\ufe0f<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
WordPress development opens up a lot of doors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/make-wordpress.png\")
The Make WordPress website<\/a> is the perfect place to learn about all the ways you can get involved in WordPress development.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nBefore we get started, let\u2019s clear something up. When we talk about learning how to become a WordPress developer, we\u2019re not just talking about taking up development as a full-time endeavor. You can certainly do that, of course. However, there are lots<\/em> of reasons to dip your toes into WordPress development, even on a part-time basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udc49 Some of the most common reasons to learn how to become a WordPress developer include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- You want to customize your site<\/a> more fully than is possible through default options.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Existing plugins and themes aren\u2019t providing what you need, so you want to create your own.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You\u2019d like to make money through WordPress development, such as by selling plugins, themes, or websites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You want to contribute to WordPress<\/a> itself, by developing for the core platform.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
No matter what your reasons are or how ambitious your plans might be, you\u2019ll want to start with some basics. Let\u2019s talk about what’s involved in learning how to become a WordPress developer.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow to become a WordPress developer (3 steps to get started)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are a lot of avenues into WordPress development \u2013 no one path is right for everyone. However, there are<\/em> some common things any beginner will want to do. In the following steps, we\u2019ll help you prepare to jump into the wide world of WordPress development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Step 1: Know your basic languages<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Step 2: Build a list of essential resources<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Step 3: Decide where to get involved<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Know your basic languages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Knowledge is power \u2013 rarely is this truer than when it comes to development. The most important criteria for learning how to become a WordPress developer is familiarity with the languages the platform is built on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While there are a variety of languages that come in useful, the four most vital are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- PHP<\/a><\/strong>: This scripting language forms the backbone of WordPress, and is required for a lot of behind-the-scenes work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- HTML<\/a><\/strong>: This markup language determines how a site\u2019s web pages look in the browser.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- CSS<\/a><\/strong>: This language adds style to a site\u2019s content, such as colors, fonts, and so on.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- JavaScript<\/a><\/strong>: This dynamic programming language is used for creating interactive elements on web pages. It’s also set to become a bigger part of WordPress as the new Gutenberg Editor<\/a> is built with React<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
These are just the very basics, of course \u2013 each of these languages is used in a wide variety of ways. If this list seems overwhelming, you\u2019re best off focusing on HTML and CSS to start with. These are more beginner-friendly and straightforward languages, yet there\u2019s a lot you can accomplish with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For those starting from scratch, W3Schools offers some very approachable tutorials for both CSS<\/a> and HTML5<\/a> (the latest version). In addition, we\u2019d recommend experimenting with using these languages to make changes to your existing WordPress website(s). With technical skills, practice is the best way to advance. Just make sure to use a staging site<\/a>, or at least back up your live site<\/a> first.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nStep 2: Build a list of essential resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
WordPress\u2019 wide popularity comes with many benefits. For instance, there are a lot of resources you can use to learn how to become a WordPress developer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While this is by no means an exhaustive list, here are some of the top places to start:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- The WordPress Codex<\/a><\/strong>. If you haven\u2019t already, this is a site you\u2019ll want to become intimately familiar with. In particular, check out the list of developer-focused documentation<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Dedicated WordPress courses<\/a><\/strong>. Sometimes, having an expert walk you through the basics is the best way to learn. You can find free and premium WordPress courses on general topics, development minutia, and everything in between.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The WordPress.org<\/em> developer site<\/a><\/strong>. Here you can find guides to developing themes and plugins, as well as more advanced topics like the REST API.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Make WordPress website<\/a><\/strong>. This is a central hub for WordPress contributors of all types \u2013 developers, designers, translators, testers, and so on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
We also put together our own big list of 120+ cheat sheets for WordPress developers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nStep 3: Decide where to get involved (and jump right in!)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As we\u2019ve alluded to, WordPress development is a pretty broad field. There isn\u2019t just one place to get started, which means you can jump in wherever you feel most comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s take a look at some of the most common ways to start developing for WordPress, and how to get started with each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fork or adopt a WordPress theme or plugin \u2699\ufe0f<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re not quite ready to start developing from scratch, one way to learn the ropes is by altering an existing theme or plugin. This lets you experiment with making changes and testing the results, without having to come up with something completely new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are two main ways to do this. You can create a \u2018fork\u2019 \u2013 your own private version of a theme or plugin that you can tinker with to your heart\u2019s content. If a plugin or theme is free, you can find its code in the respective WordPress directory, under the Development<\/em> tab:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Development](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/plugin-directory-development.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nHowever, a better option is often to \u2018adopt\u2019 a plugin or theme that\u2019s been abandoned by its developer. This also lets you experiment with existing code, and you can even resubmit your improvements if you like. You can find a more in-depth guide to taking over existing plugins<\/a> here (much of the same information also applies to themes).<\/p>\n\n\n\nCreate your own theme or plugin \ud83c\udfa8<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re feeling a bit more ambitious, you may want to try your hand at developing a new plugin or theme. Starting with a plugin is usually the better route, as you can pick out one specific feature you\u2019d like to add to WordPress and work out how to make it happen. If your plugin turns out well, you can even submit it to the directory<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTo jump into this area of WordPress development, you\u2019ll want to start with the WordPress Codex entry on creating plugins<\/a>, as well as the Plugin Handbook. There are similar resources for building themes<\/a> as well. You may also want to check out the WordPress forums<\/a> \u2013 you might be able to find a team you can collaborate with there, which is easier than trying to develop a new plugin all on your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGet involved in WordPress core \ud83d\uddb1\ufe0f<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Finally, some people who want to learn how to become a WordPress developer are more interested in contributing to the platform itself. If this sounds like you, you’ll want to take a somewhat different approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best way to get started is to first check out the Core Contributor Handbook<\/a>. This offers a lot of vital information about what it means to work with WordPress as a developer. After, you can get your feet wet by helping to test out bugs, beginning with those that have been earmarked for first-time contributors<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFixing bugs lets you work on the platform while learning the ropes. In addition, it will get you in contact with more experienced developers who can help you out. Over time, you\u2019ll be able to work your way up and start contributing to whatever types of projects strike your fancy.<\/p>\n\n\n
Go to top<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\nConclusion \ud83e\uddd0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\nLearning how to become a WordPress developer can seem out of reach if you\u2019re new to the field. However, WordPress is actually one of the best places to learn development, thanks to its approachable nature and vast, supportive community<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
Before we get started, let\u2019s clear something up. When we talk about learning how to become a WordPress developer, we\u2019re not just talking about taking up development as a full-time endeavor. You can certainly do that, of course. However, there are lots<\/em> of reasons to dip your toes into WordPress development, even on a part-time basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc49 Some of the most common reasons to learn how to become a WordPress developer include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter what your reasons are or how ambitious your plans might be, you\u2019ll want to start with some basics. Let\u2019s talk about what’s involved in learning how to become a WordPress developer.<\/p>\n\n\n There are a lot of avenues into WordPress development \u2013 no one path is right for everyone. However, there are<\/em> some common things any beginner will want to do. In the following steps, we\u2019ll help you prepare to jump into the wide world of WordPress development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowledge is power \u2013 rarely is this truer than when it comes to development. The most important criteria for learning how to become a WordPress developer is familiarity with the languages the platform is built on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While there are a variety of languages that come in useful, the four most vital are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are just the very basics, of course \u2013 each of these languages is used in a wide variety of ways. If this list seems overwhelming, you\u2019re best off focusing on HTML and CSS to start with. These are more beginner-friendly and straightforward languages, yet there\u2019s a lot you can accomplish with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those starting from scratch, W3Schools offers some very approachable tutorials for both CSS<\/a> and HTML5<\/a> (the latest version). In addition, we\u2019d recommend experimenting with using these languages to make changes to your existing WordPress website(s). With technical skills, practice is the best way to advance. Just make sure to use a staging site<\/a>, or at least back up your live site<\/a> first.<\/p>\n\n\n WordPress\u2019 wide popularity comes with many benefits. For instance, there are a lot of resources you can use to learn how to become a WordPress developer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While this is by no means an exhaustive list, here are some of the top places to start:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We also put together our own big list of 120+ cheat sheets for WordPress developers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n As we\u2019ve alluded to, WordPress development is a pretty broad field. There isn\u2019t just one place to get started, which means you can jump in wherever you feel most comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s take a look at some of the most common ways to start developing for WordPress, and how to get started with each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re not quite ready to start developing from scratch, one way to learn the ropes is by altering an existing theme or plugin. This lets you experiment with making changes and testing the results, without having to come up with something completely new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two main ways to do this. You can create a \u2018fork\u2019 \u2013 your own private version of a theme or plugin that you can tinker with to your heart\u2019s content. If a plugin or theme is free, you can find its code in the respective WordPress directory, under the Development<\/em> tab:<\/p>\n\n\n However, a better option is often to \u2018adopt\u2019 a plugin or theme that\u2019s been abandoned by its developer. This also lets you experiment with existing code, and you can even resubmit your improvements if you like. You can find a more in-depth guide to taking over existing plugins<\/a> here (much of the same information also applies to themes).<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re feeling a bit more ambitious, you may want to try your hand at developing a new plugin or theme. Starting with a plugin is usually the better route, as you can pick out one specific feature you\u2019d like to add to WordPress and work out how to make it happen. If your plugin turns out well, you can even submit it to the directory<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To jump into this area of WordPress development, you\u2019ll want to start with the WordPress Codex entry on creating plugins<\/a>, as well as the Plugin Handbook. There are similar resources for building themes<\/a> as well. You may also want to check out the WordPress forums<\/a> \u2013 you might be able to find a team you can collaborate with there, which is easier than trying to develop a new plugin all on your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, some people who want to learn how to become a WordPress developer are more interested in contributing to the platform itself. If this sounds like you, you’ll want to take a somewhat different approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best way to get started is to first check out the Core Contributor Handbook<\/a>. This offers a lot of vital information about what it means to work with WordPress as a developer. After, you can get your feet wet by helping to test out bugs, beginning with those that have been earmarked for first-time contributors<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fixing bugs lets you work on the platform while learning the ropes. In addition, it will get you in contact with more experienced developers who can help you out. Over time, you\u2019ll be able to work your way up and start contributing to whatever types of projects strike your fancy.<\/p>\n\n\n Learning how to become a WordPress developer can seem out of reach if you\u2019re new to the field. However, WordPress is actually one of the best places to learn development, thanks to its approachable nature and vast, supportive community<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
How to become a WordPress developer (3 steps to get started)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Step 1: Know your basic languages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Step 2: Build a list of essential resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Step 3: Decide where to get involved (and jump right in!)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Fork or adopt a WordPress theme or plugin \u2699\ufe0f<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nCreate your own theme or plugin \ud83c\udfa8<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Get involved in WordPress core \ud83d\uddb1\ufe0f<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion \ud83e\uddd0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n