WordPress Developer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a WordPress developer. Feel free to use our WordPress developer job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a WordPress developer.
Who is a WordPress Developer?
WordPress’s popularity stems from the fact that its websites are easy to create. It is easy to extend its functionality with plugins, customize its appearance with a theme, and add multimedia. They can also configure its settings without writing a line of code.
A lack of technical knowledge could lead to issues down the line. Many novice users have difficulty with setting up security, backing up data, customizing their themes, and redesigning their websites. These are just some of the reasons users look for WordPress developers.
WordPress developers can take on more technical challenges when creating and managing WordPress sites than the average user.
WordPress development is a highly lucrative industry that draws both freelancers and companies due to its large share in the CMS market.
WordPress developers design, implement and manage websites using WordPress. WordPress is an open-source CMS (free, open-source content management software). They are responsible for front-end as well as back-end development, including everything from security updates to plug-ins. WordPress developers design and manage websites to make them attractive and user-friendly. They also help clients and colleagues with website problems and training. WordPress developers can work in many industries including graphic design agencies and marketing firms as well as computer systems design firms.
WordPress developer can be defined as a broad term. WordPress has many moving parts, so there are many types of WordPress developers.
- Core Developer
This is a professional that works directly on the WordPress core software. These developers are responsible for modifying the WordPress core code or recommending changes. This affects WordPress as a whole.
- Theme developer
WordPress theme developers create themes for WordPress websites. This allows users to personalize their WordPress websites with a particular look and feel. They can also choose the colors, layout, and style for all their WordPress pages and posts.
- Plugin Developer
Plugin developers create WordPress plug-ins for your site. Plugins can be used to enhance or add functionality to your WordPress website.
WordPress has many technical aspects. Developers take the time to understand these issues and create functional WordPress websites that are visually appealing and functional. WordPress is used on tens of millions of websites, so there’s plenty of money to be made through WordPress.
WordPress websites are needed for everything, from e-commerce sites to service-based websites. WordPress developers also have competitive salaries.
To become a WordPress developer, you need to have computer programming skills. Programming languages is a skill that anyone can learn. To become a WordPress developer, some people have college degrees in computer science. Others learn their skills entirely online.
WordPress Developer Job Description
Below are the WordPress developer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a WordPress developer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
- Facilitating connections between databases, and WordPress components.
- Identifying and fixing bugs in the code.
- Making units and testing your website.
- Writing detailed documentation.
- Meeting with clients to discuss web design and function.
- Performing Front-end design and construction of the website.
- Designing the website architecture
- Designing and managing the website’s back end, including server integration and database integration.
- Generating WordPress themes and plugins.
- Troubleshooting content problems
- Training WordPress with the client
- Monitoring the performance of the live site.
- Collaborating with the creative team to create a responsive and effective product
- Turning ideas into website themes, plugins, or other aspects of a website with the help of icons
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in computer science.
- Demonstrable work experience as a WordPress developer.
- Understanding of front-end technologies such as CSS3, JavaScript HTML5, and JQuery.
- Knowledge of code versioning tools such as Mercurial, Git, and SVN.
- Experience working with debugging software such as Chrome Inspector or Firebug
- A good understanding of web architecture and aesthetics.
- Ability to manage projects.
- Good communication skills.
Essential Skills
- HTML
HTML stands for Hypertext Markup language and defines the structure of a WordPress website. It is the most important language in web development, and knowledge of HTML implies an understanding of how a website is constructed.
Even if you don’t use an editor that “what you see” is what you get, HTML knowledge is essential. It gives developers to control and provides a structured approach for web page modeling.
- CSS
Cascading Style Sheets (or CSS) is another cornerstone of web content. It is the basis of a WordPress website’s visual appearance. It is essential that front-end web developers understand it. However, it is not an important priority for those who work at the back-end.
- JavaScript
JavaScript manages the interactive elements on a website. This language, which works alongside HTML and CSS in front-end development, is the key component of web applications that add dynamic interactive behavior to web apps. Many JavaScript libraries and frameworks can be used which has been a hugely popular skill in the web developer toolbox.
- SQL
Structured Query Language is responsible for communicating with web applications’ databases. As a backend developer, it is an important concept.
- PHP
PHP is an ideal language for web development. It is used to build WordPress, as well as other popular platforms. This allows developers to connect the user interface and the database, making PHP an integral part of a web app.
- WordPress platform
Developers need to know how to set up WordPress websites and how to use plugins and themes to create them. This is important because clients want to receive elegant and personalized solutions.
- Business knowledge
WordPress is widely used as a marketing tool. Business experience can also be helpful when developing a content management system. This skill is important for everything from digital security to eCommerce marketing.
- Marketing and sales
Although a WordPress programmer won’t be managing the marketing work, it is useful to know who and what customers are and how they feel about your website. This will enable developers to provide solutions that work for both the clients and the owners.
WordPress is a popular eCommerce platform. Many companies use its themes, plugins, and other tools to increase their conversion rates.
- Search engine optimization
As mentioned, search engine optimization (SEO), best practices are key to marketing. Each component of a website has an impact on how it is indexed by search engines. To optimize your website’s exposure to search engines, it is important to understand how web crawlers, sitemaps, indexing, meta tags, and sitemaps work.
SEO will ensure that your company is found among a sea of similar websites and businesses. You should ensure that the person you hire is experienced in SEO optimization and the creation of backlinks.
- Mobile development
More customers are browsing the internet via mobile devices than ever before. You have many screen resolutions and sizes available, so your WordPress site should be compatible with as many as possible. Developers must be able to recognize the responsive design from the beginning and develop applications accordingly.
- Online security
Cybercriminals and hackers often target business websites. Every WordPress developer must be aware of potential security issues in web applications. Understanding the top ten security threats identified by OWASP and how to test for potential vulnerabilities can help you avoid any security issues.
- Positive mindset
WordPress development is not just about having the right knowledge. It is equally important to approach the field with the right mindset. If you are interviewing candidates for your WordPress development project, lookout for people who exhibit the following characteristics:
- Thinking about business
Sound business logic is essential for creating websites that work well for businesses. What makes a company successful? How can you show that in your WordPress websites? Look for a developer who will showcase the best of what your company offers.
- Willingness to learn
Web development isn’t a static field. It’s always evolving and changing. You must be able to keep up with all changes. For a responsive and appealing WordPress page, developers must be aware of the latest trends in web design and how to apply them.
Also, it is important to find people who are open to learning new technologies. HTML5, for example, has enjoyed huge adoption rates in recent times despite being only released a few years ago. Skilled web developers can quickly learn new tools and be willing to use them.
- Teamwork
Web developers need to work in a team. They need to communicate regularly and work closely together to complete a project within the given deadline and budget.
- Keep your eyes on the prize
Planning is essential for website projects. Developers must be able to set goals, break down tasks into manageable parts, and adhere to deadlines and schedules to stay focused.
It can be extremely helpful to have a good understanding of the most popular project management tools, versions control systems, and software design methodologies to organize and plan most efficiently.
There are many skills required to design WordPress, including templates and plugins. It might be a better idea to hire specialized developers rather than “jack of all trades”. They are often more familiar with their workflows than the latter.
How to Become a WordPress Developer
Step 1: Learn the basics
Familiarity with the language used to build WordPress is the most important requirement for learning how you can become a WordPress developer.
This list may seem overwhelming. Instead, focus on HTML and CSS. These languages are easier to learn and simpler, but you can still accomplish a lot with them.
Practice is the best way for technical skills to improve. Use a staging site or backup for your site before you start to learn.
Step 2: Create a list with essential resources
WordPress’ popularity has many benefits. There are many resources available to help you become a WordPress developer.
This is not an exhaustive list. You can start from the following:
The WordPress Codex
This is a site that you should be familiar with. If you don’t have it, you can check out the developer-focused documentation.
Specialized WordPress courses
A WordPress expert can help you understand the basics. There are free and premium WordPress courses that cover general topics and development minutia.
WordPress.org Developer Site
You will find tutorials for developing themes and plugins as well as advanced topics such as the REST API.
The Make WordPress website
This website is the central hub for all WordPress contributors – designers, developers, translators, and testers.
Step 3: Choose where you want to be involved and jump in!
WordPress development, as we have already mentioned, is a broad field. You don’t have to start in one place. This means that you can go where you feel most comfortable.
- You can fork or adopt a WordPress plugin or theme.
You don’t have to develop a new theme or plugin if you aren’t ready. You can experiment with changes and test the results without creating something entirely new.
This can be done in two ways. You can make a “fork” – your private version of a plugin or theme that you can tweak to your heart’s delight. You can find the code for a free plugin or theme in the WordPress directory under the Development tab
A better alternative is to “adopt” a plugin/theme that has been abandoned by its creator. You can also experiment with the existing code and even submit your changes if you wish. This guide will help you to take over plugins. Much of the same information applies to themes.
- Make your theme and plugin
You might consider developing your theme or plugin if you feel more ambitious. It’s usually a better idea to start with a plugin. This allows you to pick one feature that you want to add to WordPress, and then work out how to make this happen. You can submit your plugin to the directory if it turns out well.
This area of WordPress development is best explored by starting with the WordPress Codex entry about creating plugins and the Plugin Handbook. You can also find similar resources to help you build themes. The WordPress forums are another great resource. You might find a group you can work with, which is much easier than creating a plugin from scratch.
iii. Participate in WordPress core
Some people are more interested in learning how to develop WordPress than they are contributing to the platform. If this is the case for you, you might want to try a different approach.
It is a good idea to start by reading the Core Contributor Handbook. This Handbook contains a lot of useful information about how to use WordPress as a developer. You can then get started by testing out bugs.
You can fix bugs and continue to learn the platform. It will also keep you in touch with other developers who can assist you. You’ll soon be able to work your way up to contribute to any type of project that interests you.
Where to Work
WordPress developers can work in many industries including graphic design agencies and marketing firms as well as computer systems design firms.
WordPress Developer Salary Scale
The average salary for a WordPress developer in the United States is $70,000. Entry-level positions start at $55,000 annually, while more experienced workers can earn up to $105,000 annually.
