Did you know that Toyota website and other big companies are based on WordPress (WP)? This platform is considered a facilitating tool for the construction of the most diverse internet pages.
Making a website from scratch, without understanding even a line of code? That should be extremely limited, right?
Wrong. Yes, it is possible to build a WP website without programming. However, you can do it all (and charge the fair amount for it) if you are a full-fledged WordPress developer, not just an administrator of a WordPress-based site.
But, what is WP and how does it work? What is one WordPress developer, truly speaking? What is the difference between this professional and a WordPress site administrator?
That's what we're going to talk about today. You will know everything about the profession and the job market. You will learn what to study to become a WP developer and be open to the most interesting opportunities. And you will still have access to a list with the best free WordPress courses.
Liked? Read the article carefully!
What Does a WordPress Developer Do?
The WordPress developer is the professional who creates websites, blogs and virtual stores using the system. Or even develop plugins that improve the functionality of a website and the user experience.
WordPress is a CMS (Content Management System) or, in Portuguese, content management system. Based on PHP, with MySQL database, this system has several advantages. Among them, we can highlight:
- For the developer, which has a streamlined creation process and allows greater focus on creativity and less on logic.
- For the customer, who manages to manage the website, blog or store without having to understand programming languages.
There are professionals in the job market of WordPress developers who do not know programming and use only ready-made themes and plugins. However, as a result, they cannot get more complex jobs and, as a rule, earn much less.
The limit for the WordPress developer is only his own level of knowledge. Like any job in the technology field, you need to be constantly updated to stay active in the job market.
To conclude this topic, it is important to mention which activities the WordPress developer does not perform, as there is often confusion. It may be that he even has the competence and accepts to do certain services that are a little different from the conventional one.
But let it be clear that the WordPress developer is not a game developer, or mobile application developer, for example.
As much as there are WordPress plugins that allow the creation of apps, the focus of the professional that we are dealing with in this article is the website development, be them institutional, blogs, stores, etc.
Any professional who develops websites and applications through a platform or programming languages other than the standard WP system (which is PHP), is not considered a WordPress developer. For example, who works with Magento CMS or Python language.
Types of WordPress Developer
In general, programmers are divided into three areas of activity, which are: the front end, o Back-end and fullstack. WP developers follow the same logic.
- Front-end it is the developer who acts on the interface with which the novice user interacts. In the case of WordPress, it is the visual aspect of the website and the administrative panel.
- Back-end it is the developer who acts most directly on the code, on the dynamic parts of organization that are not visible to the end user.
- Full stack is the professional who works on the project in a complete way, both in the back-end and in the front-end.
WordPress theme developer
In addition to this division, we can also classify WordPress developer types according to their specialization in certain system resources. There are professionals specialized in developing themes, plugins and the site itself.
Nowadays, WordPress Developers also work with mobile applications. Mobile devices are already responsible for the majority of internet access. Thus, WordPress kept up with the demand for applications for cell phones and tablets.
The CMS allows, as we have seen, the creation of custom templates that the customer can install on the site. These templates completely change the look and the way the site will interact with the user.
WordPress plugin developer
WordPress is so popular because of the amount of plugins it has. They are tools that allow a WP based website to do just about anything.
When functionality does not yet exist, the importance of the WP plug-in developer programmer is perceived.
One of the most famous plugins on the system is WooCommerce. So it's a great example. With this plug-in, a simple website becomes a complete virtual store, with all the necessary elements. This includes everything from product registration to the cart and payment methods.
How Much Does a WordPress Developer Make?
The professional who works as WordPress developer he usually earns more whenever he produces the job allied to a strategy. In other words, complete jobs are more profitable, in which the professional takes the lead directly with the client.
Providing service to an agency or in partnership with other professionals can be a good business for beginners.
But, the professional needs to keep an eye on opportunities and seek to specialize in more solutions that can be added to the client's objective, in order to be responsible for larger, more complete jobs.
The WordPress developer is a career that can require knowledge very different from the programming area. This is because the professional can be allocated to projects that he will carry out alone, not with a team.
It is difficult to find good programming professionals who act as a WordPress developer. Many do not dedicate themselves to adding skills to the curriculum. Others end up migrating to the international market to earn in dollars.
The more accessory skills, the higher the salary. According to Catho, a vacancy site, a professional who works only with WP and programming concepts is in the range of R$ 1.500, on average.
However, when it comes to producing websites to meet the customer's need, some SEO knowledge is important. Understanding the basics of web design, in another example, is also critical.
How to earn more as a WordPress developer
Therefore, WordPress developers who have so many more skills than just the CMS will be able to take on more complete projects. With this greater responsibility, consequently, they tend to earn better.
The full professional, with knowledge of web design and SEO, exceeds the range of R$ 4.000.
Autonomous WordPress developers, working as a freelancer or opening their own website creation agency and WP solutions, manage to earn over R$ 10.000 monthly.
The value can refer to several projects delivered in the month or it can also consider an extra income with the development of themes and plugins that can be made available for single sale.
There are also monthly entries from customers who hire periodic maintenance for the website or virtual store. Or, what happens a lot, the recurring search engine optimization (SEO) work, which is always a long-term service.
Job market for WordPress Developer
For many years, the digital market has been growing in the most varied sectors. Who works with technology has new opportunities every day.
Whether it's the assigned service provider or the remote professional (which rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic), there are always openings for WP developers. After all, you must remember that more than a third of the sites on the web use the CMS WordPress.
You can still choose whether you want to work as a CLT or as a Legal Entity, if you already have a public company or have availability of open an MEI. The CNPJ is available in 10 minutes and, free of charge, you just need to register through the Entrepreneur Portal.
Both types of hiring allow you to have your extra earnings as a freelancer. Or, still, in the case of the PJ, that it lives very well only with freelancers.
A Rock Content survey of the freelance market in 2020, it showed something interesting: less than 4% of the professionals interviewed work with web development and programming.
Given the wide range of vacancies that you can find on sites like Catho and Vagas.com, the numbers show that there really is a lack of qualified professionals in the market, which expands your opportunities.
WordPress Developer Skills and Competencies
Every professional in the field of technology (and others) must have good knowledge of the English language, as the best sources of consultation are found in English. The WordPress community and system documentation are no exception.
This skill is always present in the requirements of communication, technology and marketing vacancies. However, other skills are also customary in the scope of vacancies for WordPress developer. Check it out next.
Skills
Programming languages and technologies for the WordPress developer
The professional needs to understand and know how to use the CMS. In addition, it is important to have an intermediate understanding of the following programming languages and technologies:
- HTML
- CSS
- PHP
- JavaScript
- MySQL (database)
Web Design and SEO for WordPress Developer
How much more trained in design and broader the knowledge in SEO, more prominence the WordPress developer will have in the market.
Web Design is the graphic design area that focuses on the design of websites and online documents. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a set of techniques that help the website to position itself better in search engines, such as Google.
In other words, it's not enough to create a website. He needs to be pleasant for the user and relevant to Google, Bing etc.
Competencies
There is nothing more annoying (nor more harmful) than a slow site or one that does not provide the necessary resources to guarantee the public's experience. When it comes to a website, every detail matters.
Therefore, the WordPress developer must always be concerned about make the customer's life easier. At the same time, it must deliver the ideal solution to the end user. Thus, it guarantees the full satisfaction of the contractor.
The following skills are mandatory items in the curriculum of those who want to do well in this market. They guarantee the delivery that the customer expects, with the end result he needs.
- Transparency: commitment and honesty.
- Organization: keeping your own workflow organized, as well as meeting the deadlines agreed with customers.
- Initiative: working with purpose, seeing projects as a partnership, seeking to anticipate needs.
- Adaptation: availability to adapt to the different paths that the project can take.
- Prediction: anticipating possible problems, proposing solutions, avoiding losses and minimizing risks.
- Feedback: know how to listen to constructive criticism and learn quickly from possible mistakes to constantly improve.
With that in mind, you should be ready to move on to the next topic. In it, you will see which courses are indicated to guarantee the skills of the WordPress Developer.
But don't forget to constantly develop and recycle the skills you've just seen here.
WordPress Developer Courses and Certifications
Complete and free courses to become a WordPress developer do not exist. In fact, even paying, it's hard to find 100% complete content.
But, the good news is that you can learn the required content separately. Just search for courses HTML, CSS, PHP e JavaScript, as well as basic courses on the WP system itself.
Below you will see a robust list of free WordPress courses. They will allow you to have a very solid training as a WP developer.
Remember to look for solutions to improve your English if necessary. Also, remember the forums and the WP community, who are always updating topics and clearing up any kind of doubt about the system. You need to be there!
rock university
Rock Content University offers paid and free courses. They are a reference in SEO in Brazil. That's why it's worth starting with a basic course for understanding WordPress which teaches a lot about SEO in WP. There are 5 modules in total:
- Introduction
- Or WordPress
- Themes
- plugins
- Problem solving.
Rock also has free inbound marketing course for those who want to learn more about SEO.
Prime Courses
This platform is completely free. And there, you can find almost all the programming courses needed to work with WordPress. Here are the links:
If you pay attention to the article, you will notice that a free JavaScript course was missing. Prime Cursos does not have this material available, but you can learn from none other than Microsoft. This is the course link: js microsoft
If you want to learn about web design, Prime Cursos also has free material for you. The link is below:
Hubspot
Hubspot certifications have great value for the technology and internet market. If you want to go a little deeper into SEO, you can take the free Inbound Marketing course with them:
How to get WordPress Developer jobs
Now, with all certifications in hand, skills and competencies worked on, it's time to get your first jobs. To learn how to do this with those who understand the subject, stay with us.
On vacancy sites and, mainly, on LinkedIn, you will find many opportunities for those who want a formal job.
Anyone who chooses to work as a legal entity service provider, through a CNPJ, remotely or allocated, can count on us. Here at Crowd, we have an edge over other platforms that connect freelancers with clients.
We do all the curation of projects and professional profiles, so that you are free to dedicate yourself only to the work and not worry about the bureaucratic part.
And there? Have you identified yourself with the profession of WordPress developer and want to start getting jobs? Join Crowd for free right now!
