Roadmap for a Beginner WordPress developer:
Phase 1: Basic Understanding of WordPress
1. Learn the Basics of WordPress
o Understand what WordPress is and why it is popular.
o Learn about WordPress themes and plugins.
o Understand the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
2. Set Up WordPress Locally and on a Server
o Install WordPress on your local machine using tools like XAMPP, MAMP, or Local by
Flywheel.
o Learn how to set up a WordPress site on a live server (shared hosting, VPS, or cloud
hosting).
3. Get Familiar with the Dashboard
o Learn to navigate the WordPress admin dashboard.
o Explore the essential settings: general, reading, writing, discussion, media, and
permalinks.
4. Explore WordPress Themes
o Understand how themes work, and how to install and customize them.
o Learn about child themes for safe customization.
5. Install and Configure Plugins
o Install and activate popular plugins.
o Learn how to find plugins, update them, and deactivate/uninstall plugins.
Phase 2: Basic Development Skills
1. HTML & CSS
o Learn basic HTML and CSS for customizing themes.
o Practice creating simple layouts and styling elements.
2. PHP Basics
o Understand how WordPress uses PHP for dynamic content.
o Learn PHP syntax, loops, and conditionals.
3. WordPress Template Files
o Learn about WordPress template hierarchy and how themes structure their files.
o Understand key template files like index.php, header.php, footer.php, single.php, and
page.php.
4. WordPress Theme Development
o Start building your own basic themes.
o Understand the structure of a theme folder: style.css, functions.php, index.php, and
template files.
5. Learn WordPress Loop
o Master the WordPress Loop to display posts, pages, and custom post types.
Phase 3: Advanced Development Skills
1. Custom Post Types and Taxonomies
o Learn to create custom post types (CPT) and taxonomies for more flexible content
management.
2. WordPress Hooks (Actions & Filters)
o Understand actions and filters to modify WordPress behavior without changing core
files.
o Learn when and how to use add_action() and add_filter().
3. WordPress Plugins Development
o Understand how plugins work and learn to create simple plugins.
o Explore key plugin files: plugin-name.php, readme.txt, and hooks.
4. WordPress Widgets & Shortcodes
o Learn how to create and customize widgets and shortcodes.
5. Security and Optimization
o Learn about WordPress security best practices, like sanitization and validation of
data.
o Get familiar with caching, image optimization, and other speed optimization
techniques.
Phase 4: Advanced Customization & Tools
1. Custom Fields and Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
o Learn how to add and display custom fields for more flexible content.
2. REST API
o Understand how to use the WordPress REST API to interact with WordPress data via
JavaScript or external applications.
3. JavaScript and jQuery
o Learn how JavaScript and jQuery are used to add interactivity to WordPress sites.
4. Page Builders (Elementor, Gutenberg, etc.)
o Get familiar with popular page builders like Elementor and WordPress’s Gutenberg
block editor.
5. WooCommerce (E-commerce with WordPress)
o Learn how to set up and customize an e-commerce site using WooCommerce.
Phase 5: Deployment & Maintenance
1. Website Deployment
o Learn how to move a website from local to live, including the database and file
migration.
2. Maintenance & Updates
o Understand how to update WordPress core, themes, and plugins.
o Set up backups and implement a maintenance plan.
