The Essential Roles and Responsibilities of a WordPress Developer

WordPress, which is used by over 43.3% of all websites, dominates the internet. Its widespread popularity is mainly due to how easy it is for non-tech individuals to create and manage websites using ready-made themes and plugins – and with dedicated global support forums, users can find the help they need if they ever get stuck when building their site. Nevertheless, when websites become more intricate or require specific modifications, people often find themselves struggling.

Thankfully, this is where trained developers come in. A developer is important for implementing these intricate features, ensuring site security, and enhancing performance. In this article, we’ll look at the role of a WordPress developer, what they do, and see whether they are right for you. 

What does a WordPress Developer do? Exploring core responsibilities

Hiring a WordPress developer is great when you need to create fully functional, high-performance websites. Their responsibilities include a variety of tasks, from creating new websites to troubleshooting errors and optimizing performance.

Building WordPress websites from scratch

Building WordPress websites from scratch can involve various approaches. While some developers choose custom development, not every project needs this. You might choose to have your site built from scratch if you prioritize top performance or if you anticipate needing specific functionalities that require a developer’s expertise to implement effectively. 

A skilled developer will assess your requirements and recommend the most suitable approach, whether it involves custom development or using pre-built themes. They will then configure your website, from selecting the optimal hosting environment to installing appropriate plugins, ensuring it meets your needs efficiently. 

Obviously, it won’t be the exact same for every website, but the steps usually include:

• Project brief: Project briefs connect clients and developers, making it easier to communicate project goals and requirements. Clients express their objectives and desired features, giving developers information to define the project’s scope. While clients explain what they want to accomplish and the features they need, developers convert these into practical steps to effectively bring the project vision to life.
• Choosing hosting: Choosing a host involves more than finding the right environment; it involves configuring the setup to ensure optimal performance. This may include implementing a Content Delivery Network (CDN) if necessary and setting up control panel access for users. By tailoring the hosting environment and configurations to the website’s specific needs, developers ensure smooth operation and enhanced user experience.
• Custom theme development: Using development best practices to code custom themes that align with the project requirements.
• Choosing the right security tools: Protecting a website from potential threats and vulnerabilities requires selecting the right security tools, which may include firewalls, malware scanners, and secure authentication methods.

Building custom WordPress functionalities 

Trained WordPress developers use programming languages like PHP, JavaScript, and others to build:

• Custom plugins that extend WordPress’s core capabilities allow developers to implement features like eCommerce, membership portals, or event management solutions tailored to the client’s requirements.
• Bespoke content management: Custom post types, taxonomies, and content management workflows allow clients to manage their content efficiently. WordPress developers can design intuitive interfaces and backend systems that streamline content creation and organization.
• Custom integrations using the WordPress API: Developers can use the WordPress API to integrate websites with third-party systems that lack a WordPress plugin. This allows for connections with systems like ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) platforms, enhancing the website’s functionality and data exchange capabilities.
• Adding custom code to existing template files: Developers can enhance website functionality by adding custom code snippets to template files such as functions.php. They can implement custom functionality like integrating social media feeds or implementing custom tracking scripts for analytics purposes, for example.

Building new WordPress extensions: Plugins, themes, and modules

The community surrounding this popular Content Management System (CMS) is why there is so much innovation and dedication to the software. This innovation drives the WordPress ecosystem, and its developers are at the forefront of creating extensions that enhance the platform’s capabilities:

• Plugin development: From ideation to deployment, developers conceptualize, code, and test plugins that address specific needs. Adherence to WordPress coding standards ensures compatibility and reliability across diverse environments.
• Theme development: Custom themes can bring websites to life and reflect brand identity and user experience goals. WordPress developers design responsive and aesthetic themes that captivate audiences and navigation.

Troubleshooting WordPress errors

As with any software, WordPress websites may encounter errors and issues. Developers must be able to:

• Identify common errors: From the notorious white screen of death to plugin conflicts and database connection issues, developers encounter a variety of unique challenges that need to be addressed.
• Have effective problem-solving strategies: These experts use debugging tools (like WP_Debug and Query Monitor), log files, and their understanding of WordPress’s architecture to identify root causes and implement effective solutions.

Reviewing or debugging WordPress codebase

Maintaining the integrity of the codebase is important when protecting website performance and security. Developers do this by:

• Code review: Thorough code reviews are conducted to identify and rectify bugs, performance bottlenecks, and security vulnerabilities. Collaborative tools and peer feedback facilitate continuous improvement and adherence to best practices.
• Debugging techniques: Proficiency in debugging tools and plugins allows developers to navigate complex codebases. By isolating issues and tracing execution paths, developers expedite the resolution process and uphold the integrity of WordPress sites.

Optimizing websites for performance and SEO rankings

Optimizing websites for performance and SEO rankings is important for ensuring a good user experience and maximizing visibility in search engines. A fast-loading, smoothly running website not only provides visitors with a positive user experience, encouraging them to stay longer on your site but also increases the likelihood of your website ranking higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) and attracting more organic traffic.

WordPress developers use optimization techniques to elevate this:

• Performance optimization: Caching mechanisms, image optimization, and script minification are just a few strategies to enhance website speed and responsiveness. By reducing load times and improving user experience, developers can help you boost engagement and retention on your website.
• SEO best practices: WordPress developers closely monitor SEO best practices, optimizing site structure, implementing technical SEO audits, and incorporating schema markup into website code to provide search engines with more detailed information about the content to improve search engine rankings. Mobile optimization and compliance with accessibility standards further amplify the site’s reach and impact.

WooCommerce development

WooCommerce is a powerful eCommerce platform for WordPress. WooCommerce developers specialize in creating and managing online stores using this platform. A WooCommerce developer can help with:

• Customization: They customize online stores to fit each business’s unique needs, adding custom designs and features.
• Theme development: They create visually appealing and user-friendly themes for online stores.
• Plugin development: They develop custom plugins to add specific functionalities or integrate with other systems.
• Optimization: They optimize online stores for speed and performance, ensuring fast loading times and smooth navigation.
• Payment integration: They integrate secure payment gateways (like PayPal), allowing businesses to accept payments securely.
• Product and order management: They help businesses manage product catalogs and orders efficiently, including adding, editing, categorizing products, and streamlining the order fulfillment process.

Providing website maintenance and support

Ongoing maintenance and support tasks include:

• Routine maintenance: Regular updates, backups, and security checks protect WordPress sites against vulnerabilities and threats. Developers implement patches and security protocols to improve site defenses and ensure uninterrupted operation.
• Client support: WordPress developers assist clients with keyword updates, feature enhancements, and scalability initiatives. 

Common types of WordPress developers

The most common types of WordPress developers are Frontend, Backend, and Fullstack developers.

Frontend developers specialize in bringing designs to life and ensuring an engaging user experience. Their responsibilities include:

• User interface design: Crafting visually appealing interfaces that captivate users and reflect the brand’s identity.
• Theme customization: Customizing themes to align with client requirements, ensuring consistency and coherence across all pages.
• Responsiveness: Ensuring websites function perfectly across various devices and screen sizes.

Backend developers, on the other hand, work behind the scenes, managing aspects such as:

• Server-side development: Handling server-side logic, implementing WordPress core functions, and ensuring smooth operation.
• Database management: Managing databases, optimizing queries, and ensuring data integrity and security.
• Architecture management: Designing and maintaining the architecture that powers the site’s capabilities, including scalability and performance optimization.

Fullstack developers combine front and backend development skills, making them versatile assets in WordPress projects. Their capabilities include:

• Project overhauls: Taking on project overhauls, from redesigning user interfaces to optimizing backend operations.
• End-to-end site creation: Creating websites from scratch, handling everything from initial concept to final deployment.

Exploring common income avenues for WordPress developers

Versatile skill sets can unlock multiple revenue opportunities, catering to different aspirations and career paths – but what are these, and what are some common income avenues for WordPress developers?

Building and selling WordPress extensions

Creating custom plugins and themes tailored to niche markets or broader audiences can be a lucrative income avenue for WordPress developers. The benefits of this include:

• Alignment with market demands: Successful extension development hinges on understanding current market demands and WordPress trends, ensuring relevance and appeal to potential buyers.
• Passive income potential: Sales on marketplaces or direct channels offer the potential for passive income streams, providing developers with ongoing revenue even after initial development efforts.
• Maintenance and updates: Regular maintenance and updates are essential to sustain sales and uphold customer satisfaction.

Working with a WordPress development agency

Joining a WordPress development agency offers benefits such as consistent work, team collaboration, and exposure to a diverse range of projects. Advantages include:

• Portfolio development: A great portfolio with relevant skills and experiences is important for attracting top-tier agency opportunities, highlighting past projects and achievements to demonstrate proficiency.
• Mentorship and professional development: Established agencies often provide mentorship and opportunities for professional growth, fostering a supportive environment for skill enhancement and career advancement.
• Compensation models: Agencies may offer various compensation models, including salary, contract-based arrangements, or profit-sharing options, providing flexibility and financial stability for developers.

Working as a freelancer on a for-hire platform

Freelancing on for-hire platforms offers flexibility, diverse project opportunities, and control over workload and income potential. Things to think about are:

• Building reputation: Success on for-hire platforms hinges on building a strong reputation through client reviews, successful project completion rates, and active engagement within the platform’s community.
• Challenges and solutions: Freelancers have to think about irregular income, self-promotion, and time management, employing strategies to mitigate risks and maximize opportunities.
• Platform comparison: Numerous for-hire platforms are available to freelancers, each with its own fees, specialization areas, and community support. Comparing platforms such as Upwork, Freelancer, Toptal, and Codeable can help freelancers make informed decisions based on their preferences.

• Fees: Platforms like Upwork and Freelancer typically charge freelancers a percentage-based service fee on completed projects, meaning you have to give a certain amount of the money you have earned once you complete a project.
• Specialization: Niche platforms like Codeable focus exclusively on WordPress development, offering specialized opportunities for developers in this field. In contrast, general tech platforms like Upwork cater to a broader range of freelance services across various industries and sectors. These general platforms are generally saturated, making it harder to find work. 
• Community support: Platforms with community support systems, such as Codeable, provide freelancers with access to a thriving community of fellow professionals, networking opportunities, and resources for skill development and career growth.

Codeable is dedicated exclusively to WordPress, offering a vetted network of developers, quality projects, and a reliable client-developer matching system.

As a developer at Codeable, you have the flexibility to set your own hourly rate for a project. The client then pays a 17.5% service fee on top of this to cover the cost of the platform. This means what you charge for a project is what you earn – a win/win for everyone! 

Codeable: Your Leading Marketplace for WordPress Developers

When it comes to WordPress development, Codeable is the best place to start. With a commitment to excellence and a rigorous vetting process, Codeable matches clients with top-tier WordPress developers, ensuring quality and reliability every time.

For WordPress developers looking for somewhere to sell their skills and assist a diverse range of clients, Codeable is the perfect platform. Whether your focus is on theme customization, plugin development, or performance optimization, Codeable provides opportunities to apply a wide range of WordPress development skills.

Want to know more about how Codeable hires? Check out Codeable’s hiring policy for more information on how you could be part of the community. On the other hand, if you’re wondering whether you should hire a WordPress developer to boost your site’s performance, you’re in the right place. Start your project today and see what your WordPress website is capable of!