WordPress is the most popular CMS in the world (if not, it’s very close to being number one) and that fact has some big benefits if you are interested in becoming a WordPress developer. WordPress developers are currently in high demand and are very well paid because there aren’t enough of them to go around. In this article, I am going to share with you 10 different ways that you can become a WordPress developer and make good money doing it. Let’s get started!

WordPress Intro

WordPress is one of the most popular website-building and blog-publishing platforms. It offers an easy-to-use interface and has a wide selection of themes to choose from, making it an attractive option for many new website developers. Due to its ease of use, WordPress can be learned in as little as three hours by following these simple tutorials.

Section 1: Prepare Your Workstation and Learning Resources

You must have the right setup. First, you need an install the latest version of WordPress and an up-to-date version of PHP. The second thing you need is the MySQL database which stores all of your blog's data.

You'll also want to have FTP access so that you can upload files via your web browser and download them for offline editing on your local computer. The next thing is where most people make their mistakes - configuring PHP correctly.

Section 2: Decide What You Want to Learn

The most important question you should ask yourself is what do you want to learn? Do you want the flexibility of coding without developing a site's design?

Or would you prefer learning just enough development skills so that your site looks professional and polished? If you want to develop more, this post will help get you started.

Section 3: Get Good in the Basics

Spend some time on the tutorials. WordPress uses PHP and MySQL, which are key web development languages, so learning them will go a long way. Get familiar with the Codex, which is WP's guide to all things including development, design and more.

Learn how WP works by setting up your site locally. This is great because you'll be able to see what looks good and what doesn't before publishing online.

Section 4: Look for Freelance Opportunities on Sites like Upwork

Many WordPress freelancers choose Upwork, which has the reputation of being one of the top job boards for such professionals. The site boasts over 6 million job postings and 17 million freelancers.

You can peruse listings by category and location. If you are just starting as a freelancer, you may want to take on smaller jobs before seeking higher-paying opportunities.

Section 5: Find Free Tutorials Online

It's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tutorials on the internet, but one of the best ways you can learn new skills is by just searching around.

There are so many free resources out there, you might as well start with them! We recommend checking out Code Academy, Treehouse, Wordcamp, and Design Shack.

Section 6: Attend Online Meetups and Webinars by WordPress Platform Experts/Developers

Attending WordPress platform webinars and Meetups is an important way for anyone interested in working with the platform can keep up to date on new trends and innovations.

Plus, these sessions are typically very low cost or even free, which can provide a great opportunity for those who might not have the budget of larger companies.

Section 7: Subscribe to WordPress Newsletters

Newsletters are a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest and greatest in the WordPress world.

This will help you with being aware of changes, which could have an impact on your work or your website. A few newsletters I recommend include: WordPress Development and Customization from WPBeginner, Weekly Ripples from WebChutney, and the Yoast newsletter

Section 8: Write Comments on Other’s Blog Posts

Any industry needs to come together and support one another. If we are going to get WordPress mainstream, it will be up to developers like you.

So let's come together as a community and have an open dialogue about the world of web development. Comment on what you think needs more attention or different tips for new people coming into the game.

Section 9: Join the WordPress Community on Forums & Facebook Groups

Get involved with the community, both on social media and in real life. The more you're around other WordPress developers, the more ideas you'll get from discussions, potential clients you'll meet at WordCamps or Meetups, and the knowledge that comes from other people's years of experience. Join forums and Facebook groups.

Conclusion

WordPress is the most popular content management system in the world, powering almost one-third of the web’s websites and numerous high-traffic websites. As such, it’s an extremely valuable skill to learn WordPress development. If you’re thinking about becoming a WordPress developer, here are 10 ways you can start your journey toward WordPress mastery!