The Dos and Don'ts Every WordPress Developer Should Know

WordPress continues to dominate as a versatile and powerful content management system, powering over 40% of websites globally. As a WordPress developer, ensuring you're up-to-date with best practices is crucial, especially if you're seeking an immediate hiring role. Whether you're new to WordPress or a seasoned professional, understanding the dos and don'ts can enhance your skillset and ensure your projects are successful.

The Dos

1. Do Keep Your WordPress Core Updated

Regular updates are essential for maintaining security and functionality. WordPress releases frequent updates that include security patches, performance improvements, and new features. Keeping your WordPress core updated ensures your website is secure from vulnerabilities and capitalizes on the latest enhancements.

2. Do Use a Child Theme for Customization

Modifying a theme directly is a common mistake new developers make. Always create a child theme when you need to customize the style or functionality of a parent theme. This practice prevents loss of changes when the parent theme is updated and offers a safe environment to experiment with modifications.

3. Do Optimize for Performance

Website speed is crucial for user experience and SEO. Utilize performance optimization techniques like caching, minimizing HTTP requests, optimizing images, and using Content Delivery Networks (CDNs). Plugins like W3 Total Cache and WP Smush can also help enhance website speed significantly.

4. Do Backup Regularly

Regular backups are your safety net against data loss. Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy to schedule automatic backups of your entire WordPress site. Always store backups both locally and remotely to ensure access in case of server failures.

5. Do Focus on Mobile Responsiveness

With mobile browsing surpassing desktop usage, ensuring your site is mobile-responsive is no longer optional. Use responsive design frameworks or themes that adjust to various screen sizes to optimize the user experience on all devices.

6. Do Practice Good SEO

SEO is key to making your WordPress site discoverable. Integrate an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO to optimize meta tags, descriptions, and keyword density. Consistently produce high-quality, relevant content that aligns with searcher intent to improve your site’s ranking.

The Don'ts

1. Don't Overload on Plugins

While plugins extend WordPress functionality, too many can slow down your site and introduce security vulnerabilities. Evaluate your plugin list regularly and deactivate or delete those not in use. Prioritize plugins with high ratings, active support, and recent updates.

2. Don't Ignore Security Best Practices

Cybersecurity should always be a priority. Don't use 'admin' as your username, employ strong passwords, and consider two-factor authentication (2FA). Security plugins like Wordfence can offer additional protection from unauthorized access and attacks.

3. Don't Neglect Testing on Different Browsers and Devices

Your site might perform differently across various web browsers and devices. Use tools like BrowserStack or operate manual tests to ensure consistency and accessibility on platforms like Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and mobile operating systems.

4. Don't Forget to Optimize for SEO After Content Updates

Every time you add new content or update existing content, reassess its SEO optimization. Check keyword density, URL structure, internal linking, and meta descriptions to ensure they align with SEO best practices for better visibility.

5. Don't Underestimate the Power of Clean Code

Write clean and organized code by following the WordPress coding standards. Utilize functions and hooks appropriately and avoid unnecessary customizations that can complicate future theme or plugin updates.

6. Don't Overlook Accessibility Standards

Adhering to web accessibility guidelines ensures your site is usable by everyone, including those with disabilities. Follow W3C recommendations to enhance website accessibility through semantic HTML, proper color contrast, and text alternatives for non-text content.

Conclusion

Being a proficient WordPress developer requires continuous learning and adherence to established practices. By following these dos and don'ts, you'll not only build better websites, but you'll also position yourself as a desirable candidate in the WordPress development community. Keep updating your skills and apply these principles to your work, ensuring not just successful projects, but a reputation for excellence.

Start your journey by mastering these essentials, and you'll find yourself an invaluable asset for any WordPress project.