Download to become a WordPress developer: Unlocking power with code
WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) on the internet. It powers over 30% of all websites and has a large community of developers who contribute to its growth and development. If you’re interested in becoming a WordPress developer, this article will guide you through the process of downloading and installing WordPress, setting up your first website, and customizing it with code.
What does a WordPress developer do?
A WordPress developer is responsible for creating custom themes, plugins, and functionalities for WordPress websites. They use PHP and MySQL to build dynamic and interactive websites that meet the specific needs of their clients.
Downloading WordPress
WordPress can be downloaded from the official website www.wordpress.org. There are two versions of WordPress available for download: self-hosted and hosted on WordPress.com.
Self-hosted WordPress
Self-hosted WordPress is a version of WordPress that you install on your own web server. This version gives you more control over your website, but it requires technical skills to set up and maintain. Self-hosted WordPress is recommended for developers who want to build complex websites with custom themes, plugins, and functionalities.
Hosted on WordPress.com
Hosted on WordPress.com is a cloud-based version of WordPress that is managed by the WordPress team. This version is easy to set up and use, but it has limitations on customization and functionality compared to self-hosted WordPress. Hosted on WordPress.com is recommended for small businesses and individuals who want an affordable and user-friendly solution for their website needs.
Installing WordPress
After downloading and extracting the WordPress files, you need to install WordPress on your web server. The installation process varies depending on whether you are using self-hosted WordPress or hosted on WordPress.com.
For self-hosted WordPress, you need to follow these steps:
- Create a database for your WordPress website.
- Upload the WordPress files to your web server.
- Access the WordPress installation page by visiting your domain name in a web browser (e.g.,
www.example.com). - Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
For hosted on WordPress.com, you need to follow these steps:
- Sign up for a WordPress.com account.
- Choose a plan that meets your needs and budget.
- Select a domain name and customize your website’s design and settings.
- Start publishing content and promoting your website.
Setting up your first website
After installing WordPress, the next step is to set up your website. The process varies depending on whether you are using self-hosted WordPress or hosted on WordPress.com.
For self-hosted WordPress, you need to follow these steps:
- Choose a theme for your website. WordPress offers a wide range of themes that can be customized to fit your needs and preferences. You can browse the theme library or upload your own theme files.
- Customize your website’s settings, such as the title, tagline, and navigation menu.
- Create pages and posts for your website. Pages are static content that doesn’t change frequently, while posts are dynamic content that is updated regularly.
- Add media, such as images and videos, to your website. Media can be uploaded directly from your computer or integrated from other platforms like YouTube and Vimeo.
- Install and activate plugins to add additional functionality to your website. Plugins can be used for SEO, social media integration, contact forms, and much more.
For hosted on WordPress.com, you need to follow these steps:
(Note: The instructions for setting up a website on hosted WordPress.com are not included in the original article text.)