WordPress has been a game-changer in web design, providing users with a platform that enables them to create websites without having to be proficient in programming languages. The platform’s user-friendly interface and the vast range of themes and plugins have significantly reduced the barrier to entry for those looking to create a website. While it is possible to build a basic website without any coding knowledge, having a basic understanding of coding can be an invaluable asset for beginner WordPress designers. In this article, we explore some of the reasons why it is essential for beginner WordPress designers to have at least some basic coding skills.
Greater Flexibility with Customization
One of the key advantages of having basic coding skills is the flexibility it provides when customizing a website. While themes and plugins can help you get started with building your website, they are often limited in terms of customization. With basic coding skills, you can easily modify and tweak different aspects of your website’s design to create a unique and custom-made design that reflects your brand’s personality. This can include tweaking the layout of your pages, adjusting color schemes, and fonts, or even adding personalized features such as animations and custom post types.
Better Understanding of the WordPress Architecture
WordPress is built on a combination of PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript languages. Having a basic understanding of these languages provides a better understanding of WordPress architecture and how it works. This knowledge can be used to optimize your website for speed, search engine optimization, and user experience. Additionally, it can help you troubleshoot any issues that may arise, reducing the time spent on resolving them.
Greater Control Over Plugins
WordPress has a wide array of plugins that can be used to add various functionalities to your website. However, pre-built plugins may not always have the features you need, or they may not work as intended. With basic coding skills, you can create or customize plugins to meet your website’s specific needs. For example, you may want to create a custom contact form that sends an email to your inbox. Instead of relying on a pre-built plugin, you can create your form using PHP and add it to your website.
Saving Time and Money
Web development can be expensive, particularly for beginners who may have limited budgets. However, basic coding skills can save both time and money by allowing you to do some of the work yourself. For example, instead of paying someone to make minor tweaks to your website, you can do it yourself, reducing developer fees. Even if you decide to outsource some aspects of your web development, having basic coding skills will allow you to communicate better with your developer, reducing the time it takes to complete your project.
Improved Career Prospects
Web development is a highly competitive industry, and having basic coding skills can set you apart from other designers. Employers often look for candidates with web development skills, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. Having these skills on your resume will demonstrate to employers that you have a solid foundation in web development and are willing to learn new skills. Additionally, if you’re working as a freelancer or starting your own web design business, having coding skills can help you expand your services and take on more challenging projects.
Improved Problem-Solving Skills
Coding requires a lot of problem-solving, and learning how to code can help you develop your analytical skills. When building a website, there are bound to be bugs and issues that need to be resolved. Knowing how to troubleshoot these problems and make changes to the code can be empowering and help you develop your critical thinking skills.
Greater Understanding of Other Web Technologies
Having a basic understanding of coding will also help you better understand other web technologies such as APIs, which are used to connect different software applications. APIs allow different software applications to communicate with each other, which can be a powerful tool for building more complex websites. Knowing how to use APIs can help you create more dynamic websites that are interactive and engaging for users.
Ability to Make Informed Decisions
When it comes to web design, it’s essential to make informed decisions about the technologies and tools you use. With basic coding skills, you can make informed decisions about which themes and plugins to use based on code quality, security, and performance. Additionally, you’ll be able to evaluate which technologies and programming languages to use for different projects based on your understanding of their strengths and limitations.
In conclusion, having at least some basic coding skills is crucial for beginner WordPress designers. Not only does it provide greater flexibility and control over your website’s design and functionality, but it can also save you time and money. Furthermore, it can improve your career prospects and problem-solving skills, as well as provide a better understanding of other web technologies. If you’re just starting with WordPress web design, we highly recommend learning at least some basic coding skills to take full advantage of the platform’s capabilities.