Top 12 Wordpress Developer Skills to Put on Your Resume

In today's digital landscape, WordPress remains a cornerstone for building and managing websites, making the demand for skilled developers higher than ever. Crafting a resume that highlights your top WordPress developer skills is crucial for standing out to potential employers and securing your next opportunity in this competitive field.

Wordpress Developer Skills

1. PHP
2. JavaScript
3. HTML5
4. CSS3
5. MySQL
6. Gutenberg
7. WooCommerce
8. REST API
9. JQuery
10. Git
11. Elementor
12. SEO Optimization

1. PHP

PHP is a server-side scripting language used for web development, essential for WordPress developers as it powers the core functionality of WordPress sites, including themes and plugins creation.

Why It's Important

PHP is crucial for a WordPress developer because WordPress is built on PHP, making it essential for creating themes, plugins, and customizing WordPress sites. Understanding PHP enables developers to modify and enhance the functionality and appearance of WordPress websites effectively.

How to Improve PHP Skills

Improving your PHP skills, especially as a WordPress developer, involves a few key steps focused on understanding core PHP concepts, WordPress-specific PHP practices, and keeping up with the latest PHP trends. Here’s a concise guide:

1. Master PHP Basics: Ensure you're comfortable with PHP syntax and basic programming concepts. PHP: A Simple Tutorial is a great starting point.

2. WordPress Codex and Developer Handbook: Dive into WordPress Developer Resources to understand how PHP is used in WordPress themes and plugins.

3. Object-Oriented PHP (OOP): Many advanced WordPress plugins and themes use OOP principles. Learn about OOP in PHP to enhance your development skills. Start with PHP: Object-Oriented Programming.

4. Security Practices: Understand how to write secure PHP code within WordPress. The WordPress Security Handbook offers insights into securing your WordPress themes and plugins.

5. Performance Optimization: Learn how to optimize PHP for better performance within WordPress. Resources like WordPress Optimization can be invaluable.

6. Debugging PHP in WordPress: Familiarize yourself with debugging techniques to troubleshoot PHP issues in WordPress. The WordPress Debugging Handbook provides useful tips.

7. Stay Updated: PHP and WordPress are constantly evolving. Follow the PHP News and WordPress News to stay informed about the latest developments.

8. Experiment and Build: Practice by building your own themes and plugins. Experimentation is key to understanding how PHP works in the WordPress environment.

By focusing on these areas and regularly practicing your coding, you can significantly improve your PHP skills as a WordPress developer.

How to Display PHP Skills on Your Resume

2. JavaScript

JavaScript is a scripting language used to create and control dynamic website content, such as interactive forms, animations, and complex user interactions, essential for enhancing the user experience and functionality of WordPress websites.

Why It's Important

JavaScript is crucial for WordPress developers because it enables the creation of dynamic, interactive web elements, enhancing user experience and website functionality, aligning with modern web development standards.

How to Improve JavaScript Skills

To improve your JavaScript skills as a WordPress developer, focus on the following:

1. Understand Core JavaScript: Deepen your understanding of vanilla JavaScript. Mozilla Developer Network (MDN) is an invaluable resource for learning core concepts and best practices.

2. ES6 and Beyond: Familiarize yourself with the latest ECMAScript standards, including ES6 features. ES6 Features provides concise examples.

3. WordPress-Specific JavaScript: Learn how WordPress utilizes JavaScript, especially with the REST API and Gutenberg. The WordPress Developer Handbook covers JavaScript related to block development and more.

4. Debugging: Master debugging tools in browsers (e.g., Chrome DevTools). Google Developers has tutorials on using Chrome DevTools for debugging.

5. Performance Optimization: Understand how to make your JavaScript faster and more efficient. Web.dev by Google offers guides on performance improvements.

6. Libraries and Frameworks: Get comfortable with popular libraries and frameworks like React (used in Gutenberg), Vue.js, or Angular. The React Official Documentation is a great place to start, especially for WordPress developers due to its use in Gutenberg.

7. Practice Regularly: Build projects, contribute to open source, or take part in coding challenges. GitHub is a great platform to explore projects in need of contributions.

8. Stay Updated: JavaScript is ever-evolving. Follow JavaScript Weekly for the latest news and articles in the JavaScript world.

By focusing on these areas, you'll significantly improve your JavaScript skills, enhancing your capabilities as a WordPress developer.

How to Display JavaScript Skills on Your Resume

3. HTML5

HTML5 is the latest version of the HyperText Markup Language used for structuring and presenting content on the web, providing new features and elements that allow for more interactive and multimedia-rich websites, essential for WordPress developers in creating modern, responsive themes and web applications.

Why It's Important

HTML5 is important for a WordPress Developer because it introduces new semantic elements and multimedia integrations, enhancing website structure, accessibility, and user experience on modern browsers, which are essential for building responsive and interactive WordPress themes and plugins.

How to Improve HTML5 Skills

Improving your HTML5 skills as a WordPress developer involves understanding and applying best practices to create more efficient, accessible, and semantically correct websites. Here are concise tips along with relevant resources for enhancing your HTML5 knowledge:

1. Semantic Markup: Use HTML5 semantic elements (<header>, <footer>, <article>, etc.) for better SEO and accessibility. MDN Web Docs on Semantic Markup

2. Responsive Images: Utilize <picture> and srcset attributes to serve optimized images for different screen sizes and resolutions, improving page load times. Responsive Images on MDN

3. Accessibility (A11Y): Ensure your HTML5 markup is accessible by using ARIA roles and attributes where necessary. Web Accessibility Initiative

4. Forms and Validation: Leverage HTML5 form elements and validation features to enhance user input. HTML5 Forms on MDN

5. Video and Audio: Integrate multimedia responsibly with <video> and <audio> tags, considering accessibility and lazy loading attributes. Using HTML5 audio and video on MDN

6. Progressive Enhancement: Design your websites with progressive enhancement in mind, starting with a solid HTML5 foundation that ensures your site remains functional on all devices. Progressive Enhancement on MDN

7. Performance Optimization: Use HTML5 techniques like lazy loading (loading="lazy") for images and iframes to improve website performance. Web Fundamentals on Lazy Loading

8. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest HTML5 features and best practices by following reputable sources. HTML5 Doctor and HTML5 Rocks are excellent resources.

By focusing on these areas and regularly practicing your skills on real-world projects, you'll significantly improve your HTML5 proficiency as a WordPress developer.

How to Display HTML5 Skills on Your Resume

4. CSS3

CSS3 is the third version of the Cascading Style Sheets language used for styling and formatting the visual presentation of web pages. For a WordPress developer, CSS3 enables creating responsive, visually appealing themes and customizing the appearance of websites built with WordPress.

Why It's Important

CSS3 enhances website aesthetics and functionality, enabling WordPress developers to create responsive, visually appealing, and interactive themes and user experiences with less code and better performance.

How to Improve CSS3 Skills

Improving your CSS3 skills as a WordPress developer involves understanding the core principles of CSS3, practicing regularly, and staying updated with the latest trends and techniques. Here are concise tips for enhancement:

1. Master the Basics: Ensure you have a strong foundation in CSS3 fundamentals. The MDN Web Docs on CSS is an excellent resource for both beginners and experienced developers.

2. Responsive Design: Learn and apply responsive web design principles to ensure your WordPress sites look great on any device. Use media queries and flexible grid layouts. A great place to start is the Responsive Web Design Basics by Google.

3. CSS Preprocessors: Familiarize yourself with CSS preprocessors like Sass or LESS. They add functionality to CSS like variables and mixins which can make your CSS more maintainable. The Sass Guide provides a good introduction.

4. CSS Frameworks: Leverage CSS frameworks like Bootstrap or Tailwind CSS to speed up development time and ensure consistency. Explore their documentation (Bootstrap, Tailwind CSS) to understand how they can be integrated with WordPress themes.

5. Animation and Transitions: Enhance user experience with CSS3 animations and transitions. Start with the CSS Animations Guide on MDN Web Docs.

6. Stay Updated: The web is always evolving, so it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest CSS3 features and best practices. Follow web development blogs, participate in forums like Stack Overflow, and use resources like CSS-Tricks for advanced tips and techniques.

7. Practice: Apply what you learn by experimenting with new features on your WordPress sites. Use browser developer tools to debug and optimize your CSS.

By following these steps and continuously practicing, you can significantly improve your CSS3 skills as a WordPress developer.

How to Display CSS3 Skills on Your Resume

5. MySQL

MySQL is an open-source relational database management system used by WordPress to store and manage website data, such as posts, user information, and settings, facilitating dynamic content retrieval and manipulation.

Why It's Important

MySQL is important for a WordPress developer because it is the database management system used by WordPress to store and retrieve all site data, such as post content, user profiles, and settings, enabling dynamic website functionality and content management.

How to Improve MySQL Skills

Improving MySQL performance for a WordPress developer involves several key strategies. These strategies focus on optimizing database interactions to ensure your WordPress site runs smoothly and efficiently.

1. Update to the Latest Versions: Always use the latest versions of MySQL and WordPress. They contain performance improvements and bug fixes. WordPress Downloads

2. Optimize Database Tables: Regularly use the OPTIMIZE TABLE command or plugins like WP-Optimize to defragment tables for better performance.

3. Use Indexes Efficiently: Proper indexing can drastically improve query speed. Analyze your queries with EXPLAIN and ensure frequently accessed columns are indexed. MySQL Indexing

4. Query Optimization: Write efficient queries by selecting only necessary columns instead of using SELECT *, and avoid using functions in WHERE clauses. MySQL Query Optimization

5. Caching: Implement caching at both the MySQL level with the Query Cache (if available) and application level using WordPress plugins like W3 Total Cache.

6. Choose the Right Storage Engine: Use InnoDB for its row-level locking and transaction support, which is beneficial for dynamic content sites like WordPress. MySQL Storage Engines

7. Regularly Clean Up WordPress Database: Remove unnecessary data like spam comments, revisions, and transient options. Consider using WP-Sweep for this purpose.

8. Limit Post Revisions: Limit the number of post revisions stored to reduce database size. Add define( 'WP_POST_REVISIONS', 4 ); to your wp-config.php.

9. Optimize Your Web Hosting Environment: Use a hosting provider specialized in WordPress with a reputation for high performance, such as WP Engine or Kinsta.

10. Monitoring and Profiling Tools: Use tools like New Relic or Query Monitor to monitor your database performance and identify slow queries.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly improve the performance of MySQL for your WordPress site, ensuring a faster, more reliable user experience.

How to Display MySQL Skills on Your Resume

6. Gutenberg

Gutenberg is the block-based editor for WordPress, introduced in version 5.0, allowing developers and users to create and customize content layouts using blocks for text, images, and other multimedia in a more intuitive and visual way.

Why It's Important

For a WordPress developer, Gutenberg is important because it introduces a block-based editor, enhancing the process of creating and editing content with a more visual and intuitive interface, thereby improving efficiency and design flexibility.

How to Improve Gutenberg Skills

Improving Gutenberg as a WordPress Developer involves enhancing usability, performance, and extending its capabilities. Here are concise strategies:

1. Custom Blocks Creation: Develop unique blocks that cater to your specific needs. Utilize the Block API to create custom blocks that extend the functionality of the Gutenberg editor.

2. Performance Optimization: Optimize your custom blocks and themes for speed. Leverage WebP images, lazy loading, and ensure your code is efficient to enhance editor performance.

3. Accessibility Enhancements: Ensure your custom blocks and themes are accessible. Follow the WordPress Accessibility Coding Standards to improve the usability for all users.

4. Extend with Plugins: Utilize or develop Gutenberg-compatible plugins that extend the editor's capabilities. Plugins like Advanced Custom Fields and Gutenberg Blocks by Kadence Blocks can enhance the editing experience.

5. Stay Updated: Regularly update your knowledge and skills. Gutenberg is continuously evolving, so staying informed about the latest features and improvements is crucial. Follow the Make WordPress Core blog for updates.

6. Contribute to Gutenberg: Participate in the ongoing development of Gutenberg by contributing to its GitHub repository. Providing feedback, reporting bugs, and contributing code can help improve Gutenberg for everyone.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve the Gutenberg editor's functionality and user experience in your WordPress projects.

How to Display Gutenberg Skills on Your Resume

7. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a customizable, open-source eCommerce plugin designed for WordPress, allowing developers to build and manage an online store directly within a WordPress website.

Why It's Important

WooCommerce is crucial for a WordPress Developer because it provides a comprehensive, customizable, and widely supported e-commerce platform, enabling the development of diverse online stores directly within WordPress.

How to Improve WooCommerce Skills

Improving WooCommerce involves optimizing performance, enhancing user experience, and ensuring security. Here are concise strategies:

1. Performance Optimization:

   • Caching: Implement caching with plugins like W3 Total Cache to decrease load times.
   • Image Optimization: Use tools like Smush to reduce image sizes without losing quality.
   • Database Optimization: Keep your database lean with WP-Optimize.

2. Enhancing User Experience:

   • Responsive Design: Ensure your theme is responsive. Consider themes like Storefront for optimal WooCommerce compatibility.
   • Checkout Optimization: Reduce checkout steps and use plugins like WooCommerce Checkout Manager to customize the checkout process.
   • Product Filters: Implement advanced filtering with WooCommerce Products Filter for easier navigation.

3. Security Enhancements:

   • Regular Updates: Keep WooCommerce, themes, and plugins up to date.
   • Security Plugins: Use Wordfence Security for firewall and malware scanning.
   • SSL Certificate: Ensure you have an SSL certificate for secure data transmission.

4. SEO Improvements:

   • SEO Plugins: Utilize Yoast SEO to optimize your product pages and content.
   • Rich Snippets: Add structured data with All In One Schema Rich Snippets to enhance search visibility.

5. Custom Functionality:

   • Custom Coding: Use WooCommerce's hooks and filters to add custom functionality. Familiarize yourself with the WooCommerce Developer Resources.
   • Child Theme: Always use a child theme for customizations to preserve changes after updates. Child Theme Configurator can help.

Implementing these strategies requires a balance of technical skills and understanding of user behavior. Always backup your site before making significant changes.

How to Display WooCommerce Skills on Your Resume

8. REST API

A REST API (Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface) enables communication and data exchange between a WordPress site and external applications or services using standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) in a stateless, client-server architecture. It allows developers to interact with WordPress data (like posts, pages, and custom content types) programmatically, facilitating the creation of web and mobile applications that can retrieve or send data to the WordPress database.

Why It's Important

REST API is important for a WordPress Developer because it allows for the easy integration and manipulation of WordPress content externally, enabling the creation of headless or decoupled applications, enhancing flexibility, and expanding the potential for innovative web solutions.

How to Improve REST API Skills

Improving a REST API, especially for WordPress developers, involves focusing on performance, security, and adhering to best practices. Here are concise tips:

1. Use Proper HTTP Methods: Ensure you're using GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE correctly to maintain the standard protocol semantics. WordPress REST API Handbook.

2. Secure Your API: Implement authentication and permissions checks. Consider using OAuth or API keys. WordPress offers several plugins for this purpose. WordPress REST API Authentication.

3. Optimize Responses: Use pagination and limit the amount of data returned by default. Also, leverage caching mechanisms to reduce server load. WordPress REST API Pagination.

4. Utilize Versioning: Manage API changes gracefully by versioning your endpoints. This can prevent breaking changes for your users. Versioning in the WordPress REST API.

5. Error Handling: Return meaningful HTTP status codes and error messages to help clients understand what went wrong. REST API Error Handling.

6. Data Validation and Sanitization: Ensure that incoming data is validated and sanitized to protect your application from malicious input. Data Validation – WordPress Codex.

7. Rate Limiting: Protect your API from abuse by implementing rate limiting. This can be achieved through plugins or custom code. Rate Limiting in APIs.

8. Documentation: Keep your API documentation up-to-date. Clear documentation is crucial for developers to effectively use your API. Swagger or Postman are great tools for documenting APIs.

9. Monitor and Log: Use monitoring tools to track API usage and performance. Logging errors and unusual activity can help in troubleshooting. WordPress Logging Service.

10. Follow WordPress Coding Standards: Adhere to the WordPress Coding Standards to maintain code quality and compatibility.

By focusing on these areas, you can ensure that your REST API is robust, secure, and user-friendly.

How to Display REST API Skills on Your Resume

9. JQuery

JQuery is a fast, small, and feature-rich JavaScript library designed to simplify the client-side scripting of HTML, making it easier for WordPress developers to handle events, perform animations, and manipulate the DOM.

Why It's Important

For a WordPress developer, jQuery is important because it simplifies JavaScript code, enhancing website functionality, user interaction, and animations with less effort, ensuring compatibility across different browsers and versions of WordPress themes and plugins.

How to Improve JQuery Skills

To improve jQuery skills, especially for a WordPress developer, focus on hands-on practice and leveraging resources effectively. Here's a concise guide:

1. Understand the Basics: Ensure a solid understanding of JavaScript, as jQuery is a library built on it. Mozilla Developer Network (MDN) offers comprehensive JavaScript documentation.

2. Learn jQuery Fundamentals: Dive into jQuery's core concepts such as DOM manipulation, event handling, and animations. The official jQuery learning center is a great place to start.

3. Utilize WordPress Codex: Since WordPress heavily utilizes jQuery, explore the WordPress Codex for specific practices on integrating jQuery into themes and plugins correctly.

4. Practice by Building Projects: Apply your knowledge by incorporating jQuery into your WordPress projects. This hands-on approach solidifies learning and uncovers areas needing improvement.

5. Stay Updated: jQuery and WordPress are continuously updated. Follow their official blogs and participate in communities like Stack Overflow and WordPress Development Stack Exchange to stay informed and get help.

6. Code Optimization and Best Practices: Learn about performance optimization, such as minification and loading scripts asynchronously. The Google Developers site offers guidelines on optimization techniques.

By following these steps and utilizing these resources, you can significantly improve your jQuery skills within the context of WordPress development.

How to Display JQuery Skills on Your Resume

10. Git

Git is a version control system that allows WordPress developers to track changes in their code, collaborate with others, and revert to previous versions of their projects if needed.

Why It's Important

Git is crucial for a WordPress developer because it allows for version control of code, facilitating collaboration, tracking changes, and easily reverting to previous states, enhancing project management and development efficiency.

How to Improve Git Skills

Improving your Git skills as a WordPress developer involves understanding and mastering version control for better collaboration and project management. Here are concise tips to enhance your Git prowess:

1. Master the Basics: Start with grasping the core concepts of Git. Learn Git Basics.

2. Use Branching: Utilize branching for feature development and bug fixes to keep the main project stable. Git Branching.

3. Commit Often: Make small, frequent commits to simplify tracking changes and rollback if needed. Commit Best Practices.

4. Understand Merge and Rebase: Know when to use merge vs. rebase to integrate changes cleanly. Merging vs. Rebasing.

5. Implement Git Hooks: Customize your workflow with scripts to automate tasks like syntax checks or automated tests before commits. Git Hooks.

6. Leverage Git GUIs: For a more visual approach, use Git GUIs like Sourcetree or GitHub Desktop. Sourcetree, GitHub Desktop.

7. Explore WordPress-specific Plugins: Use plugins that integrate Git with WordPress, like VersionPress for version control within WordPress. VersionPress.

8. Engage with the Community: Join WordPress and Git forums or communities to learn from experienced developers. WordPress Slack, GitHub Community.

9. Practice with Real Projects: Apply what you learn in real WordPress projects to solidify your skills.

10. Stay Updated: Git and WordPress continuously evolve, so keep learning about new features and best practices.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly enhance your Git skills, making your WordPress development workflow more efficient and collaborative.

How to Display Git Skills on Your Resume

11. Elementor

Elementor is a drag-and-drop page builder plugin for WordPress, allowing developers and designers to create custom layouts and designs for websites without the need for coding.

Why It's Important

Elementor is important for WordPress developers as it provides a powerful, user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, enabling the creation of visually stunning websites without the need for deep coding knowledge. This enhances productivity and allows for greater design flexibility and customization.

How to Improve Elementor Skills

To improve Elementor for WordPress development, focus on the following strategies:

1. Learn and Use Custom CSS: Deepen your design capabilities beyond Elementor's default options with custom CSS. Elementor Custom CSS.

2. Optimize Images and Videos: Use optimized media to improve load times. Tools like TinyPNG for images and HandBrake for videos can help.

3. Utilize Elementor Pro: Upgrade to Elementor Pro for advanced widgets, themes, and functionality. Elementor Pro.

4. Implement Code Snippets for Custom Functionality: Add custom PHP, JS, or HTML snippets for tailored features. Code Snippets Plugin.

5. Optimize for Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure your designs are responsive. Elementor's mobile editing tools are crucial. Responsive Design.

6. Leverage Elementor’s Hello Theme: Start with a lightweight theme designed specifically for Elementor. Hello Theme.

7. Keep Plugins and Themes Updated: Regularly update to maintain performance and security. WordPress Updates.

8. Use a Quality Hosting Provider: Choose hosting that's optimized for WordPress and Elementor. SiteGround and WP Engine are recommended.

9. Implement Caching and Minification: Use plugins like WP Rocket or Autoptimize to improve loading speed.

10. Join Elementor Communities: Stay informed and get support from other users. Elementor Community.

By integrating these strategies, you can significantly enhance your Elementor experience and create more dynamic, efficient WordPress sites.

How to Display Elementor Skills on Your Resume

12. SEO Optimization

SEO Optimization for a WordPress Developer involves enhancing a website's visibility and ranking in search engine results through techniques such as keyword optimization, improving site speed, ensuring mobile responsiveness, and creating quality content, all aimed at driving more organic traffic to the site.

Why It's Important

SEO optimization is crucial for a WordPress developer because it enhances website visibility, drives organic traffic, and improves user experience, ultimately leading to higher conversion rates and better search engine rankings.

How to Improve SEO Optimization Skills

Improving SEO optimization as a WordPress Developer involves a strategic approach focused on content, technical SEO, and user experience. Here are concise steps to achieve this:

1. Keyword Research: Identify relevant keywords using tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMRush. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your content, titles, and meta descriptions.

2. Quality Content: Create high-quality, valuable content that addresses your audience's needs. Use the Yoast SEO plugin to optimize your content for search engines and users.

3. Mobile Optimization: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly with responsive design. Google's Mobile-Friendly Test can help you check your site's compatibility.

4. Website Speed: Improve your website's loading time by optimizing images, leveraging browser caching, and minimizing HTTP requests. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights provide actionable recommendations.

5. Secure Website (HTTPS): Use SSL to secure your site. Most hosting providers offer free SSL certificates through Let's Encrypt.

6. Internal Linking: Use internal links to help search engines understand the structure of your site and to distribute page authority throughout your website.

7. Backlink Building: Acquire high-quality backlinks from reputable sites within your niche. This improves your site's authority and visibility.

8. Social Media Engagement: Promote your content on social media platforms to increase visibility and drive traffic to your site.

9. Regular Updates: Keep your WordPress themes, plugins, and core software up to date for security and SEO benefits.

10. Analytics Monitoring: Use Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor your site's performance and make data-driven decisions.

By following these steps and consistently optimizing your website, you can improve your SEO performance and achieve higher rankings in search engine results.

How to Display SEO Optimization Skills on Your Resume