Become a WordPress Developer: Unlocking Power With Code

Description

Course Overview

WordPress powers a huge portion of the web, but building WordPress websites professionally requires much more than installing a theme and configuring plugins. Developers who understand PHP, JavaScript, WordPress architecture, custom themes, plugins, APIs, and Gutenberg can create websites that go far beyond standard WordPress setups.

Become a WordPress Developer: Unlocking Power With Code by Brad Schiff is designed for learners who want to move from using WordPress to actually developing with it. The course combines WordPress development with PHP and JavaScript and takes students through the process of building a custom website from the ground up.

What You Will Learn

The course covers a wide range of WordPress development topics, including:

• PHP fundamentals
• WordPress-specific PHP
• Custom WordPress themes
• Custom post types
• Custom fields
• WordPress queries
• JavaScript
• Object-oriented JavaScript
• REST API
• AJAX
• User authentication
• User-generated content
• WordPress plugin development
• Gutenberg block development
• React fundamentals
• Custom database tables
• Block Themes
• Full Site Editing
• block.json
• render.php
• WordPress Interactivity API
• Website deployment

This makes the course substantially different from a typical “WordPress for beginners” course.

1. Learning PHP for WordPress

PHP is fundamental to traditional WordPress development, and the course begins by introducing the language.

Students learn programming concepts that are directly applicable to WordPress development, including:

• Variables
• Functions
• Arrays
• Conditional statements
• Loops
• PHP syntax
• WordPress-specific PHP

The goal isn’t simply to teach PHP as a standalone programming language. Instead, PHP is introduced in the context of building WordPress-powered websites.

This makes the learning experience particularly useful for someone who wants to become a WordPress developer rather than a general PHP programmer.

2. Creating Custom WordPress Themes

One of the most valuable sections of the course focuses on WordPress theme development.

Students learn how to take a conventional HTML/CSS design and transform it into a functional WordPress theme.

This involves working with elements such as:

• Theme files
• Templates
• Header and footer
• WordPress Loop
• Navigation
• Dynamic content
• Template hierarchy
• WordPress functions

This is an important skill for freelance WordPress developers because clients often require custom designs that cannot be achieved effectively by simply installing an existing theme.

3. Custom Post Types and Custom Fields

WordPress becomes significantly more powerful when developers understand how to structure custom content.

The course introduces custom post types and custom fields and demonstrates how they can be used to create structured information.

The university project includes different content types such as:

• Events
• Programs
• Professors
• Campus information

This helps students understand how WordPress can be transformed from a simple blogging platform into a content management system for complex websites.

4. Building a Realistic WordPress Project

The fictional university project is one of the strongest aspects of the course.

Rather than building a collection of tiny demonstrations, students progressively develop a larger website.

The project involves relationships between different types of content—for example, connecting professors with programs and other university information.

This gives students practical exposure to the kind of content architecture they might encounter when developing websites for businesses and organizations.

5. JavaScript for WordPress Development

Modern WordPress development increasingly involves JavaScript, particularly when creating interactive interfaces and Gutenberg blocks.

The course introduces JavaScript and covers the fundamentals needed to create interactive WordPress features.

Students learn how JavaScript can be used to modify the user experience without requiring a full page reload.

This is particularly useful for features such as:

• Live search
• Interactive forms
• Dynamic content
• User interactions
• AJAX functionality

6. WordPress REST API

The WordPress REST API is another major component of the course.

Students learn how JavaScript can communicate with WordPress’s backend and retrieve or manipulate information dynamically.

This is an important transition from traditional WordPress development toward more modern application-style development.

The course demonstrates how the REST API can be used to create more responsive experiences where information can be loaded or updated without refreshing the entire webpage.

7. AJAX and Live Search

The course doesn’t stop at explaining APIs theoretically.

Students build interactive functionality, including a live search experience.

This demonstrates how the frontend can communicate with the WordPress backend while the user is interacting with the page.

Learning this workflow provides a practical introduction to asynchronous web development:

User Action → JavaScript → API Request → WordPress → Response → Updated Interface

This is an important pattern for developers who want to build modern WordPress websites.

8. User Accounts and Permissions

The course also introduces user-related functionality.

Students learn about:

• User registration
• User accounts
• User roles
• Permissions
• User-generated content

These features are useful for understanding how WordPress can support websites where visitors aren’t merely consuming content but actively interacting with the application.

9. Building a “My Notes” Feature

The course includes a practical user-specific feature where authenticated users can manage their own notes.

This introduces concepts associated with CRUD applications:

• Create
• Read
• Update
• Delete

The feature demonstrates how WordPress can be used to build application-like functionality rather than only traditional content websites.

This is one of the more valuable sections for developers who want to understand WordPress as an application platform.

10. Dynamic “Like” Functionality

The project also includes a feature allowing users to like or “heart” a professor.

The number of likes can be updated dynamically.

This provides another practical example of combining WordPress backend functionality with JavaScript-based frontend interaction.

Instead of simply displaying static content, students learn how WordPress can respond to user actions in real time.

11. WordPress Plugin Development

Theme development is only one side of WordPress development.

The course also introduces plugin development using PHP.

This is an important distinction for professional developers:

Themes control presentation, while plugins are generally used to provide functionality.

Students get an introduction to creating custom WordPress functionality rather than depending entirely on third-party plugins.

This can be especially valuable for freelancers and agencies that need to develop custom functionality for clients.

12. Gutenberg Block Development

The course also explores custom Gutenberg block development.

Students learn how developers can create their own block types instead of relying solely on the blocks included with WordPress.

This is an important skill for modern WordPress development because Gutenberg has become a central part of the WordPress editing experience.

The course also introduces React fundamentals in the context of building custom blocks.

13. React Basics

React is introduced as part of the Gutenberg block-development workflow.

You don’t take the course to become a full-time React developer, but the React material gives WordPress developers an understanding of the concepts required to work with modern block development.

This can be useful for developers who previously worked primarily with PHP and traditional WordPress templates.

14. Custom Database Tables and SQL

Another advanced topic covered in the course is creating custom database tables.

This is valuable because WordPress developers sometimes need to store application-specific data that doesn’t fit naturally into standard WordPress post and metadata structures.

The course provides an introduction to working with custom database structures and SQL concepts.

This section can help developers understand when WordPress’s standard data model may not be sufficient for a particular application.

15. Block Themes and Full Site Editing

The course also includes material on Block Themes and Full Site Editing, which expands WordPress development beyond traditional PHP-based themes.

Students get exposure to newer approaches to WordPress site construction and block-based customization.

This is particularly useful for developers who want to understand the direction of modern WordPress development.

16. block.json and Better Block Organization

The course introduces block.json and render.php as part of organizing custom blocks.

These concepts are useful for developers building more structured Gutenberg functionality.

Instead of treating blocks as isolated pieces of code, developers can use standardized metadata and organization techniques to make block development easier to maintain.

17. WordPress Interactivity API

One of the modern additions to the course is the WordPress Interactivity API.

This is particularly interesting for developers who want to create interactive frontend experiences within WordPress’s newer block-based ecosystem.

The addition of this topic makes the course more relevant to current WordPress development than its earlier versions.

18. Deploying the WordPress Website

Learning to develop locally is only part of becoming a professional developer.

The course also includes a deployment section where the completed website is moved onto a live hosting environment.

This helps learners understand the transition from:

Local Development → Production Deployment

That practical experience is important for freelancers and developers who intend to build and launch websites for real clients.

The Course Project

The fictional university website serves as the backbone of the course.

Throughout the project, students implement features such as:

• Pages
• Blog content
• Events
• Programs
• Professors
• Campus information
• Live search
• REST API integration
• User accounts
• User-generated content
• Like functionality
• Plugins
• Gutenberg blocks
• Deployment

This creates a much more realistic learning environment than simply writing isolated WordPress functions.

Who Should Take This Course?

1. Aspiring WordPress Developers

If you already know how to use WordPress but want to understand what happens underneath the dashboard, this course is a strong next step.

2. Freelance Web Developers

Freelancers can benefit from learning how to create custom themes and functionality instead of relying entirely on pre-built solutions.

3. PHP Developers

Developers familiar with PHP can use the course to learn the WordPress ecosystem and its development conventions.

4. Frontend Developers

HTML, CSS, and JavaScript developers can learn how to combine frontend skills with WordPress and PHP.

5. WordPress Designers Who Want to Code

If you’ve previously worked mainly with page builders and visual customization, the course can help you transition toward actual development.

6. Developers Interested in WordPress Plugins

The plugin-development sections are particularly useful for developers who want to create custom WordPress functionality.

Who Should Not Take This Course?

This course isn’t ideal if you simply want to learn how to create a basic WordPress blog.

If your goal is:

• Installing WordPress
• Choosing a theme
• Installing plugins
• Creating pages
• Publishing blog posts

then a basic WordPress course would be faster and easier.

This course is intended for people who want to write code and understand WordPress development.

Prerequisites

The course is designed to be accessible to beginners, but having some familiarity with web development will make the experience easier.

Useful background knowledge includes:

• HTML
• CSS
• Basic JavaScript
• Basic web development concepts

You don’t need to be an experienced PHP or WordPress developer before starting.

However, learners with some existing programming experience will likely progress faster through the more advanced sections.

Pros of the Course

Comprehensive WordPress Development Curriculum

The course covers much more than theme customization. It explores PHP, JavaScript, APIs, plugins, blocks, React, and deployment.

Excellent Project-Based Learning

The university website provides a consistent project that ties the concepts together.

Strong Instructor

Brad Schiff has extensive experience teaching web development, and his teaching style is generally focused on explaining concepts in a practical and approachable manner.

PHP + JavaScript Combination

Learning both backend PHP and frontend JavaScript makes the course more valuable than a WordPress course focused exclusively on PHP.

Custom Theme Development

Students learn how to convert a standard HTML design into a working WordPress theme.

Plugin Development

The course teaches developers how to create custom WordPress functionality instead of depending entirely on third-party plugins.

Modern WordPress Topics

The updated curriculum includes Gutenberg block development, React basics, Block Themes, Full Site Editing, block.json, and the Interactivity API.

Is This Course Good for Beginners?

Yes, but it depends on what you mean by beginner.

If you’re a beginner in WordPress development but have some basic HTML, CSS, or programming knowledge, the course can be an excellent starting point.

If you’re a complete beginner who has never written code before, the PHP and JavaScript sections may require additional study.

The course is best approached as a coding course for aspiring WordPress developers, not as a basic WordPress administration course.

Is It Worth Learning WordPress Development in 2026?

Yes.

WordPress remains a major platform for websites, content-driven businesses, agencies, publishers, and online businesses.

But the skills that provide the most value have changed.

Knowing how to install WordPress is relatively easy. Knowing how to:

• Build custom themes
• Develop plugins
• Work with APIs
• Create Gutenberg blocks
• Use PHP
• Use JavaScript
• Work with React
• Build custom database functionality
• Create interactive interfaces

is considerably more valuable.

That is where this course has its strongest appeal.

Career Opportunities After Completing the Course

The skills covered in this course can support several career paths:

• WordPress Developer
• WordPress Theme Developer
• WordPress Plugin Developer
• PHP Developer
• Web Developer
• Full-Stack WordPress Developer
• Freelance WordPress Developer
• WordPress Agency Developer
• CMS Developer

However, completing a course alone won’t make you job-ready.

The best approach is to build several independent projects after finishing the course and create a portfolio demonstrating your ability to solve real WordPress development problems.

What Should You Build After the Course?

To reinforce your skills, consider building:

1. Business Website

Create a completely custom WordPress theme for a small business.

2. Membership Website

Build registration, login, profiles, and user-specific content.

3. Custom Directory

Create a directory using custom post types, fields, search, filtering, and custom templates.

4. Custom Gutenberg Block Collection

Develop several reusable blocks for a specific business niche.

5. WordPress Plugin

Create a plugin that solves a specific problem rather than simply following a tutorial.

6. Headless WordPress Application

Use the WordPress REST API as a backend and build a separate JavaScript frontend.

These projects can turn course knowledge into portfolio-ready experience.

Summary

Become a WordPress Developer: Unlocking Power With Code is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to move beyond WordPress administration and learn how to actually develop custom WordPress websites.

The biggest strength of the course is its full-stack WordPress development approach. You don’t just learn how to modify themes. You learn PHP, JavaScript, custom post types, REST APIs, AJAX, authentication, plugins, Gutenberg blocks, React fundamentals, custom database tables, Block Themes, Full Site Editing, and the Interactivity API.

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