What does a WordPress developer do?

Hiring a WordPress developer? But don’t know what to look for? Especially when the technical aspect is not your cup of tea. Does the developer match your expectations or have the skills that are required for your project?

It’s helpful when you know what a WordPress developer can do. Before onboarding a WordPress developer, you have a clear expectation of what they can achieve for your project.

Here is a full guide for the task you should consider for what a WordPress developer can do for your project.

Seven Core Responsibilities of a WordPress Developer

There is a lot to handle for a WordPress developer, but here are 7 important responsibilities you should know.

 1. Make custom themes and plug-ins:

Even if you are new or already using WordPress, you most likely know that WordPress is open source and completely free, and it’s constantly progressing. All credit goes to the growing community for its contribution.

WordPress is highly adaptable. To enhance website functionality and aesthetics, developers can make custom-made themes and plugins – making websites stand out. There are a lot of directories for WordPress themes and plugins:

For a basic website, you can build a website with the help of built-in tools like the block editor and site editor to design it. But you need to install a couple of plugins for additional features.

Not every website needs additional plugins for customised design. It’s useful to make your website stand out. If your website needs unique features that are specifically designed for your needs, then additional plugins are required.

2. Develop unique features and functionality

A WordPress developer can make a tailor-made theme specifically designed for your site. But it’s not necessary to design a theme from scratch; if you like any theme that’s available on WordPress but it’s missing some of the features, then you can ask a developer to add them for you.

It is picture perfect for intermediate WordPress users who know basic WordPress design. It is more affordable than an entirely custom-made WordPress site.

The same applies to functionality. You might just need small tweaks and not require a completely custom plugin. A WordPress developer can handle this with coding languages like PHP, HTML, and CSS.

3.  Third-Party Integrations

Third-Party Integrations Compatibility is important; if tools can’t be compatible, then issues can arise, especially on complex sites. It’s not always seamless. The developer has to check that the tools are working properly and harmoniously too to keep them vital for maintaining functionality and avoiding disruptions.

So, another important task for a developer is to install tools carefully and integrate these tools properly.

4. Optimise your website.

If you already have a WordPress site but it feels sluggish, a WordPress developer can help you with that. This is especially critical if you’re running an online business, where every second counts.

In user experience, site speed plays a huge role. Even small delays matter:Research shows that when page load time increases from just 1 to 3 seconds, the chances that a user leaves the page increase by 32 per cent.

A WordPress developer can run a full performance audit using specialised tools. They’ll review everything from your themes and plugins to your content and media files to uncover what’s slowing the site down.

Before you make your site live or any update live, test plugins that you have used to make sure that the website is working well without any errors. However, a WordPress developer helps you find alternatives for any tool that creates issues for your site.

5.  Implement and manage security tools

Due to its widespread use(powering over 43% of all websites), WordPress sites are easy targets for hackers. However, WordPress is built to be secure by default.

Themes and plugins are very useful, but still they can increase risks – if they are not updated, chances are higher. To make sure your tools are secure, routine maintenance helps with securely running the site.

This is where a WordPress developer comes in by setting up and managing security tools, such as vulnerability scanners and anti-spam plugins.And just in case something does go wrong, they’ll also create scheduled backups so your site can be quickly restored.

6. Carry out routine website maintenance

WordPress core software is continually evolving, and that means updates happen all the time. and keeping them current is essential for site stability and security. as their developers launch new versions to stay compatible with these changes.

Since most websites run on a mix of these tools, they need consistent maintenance. Keeping core software, themes, and plugins up-to-date is the best way to prevent issues.

A WordPress developer manages this process for you, from running updates in a staging environment first to, once they know it’s safe, applying the changes. And still, if an update proves problematic, they can also recommend or install suitable alternatives.

7. Collaborate with web designers

WordPress developers are experts in coding; design may not always be their speciality. In these cases, they may work alongside a WordPress designer to ensure a well-rounded site.

Some developers can deliver both design and development themselves. Another option is to hire a premium WordPress agency. which can often be the most convenient option since everything is managed under one roof.

When should you hire a WordPress developer?

Simple, DIY Projects:

Setting up a blog or portfolio? WordPress’s built-in tools and drag-and-drop editors are usually enough, even for beginners.

When You Need More:

When you need a unique design, complex functionality, or an eCommerce store that needs global scale. A developer can build custom solutions that WordPress themes and plugins can’t support.

Long-Term Growth & Support:

Ongoing maintenance, performance tuning, security, and scalability considerations make hiring a developer worthwhile—especially for businesses with evolving

Conclusion

WordPress is Content Management System (CMS) and it is open-source, but things can get tricky. if you’re aiming for highly tailored websites or complex sites that need to involve a steep learning curve. In such a case, what dose WordPress developer can do is save you time and frustration and help you to turn your vision into reality without the steep learning curve.

Thinking about hiring a WordPress developer to bring your dream website to life—or enhance the one you already have? Loyal Web Solution offers professional design and development services backed by experienced developers, designers, and project managers. Get your quote today!