Imagine you’re starting fresh with WordPress development right now. You have no existing clients or work samples to show, but you’ve got all the experience and knowledge you currently have. What mistakes would you make sure to avoid this time around? Which areas would you prioritize learning first? Would you choose the freelancing path again, or would you jump directly into creating your own products, themes, or plugins instead? I’m really curious about that one piece of advice you wish you had received when you were just getting started. It could potentially help someone avoid making the same costly mistakes and save them a lot of time and frustration.
I’d spend way more time learning WordPress core architecture before diving into custom dev. Huge mistake relying on plugins and page builders early on - created a nightmare when clients wanted custom features later. Learn PHP basics and how WordPress hooks work first, not as an afterthought. Don’t ignore the business stuff either. I should’ve documented my processes and built reusable code snippets from day one instead of starting from scratch every project. Technical skills matter, but solid project management and client communication will separate you from devs who just code.
i totally get that! focusing on a niche can really boost your expertise and help you charge more. also, backing up is a must! lost work can be a nightmare, and trusting local setups isn’t enough. better safe than sorry!
Security should be a priority right from the start. I faced a significant setback when a client’s site was compromised due to my failure to sanitize inputs and keep themes updated. It’s crucial to understand WordPress coding standards and ensure user data is validated.
Additionally, don’t overlook the importance of staging environments. I once made changes directly on live sites, believing they were harmless, but I’ve learned that even small edits can lead to major issues. Establishing a solid development workflow from the beginning, even for simple tasks, is essential.
Regarding whether to freelance or focus on products, I recommend starting with freelancing. This approach allows you to gain insights into actual client needs, which is invaluable when you decide to create your own themes or plugins. You’ll be better equipped to address real-world problems instead of theoretical ones.