In the current WordPress ecosystem, there are three professions that are in high demand: The implementer, the developer and the programmer. What are you?
3 professions of the future (and present)
It has always been said that one of the strengths of WordPress is its ease of use. This is true for users who use it on a daily basis, but also for those who do it professionally.
In fact, WordPress allows you to enter the job market even if you don’t know how to program. Certain professions that previously required knowledge of HTML, CSS, PHP or JavaScript are now available to many more people.
In other words, whether you know how to program or not, you can dedicate yourself to WordPress development and implementation perfectly. You only have to be aware of your limits, and offer a consistent service to the same.
We could therefore establish three fairly classic profiles. Let’s discuss its pros and cons one by one.
WordPress Implementer
The WordPress “implementer” can be a person who has no idea about code, and who has never done programming in his life. No problem.
Nevertheless, you must know how WordPress works, its plugins and its themes. And there it must be very good. It is worth that it has certain weaknesses in terms of programming, but it must shine in terms of implementation.
What do I mean? If you are an implementer, As minimum You must know everything that WordPress allows you to do “out of the box”. To understand each other, everything I cover in the . From the first option of the first menu, to the last option of the last submenu. This is essential if you are going to dedicate yourself to it. It’s common sense.
But the thing doesn’t stop there. If you’re going to be an implementer, you should also know the two big ways to modify and extend WordPress. Themes and plugins. And not only know how to “install and activate”, but to understand the logic behind both.
Junk Themes and Plugins
The big problem that implementers have to deal with is the sheer number of junk themes and plugins out there. The fact that a theme or a plugin exists does not mean that it is advisable to use it.
For example, in the world of themes, many people abuse ThemeForest, a low-quality theme marketplace, but visually very flashy. Well, you know about .
The implementer often works with themes like Canvas or Divi, which allow you a certain level of flexibility without having to code. But you should also be very careful, since these themes have their drawbacks. More information about this in the tutorial and in the .
And the same goes for plugins. You must know what you are installing on your clients’ websites, because you are responsible for its current and future operation, and possible side effects. You should know those plugins, their pros, their cons, their developers, their reliability, their sustainability… because otherwise, you are not doing a good job of implementation.
If you are a subscriber, I advise you to take a look at the directory of recommended plugins that I have in the . there is a selection (which I update and expand periodically) of recommended free plugins, with which you will not have problems. And also check out the , where we see those plugins and many more in action.
So, that’s what an implementer should do. Implement, but always with criteria and responsibility. And those should be the services you offer!
There’s a huge market of people who just need that. An implementer! You don’t need a developer, or a programmer, or a Tibetan guru. Only someone with common sense, know how, and connoisseur of the WordPress medium.
WordPress Developer
We are now going to climb a step on the ladder of the WordPress world. Another classic profession in this ecosystem is that of the developer.
This profile is that of a person who knows more than WordPress. You have knowledge of HTML and CSS, and maybe even PHP and JavaScript. He doesn’t have to be a guru of all of them, but he understands, comprehends and knows them to a greater or less degree.
The WordPress developer is capable of doing things like modifying a plugin, altering a theme, changing the appearance of a website through HTML, editing the CSS manually, etc. He’s someone who can do things outside of the control panel, and who doesn’t need everything to be click and drag and drop.
There is a wide range of degrees in this step. From those who only know how to make very basic modifications, to those who could even make a small plugin themselves. Normally, knowledge is gained over time, as the jobs you do accumulate more and more experience.
So, this profile should be able to do everything we cover in , or even in , where we see how to modify and create plugins.
The developer, since he is not afraid of code, can now allow himself to work with a framework like Genesis, as it will make your life much easier. I go into detail about this in the tutorial , if you want you can learn how to use it in the , , and .
Once again, developers must also offer services based on their skills. These can offer not only a WordPress implementation, but also a certain degree of customization and modificationsalways depending on your level.
shoemaker to his shoes
And we must be aware that this has its own market. And what attention… Not the same as implementers!
The implementers have clients who only need to “get a WordPress set up for them”. They are quick implementations to do, with a little level of customization and lower price. On the other hand, developers have clients who demand more from them. That they are not satisfied with what that theme or plugin offers them, but that they want to “modify” something that this does not allow. That requires more time, more level, and obviously, more money.
What we cannot expect is to ask an implementer to do the work of a developer. And on top of that for the same price! This is why WordPress clients and professionals alike need to know if they are addressing the right person.
My recommendation is that if you are an implementer, don’t take developer jobs. Focus on doing what you know, and you will save yourself a lot of headaches. Be careful, I’m not telling you not to learn more and become a developer. That you can always do. But don’t offer it until you’ve reached that level, if you want to go there.
And if you are a developer and implementer jobs are handed to you, don’t accept them either! You have your market, and the one you will have by accepting a lower priced job will be too high. . Be consistent with what you offer, and you will not regret it.
So what do we do with those jobs we don’t accept? Well, many things can be done, but what I usually do is refer it to another person. Create a network of mutual aid professionals. You can reach the agreements you want. You can pass the clients in a disinterested way, you can do it by barter or even in exchange for a commission. Believe me, in the long run it will be worth much more for you. If you want me to dedicate a monograph or tutorial to this subject, tell me and I will prepare it for you, because it gives a lot of itself.
WordPress developer
These are already on another level. A programmer is nowhere near in the same market segment as an implementer or developer.
In fact, the WordPress programmer does not even have to have client work, since upon reaching that level they usually make a transition to selling products, such as plugins, themes or even SaaS solutions.
The programmer is usually a brown beast in HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP. Some even know about servers and systems. He would know how to make his own themes and plugins without any problem, and even set up his own unmanaged dedicated server.
The WordPress developer market is very attractive for anyone who wants to dedicate themselves to it. There is currently a huge shortfall of WordPress programmers.
I tell you from experience: I personally have a hard time finding this profile of people. Because there are very few, and those that exist are highly sought after, or already have their own company. Currently it is almost impossible to sign one. I find many implementers and many developers, but the programmers go slowly. In fact, I take this opportunity to make a call to all those level WordPress programmers. Please contact me, because I have many projects and clients that need you.
If we were analyzing this profession through the , we would see that it is a “star” or “question question” product, since there is more and more demand, and the supply is very scarce, an ideal situation to jump into that market in a way immediate, if you have the .
In many cases, the programmer has been an implementer and a developer, until he has reached the point where he has been able to disassociate himself from the client work and has begun to fly on his own. So, by logic and common sense, he should never take implementation or development jobs, since he will be losing a lot of money because of the opportunity cost of working on something else.
Summary and conclusion
Anyone who wants to dedicate themselves professionally to WordPress has three fairly clear options: Implementer, developer or programmer. Each has its pros and cons and will require certain skills, but all three have a very attractive expanding market.
But in any case we should avoid accepting jobs (or order jobs, from the customer’s point of view) that do not fit with the corresponding profession. It is much more advisable to establish a professional mutual aid network.
And if you want to know more about implementation, development and programming in WordPress, I recommend that you take a look at . Surely more than one will be very helpful 😉
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