Creating custom plugins for WordPress is a powerful way to add unique functionality, making websites more engaging and efficient. Plugins act as building blocks that extend WordPress’s core features, offering options like social media integration, personalized e-commerce solutions, and interactive tools that enhance user experience. For web developers, plugin development goes beyond coding—it’s about problem-solving within the WordPress ecosystem. It helps build expertise in languages like PHP, JavaScript, and HTML while diving deeper into WordPress’s architecture. Plus, skilled plugin developers are in high demand, as WordPress remains a leading platform for websites worldwide. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your skills, learning plugin development is an excellent way to advance. In this guide, we’ll cover some of the best WordPress plugin development courses available. Get ready to bring your ideas to life and dive into the world of custom plugins!
Why Learn WordPress Plugin Development?
WordPress plugin development offers developers the opportunity to create custom solutions for website owners, ranging from security enhancements to e-commerce functionalities. By learning to develop plugins, you not only gain valuable technical skills but also enhance your ability to address specific needs within the WordPress ecosystem.
Top WordPress Plugin Development Courses
Let’s explore some of the best courses available, covering everything from beginner basics to advanced plugin development techniques.
1. Udemy- WordPress Plugin Development Courses
Udemy’s WordPress Plugin Development for Beginners is an ideal starting point for those with little to no experience in plugin creation. This course dives into the essentials of WordPress plugin development, covering key concepts like hooks, filters, and shortcodes that are the building blocks of any custom plugin. With step-by-step instructions, you’ll learn how to set up a basic plugin, create simple functionalities, and understand how plugins interact within the WordPress ecosystem. Along with lifetime access to course materials, Udemy provides real-world examples that make it easy to see how plugins enhance website functionality, making it a perfect choice for beginners looking to gain hands-on experience.
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2. Plugin Development 101
Plugin Development 101 is a popular, free course on WordPress plugin development, taught by renowned WordPress developer Pippin. Known for his clear and approachable teaching style, Pippin makes it easy for beginners to grasp plugin basics, even if they have limited technical experience.
This course primarily focuses on essential elements like using shortcodes, adding dashboard widgets, and working with filters, actions, and scripts, among other key topics. Being a self-paced, free course, it allows learners to progress at their own pace, making it ideal for anyone looking to learn plugin development on a flexible schedule.
3. Complete PHP My SQL Course- WordPress Plugin Development Courses
If you’re aiming to become a full-stack backend developer without prior PHP experience, this professional training is perfect for covering all the essentials. The Complete PHP MySQL course provides comprehensive instruction on PHP, from the basics to advanced topics like PHP Sessions and the PDO layer for database operations. With over 20 hours of on-demand video, it’s designed for beginners and even includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. Upon successful completion, you’ll have free access to all course documentation, videos, and articles, providing lasting resources to support your learning journey.
4. Introduction To WordPress Plugins
Introduction to WordPress Plugin Development is one of the best free courses available for learning WordPress plugin development. Its straightforward yet thorough approach makes it perfect for beginners. In just over 1.5 hours, this course teaches how plugins work and guides you in creating different types of plugins from scratch. Topics covered include plugin code and structure, widgets, plugin types, and various functionalities, making it an excellent starting point for those new to plugin development.
5. WordPress Plugin Developer Handbook
The WordPress Plugin Developer Handbook course is an invaluable resource for developers at any level, covering topics such as plugin header standards, best practices for security, working with custom domains, and managing translations. Although you won’t receive a LinkedIn certificate upon completion, this course offers crucial, up-to-date knowledge maintained by a dedicated team of WordPress volunteers.
Best of all, this course is completely free, thanks to WordPress, and is constantly updated with the latest information. Ideal for intermediate to advanced developers, it provides a thorough and reliable foundation in WordPress plugin development.
6. WordPress Plugin Development From LinkedIn
WordPress Plugin Development is a highly regarded and comprehensive premium course in WordPress plugin development. This course teaches you how to create, extend, and distribute your plugins. Taught by Jeff Starr, a renowned plugin developer and author, the course offers expert guidance.
As a paid course, it covers essential topics such as APIs, plugin security, loop customization, and widget creation. Aimed at intermediate learners, successful participants will receive an official certificate that can be added to their LinkedIn profile.
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7. WordPress Plugin Development Tutorials- WordPress Plugin Development Courses
WordPress Plugin Development Tutorials is one of the best playlists to explore if you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to learning WordPress plugin development. Created by skilled developer and designer Alessandro Castellani, this course features his engaging and entertaining presentation style, making the learning experience enjoyable.
Being a YouTube course, it is completely free. The entire playlist spans approximately 18 hours and covers a wide range of topics, including basic PHP OOP, widget creation, admin custom fields, AJAX, and much more.
8. Gutenberg Blocks For Developers: Udemy
With Gutenberg still evolving, this is an ideal time to explore the complexities of the editor and consider starting a successful WordPress block-based plugin business. However, it’s crucial to begin with the fundamentals. The Gutenberg Blocks for Developers course is a fantastic starting point, offering 120 lectures and more than 11 hours of content. Hosted on Udemy, this course is comprised of video tutorials that provide instant access to all the materials upon enrollment, allowing you to learn at your own pace.
9. WordPress.Tv
WordPress.tv is a treasure trove of valuable information on WordPress development. Most of the videos come from WordCamps, where WordPress experts share their insights for the benefit of the community, ensuring a high standard of quality.
This resource is completely free for everyone, offering a wealth of video tutorials covering all aspects of WordPress. The channel is updated daily with new videos on various WordPress topics, providing continuous learning opportunities.
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10. WordPress Plugin Development Guides & Tools
WordPress Plugin Development Guide is an excellent preparatory course for anyone looking to develop custom WordPress plugins. Designed for novice WordPress enthusiasts, this course enables learners to quickly master the skills needed to write plugins that are robust, easy to debug, and easy to enhance.
Key topics included in this course are the Underpin Framework, plugin debugging, styling taxonomies, WordPress environment setup, and much more. This premium course operates on a subscription model, and you will receive a certificate upon successful completion.
Conclusion on WordPress Plugin Development Courses
WordPress plugin development can be both fun and rewarding. With the right course, you’ll be equipped to bring your unique ideas to life, enhance website functionality, and even help other users improve their WordPress experience. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to expand your development toolkit, these courses provide a range of options to match your skill level and learning style. So, choose the one that resonates with your goals, and start creating amazing plugins today!
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