Learn WordPress: The Best Courses and Training

Many organizations use WordPress to build their websites. The fact that WordPress is open source has contributed to its popularity among developers. 

Learning WordPress can open up a lot of career paths. WordPress training is of particular use if you intend to work at the intersection of digital marketing and content creation, or in technology.

What Is WordPress?

WordPress is a content management system that is used to create websites and blogs. Since it is an open-source platform, its basic web and blog layouts can be easily modified according to your needs.

WordPress has many possible applications. Companies might use it to launch an eCommerce business, while bloggers can use WordPress hosted sites to showcase their writing or photography.

What Jobs Use WordPress?

Today, content management goes far beyond Excel spreadsheets and Word documents. Open-source web platforms such as WordPress are used by businesses of all sizes. Below are just a few among the many jobs in which WordPress is used.

• Blogging. Blogging is very common in the modern digital world. Almost every major company hires bloggers to promote their content. If you have WordPress skills, you will be more likely to secure a job working on a blog. 
  
  

This is particularly important because many companies don’t have the resources to hire a WordPress developer and a separate writer. You should know how to both write and post content.

• Developer. WordPress is widely used, but it can also be complicated. If you are running a WordPress hosted site, you will need to have skilled WordPress developers. The people in this role will possess in-depth knowledge of the site and understand the technicalities of it.
  
  
• Ecommerce. WordPress can be used to create online stores for eCommerce companies. An appealing website will help generate sales and traffic to keep a business running smoothly. With a good understanding of WordPress, you can easily set up and run an eCommerce store.
  
  
• Website maintenance. WordPress skills can also be put to use in website maintenance. Today, outdated websites are at a high risk of malware attacks. But if you have a good working knowledge of WordPress, you will be able to fix many web development and maintenance related issues.
  
  

Steps to Learn WordPress

Learning WordPress is not difficult. Like any other skill, it is easy to learn if you follow the right steps and make use of the best available resources.

Below, we have compiled a guide to how you can learn WordPress quickly.

1. Enroll in a Course

There are many online and in-person courses available that offer classes in WordPress. Enrolling in these will help you get down the basics of the programming interface before you expand to more advanced concepts.

 

Websites like Udemy, LinkedIn, and Coursera offer online learning, including free tutorials. Some of these are even taught by instructors from renowned universities.

2. Practice WordPress

Practice makes perfect. To learn WordPress, you should first either sign into the online version or download a copy. Once you’re in, you can create any website you want. It will only be visible to you unless you choose to publish it. 

3. Play with Plugins

One of the major bonuses of WordPress as a website host are the available plugins. Plugins are third-party features that you can add to the website you’re building. Two examples of these are the customer traffic measurement widgets and forms that the user can fill. 

WordPress plugins provide flexibility and make your site unique. Once you are familiar with WordPress basics, it’s important to move on to these customizable features. 

4. Apply What You Have Learned

Once you have a good grasp of WordPress, you can start to apply that knowledge. Use freelancing websites like Upwork or Fiverr to take on gigs. Some of these might just be requests to create simple websites, while others may want you to install a plugin, or create content for their site.

The Best Courses to Learn WordPress

So you have decided to learn WordPress. So far, so good. Now, we’ll help you find the best courses to learn it. Many of these are offered by massive open online course providers like Coursera and Udemy. Take as many as you’d like to expand your knowledge and understanding of WordPress.

Use WordPress to Create a Blog for your Business

• Where: Coursera 
• Cost: N/A
• Prerequisite: None
• Time: 2 hours
  
  

This is a beginner-level course that will help you learn the basics. You will start by creating a WordPress account and editing content for publication. This course is focused on using WordPress as part of a business. In it, you will learn how to create a business website and blog using the right plugins.

Yoast Free WordPress Training

• Where: Yoast 
• Cost: Free
• Prerequisite: None
• Time: 3 hours
  
  

This beginners’ course will teach you all the necessary tools to build and maintain a WordPress website. The three hours of instructional video are divided into bite-sized clips that cover the ins and outs of WordPress. The course also includes a WordPress cheatsheet that you can refer back to as you learn.

Free WordPress Tutorials For Beginners

• Where: WP Apprentice
• Cost: Free
• Prerequisite: None
• Time: 1 hour
  
  

This tutorial is designed for those who want to learn WordPress basics. It goes over the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org, and teaches you how to create content with Gutenberg Blocks and Classic Editor. You will also learn how to create plugins and widgets.

Learn How to Create a Website from Scratch with WordPress in 1 Day

• Where: BitDegree 
• Cost: $34.99
• Prerequisite: None
• Time: 1 hour
  
  

This beginners’ tutorial will coach you on how to create a WordPress website from scratch. You will also learn a bit about affiliate marketing and how to generate income using it. This course will set you on the path to becoming your own boss.

WordPress Training: The Beginners Guide to WordPress

• Where: OSTraining 
• Cost: $69 per year
• Prerequisite: None
• Time: Self-paced
  
  

OSTraining offers this class to teach you the essential concepts of WordPress. You will learn how the programming interface works, and how to create appealing content for your site. In addition, you will explore how themes and plugins can be used to personalize your website.

WordPress Training and Tutorials

• Where: Lynda
• Cost: $25/month
• Prerequisite: Varies
• Time: Varies
  
  

Lynda offers various courses and training to enhance your knowledge of WordPress. On the website, you will find courses for WordPress beginners and experts. You can learn how to create a WordPress site, how to migrate it to another platform, and how to customize WordPress themes. 

LinkedIn Learning WordPress Courses

• Where: LinkedIn Learning
• Cost: $29.99/month
• Prerequisite: Varies
• Time: Varies
  
  

LinkedIn Learning is one of the best places to learn any new skill. On the platform, you will find a plethora of courses for WordPress for all levels. These contain information that will help you use WordPress to achieve your goals.

WordPress.com Learn

• Where: WordPress
• Cost: Free
• Prerequisite: None
• Time: Self-paced
  
  

Conveniently, WordPress has a section on its own website dedicated to answering questions about the site. As a beginner, you can refer to WordPress.com to learn the basics and get answers to frequently asked questions. You can use this resource to learn how to create a website, publish it, and add photos and videos.

 

WordPress Development

• Where: WPShout
• Cost: $197 (Intro course free)
• Prerequisite: None
• Time: Self-paced
  
  

WPShout offers this online course for anyone interested in learning WordPress development. This highly-rated course clearly covers the fundamental concepts of WordPress development. Through videos and lessons, you will learn all about WordPress development.

How To Create a Website in a Weekend

• Where: Coursera 
• Cost: N/A
• Prerequisite: None
• Time: 14 hours
  
  

This project-centered course will help you learn how to create and publish a WordPress website in just two days. Throughout the course, you will engage with your peers and receive feedback. Once you finish this class, you can move on to the advanced module that teaches techniques on using Text Editor and coding using all of the front-end programming languages. 

Why Learn WordPress?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in web development and web design is expected to grow 8 percent over the next decade. This rise is due to the predicted increase in businesses turning to the Internet to promote their goods and services. 

According to PayScale, the average salary for an employee with WordPress skills, such as a WordPress developer or WordPress designer, is about $53,550.

If you’re interested in building websites, WordPress is an easy skill to learn that can give a major boost to your resume. Choose one of the courses above and get started promoting your own business or helping others do the same.