WordPress Development

Module 1: Introduction to WordPress

1. Overview of WordPress
   • What is WordPress?
   • History and evolution
   • WordPress.org vs WordPress.com
2. Installation and Setup
   • Local vs live server setup
   • Installing WordPress on a local server (e.g., XAMPP, MAMP)
   • Installing WordPress on a web host
   • Basic configuration and settings

Module 2: WordPress Basics

1. Dashboard Overview
   • Navigating the WordPress dashboard
   • Understanding WordPress settings
2. Posts vs. Pages
   • Creating and managing posts
   • Creating and managing pages
3. Categories and Tags
   • Organizing content with categories and tags
4. Media Management
   • Uploading and managing images, videos, and other media
   • Creating and managing galleries

Module 3: Themes and Customization

1. Introduction to Themes
   • What are WordPress themes?
   • Installing and activating themes
2. Customizing Themes
   • Using the WordPress Customizer
   • Customizing theme options
3. Child Themes
   • What is a child theme?
   • Creating and activating a child theme
4. Theme Development Basics
   • Overview of the theme development process
   • Template hierarchy
   • Creating basic templates (header, footer, sidebar)

Module 4: Plugins and Functionality

1. Introduction to Plugins
   • What are plugins?
   • Installing and activating plugins
2. Essential Plugins
   • SEO plugins (e.g., Yoast SEO)
   • Security plugins (e.g., Wordfence)
   • Performance plugins (e.g., W3 Total Cache)
   • Backup plugins (e.g., UpdraftPlus)
3. Creating Custom Plugins
   • Plugin development basics
   • Creating a simple plugin
   • Adding functionality through hooks and filters

Module 5: Advanced Theme Development

1. Theme Development Tools
   • Using a code editor (e.g., VS Code)
   • Using development tools and environments
2. Template Files and Template Tags
   • Working with main template files
   • Using template tags
3. Custom Post Types and Taxonomies
   • Creating custom post types
   • Creating custom taxonomies
4. Theme Customization
   • Advanced theme customization
   • Using functions.php
   • Enqueuing styles and scripts

Module 6: Advanced Plugin Development

1. Advanced Plugin Concepts
   • Understanding WordPress hooks (actions and filters)
   • Using shortcodes
2. Custom Widgets and Shortcodes
   • Creating custom widgets
   • Creating and using shortcodes
3. Integrating APIs
   • Using third-party APIs in plugins
   • WordPress REST API

Module 7: WordPress Security and Optimization

1. Security Best Practices
   • Securing your WordPress site
   • Common vulnerabilities and how to fix them
2. Performance Optimization
   • Optimizing images and media
   • Caching and minification
3. SEO Best Practices
   • On-page SEO
   • Using SEO plugins effectively

Module 8: WordPress E-commerce with WooCommerce

1. Introduction to WooCommerce
   • Installing and setting up WooCommerce
   • Configuring WooCommerce settings
2. Managing Products
   • Adding and managing products
   • Product categories and tags
3. Payment Gateways and Shipping
   • Setting up payment gateways
   • Configuring shipping options
4. Customizing WooCommerce
   • Customizing WooCommerce templates
   • Adding custom functionality

Module 9: Project and Deployment

1. Building a Complete WordPress Site
   • Planning and designing a WordPress site
   • Developing the site
2. Testing and Debugging
   • Testing your WordPress site
   • Debugging common issues
3. Deployment and Maintenance
   • Moving from local to live server
   • Maintaining and updating your WordPress site

Module 10: Career and Beyond

1. WordPress Development Career Paths
   • Freelancing vs. employment
   • Building a portfolio
2. Continuing Education
   • Keeping up with WordPress updates
   • Advanced resources and communities