If you’re interested in developing websites, you might wonder whether you should specialise as a WordPress developer or a web developer. While both roles involve developing websites, they differ in terms of their focus and skill set. In this article, we’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of being a WordPress developer vs a web developer to help you make an informed decision.
Advantages of Being a WordPress Developer
- Specialised Skill Set: WordPress developers specialise in creating and customising WordPress sites, the world’s most popular content management system (CMS). By specialising in WordPress, you’ll develop in-depth knowledge of its features, themes, and plugins, making you highly sought after in the market.
- Faster Development Time: WordPress provides a framework that speeds up the development process, allowing WordPress developers to create websites more quickly than web developers. With its extensive library of themes and plugins, WordPress developers can quickly build complex websites without starting from scratch.
- High Demand: WordPress is the most popular CMS, and there is high demand for WordPress developers in the job market. Companies of all sizes require WordPress developers to create and maintain their websites, making it a lucrative career choice.
Disadvantages of Being a WordPress Developer
- Limited Skill Set: While WordPress developers have specialised knowledge of WordPress, they may need to gain the broader skill set of web developers. This can limit their ability to work on non-WordPress projects, making it difficult to diversify their skill set.
- Dependence on Third-party Plugins: While WordPress plugins can speed up development, they can also cause security issues and website crashes. As a WordPress developer, you must stay up-to-date with the latest plugins and ensure they’re secure and reliable.
- Limited Flexibility: While WordPress provides a framework for website development, it can also limit developers’ flexibility. As a WordPress developer, you’ll need to work within the constraints of the CMS, which can be limiting for complex projects.
Advantages of Being a Web Developer
- Broad Skill Set: Web developers have a broader skill set that allows them to work on various web development projects. This includes developing websites from scratch, working with CMSs, and building custom applications.
- Greater Flexibility: Unlike WordPress developers, web developers have more flexibility regarding the technologies and frameworks they can use. This allows them to customise their development approach to suit the project’s requirements.
- Higher Pay: Web developers earn higher salaries than WordPress developers due to their broader skill set. This makes it a lucrative career choice for those with diverse development skills.
Disadvantages of Being a Web Developer
- Longer Development Time: Developing websites from scratch can take longer than using a CMS like WordPress. This can make it more challenging to meet tight project deadlines.
- Steeper Learning Curve: Learning the broad range of skills required for web development can be challenging, especially for those new to the field.
- More Competition: As web development is a broader field, there’s more competition for web development jobs, making it harder to stand out in the market.
In conclusion, both WordPress and web development have advantages and disadvantages. If you’re interested in specialising in WordPress development, you’ll need to develop in-depth knowledge of the CMS and stay up-to-date with the latest plugins and updates. If you specialise in web development, you’ll need to learn a broader range of skills and work on various projects. Ultimately, the choice comes down to your interests, skills, and career goals.