Learning WordPress is difficult for beginners because it requires understanding how to set up a database, work in a content management system, and often requires setting up web hosting as well as registering a domain and pointing the domain to your web server. With wide-ranging capabilities, WordPress can be complex to learn on your own, making it useful to attend a WordPress course to master its capabilities.
The capabilities that make WordPress so appealing also contribute to making it difficult to learn. With more than 50,000 plug-ins, thousands of themes, and a consistent stream of security updates, there are many choices confronting someone who wants to set up or manage a WordPress site. Learning WordPress requires gaining skills across many areas. Within WordPress itself, you need to understand the extensive customization options, how to install themes and plugins, and how to best maintain site security. Similarly, it’s important to know how to back-up your site.
Because WordPress is the most widely used content management system (CMS) for websites, there are many training options that help you learn WordPress. Live courses online, in-person classes, and self-paced training are some of the more popular ways to learn WordPress.
Making it easier to learn WordPress
If you are trying to learn on your own, WordPress may seem daunting. Learning WordPress is made easier if you have a curriculum, a well structured course, and an instructor to answer questions.
There are courses that help you add and manage content, others that help you to design, and still others that focus on development and administration. WordPress training courses can help you to make your website’s pages more accessible to Google, Bing, Yahoo and other search engines by teaching you proper search engine optimization (SEO) techniques and best practices. If you are new to WordPress, a beginners WordPress class is a good place to start.
In-Person courses to learn WordPress
In-person WordPress courses typically range from two days to several weeks in duration, depending upon the range of topics covered in the curriculum. Students attending in-person WordPress courses gain a solid understanding of WordPress fundamentals within a short time frame. Most in-person courses include hands-on learning with practice creating and managing a website as part of the course, all while receiving guidance from instructors. Schools such as the American Graphic Institute (AGI) provide training on WordPress that include real-world projects and are available for all skill levels.
Online options to learn WordPress more easily
There are several options for online WordPress courses, including live online classes. Institutions such as AGI provide classes that are led by live instructors and include a comprehensive curriculum that teaches all aspects of website development using WordPress. Live online classes provide students with the opportunity to work directly with instructors, getting help and answers to questions in real-time while working on relevant projects. All online courses provide the benefit of learning from your own place of work, which is ideal for working professionals.
Self-Directed Learning
Self-directed learning, whether through books, tutorials, or self-paced courses offer flexibility with scheduling, although they take longer compared to structured learning methods such as live courses. Self-paced courses require discipline and motivation to continue learning. This type of learning also requires resourcefulness, as there is no instructor to answer questions or provide guidance if you encounter difficulties with your learning. Mastering WordPress through self-directed learning generally requires several months beyond the time required to learn in a structured course with a live instructor.
While learning WordPress can be difficult, the variety of available courses and training options makes it possible to gain skills quickly with this widely used website platform.