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Before WordPress came into existence, it was impossible to create a website without writing thousands of lines of code. However, with the aid of modern content management systems, you can set up your website in just a matter of hours, and the great thing is that most of the time, you don’t even need to code for it! 

Having prior knowledge of coding languages such as HTML, CSS, PHP, and Javascript can be helpful but these aren’t necessary to learn if you want to work on WordPress. Thousands of themes and plug-ins are available on WordPress which makes it possible for you to easily create complex websites without breaking a sweat. 

The coding aspect of WordPress is pretty basic, and it’s super easy to get a grip on through youtube and various tutorials available on Google. Read on below to find out more about WordPress Plugins and a few programming languages that you’re recommended to know about before diving deep into WordPress.

How Much Coding Knowledge Is Required To Use WordPress?

If you’re worried you need to have extensive knowledge of programming to develop a web page on WordPress, then you’re wrong. You only need to have a basic understanding of how CSS and HTML work. Most of the things you need to create a website on WordPress are already scattered across the internet in the form of plugins. So the question arises; what are plugins?

WordPress Plugins

Suppose you want to display an Instagram feed on your webpage. All you would need to do is install the famous Spotlight plugin on WordPress, and voila! Underneath Spotlight is a piece of code written by someone that is packaged under what you call a plugin. A plugin acts as functionality or something that can extend the functionality of an already present feature. 

Plugins can be easily found on the internet and were made to eradicate the hassle of repeatedly writing the same piece of code. Some are free, while some can only be bought. It is recommended not to download plugins that have no sort of reviews since there’s a chance that they might be programmed with malicious code.

4 Languages Used by WordPress

So if you’re thinking about becoming a professional WordPress developer, keep in mind that there are only a handful of programming languages that WordPress supports. You should have a firm grip on them so you can tackle an issue if you encounter one. 

Although don’t sweat it too much, most programmers out there don’t know each and every functionality of the language they excel at, and sometimes they have to take the aid of the internet to help them out. So you don’t need to be an expert at yours, but you have to be smart instead.

Here’s a list of the languages used by WordPress and their purpose: 

  1. HTML

If you had to imagine a human’s body as a webpage, the skeleton would be made through HTML. HTML provides the basic outline of a webpage and acts as its bones. It isn’t a language that can be operated alone, but it needs to work with one another to maximize its functionality. 

The language is also pretty easy to learn, so you won’t need much time mastering it. You only need a primary grasp of how it works, and you’re good to go. 

  1. CSS

Taking the human body analogy into account again, CSS would act as the genes determining the skin color, body shape, height, and other features, which adds to the appearance of a website. If you want to make your website visually appealing, CSS is your go-to. 

Although the language is pretty easy to grasp, it is equally tough to master. You may get familiar with all of the functionalities provided to you in CSS, but learning when to use them takes a while as there are so many with similar attributes, which can confuse you. 

It is recommended to invest your time to excel at this language since it’s a pretty useful tool to make considerable changes to your website. Not only will it save you time, but you can also hoard more money from your clients, especially if you know how to use it properly. 

  1. Javascript

Javascript would be the language that helps humans to move or interact with others. It adds animations or functionalities to websites that would make them feel more user interactive. CSS and Javascript have the same role, but Javascript does what CSS simply cannot imagine doing. 

Although it’s not a bad idea to learn Javascript since it increases your website’s aesthetics and prolongs a user’s stay on it, it is optional to do so. By learning it, you’d be able to land clients with specific demands regarding animations or just use it to beautify your website further. 

  1. PHP

PHP is responsible for carrying out the processes inside our body, such as blood flow or metabolism. While the above three languages handle the front end of a website, PHP ensures everything works fine at the backend. It is a server-side language that takes on user requests on your website. 

For instance, if someone fills out a form on your website and submits it, it is PHP’s job to ensure the information gets stored somewhere on the server. WordPress and its themes and plugins already have the PHP files they need, so you don’t have to learn PHP to develop a web page on WordPress.

How To Use WordPress Without Coding

If you’ve no prior experience in coding and want to begin using WordPress right away, you can use Elementor. It is a plugin that acts as a drag-and-drop website builder for WordPress and a visual editor and gives you complete control of designing your website. 

Elementor is quite flexible and works well with professionals and beginners who’ve just been introduced to WordPress web development. It lets you design any page, providing countless options, including widgets. 

Useful Plugins 

Apart from Elementor, there are also other plugins that can make your website more visually appealing without the need to add CSS or Javascript to your website. If you’re looking to add hover effects but don’t want to get into the hassle of writing all that complex CSS code, the “Ultimate Hover Effects” plugin will do the job for you.

If you further want to leave a lasting impression on your user, you can add the “Video Background” plugin to your WordPress website. As the name suggests, this plugin will play a video in the background while the user is browsing your website. What’s more, is that it is equipped with multiple options that let you tinker around with what you feel best. 

You can visit WordPress to find other exciting plugins that can make your website management simpler. 

FAQs

What Can You Do With WordPress Without Coding?

Without any knowledge of coding, you can still do a lot with WordPress, such as being able to design the layout of your website or adding complex functionality to your website through plugins such as Elementor and many more. This would help you maintain your website on your own without the need to hire a developer. 

Should I Learn Any WordPress Supported Language?

It is always a great idea to excel in any programming language. However, if you had to pick one, we would recommend either Javascript or CSS since they’re the ones that can manipulate your website into looking visually appealing. If you master the skill of using the CSS box model, it will help you earn more and improve the design of your webpage. 

Where Can I Learn About WordPress?

If you’re looking to binge-watch a course that will help you learn how to use WordPress, some great sites are available on the internet. Websites such as Khan Academy and Codecademy offer free lessons and tutorials for most of the programming world. Some sites, such as Udemy, are paid but offer you certification after completing a course.

Conclusion  

WordPress is built for people who aren’t tech-savvy computer wizards. While coding is an essential and valuable skill to have and reaps many benefits in the long run, it isn’t really necessary for building and managing websites on WordPress.