WordPress web development is complex and often done in sections or layers because there are intricate pieces that fit together to create what you see on the screen. Therefore, it’s separated into three categories: front-end, back-end, and full-stack.
Below, we’re breaking down what each category entails when it comes to building a WordPress site.
What Is Front-End Development in WordPress?
When a person walks into a restaurant, everything they see, from the hosts that seat the guests to the bartender that pours the drinks, is part of the front-end of the establishment. That same concept translates into WordPress development, as well.
The term “front-end” refers to what users see, and specifically in WordPress, this relates to custom theme development. The front-end developer creates the coding to indicate what colors and fonts will appear on the screen. Front-end development also determines image and media placement, the layout of the text, and everything else that defines the page.
The front-end code is written in multiple computer languages:
- HyperText Markup Language (HTML) creates the basic framework of any page.
- Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) pinpoints the color scheme, font types, and layout.
- JavaScript focuses on the performance of the page, such as how users navigate from page to page and move through each one.
- Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) executes commands embedded in the HTML.
Together, these codes create the pages of the website.
What Is Back-End Development in WordPress?
In that same restaurant, everything behind the scenes (like food prep and cooking) is done in the back-end of the establishment. In WordPress, “back-end” refers to the plugins. A WordPress plugin is an extra piece of software that, when added to a WordPress project, creates a new feature. For example, a custom WordPress plugin might embed tweets in the side section or add a button to the page that allows a viewer to make a purchase. There are many complex plugins out there, but most are fairly straightforward.
WordPress has static core functions. In other words, they can’t change. However, a plugin can provide a workaround to make a change without messing with that core. Plugins are mostly written in PHP, so this is a language that developers use both on the front- and back-end of WordPress development.
What Is Full-Stack Development in WordPress?
Full-stack simply means someone who does both – they create custom themes and develop plugins. A person who does full-stack development has expertise in front- and back-end processes and could work on either team, as well.
Full-stack developers will usually work on a smaller scale where it’s feasible to handle everything at once. Larger clients that have WordPress sites with many pages or that manage multiple websites at once will want to separate the work into two jobs to keep from overwhelming one person.
The Zero Gravity Marketing team has experts in all aspects of WordPress development. Contact us today to find out more about WordPress customization for your website. Our expert web developers are happy to answer all of your questions and create a site that serves your unique needs.
