A custom WordPress theme allows you to reflect your brand’s identity, preferences, and needs. If you’re unsure how to begin with this, don’t worry. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about creating a custom WordPress theme.

Unlocking Your Site’s Full Potential with WordPress Theme Customization

Building a custom theme might sound daunting, but as the process has become more streamlined and straightforward, it’s undoubtedly worth the effort. It can seem like crafting a bespoke suit – cut and stitched to fit your brand’s identity, preferences, and needs perfectly.

Customizing WordPress themes is about more than changing fonts and background colors – it’s about tailoring your website’s functionality. With a wide array of editing options at your disposal, you can modify more regarding your website performance. It’s like perfectly fitting different pieces of a puzzle: once you get it right, the whole picture will come to life.

The advent of WordPress tools and plugins has simplified the customization process. Today’s WordPress plugins allow you to extend and enhance your theme with simple drag-and-drop functionality, enabling more people to bring their visions to life on their websites. 

However, if you want to build a truly custom theme from the ground up, then you will either need to have direct coding knowledge or work with WooCommerce experts. With our help at Codeable, the process of customization becomes even more simplified. Our team of experts crafts tailored solutions, extending the impact of a custom theme on your WordPress site. We don’t only provide a unique look but also enhance your site’s functionality to ensure an optimal user experience.

How to Customize Your WordPress Theme: Different Options 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question: How do I create a custom WordPress theme? That’s because there are multiple options available to you, and the choice will pretty much depend on your preference. Many options don’t require you to write a single line of code, whereas others will only appeal to more tech-savvy users.

That said, first things first, we’ll look at some options that don’t require any coding:

Customize Your WordPress Website with Plugins

You can extend your WordPress site’s functionality by installing the right WordPress plugin(s). Many such plugins can be installed with just a click. There are tons to choose from. In fact, in 2022, it’s said that the WordPress directory will list over 59,000 plugins.

Here are just a few examples of some of the most popular plugins and what they can do for your website: 

• Yoast SEO: This provides an SEO (search engine optimization) wizard that helps you optimize your site for search engines. 
• WooCommerce: A free WordPress eCommerce plugin that enables you to create a fully functional online store, including a checkout page and cart, product pages, inventory management functionality, and much, much more. 
• WP Forms: This enables you to build forms and is helpful for online surveys and lead generation.
• MonsterInsights: This is an analytics plugin that connects your site with Google Analytics, so you can review important data such as user engagement, eCommerce tracking, where your traffic comes from, etc.
• OptinMonster: A lead generation plugin that allows you to create various engaging popups and forms to collect email addresses and redirect people back to your store (including abandoned cart campaigns)

Things to Keep In Mind When Installing WordPress Plugins

Plugins are a great way to add new functionality to your site, introduce fantastic visual elements, and generally offer a little more pizzazz. That said, while any beginner can install plugins without diving into the code, you should consider a few of these best practices:

• Ensure the plugin is updated regularly and works with your current version of WordPress. WordPress often updates, and these changes to the system can mess with how some of your plugins work. As such, you need to ensure all plugins work with new WordPress versions.
• Check the reviews. The plugin directory is full of plugins from both established and younger third-party companies. In short, not all plugins are made alike, and some won’t be as intuitive or functional as others. So, be sure to check the reviews to learn of any difficulties other users may have experienced with the plugin.
• Be careful which and how many plugins you install. When there’s so much choice, it’s tempting to go crazy and grab plugins for every little feature. However, keep in mind that plugins can slow down your WordPress website, making your site less user-friendly. Consequently, this could affect your search engine ranking. So, think carefully about which plugins you actually need and which you can do without. Sometimes it’s worth paying a little extra to stick with fewer plugins that do more. The speed of a plugin depends mainly on its quality, but also remember that the more you install, the more you’ll have to maintain and keep an eye on.

Visit the “Settings” Tab in Your WordPress Dashboard

The Settings section of your WordPress site has a few items worth your attention for customization. 

For instance:

The Writing settings can determine, for example, how many blog posts or testimonials you show per page or whether you let users scroll infinitely.

With the Reading settings, you can customize:

• What email text new subscribers get
• Whether you show related content after a post
• Whether to include excerpts or full text in your post feed.

You can also change your site’s URL permalinks in the Settings, which is essential for SEO and making your website’s address look cleaner.

Use Your Theme’s Built-in Customization Options

Many templates come with built-in customization options, which you can access via the ‘Appearance’ tab found on the WordPress dashboard sidebar. 

However, the theme options available will depend on your particular theme. At this point, it’s worth noting that premium themes sometimes offer more customizability.

First of all, you can change your theme from this tab at any time. Just browse the WordPress theme directory and choose from the free and paid themes that catch your attention.

Then, by hitting “Customize,” you can update your theme’s settings, including:

• Your site’s logo and favicon
• The template’s global color scheme and background color (you might also be able to choose a background pattern).
• The headings and paragraph fonts
• A custom header image
• Menu settings, such as where to display your website’s navigation and social media icons
• Where to add widgets

If these options don’t work for you or don’t give you as much design freedom as you hoped, you might need to use more technical methods to create your custom WordPress theme.

Use a Page Builder to Create a Custom WordPress Theme 

WordPress’s most common editor isn’t a front-end WYSIWYG page builder. Unfortunately, this means you can’t simply edit your website when you see it before you. Instead, you have to use the sidebar to navigate every change and find the customization section first.

This is a lot less intuitive than most modern website builders and is why WordPress page builders are becoming increasingly popular. After all, a page builder functions much more like other website builder platforms. (Think Wix, Squarespace, Weebly) as they come with drag-and-drop interfaces that enable you to edit the appearance of your WordPress website without any code.

There are many WordPress page builders in the plugin directory, and all come with their advantages and disadvantages. So, when considering a page builder for yourself, be sure to examine them for their ease of use, flexibility, and the sorts of designs you can achieve. With that in mind, below we’ll introduce you to some of the most popular page builders on the market:

Elementor

Elementor comes with drag-and-drop functionality, where you can customize each section and column freely. The builder also comes with over 90 built-in widgets, making extending your website’s functionality much easier. These include forms, image galleries and carousels, counters and countdowns, menus and table of contents, and much more.

Elementor allows you to freely customize the positioning of any element and easily update global colors and typography to ensure a more consistent web design.

Lastly, if you’re looking to stretch your creative legs a little, you can also use their blank “Hello” Theme to build your website entirely from scratch.

Divi

Divi performs similarly to Elementor as it comes with a drag-and-drop interface. It boasts 46 content modules to easily drag into your layout and customize. You can also create new custom pages within minutes and save your most popular layouts to reuse.

Divi also allows you to adjust your website and media’s visuals live, including opacity, blur, brightness, contrast, and more. Another neat feature is the shape dividers you can use for exciting transitions between your content.

Beaver Builder

Beaver Builder is another intuitive drag-and-drop page builder. This solution comes with an onboarding tour to help get you started. Like the examples named so far, you can also edit live and review those changes immediately. Just click on an element to edit its properties.

You can also add modules for extra functionality and visual appeal. For example, sliders, carousels, backgrounds, content blocks, buttons, and more. Beaver Builder also comes with 30 landing page templates.

Should You Use a Page Builder to Customize Your WordPress Website? 

Page Builders often sound like the most attractive and intuitive way to handle WordPress customization. But like with any method, it comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages:

The Pros:

• Page builders are user-friendly; they provide a more intuitive way to customize your website into something unique.
• You don’t need any coding know-how.
• Most page builders come with page templates and layouts to help get you started.
• Page builders have all the elements you need in one interface, which means no more clicking around between sections.
• With several page builders on the market, many of which include free plans, you can pick which suits you best.

The Cons:

• Bulky page builders can slow your website down, which might affect your SEO and user experience.
• While some page builders have free options, many lock their most essential features behind paywalls. This means page builders are a considerable extra cost, usually ranging between $30 to $150.
• You rely on a third party and the tool’s ability to perform well. Many Elementor users, for example, have complained about glitches in the past. For example, fonts or images might not load, or specific widget integrations might be less functional than intended. So do your research carefully and maintain your site regularly to ensure your page builder doesn’t impact the user experience.

Edit Your Code Directly to Create a Custom WordPress Theme

Earlier, we discussed how to edit the overarching settings of your theme from the Appearance tab. From here, you can also access the Theme editor and edit your theme’s code. However, you’ll need a working knowledge of HTML and CSS to do this. In addition, knowledge of PHP files and Javascript is also often helpful.

Before You Start

We don’t recommend ever editing code directly. Mistakes can happen anytime, and if you edit your theme’s main code, you might translate any errors you make into your live site. This can lead to a poor user experience or, worse, crash your entire website until you find the error and fix it. 

Instead, create a child theme and make your edits there.

A WordPress child theme inherits all the functionality, styles, and features of your existing WordPress parent theme. You can then customize the child theme without affecting the parent, thereby removing any risk that your current live theme will be affected. 

You can create a child theme by opening the themes folder in your WordPress installation files. Next, create a new folder for your child’s theme and name it whatever you want. In this folder, you’ll create a style sheet for your new theme called style.css and a file to enqueue the parent’s style sheet.

You can learn more about this in the WordPress theme guide.

We also recommend testing your changed theme on a staging version of your website. This is like a test version of your site that simulates your website without being public. While you work on the staged site, your existing site will continue to receive traffic and remain entirely unaffected.

Many web hosts offer web staging features, including Siteground, Kinsta, and Bluehost. There’s also a plugin called WP Staging that also provides you with a staging environment to work with.

Lastly, whenever you make any significant changes to your site, it’s always a good idea to create a backup before getting started.

Edit the Code Using the Theme Editor

Once you’ve ensured you can work on the code safely without affecting your public site, you can start editing the code via the Theme editor.

For this, you’ll need to navigate the files on the right to find the files you want to edit.

Then, edit the CSS stylesheet to fully customize the appearance of page elements. Or, navigate to header.php or footer.php to change the functionality and layout of the header and footer element. 

Or, suppose you want to customize the look of some of your theme elements. In that case, navigate to the Appearance Tab and choose “Additional CSS .”This will allow you to edit your theme’s CSS on the left-hand side and view your changes in real time. 

Whenever you make changes to your WordPress theme’s code, ensure you adhere to WordPress’s coding standards. This defines the structure and syntax to use and naming conventions for file names.

Create a Custom WordPress Theme Using HTML5 and CSS3

Another route you can take in WordPress theme customization is building your theme from scratch using HTML5 and CSS3. This method allows for maximum customization and control over your theme’s visual design and structure. However, if you’re not confident in these languages, then we recommend working with a developer who is.

HTML5 is the latest version of the HTML web markup language. It delivers consistency in content display across different devices — be it a computer, tablet, or mobile phone. This means your custom WordPress theme can cater to a wider audience regardless of the device they use.

On the other hand, CSS3 sports the “Media Queries” feature that sets specific rules controlling how your site behaves on various screen sizes. Meaning, it ensures your WordPress theme is responsive and adaptive, offering seamless navigation for users on either small mobile screens or large desktop displays.

By focusing on these specific tools and techniques, you navigate confusion and follow a reliable path in your WordPress theme customization journey. Although these techniques demand a learning curve, the time invested can pay dividends in giving you complete control and customization freedom.

What to Do After Creating a Custom WordPress Theme

When you’re done customizing your WordPress theme, it’s vital to perform a few final steps for good results:

• Review your changes to ensure everything looks good on your site (both desktop and mobile versions). 
• Only make incremental changes to your theme and review that everything’s working and looking right between those changes. This makes it easier to troubleshoot issues than making multiple changes simultaneously. 
• Test for code or plugin conflicts
• Keep a log of your customizations so you can look back on what you changed in the future if an issue arises.

When Should You Customize Your Own WordPress Theme?

Now that we’ve discussed how to customize your theme, we’d like to provide some guidance on when it’s a good idea to do so. Making simple changes by using your theme’s own customization options and editing the settings of your WordPress site is easy. Moreover, they can be done on your own without risking your site’s performance. 

However, suppose you have a specific vision of your final website and want to make significant changes to your custom WordPress theme. In that case, consider your own capabilities. Remember, installing plugins, working with a page builder, or editing your site’s code can all potentially lead to conflicts, glitches, and poor site performance if you don’t know what you’re doing.

If you plan to majorly overhaul your theme to create a truly unique website or an entirely custom theme from scratch, we recommend leaving the job to the experts.

Codeable can connect you with WordPress developers who specialize in creating custom WordPress themes. Our platform links you to professionals with plenty of experience with projects like yours. Each expert is vetted, so you can rest assured you’ll receive a professional service.

With a secure escrow system for payment, your money is safe until you’re satisfied your project is hitting its milestones. In addition, fully transparent fees and a 28-day warranty further protect you from losing money on a failed project. So, submit your assignment on Codeable for free today to get no-obligation quotes from a small selection of WordPress theme development experts, and start customizing the WordPress website of your dreams!

The post How to Customize Your WordPress Theme appeared first on Codeable.

We’re walking you through everything you need to know. So, by the end of this blog post, you’re better positioned to decide whether this is a DIY task or one for the experts. 

Migrating From Drupal to WordPress: An Introduction

Drupal provides the back-end framework for at least 13% of the top 10,000 websites in the world. In addition, the content management software is used by tons of apps and offers lots of standard web building features. 

Both Drupal and WordPress are reliable content management systems (CMS), with Drupal taking the lead on longevity, being created in January 2001, while WordPress followed in May 2003. However, WordPress is probably the better known of the two. After all, it’s the most popular CMS globally, powering over 40% of websites, which equates to nearly 15% of the web! 

In the UK, Drupal’s used by household name organizations including the BBC, MTV and NBC, Amnesty International, and the University of Oxford. Other well-known organizations that run on Drupal include Lonely Planet, TopDeck Travel, Nasa, and The Economist.  

Interestingly, The White House website, although built using Drupal, has since migrated to WordPress. As for WordPress, prestigious clients include Mercedes Benz, Ted blogs, and Microsoft blogs. 

WordPress has a 60.8% market share of the CMS market. Astonishingly, more than 500 sites are built every day using this open-source framework!

Now that we’ve covered the introductions, it’s worth examining how Drupal and WordPress differ and whether there are any similarities. With this knowledge at hand, you can make a more informed decision about migrating your Drupal website to WordPress.

Drupal vs. WordPress: Their Key Differences and Similarities

Here’s how the two competitors differ:

• You don’t need to be an expert web designer to create and customize a professional-looking WordPress website. In contrast, with Drupal, a fair amount of customization and coding work is necessary to achieve your end result. 
• Drupal’s best suited to enterprise-level organizations that need complex websites with lots of content, functionality, features, and integrations. On the other hand, WordPress works well for websites of all sizes – including small to medium-sized brands wanting to build a good-looking, agile website.
• WordPress is well-known for its user-friendliness, while Drupal comes with a steeper learning curve.
• Drupal has around 2,500 website themes and 46,000 modules (their version of plugins) to choose from. In contrast, WordPress boasts significantly more in this department – with 5,000+ WordPress themes and 53,000+ plugins. 
• The figures we alluded to in the intro speak for themselves. Thanks to WordPress’s popularity and prevalence on the web, it’s easier to find developers with plenty of experience working with WordPress sites to a more advanced level. 

That’s it for the differences; let’s take a peek at how the two are similar:

• They’re both open-source, free solutions you can develop to suit your business needs.
• Each enjoys a loyal fan base, with solid user communities supporting both Drupal and WordPress that you can become a part of.
• Both platforms can support high volumes of traffic for complex websites with swarms of content.
• WordPress and Drupal both offer lots in terms of self-help materials, including tutorials, user guides, documentation, and more.
• Drupal and WordPress are both SEO-friendly (search engine optimization) from their core installation.
• Both open-source platforms integrate with eCommerce solutions. In the case of WordPress, it’s WooCommerce and Shopify with Drupal.

As you can see from the differences above, there are a lot of reasons why an e-commerce store owner on Shopify may want to switch to WooCommerce. So, are you ready to migrate from Drupal to WordPress? If the answer’s “yes” and you feel experienced and knowledgeable enough to go it alone, here’s how you do it:

Drupal to WordPress: Pre-Migration Checklist

Before diving in, there’s a bit of prep work to do, which we’ll take you through step-by-step:

1. First off, you need to sort out your web hosting. If you’re switching from Drupal to WordPress.org, you may want to change to a specialized WordPress hosting service, like Bluehost. Whatever you decide, ensure you have a web host ready to hit the ground running.
2. Draft the structure of your WordPress site. Your new layout will be based on the mapping of your Drupal site. This means you need to label your Drupal content types ready for what they’ll appear like on WordPress. Remember that, unlike Drupal, on WordPress, you create the content first and menus later. This can lead to confusion if you’re accustomed to doing it the other way around. As you can see, this step is a bit technical, which is why website owners usually hand it over to expert WordPress specialist developers.
3. Before you migrate, improve the URLs of your Drupal site if they aren’t already SEO-friendly. Remember to make them short and descriptive of whatever the related page is about. Alternatively, you can update your URLs once you’ve migrated to WordPress. Just make a list of all the URLs on your Drupal site. You can either do this manually page by page or copy and paste your Drupal sitemap instead. The same goes for all your SEO metadata.
4. Install WordPress and set up the foundation of your future website

Now, it’s time to prepare for the migration process in full:

Your Tools

Before you download any plugins, back up and create a CSV export file with all your Drupal content; you’ll need this document later to import into WordPress using a WordPress plugin. 

We recommend using a WordPress plugin called FG Drupal because it has all the features you need for a successful migration – even with the free version. 

However, suppose you’re looking to migrate things like custom post types, Drupal users, comments, pictures, and taxonomies. In that case, it’s worth upgrading to the Premium version to unlock this extra functionality.

If you opt to use FG Drupal, here are the steps you need to take:

Install the FG Drupal to WordPress Plugin and Activate It

1. Log into your new WordPress site. Go to your WordPress dashboard and locate the ‘Plugins’ tab. Then, select ‘Add New.’ 
2. Once there, type the following into your search bar, which you’ll find on the right-hand side of the screen: FG Drupal to WordPress.

1. Once you’ve located the correct plugin, click the ‘Install Now’ button next to the plugin name.
2. Once the plugin is installed, you’ll see an ‘Activate’ button. Click on that, and you’re done. 

Get Your Drupal Database Details and Parameters

Before going ahead and using the FG Drupal to WordPress plugin, you need the following Drupal details:

• Your username
• Password
• Hostname
• Database name and prefix

If you’re unsure or have forgotten any of these details, use an FTP solution such as FileZilla. 

First, access your Drupal files using FileZilla and head to Drupal’s site/default directory. There, you’ll locate a file called settings.php. Open it, and you’ll see all the above parameters/database details. Make a note of this info because you’ll need it in a sec.

Now, it’s time to do the more complex part that so many website owners find tricky. At this point, many novices opt to hire specialized expertise to lend them a hand:

Import Your Drupal Content Into WordPress

First, log into your WordPress dashboard once you’re here:

1. Then, click on the ‘Tools’ tab. Then select ‘Import.’ 
2. You’ll see a new Drupal option appear on the Import menu (as long as you’ve installed the FG Drupal plugin correctly).

1. Click on ‘Run Importer.’  A new page should pop up with lots of settings you’ll need to configure. First, type in your database/parameters information.
2. Choose ‘Import Summary’ > to the content.

Move to the ‘Media section’ to import your media content. If you don’t want to do this, simply tick the ‘Skip media’ option. At this point, it’s possible to also select the featured images you want for your pages and related posts. 

When you’re ready, click the ‘Start/Resume the import’ button. The plugin will now start the migration process. Once it’s finished, you’ll see a message in the plugin’s log that migration has been successful. 

The final step is to scroll to the end of the settings page, where you simply click ‘Modify Internal Links.’ Doing this updates any internal links on your site so they match your website’s new WordPress structure. 

While this final step is optional, it’s worth doing because it’s the easiest way of checking all your links work correctly. When you migrate, you adjust your permalinks structure, and 301’s redirecting your URLs to their new WordPress home. Fortunately, the ‘Modify Internal Links’ button addresses this potential problem. 

Once done, your links will work, and a modal will tell you they’re all fixed. 

Drupal to WordPress: The Final Migration Steps

Now you’re ready to take the final steps towards a successful Drupal to WordPress migration. 

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Choose an attractive WordPress theme to ensure your new WordPress site looks fabulous. Remember, you can’t use the same template you had on Drupal. The only way to do this is to pay a developer to create a custom theme for your site. The alternative is to go with one of the many beautiful templates WordPress has to choose from. 
2. Boost your user experience by polishing your navigation menu so that it’s user-friendly: add images and widgets, set up your contact forms, and so on. 
3. Finally, take some time exploring WordPress’s capabilities. Consider downloading and trialing a few plugins. Some examples include Yoast SEO, W3 Total Cache for speed, Defender for security, Jetpack for marketing and analytics, and so on. 

Taking these final steps is your way of customizing your site so that end-users enjoy a great visitor experience. WordPress is a rich, robust, and SEO-friendly open-source solution. So working with it to create a good-looking, high-functioning, and fast website is a great way to go. 

What to do once you’ve migrated your Drupal site to WordPress

Now that the migration part is over, you need to do one last double-check to make sure that the migration of your Drupal site to WordPress remains a success. Some of the main things to keep an eye on post-migration are: 

• Review your content and layout to check for any migration-related issues.
• Verify that internal and external links are functioning correctly, and address any broken links. 
• Test the functionality of forms and interactive features. 
• Pay attention to SEO considerations, including setting up 301 redirects and optimizing meta tags. 
• Optimize your new WordPress site’s performance, enhance security with plugins, and customize your theme to maintain your website’s aesthetic. 
• Additionally, install essential plugins to add functionality and features as needed, making the most of your new WordPress platform.

And lastly, now that your site is fully migrated to WordPress, don’t forget to take the time to browse all the capabilities and ensure you’re taking full advantage of all the functionalities. 

Are You Ready to Migrate From Drupal to WordPress?

Migration isn’t necessarily tricky as long as you follow the above action points, from preparing to install your WordPress site to ensuring everything’s ready on Drupal’s end.

However, if it’s your first attempt and you’re keen to ensure there aren’t any glitches further down the line, consider calling an experienced WordPress developer who also has a working knowledge of Drupal.  

Codeable experts are vetted and have all worked on similar tasks, so you can rest easy knowing your project’s in a safe pair of hands. With Codeable, you can expect to be connected with three to five pros who can provide a free no-obligation quote for migration services. So, what are you waiting for? Submit your project today – you have nothing to lose and everything to gain! 

The post Everything you need to know before switching from Drupal to WordPress appeared first on Codeable.

As you know, the safety of your WordPress website is of utmost importance, which is why any serious website owner needs to learn how to prevent such attacks from happening at all. The good news is that with the right knowledge and proactive measures, you can shield your WordPress site from these insidious threats. 

In this post, we’ll delve into the intricate world of WordPress security, unveiling the strategies and best practices that will not only protect your website but also empower you with the confidence to navigate the virtual realm without fear. 

Whether you are a novice WordPress user or a seasoned pro, read on to understand the nuances of WordPress security and learn how essential it is to keep your digital presence safe from the ever-present threat of malware attacks!

Is WordPress more susceptible to malware than other CMS platforms?

It’s important to acknowledge that WordPress’s immense popularity comes at a price. With approximately 43.1% of all websites on the internet powered by WordPress, it becomes an enticing target for cybercriminals on the hunt for vulnerabilities to exploit. Its ubiquity means that a successful attack on WordPress can yield a wide-ranging impact, potentially affecting a significant portion of the online landscape.

That being said, it’s crucial to dispel the notion that WordPress is inherently more susceptible to malware attacks than other Content Management Systems (CMSs). In fact, WordPress is actively developed by a dedicated community and a team at its core, who tirelessly work to identify and patch security vulnerabilities. These regular updates and security patches are designed to fortify the platform against emerging threats.

The security landscape for WordPress is not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Instead, it exists on a spectrum, where some WordPress websites boast robust defenses, while others remain highly susceptible to attacks. 

The security of a WordPress website is influenced by a multitude of factors, including the hosting environment, the themes and plugins chosen, user behavior, and the rigorous implementation of security best practices.

Factors that might lead to malware on a WordPress website

While WordPress itself is actively fortified against attacks, there are several actions or oversights on your part that could potentially lead to your website becoming a breeding ground for malicious software. It’s incredibly vital to avoid the following common mistakes:

Ignoring updates and security patches

One of the most fundamental aspects of WordPress security is keeping your installation up to date. Failing to promptly install WordPress core, theme, and plugin updates can significantly increase the risk of malware infections. 

Why? Because updates often come bundled with crucial security patches, specifically designed to address known vulnerabilities. By neglecting these updates, you’re making it easy for opportunistic attackers to exploit your online business.

Using unreliable themes and plugins

WordPress themes and plugins enhance your website’s functionality and aesthetics. However, a grave mistake many WordPress users make is installing themes and plugins from unreliable sources or resorting to pirated versions. Doing so can expose your website to a plethora of malware risks. 

Stick to reputable sources like the official WordPress.org repository or well-known commercial providers to minimize these risks. Additionally, using poorly coded themes or plugins, especially from unknown or untrustworthy sources, can introduce security vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit with ease.

Weak login credentials

The strength of your login credentials is your first line of defense against unauthorized access to your WordPress admin area. Using weak passwords or default usernames like “admin” is akin to leaving your front door wide open for intruders. 

To bolster your defenses, always use strong, unique passwords that combine letters, numbers, and symbols. Consider implementing Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for an added layer of security, making it exponentially more challenging for attackers to breach your site.

Allowing file uploads without proper validation

If your website permits file uploads from users, such as through contact forms or media uploads, beware of insufficient validation and security checks. Without rigorous scrutiny, malicious files can infiltrate your site, paving the way for infections. 

To prevent this, implement strict file upload validation and security measures to ensure that only safe files can make their way onto your server.

Using unsecured or vulnerable hosting

The foundation of your WordPress site’s security begins with your hosting provider. Opting for a low-quality or insecure host can expose your website to a multitude of security risks. 

Ensure that your hosting provider offers robust security measures, including firewalls, malware scanners, and regular server updates. These safeguards form an essential part of your website’s armor against malware threats.

Not regularly backing up your website

In the event of a successful malware infection, having recent backups is your safety net. They enable you to restore your website to a clean state, sparing you from the anguish of a data loss disaster. You can use WordPress backup plugins for this, like UpdraftPlust.

If you suspect that your website might already be infected with malware, refer to our guide on malware removal for WordPress for step-by-step instructions on how to rid your site of these digital pests. 

Alternatively, you can skip ahead and submit your project to Codeable, where you can link up with a specialist who will provide you with expert guidance! Our highly skilled Codeable developers can assist in cleansing your website of malware and fortifying it against future attacks. 

Your website’s security is worth every effort, and with the right precautions and Codeable as your trusted partner, you can navigate the digital landscape with confidence.

Are WordPress security plugins essential for malware prevention?

The short answer to this looming question is yes. Security plugins like Wordfence, Sucuri Security, iThemes Security, or MalCare can play a pivotal role in safeguarding your digital fortress. Neglecting to install and configure such plugins can leave your website more vulnerable to the ever-evolving terrain of online threats. 

Security plugins offer an additional layer of defense, complementing WordPress’s core security measures. Here are some essential features you can expect from a good security plugin:

• Malware detection and scanning: Security plugins often come equipped with robust malware scanning capabilities. They regularly scan your WordPress database and files, scrutinizing them for known malware signatures or suspicious code patterns. When malware is detected, the plugin alerts you to the intrusion and guides you on the path to appropriate action.
• Firewall protection: Many security plugins boast advanced firewall features that actively safeguard your website from malicious traffic, hacking attempts, and known attack patterns. These digital barricades can block access from suspicious IP addresses, thwart brute-force login attempts, and filter out malevolent requests before they can breach your website’s defenses.
• Login security enhancements: Strengthening your website’s login security is a priority for any security plugin. They provide features like limiting login attempts, enforcing the use of strong passwords, implementing two-factor authentication (2FA), and promptly blocking any suspicious login activity, which significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your WordPress admin area.
• Vulnerability patching: A security plugin can check whether your WordPress core files, themes, and plugins harbor known security vulnerabilities. It can also guide you in updating them to the latest secure versions to close potential malware entry points.
• Security hardening: For those who seek granular control over their website’s security, some plugins allow you to configure additional security settings, such as disabling file editing within WordPress, securing file permissions, protecting crucial files and directories, and implementing SSL certificates for secure data transmission.
• Activity logging and monitoring: Security plugins can track login attempts, file modifications, and changes to critical settings. By maintaining a watchful eye, these tools enable you to identify and investigate potential security breaches in real time.
• Blacklisting and IP blocking: To further fortify your website’s defenses, security plugins can integrate with blacklisting services or maintain their own databases of malicious IP addresses and known attackers. By blocking access from these sources, your website is shielded from potentially damaging malicious activity.

As you can see, by leveraging these WordPress malware removal plugins and their suite of protective features, you take a significant step toward ensuring the safety and integrity of your digital presence.

When should you consider a manual security audit?

Automated tools and plugins are undeniably valuable for routine scanning and detection of potential threats. However, there are scenarios where a manual security audit becomes not just important, but necessary. 

A manual security audit offers a comprehensive, human-driven examination of your website’s defenses, providing insights and protections that automated solutions alone cannot match. Here are some key situations where you should consider conducting a manual security audit:

After a security incident

When the digital alarm bells ring, and your WordPress website experiences a security breach or a malware infection, it’s time to consider a manual security audit. Such incidents can be unsettling, but a manual audit is your lifeline to understanding the full scope of the breach. 

Manual security audits can help pinpoint the root cause, assess the extent of the compromise, and ensure that every vulnerability and backdoor is meticulously addressed. By delving deep into the specifics of the attack vectors, this investigation equips you with the knowledge needed to implement precisely targeted security measures, fortifying your website against future incidents.

High-risk websites

Not all websites are created equal in the eyes of malicious actors. Some, by nature of their content or functionality, handle sensitive information or are more likely to be targeted by advanced and persistent threats. 

Think eCommerce sites, financial institutions, government portals, or websites with a substantial user base. In these high-stakes scenarios, a manual security audit becomes essential. It assesses your website’s or WooCommerce store’s security posture comprehensively, identifying potential vulnerabilities and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.

Custom code or complex functionality

If your WordPress website relies heavily on custom code, intricate functionality, or bespoke integrations, it can become a playground for security risks.

Manual security audits are tailored for such complexities. They delve deep into the custom code, scrutinize third-party integrations, and expose security weaknesses that might arise from unique configurations. They uncover vulnerabilities that automated tools may overlook, providing you with a holistic security solution that keeps your website secure despite its intricacy.

Periodic security assessment

To stay ahead of new emerging threats, regular security assessments are central. Combining automated security scans with periodic manual security inspection offers an extra layer of scrutiny. 

Manual security examinations allow for a more thorough analysis of your website’s security posture, help verify the effectiveness of implemented security measures, and identify emerging threats not covered by automated tools. It’s this proactive approach that can make all the difference in safeguarding your online presence.

Compliance requirements

Certain industries or regulatory bodies mandate regular security audits or assessments. For instance, organizations dealing with payment card data must comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which requires periodic security assessments. 

A manual security audit is not just a checkbox; it’s your means of ensuring compliance, maintaining a secure environment for sensitive data, upholding trust, and protecting your reputation.

Website redesign or major updates

When you’re planning a significant website redesign or implementing major updates, security should be at the forefront. In-depth security checks are a wise investment during these transitions. It identifies security gaps that might arise due to the redesign or the introduction of new functionalities. 

This proactive approach ensures that your website maintains a robust security posture throughout the development and deployment process, safeguarding both your current and future digital endeavors.

Prevent malware attacks on your WordPress website with Codeable

While safeguarding your WordPress website against malware attacks requires vigilance and expertise, there’s a solution that offers both convenience and peace of mind. Enter Codeable, your unrivaled destination for WordPress development and security solutions.

Codeable is not just another freelance platform; it’s your gateway to a community of carefully vetted professionals who possess a wealth of experience in all things WordPress and WooCommerce. Their skill set spans the masterful handling of intricate security complexities, fortifying your site’s defenses, and dealing with the aftermath of a security incident.

We have the experts you need to conduct a thorough manual security audit, meticulously assess your website’s vulnerabilities, review your code, and provide actionable insights to enhance your security posture. Our specialists can also effectively and efficiently identify and remove malware lurking in the shadows, restoring your website to a pristine state.
Don’t leave your website’s security to chance. Submit your project to Codeable today and take the ultimate step in securing your WordPress website!

The post How to Prevent Malware Attacks on WordPress appeared first on Codeable.

Enter PHP frameworks – the key to unlocking a new realm of possibilities for your WordPress website. However, with great potential comes great responsibility, and choosing the right path for your digital journey is no simple task.

One specific PHP framework that has been making waves in the world of web development is Laravel. In this article, we will delve deep into the very essence of why PHP frameworks have become the secret weapons of the web development elite. We will also unveil the captivating reasons that make Laravel a prime contender for enhancing your WordPress site.

Without further ado, let’s venture into the transformative force you might’ve been searching for to elevate your online presence: the fusion of WordPress and Laravel!

Why integrate your WordPress website with a PHP framework?

At its core, a PHP framework is a meticulously crafted collection of reusable, pre-written code  – in the form of libraries and tools – that helps developers build web applications using the PHP programming language. 

Its primary purpose is to simplify and expedite the web development process, allowing developers to build robust web applications with efficiency and maintainability. That’s because it provides a structured and organized way to develop web applications by offering reusable code components, architectural patterns, and best practices.

The joint capabilities of WordPress’ content management and a PHP framework’s development power and flexibility can offer your site remarkable benefits, such as:

Customization and unique functionality

Using a PHP framework like Laravel empowers you to extend your WordPress website far beyond its standard features. You gain the ability to craft custom functionalities, modules, and components tailored precisely to your business’s unique needs. It also enables you to offer an unparalleled user experience.

Enhanced performance and scalability

PHP frameworks come armed with an arsenal of performance optimization features, including caching mechanisms, database query optimization, and robust queuing systems. 

Furthermore, Laravel’s scalability ensures that your website can gracefully handle increased traffic and accommodate future growth.

Streamlined business processes

Many PHP schemas follow the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern and offer a suite of powerful tools for developing intricate business logic and workflows. 

This translates to the ability to automate and streamline your business processes, be it order management, customer interactions, inventory tracking, or more.

Integration with external systems

Laravel, especially, is renowned for its robust support in building Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). 

This makes it considerably easier to integrate your WordPress website with external systems and services like payment gateways, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, email marketing platforms, and various other third-party tools that are instrumental to your business operations.

Future-proofing and flexibility

Integrating your WordPress site with a PHP scaffold forms an architecture that’s modular and extensible. It consists of reusable components and modules, ensuring flexibility for adaptation and evolution. 

This can empower you to continue adding new features, integrating emerging technologies, and harnessing ongoing PHP web development advancements.

Now, the question still remains: what PHP framework in particular is the ideal choice for your unique WordPress development needs?

Let’s explore the options in the next section.

Do all PHP frameworks offer the same functionality?

Now that we’ve established the advantages of incorporating a PHP framework with WordPress, it’s essential to recognize that not all PHP frameworks are created equal. 

Each framework comes with its own unique set of features, architecture, community support, and development philosophy. These differences mean that the framework you choose can significantly impact your web development endeavor. 

Laravel

Laravel has gained immense popularity for its elegant and expressive syntax, making it a top choice for modern web application development. Some of its standout features include:

• Expressive Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) – Eloquent: Laravel’s Eloquent ORM allows developers to work with databases using intuitive, object-oriented syntax. It simplifies database operations, making it easier to interact with database tables and records.
• Powerful routing system: Laravel boasts a robust routing system that simplifies the creation of clean, user-friendly URLs. Developers can define routes and link them to controllers effortlessly, enhancing the organization of application logic.
• Rich ecosystem: This ecosystem includes a wide range of packages and extensions, known as “Laravel packages”, that cover various functionalities, such as authentication, payment processing, and more, reducing the need for reinventing the wheel.

• Blade templating engine: Blade is Laravel’s templating engine, known for its simplicity and power. It allows developers to create reusable templates and includes features like template inheritance and control structures for dynamic content rendering.
• Excellent documentation: Laravel is praised for its comprehensive and well-maintained documentation. It’s a valuable resource for both newcomers and experienced developers, offering clear explanations and code samples.
• Artisan CLI: The Artisan command-line tool simplifies common development tasks, such as database migrations, seeding databases with test data, and generating boilerplate code for controllers and models.
• Community support: Laravel has a vibrant and active community, contributing to its continuous improvement and ensuring access to a wealth of resources, tutorials, and plugins.

This framework’s emphasis on developer productivity makes it well-suited for projects ranging from small-scale applications to large and complex web solutions.

Symfony

Symfony is known for its mature and reliable foundation, focusing on modularity and reusability. Key features and characteristics of Symfony include:

• Modular component system: Symfony is built on a set of reusable and independent components. This modular architecture allows developers to pick and choose specific components as needed, making it highly adaptable to various project requirements.
• Flexibility: This PHP development medium doesn’t impose strict development patterns, enabling developers to structure their applications according to their preferences while adhering to best practices.
• Robust security: Symfony is renowned for its emphasis on security. It provides built-in security features and follows security best practices, making it a safe choice for applications that handle sensitive data.
• Extensive documentation: The documentation includes essential information, detailed guides, tutorials, and API references. It is invaluable for developers looking to harness the full potential of Symfony’s components.
• Large community: Symfony boasts a sizable and active community of developers and contributors. This community-driven approach ensures ongoing support, updates, and a wealth of resources.

This PHP framework’s versatility and focus on reusable components make it suitable for projects of any size, from small applications to large-scale enterprise solutions.

CodeIgniter

CodeIgniter is celebrated for its simplicity, lightweight nature, and rapid development capabilities. Its key attributes include:

• Small footprint: CodeIgniter maintains a small and efficient footprint, making it a great choice for projects where resource efficiency is essential.
• Minimal configuration: Unlike some other PHP frameworks, CodeIgniter requires minimal configuration. Developers can start coding quickly without spending time on complex setup procedures.
• Ease of use: Designed to be beginner-friendly, CodeIgniter provides clear and straightforward documentation and follows the MVC pattern, simplifying code organization.
• Active community: While not as large as some other frameworks, CodeIgniter has a dedicated and supportive community. Developers can find forums, tutorials, and plugins to assist with their projects.

CodeIgniter is an excellent option for smaller web applications or for developers who prefer a lightweight framework with a gentle learning curve.

CakePHP

CakePHP focuses on convention over configuration and aims to streamline development. Its notable features include:

• Conventional coding: CakePHP encourages developers to follow conventions, reducing the need for extensive configuration. This promotes consistency and accelerates development.
• Database ORM: CakePHP includes a robust Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) tool that simplifies database interactions. It allows developers to work with databases using PHP classes and methods.
• Scaffolding: This attribute of CakePHP generates code for basic CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations, helping developers get started quickly.
• Validation: This framework includes built-in validation features that make it easier to ensure data integrity and security.
• Simple and elegant coding style: CakePHP promotes a clean and elegant coding style that is easy to read and maintain.

CakePHP’s emphasis on convention, simplicity, and structured development makes it an attractive choice for developers who prefer a straightforward and organized approach to coding.

Zend (now Laminas)

Zend, now known as Laminas, is renowned for its flexibility, modularity, and adherence to industry standards. Its noteworthy characteristics include:

• Modular architecture: Laminas is built on a modular architecture, allowing developers to use specific components independently. This modularity promotes code reusability and flexibility.
• Enterprise-grade features: Laminas is well-suited for building complex, enterprise-level applications. It includes features such as robust security components, authentication, and authorization.
• Adherence to standards: This continuation project of Zend emphasizes adherence to industry standards, ensuring compatibility with other libraries and frameworks.
• Extensible: Developers can extend Laminas by creating custom modules and components, tailoring the framework to their specific project requirements.
• Community and support: Laminas benefits from a strong community of developers and offers comprehensive documentation and tutorials.

Laminas is an excellent choice for projects that require a high degree of customization and scalability, especially in enterprise and large-scale application development.

When choosing the right framework for your WordPress website, it’s essential to consider your specific needs, project size, and development preferences.

Why choose Laravel as your PHP framework for WordPress?

If you’re not a technical WordPress user, the idea of selecting the right PHP framework for your WordPress website may seem daunting. It involves understanding why and when Laravel, in particular, could be the best choice. However, at its core, this decision hinges on one fundamental question: which PHP framework will enable you to achieve your desired functionality with the utmost ease for developers?

Here are compelling reasons why developers often recommend Laravel over other PHP frameworks for WordPress integration:

Elegant syntax and developer experience

Laravel emphasizes developer experience and code readability. Its elegant and expressive syntax is a testament to this philosophy. By prioritizing clean and organized code, Laravel makes development not only efficient but also enjoyable. 

The result? A reduced learning curve for new developers who can quickly become productive members of your team.

Rich MVC architecture

Laravel adheres to the model-view-controller architectural pattern, a hallmark of modern web application development. This pattern promotes the separation of concerns, ensuring that logic, presentation, and data layers remain distinct entities. 

Such clear separation enhances code maintainability, scalability, and testability. In practice, this means easier development, efficient testing, and seamless future updates.

Fluent query builder with Eloquent ORM

Laravel’s Eloquent ORM stands out as a potent and intuitive database abstraction layer. It simplifies database operations by allowing developers to interact with database records as objects. 

What’s more, Eloquent offers an expressive syntax for querying data, making database interactions more human-readable and developer-friendly. With support for various database systems and features like eager loading, relationships, and query caching, Eloquent empowers developers to work efficiently with data.

Powerful feature set

Aside from the previously mentioned key attributes, Laravel comes equipped with even more built-in features and packages. These include:

• Robust routing: Laravel offers a powerful routing system that simplifies URL handling and route definition.
• Middleware support: Middleware allows developers to filter HTTP requests entering your application. It’s invaluable for tasks like authentication, logging, and more.
• Authentication and authorization: Laravel simplifies user authentication and authorization with built-in mechanisms, helping you secure your application effortlessly.
• Queuing system: Laravel supports a queuing system that enables background processing of tasks, enhancing application responsiveness and scalability.
• Caching: Laravel offers caching support, helping to improve application performance by storing frequently used data in memory.
• Command-line precision: Whether you need to generate code skeletons, run database migrations, manage schema changes, or create custom commands, Laravel’s Artisan command-line tool simplifies these common development chores, boosting productivity and reducing the potential for errors.
• Tools for server management: Laravel Forge simplifies server management, while Laravel Vapor offers serverless deployment options.

These characteristics, among many others, empower you to build scalable and secure web applications efficiently.

But if you’re still uncertain about which PHP framework best aligns with your website’s requirements, consider consulting with an experienced developer, such as one of our Codeable experts. 

Our marketplace connects you with a vast pool of over 700 WordPress and WooCommerce experts, ensuring you’ll be matched with the right developer for your integration project. 

Is integrating WordPress with Laravel challenging?

Integrating Laravel with WordPress can indeed be a bit complicated due to architectural and conceptual differences between WordPress and Laravel. Let’s unpack this.

• When integrating Laravel with WordPress, you may need to map the existing WordPress database tables to Laravel’s Eloquent models or establish a connection to the WordPress database directly. This ensures that the two systems can interact seamlessly, with data consistency and integrity.
• Developers need to find a way to ensure a consistent user experience across both systems, making the transition between Laravel and WordPress elements smooth and visually cohesive. 
• Laravel has its own authentication mechanisms, which may differ from the user management system in WordPress. When integrating the two, developers might need to create custom logic to synchronize user data and manage authentication between Laravel and WordPress. This ensures that users can seamlessly interact with different parts of your website without having to repeatedly log in.
• Laravel has its own routing system, which may conflict with the existing routing structure in WordPress. Ensuring that both systems coexist peacefully and that URLs resolve correctly requires thoughtful routing configuration and possibly some custom routing logic.

The good news is that these integration challenges shouldn’t deter you from harnessing the combined power of Laravel and WordPress!

Experienced developers, such as those available through our Codeable network of Laravel experts, are well-versed in addressing these issues and can seamlessly integrate Laravel with your WordPress website.

Our Laravel developers possess the knowledge and expertise to ensure a smooth and effective integration. They employ various techniques and best practices, such as:

• Using Composer: Laravel and WordPress can coexist within the same project thanks to Composer, a popular PHP dependency management tool. Developers can leverage Composer to manage the dependencies of both systems and ensure compatibility.
• Utilizing Laravel packages: Laravel offers a vast ecosystem of packages that can simplify integration with WordPress. These packages address common integration challenges and provide solutions for seamless coexistence.
• Creating custom Laravel APIs: Our expert developers can build custom APIs in Laravel that enable communication between WordPress and Laravel. This approach allows for efficient data sharing and interaction between the two systems.
• Implement a headless CMS approach: Some projects opt for a “headless CMS” approach, where Laravel serves as the backend, handling data, logic, and API interactions, while WordPress focuses solely on content management and presentation. This approach provides maximum flexibility and control.

If you’re eager to dive deeper into the realm of integrating WordPress with Laravel and explore common applications for this integration, check out our full guide to Laravel and WordPress. It’ll provide you with invaluable insights into the intricacies of combining these two powerful platforms to create robust and dynamic web solutions.

By partnering with Codeable, you can harness the full potential of both Laravel and WordPress, resulting in a website that excels in functionality, performance, and user experience.

Get Codeable to handle your Laravel integration project today

When it comes to integrating PHP frameworks with WordPress, you have numerous options to choose from. However, if you find yourself unsure about which framework aligns best with your requirements, consulting with experts can provide invaluable guidance.

At Codeable, we understand that making the right choice for your integration project is essential. Our network of highly experienced developers specializes in a wide range of PHP frameworks, including Laravel. They possess the knowledge and skills to seamlessly integrate Laravel with WordPress, ensuring that your website meets your functional, performance, and user experience objectives.

So don’t hesitate. Submit your project to Codeable today and not only get an expert developer but gain a trusted partner committed to delivering exceptional results for your WordPress and Laravel integration project!

The post Is Laravel the Right PHP Framework for Your WordPress Website? appeared first on Codeable.

If so, you’ve likely heard about WordPress membership themes. But what exactly is a WordPress membership theme, and how can it transform your website into a thriving online hub? 

In this article, we’ll delve into the world of WordPress membership themes and discover how they can elevate your online presence. We’ll also unravel the 13 best membership website themes for WordPress sites to help you kickstart your endeavor!

What is a WordPress membership theme?

A WordPress membership theme is a specialized theme designed to facilitate membership-based websites, offering exclusive content and interaction to registered users. 

In other words, it’s your golden ticket to creating a community or subscription-based platform, perfect for bloggers, businesses, and creators like you. With 76% of business owners saying that subscription-based products boost customer retention coupled with the fact that a 5% rise in customer retention can increase revenue between 25-95%, it’s no wonder that launching subscription-based membership sites is becoming increasingly popular among entrepreneurs. 

Subscription-based membership sites better enable you to engage with loyal customers while simultaneously generating a steady monthly/yearly revenue – it’s a win-win!

But that’s not all.

Why use a WordPress membership theme?

• Easy setup and configuration: Unlike custom coding or complex website builders, WordPress offers a user-friendly and intuitive interface that’s perfect for beginners. Most membership themes come with step-by-step guides and intuitive customization options, ensuring that even those with minimal technical experience can have their website up and running in no time.
• Exclusive content: Membership themes allow you to share exclusive content with your registered users, whether it’s premium articles, tutorials, videos, or any other valuable resources.
• Monetization: If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, you can use membership themes to monetize your website by offering premium subscriptions, turning your passion into a profitable venture.
• Customization: WordPress membership themes are highly customizable, giving you the creative freedom to design your website as you envision it. You can choose from various layouts, color schemes, and typography options to make your website truly yours.
• Membership levels and subscription management: WordPress membership themes provide you with the tools to create different membership levels, making it easy to cater to a diverse audience. Whether you want to offer free, basic, premium, or VIP access, these themes come with built-in features for managing subscriptions effortlessly.
• Diverse and flexible payment options: When it comes to monetizing your website, you’ll want flexibility. WordPress membership themes support various payment gateways, allowing you to choose the one that suits you and your audience best. PayPal, Stripe, credit cards, and even cryptocurrency options can be easily integrated, ensuring that you can reach a global audience with ease.
• Built-in community features: Building a thriving online community is essential for many website owners, and WordPress membership themes offer features for this purpose. You can create discussion forums, interactive chat rooms, and member profiles, fostering a sense of belonging and interaction among your members. This community aspect is excellent for retaining subscribers and growing your website’s reach.
• Personalized user experience: WordPress membership themes offer member profiles and dashboard customization options, enabling your members to tailor their experience on your website. Personalization not only keeps members engaged but also enhances user satisfaction.
• Scalability: As your website grows, you’ll need a solution that can scale with your success. WordPress membership themes are highly customizable, so you can adapt and expand your website as your audience and offerings grow. This scalability is crucial for those looking to turn their passion into a profitable venture.
• Support and updates: Reputable membership themes usually come with ongoing support and updates, ensuring your website stays secure and functional.

Do You Need a Dedicated WordPress Membership Theme?

The answer depends on your website’s unique requirements, your budget, and your technical skills. If you’re a beginner looking for an easier setup, a dedicated theme might be the right choice. 

However, if you’re comfortable with WordPress and want more flexibility and cost savings, a regular theme with membership plugins might be the way to go.

Dedicated WordPress membership themes

• Designed specifically for creating membership websites. They come with built-in membership site features for user registration, content protection, and payment processing, making the setup process significantly easier for beginners.
• Offer a streamlined user experience for both you and your members. You won’t need to juggle multiple plugins, reducing the chances of compatibility issues and speeding up your site.
• Restrict access to content based on membership levels. You have granular control over who sees what, ensuring a secure and exclusive experience for your members.
• Come with various monetization options, such as subscription models, one-time purchases, or free trials. You can easily implement different pricing tiers, encouraging more users to join.
• Provide reliable customer support and regular updates. This is crucial for beginners who might encounter technical issues along the way.

Regular WordPress themes

• Offer a wide range of designs, catering to different niches. You can find themes for blogs, eCommerce, portfolios, and more. They allow you to customize your site’s look and feel according to your preferences.
• Ideal for websites that don’t rely heavily on membership features. If your primary goal is content sharing, blogging, or showcasing a portfolio, a regular theme might suffice.
• To create a membership site with a regular theme, you’ll need to rely on various plugins, which can make your site complex. You might need a plugin for user registration, another for content restriction, and more for payment processing. This can lead to compatibility issues and potentially slow down your site.
• Cheaper or even free, but the cost of purchasing necessary plugins can quickly add up.

That said, if you’re serious about creating and launching a WordPress membership site, it’s worth opting for a premium WordPress theme designed explicitly for this purpose. Generally speaking, these themes come with features designed expressly with membership sites in mind. 

Often, these include:

• Restricting content based on the user’s membership level
• Compatibility with popular membership plugins (such as Paid Memberships Pro)
• Supporting eCommerce features to enable you to monetize your membership site
• Access to pre-designed membership pages, including user profiles, groups, newsfeeds, messaging, etc.

The top 13 dedicated WordPress membership themes

NB: None of these brands are affiliated with Codeable in any way. We’ve just handpicked this selection because, in our opinion, these popular WordPress membership themes have the most to offer.

1. Divi

Divi is a highly popular and versatile WordPress theme with a built-in visual builder. With its modules that integrate well with popular membership plugins, you can easily build membership site elements.

Key features

• Visual builder technology: Divi comes with a drag-and-drop visual builder, allowing you to design your membership site in real time and see the changes instantly.
• Modules: Divi provides a vast array of modules (elements) like call-to-actions (CTAs), sliders, forms, testimonials, and more, which can be used to design unique membership pages.
• Layout library:  This WP theme offers hundreds of pre-made layouts and templates, some of which can be adapted for membership sites, saving time on design.
• Split testing: Its Leads tool allows you to perform A/B tests on your pages, which can be useful to optimize the landing and registration pages of your membership site.
• Custom CSS control: For advanced users, Divi allows the addition of custom CSS, giving more control over the design and functionality.
• Integration with popular plugins: Divi integrates seamlessly with popular membership plugins like MemberPress, Restrict Content Pro, and more, ensuring you can add membership functionality without compatibility issues.
• Security: This theme has been built with robust security measures, and Elegant Themes often releases updates to ensure the theme remains secure.
• Lead generation: Divi comes with built-in tools for lead generation, such as opt-in forms, which can be integrated with popular email marketing platforms.
• Monetization features: With Divi’s customizable modules, you can easily set up areas for advertisements or sponsored content, providing monetization opportunities.

2. Astra

The Astra theme is known for its flexibility, performance, and deep compatibility with various plugins, making it a favorite among many WordPress users, including those who run membership sites.

Key features

• Performance optimized: Astra is lightweight and built for speed, ensuring that your membership site loads quickly, which is essential for user experience and retention.
• Customization: Astra offers extensive customization options through the WordPress Customizer. You can modify layouts, colors, typography, and more without needing to code.
• Starter templates: This theme provider provides a library of pre-built website demos, including templates suitable for membership sites. These can be imported and customized as needed.
• Plugin compatibility: It is compatible with popular membership plugins like MemberPress, Restrict Content Pro, and Paid Memberships Pro, ensuring seamless integration.
• WooCommerce integration: If you’re planning to sell memberships or related products, Astra’s deep integration with WooCommerce can be beneficial.
• Translation & RTL ready: If you have a global audience, Astra supports translations and is RTL (Right-to-Left) language ready.
• Hooks and filters: For advanced customizations, Astra offers numerous hooks and filters, allowing developers to modify or extend the theme’s functionality as needed for membership-specific features.
• Accessibility ready: Astra is built with accessibility in mind, ensuring that your membership site is usable by all, including those with disabilities.
• Integration with page builders: Astra works seamlessly with popular page builders like Elementor, Beaver Builder, and Brizy, allowing for more design flexibility for membership pages.
• Security: Astra follows best coding practices and is built with security in mind, ensuring that your membership data and content are protected.

3. Aardvark

Aardvark is a community-focused theme that can be used for membership sites, online courses, and more. It integrates well with the BuddyPress and bbPress plugins to provide social networking and forum functionality. It comes bundled with a bunch of other premium plugins, including Ultimate Reviewer, Sensei Certificates, LayerSlider, and more. 

Key features

• Integration with BuddyPress: BuddyPress allows you to build any kind of community website using WordPress, with member profiles, activity streams, user groups, messaging, and more.
• Integration with bbPress: For users who want to add forums to their site, Aardvark fully supports the bbPress plugin.
• Online courses: With the integration of the Sensei plugin (sold separately), Aardvark can be used to create and sell online courses.
• Paid membership levels: Integrated with the Paid Memberships Pro plugin, Aardvark can set up paid membership levels, restrict content, and charge users for accessing certain parts of the site.
• Multiple homepages: The theme offers several pre-designed homepage templates that cater to different needs.
• Customization: The theme provides a powerful customization panel that allows you to tweak almost any element, from colors to fonts and layout structures.
• Responsive design: Ensures that the website looks great on all devices, including mobiles and tablets.
• WooCommerce integration: Aardvark supports the WooCommerce plugin, which means you can set up an online shop alongside your community or membership site.
• SEO optimized: The theme is designed with SEO best practices in mind, ensuring a better chance of ranking well in search engines.
• Ajax filtering and sorting: Offers dynamic ways to filter and sort content, improving the user experience.
• Social sharing features: Integrated tools for sharing your content on popular social networks.
• Drag and drop page builder: Integrated with the WPBakery Page Builder (formerly Visual Composer) for easy page creation and customization.

4. OneCommunity

OneCommunity is a popular WordPress theme designed primarily for community and membership sites, leveraging the power of the BuddyPress plugin.

Key features

• Drag and drop page builder: The theme comes with a built-in drag and drop page builder, making it easy for site administrators to design and customize pages without needing to write code.
• Responsive design: OneCommunity is designed to be fully responsive, ensuring that the website looks and functions well on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
• Retina ready: This theme supports high-resolution displays, ensuring that images and content appear crisp on retina devices.
• Ajax search: It enhances the user experience by providing instant search results without reloading the page.
• Pop-up login & register forms: Users can quickly log in or sign up on the site through pop-up forms, improving user experience.
• Translation ready: OneCommunity is ready for translation, allowing administrators to easily translate the site into different languages.
• RTMedia integration: This integration allows users to upload media like photos, videos, and audio directly to their profiles or groups.
• Memberships and subscriptions: Through integration with plugins like Paid Memberships Pro or MemberPress, OneCommunity can handle paid memberships, subscriptions, and restricted content.
• Privacy features: OneCommunity offers features that let users manage their privacy settings, deciding what information they want to share and with whom.

5. Vayvo

Vavyo is a WordPress membership theme with a shared focus on media streaming. This makes it great for video creators and those offering online courses. 

Key features

• User registration and management: The ability for users to register, log in, and manage their profiles.
• Content protection: Restrict access to specific content based on membership levels or user roles.
• Subscription management: Handle recurring payments, subscription tiers, and provide options for free trials or discounts.
• Integration with payment gateways: Seamless integration with popular payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, etc.
• Content dripping: Release content to users gradually over time rather than all at once.
• Community features: Integration with forums, social networking plugins, or other community-building tools.
• Email integration: Send out automated emails for things like welcome messages, subscription reminders, etc.
• Reporting and analytics: Track membership growth, revenue, user activity, etc.
• Speed and performance: Optimization for faster loading times and smoother user experiences.

6. Gwangi

Gwangi is another dedicated WordPress membership theme specifically designed for entrepreneurs looking to launch online communities, paid and free membership areas, dating sites, e-learning communities, and more. Users have also used Gwangi to sell digital and physical products, organize events, and offer coaching services. 

Key features

• BuddyPress integration: Gwangi is fully integrated with BuddyPress, allowing users to create profiles, post messages, make connections, and more.
• Advanced search: It offers an advanced search functionality where members can search for other members based on various criteria.
• Drag-and-drop page builder: Gwangi often comes bundled with popular page builders like Elementor, making it easy for users to design and customize their pages.
• Events management: The theme can integrate with events plugins, enabling users to create and manage events.
• Multiple layouts: Gwangi provides various layout options for profile pages, directory pages, and more.
• Monetization options: Site owners can generate revenue by setting up paid memberships, selling products, or placing ads on their site.
• SEO optimized: The theme is coded with best SEO practices in mind to help your site rank better in search engines.
• Custom widgets: Gwangi comes with several custom widgets that are specifically designed for social networking and community sites.
• Premium support: Purchasers of the PRO version often get access to premium support, ensuring any issues or questions are addressed promptly.
• Regular updates: The theme is regularly updated to ensure compatibility with the latest WordPress version and to add new features.
• Multiple demos: Gwangi typically offers multiple demo versions, allowing users to choose a design that best fits their needs and then import the demo content to get started quickly.

7. Thrive

Thrive is a WordPress theme tailored for online communities, memberships, courses, and forums. It’s built to integrate seamlessly with tools like BuddyPress, bbPress, and WooCommerce, making it versatile for a variety of online community projects.

Key features

• BuddyPress, bbPress, and WooCommerce integration: Like Aardvark, Thrive offers deep integration with BuddyPress, enabling features like user profiles, activity streams, notifications, forum creation and management, and more.
• Live customizer: Thrive offers a live customizer feature, which means you can see changes in real time as you customize the theme to fit your brand or preference.
• Drag and drop page builder: It provides a user-friendly page builder for crafting your website layout without any coding.
• Responsive design: The theme is optimized to look and function well on all devices, whether it’s desktop, tablet, or mobile.
• Translation & RTL ready: This ensures the theme can be used for multilingual sites and supports right-to-left languages.
• Event calendar integration: Manage and showcase events directly on your website.
• File sharing: Members or users can share and manage files, which is especially useful for community sites focused on collaboration.
• Polls: Create and manage polls to engage your community and gather opinions.
• Knowledge base: Set up a knowledge base or FAQ section to help guide and support your community members.
• One-click demo import: Helps in quickly setting up the site to look like the demo, which can then be customized as per requirements.

8. BuddyBoss

BuddyBoss is a popular platform for building community, membership, courses, and eLearning sites on WordPress. 

Key features

• User profiles: Allows for the creation of detailed user profiles, including custom profile fields, profile photos, and cover images.
• Social groups: Users can create and join groups, making it easier for members with similar interests to connect.
• Private messaging: Enables private, direct communication between members.
• Activity feeds: A social feed where users can post updates, comment, and engage with content, similar to popular social networks.
• Forums: Integration with bbPress allows for the creation of discussion forums where members can engage in conversations.
• Notifications: Users receive real-time notifications for various activities like mentions, likes, or when someone replies to their updates.
• Friend connections: Members can send and receive friend requests, promoting networking within the community.
• Content restrictions: You can restrict access to specific content, making it accessible only to registered members or specific membership levels.
• Membership subscriptions: Integration with popular membership plugins like MemberPress or Paid Memberships Pro allows for the creation of free and paid membership levels.
• Online courses: BuddyBoss seamlessly integrates with LearnDash, enabling the creation of online courses. This includes features for quizzes, certificates, and course progress tracking.
• Mobile app: BuddyBoss offers a mobile app solution, allowing your members to access the community on the go.
• Customizable branding: Easily customize the look and feel of your membership site to match your brand.
• Extensions and integrations: BuddyBoss is compatible with a range of WordPress plugins and offers extensions for added functionality.
• Sell digital products: Integration with WooCommerce allows for the selling of digital products, subscriptions, and more.
• Private community option: If needed, you can make your community entirely private, ensuring access only to registered members.
• Document and file sharing: Members can upload and share documents or files within the community.

9, Membershiply

Aptly named, Membershiply is a WordPress theme explicitly designed for membership areas and online communities. It’s responsive and loaded with helpful membership site features.

Key features

• Content protection: Restrict access to specific content, ensuring that only registered members can view it.
• Membership levels: Allow the creation of multiple membership tiers, each with its own set of privileges and pricing.
• Recurring payments: Integrate with payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and others for automatic recurring billing.
• Content dripping: Release content to members on a schedule rather than all at once.
• Integration with email marketing services: Connect with tools like MailChimp, ConvertKit, etc., to manage member communication.
• Registration and login forms: Customizable forms for user registration, login, and profile management.
• Community features: Features that enable discussions, forums, or social networking among members.
• Analytics and reporting: Track member activity, revenue, and other essential metrics.
• Flexible pricing options: Offer trial periods, discount codes, and various payment terms.
• Easy member management: Search, filter, and manage members directly from the WordPress dashboard.
• Content access controls: Decide which membership levels have access to which content.
• Affiliate program integration: Integrate with affiliate marketing tools to promote your membership site.

10. Memberlite

Memberlite is another first-rate WordPress membership theme that enables you to customize a fully responsive site and edit page layouts, fonts, colors, and more. 

Key features

• Integration with aid Memberships Pro: Memberlite is optimized for use with the Paid Memberships Pro plugin, ensuring seamless integration and enhanced functionality for membership-based features.
• Responsive design: Memberlite is designed to be fully responsive, ensuring that your membership site looks and functions well on all device types, including mobile phones, tablets, and desktops.
• Customizable banner area: This feature allows you to display a unique banner on different pages, which can be customized with a background image, call-to-action button, and text.
• Custom page templates: The theme comes with a variety of custom page templates, including landing pages, login pages, pricing tables, and more, to enhance the user experience.
• Sticky posts highlighting: Sticky posts are highlighted in a unique way, ensuring that they stand out on your blog or news feed.
• Custom widgets: Memberlite offers several custom widgets, such as recent posts with thumbnails, which can be added to various widgetized areas of your site.
• Enhanced member navigation: The theme provides an improved navigation menu for members, making it easier for them to access important sections of your site.
• Shortcodes: Memberlite comes with a range of shortcodes that can be used to add various functionalities and design elements to your pages and posts.

11. BuddyX

BuddyX is perfect for brands with a playful, friendly appeal. It comes with beautifully styled post types exuding lighthearted, positive vibes. It also supports enriched blog listing layouts to liven up your blog.

Key features

• BuddyPress compatibility: BuddyX is designed to be fully compatible with BuddyPress, making it easier to create online communities or social networks.
• Responsive design: The theme is designed to be responsive, which means it adjusts to fit various screen sizes, from desktop monitors to mobile devices.
• Multiple header and footer options: Users can choose from various header and footer layouts to customize their website’s appearance.
• Integration with popular plugins: Apart from BuddyPress and WooCommerce, BuddyX is compatible with popular plugins like bbPress, LearnDash, and more.
• Performance optimized: BuddyX is built with performance in mind, ensuring that websites load quickly and run smoothly.
• Dark mode: A feature growing in popularity, BuddyX offers a dark mode option for better nighttime viewing.
• Multiple layouts: BuddyX offers various page layouts, including grid, list, and masonry.
• RTL support: For languages that are read from right to left (like Arabic), BuddyX offers RTL support.

12. Beehive

Beehive is a social network theme for WordPress that requires no coding and is easy to set up. Thanks to its complete compatibility with bbPress and BuddyPress, you can create news feeds, video feeds, groups, and notifications and facilitate likes, comments, messaging, etc.

Key features

• Robust theme controls: Full autonomy over website customization.
• Elementor builder integration: Intuitive drag-and-drop functionality for page design.
• Single-click setup: Swift theme installation with just a click.
• Adaptable layout: Ensures seamless operation across various devices and browsers, offering a mobile-centric experience.
• Font library by Google: Broad selection of typefaces to enhance design.
• Instant messaging & group conversations: Facilitates real-time dialogues among users.
• Direct messaging system: A comprehensive platform for users to share files, text, and emoticons instantly.
• eCommerce ready: Prepared for initiating online transactions.
• Subscription tiers: Integration capability with premium subscription plugins, offering content access based on subscription levels.
• Integrated blogging: A sleek blogging platform with an option for user-contributed content.
• Exclusive user environment: Ability to limit content visibility to registered members.
• User management tools: Mechanisms to oversee, restrict, or report community members.

13. KLEO

Kleo is one of the popular multipurpose WordPress themes with a particular focus on community and membership websites.

Key features

• BuddyPress, bbPress, and WooCommerce integration: Kleo is fully integrated with BuddyPress and bbPress, making it easy to launch a community or social network website. It’s also compatible with WooCommerce, enabling you to set up an online shop alongside your community.
• Drag and drop page builder: Comes with a visual page builder to help you design and create pages without any coding.
• One-click install: Allows users to quickly set up their website using one of the theme’s demo content options.
• Responsive and retina-ready: Kleo is designed to look good on all devices, from desktops to smartphones.
• Live customizer: Offers a live customizer to preview changes in real-time before publishing.
• Multiple Header Styles: Provides various header layouts to suit your site’s branding and design.
• Facebook login integration: Allows users to register or log in using their Facebook accounts.
• Child theme included: Useful for developers who want to make advanced customizations without affecting the main theme.
• Clean code: The theme’s code is optimized for speed and SEO.
• Premium plugins: Comes bundled with several premium plugins like Slider Revolution and Visual Composer.

Unlimited sidebars: Users can create as many sidebars as they need.

Can’t find the ideal membership WordPress theme?

If you’ve not spotted a suitable template for your membership website in the above list, it might be because, at heart, you have a precise vision you would like to see realized. But are these themes missing certain features? Do they simply not represent the look and feel of your brand? 

In that case, you might be better off looking to create your own WordPress membership theme. However, unless you have the experience and skill to do so yourself, your best bet is to engage a professional WordPress developer. They can create custom plugin integrations, customize a highly specific WordPress theme, add your desired functionality to your membership site, and much more.

Hire a codeable developer to build your own

Working with a professional web developer is an excellent experience if you find the right match for your requirements. This is where Codeable comes in. Codeable connects you with experienced WordPress developers who specialize in theme customization. Every expert is carefully vetted, so you can rest easy knowing they’ll get the job done to an impeccable standard. Codeable also provides a safe payment system that deposits your funds in escrow and only releases them when you’re 100% satisfied with the results.

Are you ready to design your membership site?

As you can see, with a dedicated membership theme, you can create a successful and great-looking membership site. Many of our top 13 contenders come with vast customization potential and integrate with front-end drag-and-drop page builders like Elementor, making web design a breeze. In addition, all of the WordPress themes mentioned above are responsive and integrate seamlessly with BuddyPress and bbPress.

The post The 13 Best WordPress Membership Themes appeared first on Codeable.

Categories are an essential part of every website because they help organize your content and make it easier for visitors to find what they are looking for. When a site visitor clicks on a specific category on your site, they’ll get taken to a dedicated category page where they can view all of the content related to that category.

WordPress themes typically have built-in templates to showcase your category pages, but not all themes handle your category pages equally well, which is why you may want to create a WordPress category template of your own or tweak the way your content is displayed.

Depending on your website, you might even want to customize the way each category page looks, which means you’ll need to amend or create a new category template. This article will show you how to create a custom category page in WordPress.

Why would you want to create a custom WordPress categories template?

Your WordPress theme will determine the way your default categories page template looks – and it may not be to your taste or even suited to your content.

You may find yourself in a position where you’d like to keep your theme, but you want to change one element on your categories page. Here’s where creating a custom category page in WordPress comes into play. You may want to: 

• Add a banner image above the category list 
• Add an image next to each category title to improve navigation and discoverability
• Redesigning the category list
• Add features like drop-down menus to select different categories or sub-categories 
• Change the colors of the category list or add a background image
• Display different category lists on different pages of your website
• Add a description of specific categories on their site 
• Change a selected category template to look different from the others

Ultimately, customizing your categories template can help you improve the look and feel of your website and can help you improve the user experience of your website since users will have a better time searching for content by category.

But the usefulness of a custom categories template doesn’t end there.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) benefits

Custom templates allow you to optimize your category pages for search engines and improve the user experience, which can positively impact your search engine rankings. Let’s unpack this.

• Improved on-page SEO: Custom templates enable you to optimize the on-page SEO elements, such as meta titles, meta descriptions, and header tags, for each category. This can help search engines understand the content and relevance of your category pages better.
• Content organization: Custom templates allow you to structure category pages in a way that makes sense for your specific content. Organized categories help users and search engines navigate your site more easily.
• Keyword optimization: You can target specific keywords and phrases for each category, optimizing the content, headings, and meta information accordingly, which can help your category pages rank higher for relevant search queries.
• Schema markup: Schema markup can provide search engines with additional information about your content, potentially leading to rich snippets in search results, which can improve click-through rates. Custom category templates make this easy.
• Faster loading speed: By designing a custom template with performance in mind, you can ensure that your categories page loads quickly. Page speed is a known ranking factor for search engines, and a faster website can provide a better user experience.
• Mobile responsiveness: Custom templates allow you to create a responsive design that works well on mobile devices. Since mobile-friendliness is a significant SEO factor, this can positively impact your search rankings.
• Canonicalization: Custom templates give you control over how category page URLs are structured. You can set canonical tags to prevent duplicate content issues and indicate which version of a page should be indexed by search engines.
• Structured data: Custom templates can make it easier to implement structured data for specific categories, enabling you to provide more detailed information about your content, which can enhance search engine visibility and boost rankings.

It’s important to note that while custom templates can provide these SEO benefits, the actual impact on your website’s search rankings may vary depending on various factors, including the quality of your content, the competitiveness of your niche, and the overall SEO strategy. 

Custom templates are just one element of a comprehensive SEO strategy, so it’s essential to combine them with other best practices, such as high-quality content and backlink building, to maximize your SEO efforts.

Other advantages

• Design control: With a custom template, you have full control over the design and layout of your category archive pages. You can create a unique and visually appealing design that aligns with your website’s branding and style.
• Improved user experience: Custom templates allow you to tailor the user experience to meet the specific needs of your audience. You can display category-specific information, related posts, or additional navigation options to help users find content more easily. A positive user experience can even lower bounce rates and boost engagement, which can indirectly affect your SEO.
• Content highlighting: You can showcase featured or popular posts within a category, making it easier for users to discover important or trending content within that category.
• Consistency: Custom templates ensure consistency throughout your site. You can maintain a consistent look and feel for category archives, which contributes to a cohesive user experience.
• Custom widgets and features: You can add custom widgets, features, or calls to action specific to each category, enhancing engagement and conversions. For example, you could include category-specific subscription forms or product recommendations.
• Load time optimization: By designing a template optimized for performance, you can ensure that your category pages load quickly, which can improve user satisfaction and SEO.
• Adaptation to niche sites: If you run a niche website with unique content and requirements for different categories, custom templates can help tailor the design and functionality to suit those niches.
• Better analytics: Custom templates can provide better insights into user behavior within specific categories, allowing you to make data-driven decisions for content and website improvements.
• Monetization opportunities: If your website relies on advertising or affiliate marketing, custom templates can help you strategically place ads or affiliate links on category pages, potentially increasing revenue.
• Enhanced branding: Custom templates allow you to emphasize your brand within category pages, helping to reinforce your brand identity.

How to Create a Custom Categories Template in WordPress

Now that you’ve grasped the importance of a customer categories template for your site, It’s time to get to take action.

We’re going to show you how to use different methods to create a custom categories page in WordPress. Some of these will be more complex than others, depending on your technical knowledge.

Please note that before doing any modifications, make sure to back up your entire site before you do anything, just in case something breaks by accident. It’s also good practice to use a child theme instead of editing your actual theme files.

Method 1: Modifying template files

WordPress generates individual category pages for all of your categories, which generates a URL like this: https://example.com/category/fashion

First, determine which page in the template Hierarchy you want to change.

WordPress looks for a template in a pre-defined hierarchical order: category-slug.php → category-id.php → category.php → archive.php → index.php.

WordPress will look for each of these files in turn when trying to load a category page, and if it can’t find it, it moves up the hierarchy. It will start with a category-slug template first (e.g., category-fashion.php) in the above example. 

If it can’t find a category-slug template, it will move up the hierarchy to find a template with the category ID number (e.g., category-2.php). After that, it will look for a generic category template called category.php. 

If WordPress can’t find a generic category, it will look for an archive template like archive.php. If that doesn’t exist, it moves to index.php to display the category. 

If you want to alter a specific category template, you’ll need to:

1. Identify the Category ID and amend the category-id.php file or use the slug to make your edits or additions.
2. Alter the category.php file to amend the template for all categories while also using conditional tags within the category.php file to edit the template for one specific category without having to create individual files. We’ll show you how to do this later on.
3. Locate the correct file you want by going into WordPress > Appearance > Themes > Theme File Editor. From the list of theme files on the right, click on category.php. If you can’t find the category.php file there, look for the archive.php or index.php files.

1. You can create any missing files you want (such as category-slug.php) using SFTP. 

If you’ve followed these steps but can’t locate the correct file, you are probably using a WordPress Theme Framework, so these tips won’t apply to you. 

If you can find the files above, copy the contents into a text editor to make amendments. You can make edits directly in WordPress, but that could easily break your whole site with a PHP error, so it’s not recommended. It’s best to download the file from SFTP and then upload the amended version. 

The way you upload the new file back to WordPress will depend on your host’s file management system. Managed hosts may have a custom dashboard where you can upload files, while other hosts may offer a common file manager like cPanel. FTP is a common option for uploading files to your WordPress backend. 

Most well-managed WordPress hosts, like Kinsta, will have a staging feature where you can upload your amended categories template file and see whether you implemented the changes correctly. If your host offers this feature, you should always use it just to be on the safe side. 

Connect to your WordPress host using your FTP client, and then upload your amended category-slug.php file to the theme directly. Any changes you’ve made to your template will only appear on this category’s archive page. 

If you use this method, you can create templates for as many categories as you want; just make sure to name your field correctly.

Here are a few ways you can edit your category pages:

Adding Text Above Posts

If you want to add static text above your posts (e.g., text that stays the same, regardless of which posts are displayed below), you need to add the following code snippet above the Loop section of your Template file: 

<p>
This is some text that will display at the top of the Category page.
</p>

Adding the Category Name on the Top of the Page 

If this isn’t already part of your template, you can add this code above the Loop: 

<p>Category: <?php single_cat_title(); ?></p>

Displaying Images Linked to Full Posts

If you want to replace post content with images that link to full posts, you need to put featured images into the Excerpt Sections of your post. Then put this code in the template instead of the _content: 

<a href="<?php the_permalink() ?>">
<?php the_excerpt_rss(); ?>
</a>

Method 2: Adding Conditional Tags 

Whenever you create templates for your theme, you should determine whether or not you really need a separate template to do what you want to do. Sometimes the changes you’ve envisioned aren’t too complicated, and you can implement them by adding conditional tags inside a generic template (e.g., category.php). 

Conditional tags can be used in your template files to change which content is displayed and how that content is displayed on a particular page, depending on what conditions are matched to that page.

You can use the conditional tag method for various scenarios, such as: 

• Displaying a line of text only for a particular category.
• Showing a number of posts for a particular category.
• Showing the oldest content first for a particular category.

WordPress supports several conditional tags, e.g., the is_category() tag. You can use this to change templates to display a different output if the condition is matched. 

For example, if you have a category on your site called “Fashion”, you can add the is_category(‘Fashion’) to your template file and then use additional code to determine what should happen when this category is selected. This could include displaying a picture of a dress or fashion week on this category page. 

Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to do this:

1. From your WordPress admin panel, go to Appearance and select Theme File Editor. If you’re using a Block Theme, then navigate to Tools > Theme File Editor instead.
2. On the right-hand side, you will see a list of template files within your theme. Select the template file where you want to add the conditional tags. For this tutorial, we’ll use the category.php file. If you can’t find it, just create it.
3. Inside category.php, locate the area where you want to insert the conditional tags. These tags should be placed in the appropriate location to control the display of content based on certain conditions.
4. Add your conditional tag. For example, if you want to check if the category is ‘Fashion’, you can use the is_category(‘Fashion’) conditional tag. Here’s an example of how you can use it:

This code will only execute the code within the first block if the category is ‘Fashion’; otherwise, it will execute the code in the else block or any other code you specify.

5. Save your changes by clicking the Update File button at the bottom.
6. Test your changes by visiting your website and navigating to the category you applied the conditional tag to (in this case, ‘Fashion’). Make sure that the conditional code works as expected and that the default code is displayed for other categories.

That’s it! You’ve successfully added conditional tags to your WordPress theme template.

Method 3 (Recommend): Use Codeable

Both of these methods are doable if you are quite tech-savvy. The advantage of coding yourself is that you can customize your category templates to look exactly the way you want them to.  However, if you aren’t familiar with coding, it’s probably best not to experiment with making changes on your own. 

You can use the WordPress site editor as a quick fix, but it’s very limited in what you can do, and you probably won’t be able to create a category page that meets your exact specifications. 

The best solution is to use Codeable, a WordPress freelancer platform. Codeable makes finding and hiring a WordPress developer accessible and affordable for everyone, so you can easily find a developer with the knowledge and experience to modify your categories page templates as well as other areas of your store, such as customizing your WooCommerce shop page. 

Codeable only uses vetted WordPress freelancers, which you can access in three easy steps: brief, connect, and collaborate. 

To use Codeable, visit the site and submit your project by describing what you need. It takes an average of 3-5 hours to hear back from Codeable. At this point, you’ll be matched with 1-5 WordPress developers who can complete your project for you. 

You can chat with each developer to see which one is the best fit for your project. You’ll receive a single price estimate, which makes it easier to make a hiring decision based on quality (rather than choosing the cheapest option right away). 

The developer you choose will create a custom category page in WordPress according to your exacting standards.

Quick solutions for some creating custom WordPress categories template issues

Design and layout

Designing a custom layout that aligns with your site’s aesthetics and user preferences can be challenging, especially if you lack design skills.

Solution: Utilize page builder plugins like Elementor or Divi, which provide a visual interface for designing custom page layouts without needing extensive coding or design expertise.

Displaying category content

Displaying posts, images, and other content from specific categories in an attractive way requires customized templates and queries.

Solution: Create custom templates for category pages (e.g., category.php) and use custom queries to fetch and display category-specific content. Plugins like Category Posts Widget or Content Views simplify the process of showing posts.

Custom styling

Ensuring that your custom categories page matches your site’s design might require additional CSS work.

Solution: Create custom CSS to style the elements on your categories page, such as fonts, colors, and layout. Many themes also offer options to customize the styling through the WordPress Customizer.

Navigation

Implementing user-friendly navigation to help visitors explore your categories can be complex.

Solution: Add category links to your main navigation menu. Additionally, you can employ sidebar menus, breadcrumbs, or custom widgets to guide users efficiently through your categories.

Performance

Fetching and displaying category-specific content can slow down your site’s performance.

Solution: Optimize your site for speed by using caching plugins, optimizing images, and ensuring efficient code. Consider implementing lazy loading for images to improve load times.

SEO

Ensuring your custom categories page is SEO-friendly involves optimizing titles, meta descriptions, and SEO settings.

Solution: Install an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math to optimize category page SEO settings. Use descriptive titles, meta descriptions, and alt text for images.

Mobile responsiveness

Making your custom categories page look and function well on mobile devices is essential for user experience.

Solution: Use responsive design techniques in your custom page’s layout. WordPress themes with built-in mobile responsiveness help ensure that your content adapts to various screen sizes.

Dynamic content

Displaying dynamic content within categories, such as featured or recent posts, can be problematic.

Solution: Implement custom queries in your category templates to display dynamic content. Alternatively, use plugins like Category Posts Widget to showcase recent posts within specific categories.

User experience

Providing a seamless user experience requires optimizing load times and navigation.

Solution: Continuously test and optimize your categories page for user experience. Minimize page load times, simplify navigation, and gather user feedback for improvements.

Content updates

Managing and updating content within categories can be time-consuming.

Solution: Create templates that automate the process of displaying and updating content from specific categories. Regularly update and curate category content to keep it fresh and relevant.

Compatibility issues

Custom code or plugins may conflict with your theme or other plugins, leading to compatibility issues.

Solution: Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins up to date. Test your custom categories page after each update to identify and resolve compatibility issues.

Security

Custom pages can be vulnerable to security threats if not properly secured.

Solution: Ensure your WordPress installation is secure with strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and security plugins like Wordfence. Regularly update themes, plugins, and WordPress core to patch security vulnerabilities.

By addressing these challenges with the provided solutions, you can create a custom WordPress categories page that not only looks good but also functions efficiently and offers a positive user experience.

Create a custom WordPress categories page with Codeable

If you want to improve the UX of your site, encourage visitors to check out specific content, or just improve upon a less-than-ideal default template design, you will need to create a custom category page for your WordPress.org site at one stage or another. 

This is especially important if you like the WordPress theme but don’t like the categories template – your only option is to create a custom template. 

If you are confident in your coding skills, you can make these edits yourself. But if you are a novice, Codeable is the best way to find WordPress developers at an affordable rate to build custom pages for your categories.

Your WordPress developer will create a template that looks exactly the way you want it to look. There’s no risk of causing a code error that will crash or destroy your page entirely. 

Why not submit your project and get your free quote today? You’re just a few steps away from getting a custom categories page that fits your exact requirements.

The post Complete Guide to Creating a Custom WordPress Categories Template (2023) appeared first on Codeable.

WooCommerce migration may refer to moving to a totally different eCommerce platform, but for many WooCommerce users who want to stay on the platform, it means moving to a more powerful (and usually more expensive) hosting provider. 

If you’re unsure if this is the step you should take, then this article is for you! We’ll explore the pivotal factors to consider when contemplating a migration for your WooCommerce store. We’ll also delve into the scenarios that often necessitate such a move, the benefits of scaling up, and the essential elements that can make or break a successful transition. 

Remember, this is not just about evolving your online store; it’s about future-proofing your business and ensuring its sustained growth in an ever-competitive digital marketplace. And if this task seems too daunting to you, our Codeable experts can take care of all your WooCommerce scaling and migrating needs!

Why is scalability important for WooCommerce stores?

Scalability emerges as a critical aspect when your WooCommerce store experiences growth or when you harbor ambitious aspirations for expanding your online presence. It’s the strategic move that empowers your store not just to survive but to flourish.

Here are some of the reasons why you might want to scale your WooCommerce site:

Increased sales volume

Picture this: your online store is witnessing a surge in demand. Orders are pouring in, and your customer base is expanding. It’s an exhilarating phase for any business owner, but it’s also a moment fraught with potential challenges. 

Scaling up allows your store to handle a higher volume of orders and transactions with grace and efficiency. It’s the assurance that your business can keep pace with its own success.

As your business grows, you’ll want to ensure that your store can efficiently process and manage these increased sales without experiencing performance issues or bottlenecks. Scalability empowers your website to seamlessly accommodate the growing stream of transactions, ensuring that every customer’s purchase journey is swift and hassle-free.

Enhanced customer experience

Customers expect speed, ease, and reliability when they shop online. Scaling up your WooCommerce store is about providing faster load times, smoother navigation, and a seamless checkout process.

A three-part case study conducted by Mozilla Firefox showed that a reduction of 2.2 seconds in the average load time of a website can increase conversions by 15.4%, and this underscores the importance of enhancing your online store’s speed.

When your store is optimized for scalability, it can handle more concurrent users, resulting in improved user satisfaction and increased conversion rates. Customers will appreciate your website’s seamless and responsive nature, which can be a decisive factor in their decision to make a purchase and return for future transactions.

Handling traffic spikes

Seasonal fluctuations, sudden viral trends, or well-placed promotions can trigger a surge in traffic to your online store. While these moments of heightened interest are opportunities to boost sales, they can also pose challenges if your infrastructure isn’t prepared.

Scaling up ensures that your WooCommerce store can weather the storm of traffic spikes without breaking a sweat. It prevents the nightmare scenario of a website crashing during a peak period, allowing you to capitalize on increased visibility and maintain a positive customer shopping experience.

Expanding product catalog

As your business expands, so should your product catalog. You may want to introduce a broader range of products or offer more variations to cater to diverse customer preferences. However, managing a larger product catalog requires adding items to your store efficiently and in an organized manner.

Scaling up enables you to navigate the intricacies of a larger product inventory seamlessly. It improves inventory management, optimizes search functionality, and ensures that product display remains crisp and responsive. Your customers can easily explore and choose from an expanded catalog, enhancing their overall shopping experience.

Optimizations to consider before you migrate your store

Scaling up your WooCommerce store doesn’t necessarily require a full-scale migration in all cases. Before moving your store to a new platform or hosting provider, you can take several optimization steps within your existing WooCommerce setup to enhance performance and scalability. These optimizations can not only improve your store’s capabilities but also potentially defer the need for migration.

1. Upgrade your hosting plan

The right hosting environment can make all the difference. By sticking with your current hosting provider and moving to a higher-tier hosting plan, you can unlock a treasure trove of benefits. These upgraded plans often provide your store with significantly increased server resources.

These resources may include more CPU power, memory, and storage capacity. With this expanded infrastructure at your disposal, your WooCommerce store gains the ability to handle higher levels of traffic and an increased volume of transactions without a hiccup.

2. Optimize WooCommerce store performance

Caching

Consider implementing a caching mechanism to significantly enhance your WooCommerce store’s performance. Caching works by creating and storing static HTML files, which are served to visitors, instead of dynamically generating each page from scratch.

Popular caching plugins like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache can be employed to automate this process. As a result, the load on your server is drastically reduced, and your store’s response times become lightning-fast. Visitors experience swift page loads, seamless navigation, and a frictionless checkout process, all of which contribute to improved user satisfaction and, consequently, increased conversion rates.

Image optimization

Large image sizes can be the silent culprit behind slow page load times. Addressing this issue by employing image optimization techniques can be a game-changer. These techniques reduce the size of image files without compromising their visual quality, ensuring that your store’s pages load swiftly and smoothly.

To execute image optimization effectively, you can use dedicated plugins like Smush. These tools automatically compress and optimize images as you upload them to your store, ensuring that your product images remain stunning while your website’s performance soars.

3. Scaling WooCommerce infrastructure

Content Delivery Network (CDN)

Employing a Content Delivery Network CDN allows you to distribute your store’s static content, such as images, scripts, and stylesheets, across multiple servers strategically located around the world.

The result? Reduced latency and improved overall website performance, as visitors access content from a server geographically closer to them. This not only speeds up your store but also ensures a consistent and reliable experience for customers, regardless of their location.

Load balancing

The concept of load balancing revolves around distributing incoming traffic across multiple servers. It’s like having a team of servers working together harmoniously to handle visitor requests. Load balancing ensures efficient resource utilization and helps prevent server overloads during high-traffic periods.

Horizontal scaling

Horizontal scaling is a strategic approach that involves adding more servers to your infrastructure as your store’s traffic grows. This scalability technique can be particularly beneficial for accommodating unexpected surges in demand.

To execute horizontal scaling, you can explore technologies like containerization (e.g., Docker) or virtualization (e.g., Kubernetes). These solutions allow you to scale your WooCommerce store dynamically based on demand, adding or removing resources as needed to maintain optimal performance.

4. WooCommerce REST API optimizations

Caching API responses

The WooCommerce REST API plays a vital role in your store’s functionality, allowing external systems to interact with your eCommerce platform. Implementing server-side caching for frequently accessed API responses can significantly reduce the load on your server and improve response times for subsequent requests.

By storing and serving API responses from the cache, your store can respond to API requests with lightning speed, enhancing the user experience for both customers and third-party applications.

Batch requests

Utilizing batch requests, a technique that combines multiple API calls into a single request, reduces the overhead of establishing multiple connections and improves overall performance.

For instance, instead of making individual requests for each product in a shopping cart, batch requests allow you to consolidate these requests into a single transaction. This not only streamlines the process but also enhances the overall efficiency of your WooCommerce store’s API interactions.

Optimize query parameters

By analyzing and optimizing the query parameters used in WooCommerce API requests, you can ensure that your store retrieves only the necessary data. This minimizes the payload size of API responses and, consequently, enhances response times.

Efficient query parameter optimization reduces the strain on your server and results in more responsive API interactions. This can be critical for third-party integrations and the overall performance of your WooCommerce store.

5. Code and database optimization

Code enhancement

Under the hood of your WooCommerce store lies a complex codebase that powers its functionality. Conducting a comprehensive code audit, led by experienced developers, can unearth performance bottlenecks and optimization opportunities.

Through a meticulous review of your code, developers can identify areas where improvements can be made to enhance overall efficiency. This may involve optimizing critical sections of the codebase, refactoring code for better performance, or adopting coding best practices that align with WooCommerce’s evolving standards.

Database optimization

The WooCommerce database is the heart of your online store, and keeping it in optimal condition is crucial for top-notch performance. 

First and foremost, make sure that you upgrade your WooCommerce database to the recently introduced High-Performance Order Storage (HPOS) structure. HPOS is a new schema specifically designed for your WordPress eCommerce needs. It aims at making database queries faster and more efficient.

As of WooCommerce version 8.0, HPOS is the default structure for retrieving and modifying your store’s order data. That being said, it’s a good idea to enable HPOS to full-proof your WooCommerce store. To do this:

1. Navigate to WooCommerce > Settings > Advanced > Features from your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Enable the High-performance order storage (new) and the Keep the posts and orders tables in sync (compatibility mode) options.

3. Click Save changes.

Additionally, consider implementing various database optimization practices, like removing unnecessary data. Regularly clean up redundant and obsolete data from your database, such as outdated customer profiles, expired transients, or orphaned records. A leaner database leads to faster queries and more efficient operations.

These steps can not only boost your store’s performance and scalability but also potentially save you time and resources in the long run.

When is migration the right option for your WooCommerce store?

While optimizing your existing WooCommerce store can work wonders for its performance and scalability, there may come a point where your store’s growth and scaling requirements exceed the capabilities of your current setup. 

At this stage, migrating to a more scalable hosting solution or a cloud-based infrastructure may become necessary. Migration opens the door to additional features, enhanced performance, and increased scalability offered by the new platform.

Here are a few scenarios where migration might be a more suitable choice than the alternatives we outlined above:

Fundamental limitations

Your business is evolving, and your store’s requirements have reached a level where your current WooCommerce setup simply cannot meet your customers’ needs, even with extensive development and customization efforts. 

This could include scenarios where your store demands advanced functionality, complex integrations, or scalability that is not easily achievable through development within the WooCommerce ecosystem alone.

In such cases, migration becomes a strategic necessity. Transitioning to a hosting solution that can effortlessly accommodate your evolving requirements is a prudent choice. It allows you to expand your store’s capabilities without being shackled by the fundamental constraints of your existing setup.

Total overhaul and rebranding

Imagine you’re planning a significant redesign or rebranding of your store. This overhaul includes changes to the frontend, such as a fresh theme and user experience. It also entails structural modifications to the underlying architecture, data organization, and branding elements. In such ambitious cases, migration to a new platform offers a clean slate.

Cost-effectiveness and long-term planning

Sometimes, the cumulative cost of custom development, ongoing maintenance, and third-party plugin subscriptions within your WooCommerce ecosystem can become a financial burden. 

If these costs start to outweigh the investment required for migrating to a different platform that offers similar or better functionality, a cost-effective shift may be in order. Consider migration to a more budget-friendly web hosting provider.

Niche-specific requirements

Operating within a specific niche or industry often comes with unique demands and requirements. If your store falls into this category and requires specialized functionality, integrations, or compliance standards that are not readily achievable through custom development within WooCommerce, migration to a platform tailored to your niche may be the most appropriate solution.

Specialized platforms designed for specific industries or niches often come pre-equipped with the features and integrations needed to thrive in those environments. Migrating to such a platform can save you the effort of building and maintaining custom solutions, ensuring that your store meets industry-specific needs effectively and efficiently.

For example, companies dealing with environmental regulations and compliance might need specialized software with features for emissions tracking, regulatory reporting, and sustainability assessments. An ideal platform for such an online business would be Enablon; a comprehensive environmental, health, safety, and sustainability (EHS&S) software platform designed for managing compliance, risk, and sustainability initiatives.

Another scenario is a legal document marketplace. A marketplace for legal documents and templates might need robust document management, digital signature capabilities, and secure user authentication. A specialized legal document platform can provide these features while ensuring legal compliance. Among the top outlets in this case is DocuWare; a document management and workflow automation platform that can be tailored to specific industries and business needs, including legal document marketplaces. 

If you’re considering migration and want to delve deeper into the subject, we encourage you to check out our comprehensive guide on how to migrate your WooCommerce store. This guide covers various aspects of migration, including the different ways to migrate your store, the challenges you may encounter, and the types of store migrations available. It’s a valuable resource for those ready to embark on the journey of taking their WooCommerce store to the next level.

Hire Codeable to scale, optimize, or migrate your WooCommerce store

As we’ve explored, while optimizing your WooCommerce store should always be the first step in achieving improved performance and scalability, there are scenarios where migration becomes not just an option but a must. It’s the path to unlocking new possibilities, accommodating evolving requirements, and ensuring the long-term success of your online business.

When it comes to scaling, optimizing, or migrating your WooCommerce store, you don’t have to navigate these complex endeavors alone. Codeable, a leading developer hiring platform tailored for WordPress and WooCommerce users, is here to provide expert assistance and ensure your project’s success.

With over 700 developers available for hire, we offer a vast pool of experienced professionals ready to take on your project. Aside from handling the migration process for you entirely, our Codeable experts can:

• Analyze your current infrastructure and customize solutions that align perfectly with your growth objectives, guiding you through everything.
• Provide valuable insights on whether you should migrate your store to a recommended WordPress hosting provider (like Kinsta or WP Engine) or not.

So, if you’re ready to take your WooCommerce store to the next level, don’t hesitate to seek the expertise of our highly skilled Codeable developers. Submit your project today, and let us help you transform your WooCommerce store into a thriving success story!

The post Should You Migrate Your WooCommerce Store for Scalability? appeared first on Codeable.

Unfortunately, updating WooCommerce, the widely used WordPress plugin for online stores, can often be a daunting task for many business owners and administrators. The problem lies in the complexity of the update process, the potential compatibility issues with various themes and plugins, and the fear of disrupting a smoothly running online store.

The good news is that the challenges of WooCommerce updates are not unconquerable. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of WooCommerce updates, providing you with the essential insights you’ve been seeking. We’ll also explore why WooCommerce updates matter, when to update, and how to navigate the process seamlessly.

Whether you’re a seasoned eCommerce veteran or just starting your online retail journey, understanding the ins and outs of updating WooCommerce is crucial for maintaining a secure, efficient, and competitive online store.

Types of official WooCommerce updates

As a WooCommerce user, understanding the types of updates you may encounter is vital for keeping your online store at its prime.

Major updates

Major updates, signaled by a change in the first version number (e.g., from 7.0 to 8.0), introduce new features and substantial improvements. These updates usher in transformative changes to the core functionality of WooCommerce to elevate your eCommerce business further.

Among the highlights of major updates are:

• Innovative features: Major updates introduce innovative features that expand the capabilities of your online store. These can range from revamped user interfaces that enhance the shopping experience to new payment gateways that cater to a broader audience.
• Performance enhancements: WooCommerce developers constantly seek ways to make your store run smoother and faster. Major updates often come bundled with performance improvements, ensuring your site keeps pace with the ever-growing expectations of online shoppers.
• Compatibility: Staying in sync with the latest developments in WordPress is crucial. Major updates ensure that WooCommerce remains compatible with the newest versions of WordPress, minimizing compatibility issues and ensuring seamless operation.

The timing of major updates varies, but you can generally expect them to roll out every few months or even once or twice a year, depending on the complexity of the changes in the pipeline.

Minor updates

Minor updates, distinguished by a change in the second version number (e.g., from 8.0 to 8.1), play a pivotal role in maintaining the stability and security of your online store.

Key aspects of minor updates include:

• Bug fixes: Minor updates focus on ironing out glitches and resolving issues reported by users. These updates are your first line of defense against unexpected hiccups that can disrupt the shopping experience.
• Security patches: Minor updates often include critical security patches to shield your store from potential vulnerabilities. Keeping up with minor updates is vital for safeguarding sensitive customer information.
• Stability: Ensuring the overall reliability of the WooCommerce platform is a core objective of minor updates. These modifications help maintain the smooth operation of your store.

Minor updates are usually released every few weeks or on a monthly basis, which demonstrates WooCommerce’s commitment to keeping your online business on solid ground.

Patch updates

Patch updates are denoted by a change in the third version number (e.g., from 8.1.0 to 8.1.1). They swoop in to address critical issues and vulnerabilities that may have slipped through the cracks.

Noteworthy characteristics of patch updates include:

• Critical bug fixes: Patch updates deliver urgent fixes to tackle specific issues that could jeopardize the functionality and security of your store.
• Security reinforcement: These updates are your shield against emerging security threats. WooCommerce developers act swiftly to patch vulnerabilities and maintain a secure online shopping environment.

Patch updates are released on an ad-hoc basis, whenever necessary, to ensure that your store remains resilient and protected.

To stay informed about these updates and their contents, you can rely on your WordPress backend notifications. However, if you’re keen to dive deeper into the world of WooCommerce updates, consider following the WooCommerce Developer Resources blog. There, you’ll find informative release notes about the latest updates, which are thoughtfully written and accessible even to non-technical users.

Compatibility updates for WooCommerce extensions, themes, and plugins

Now, let’s look at another integral aspect of maintaining a seamless online store: compatibility updates for extensions, themes, and plugins. While WooCommerce itself undergoes a transformation with updates, so do the auxiliary components that enhance and customize your online store.

Why do themes and plugin developers release compatibility updates?

WooCommerce supports various extensions, plugins, and themes – some of these are developed officially by WooCommerce. For example:

• Storefront: An official WooCommerce website theme.
• WooCommerce Payments: An official WooCommerce payment gateway extension. 

However, most themes and plugins are developed by third-party providers. These providers will release updates to roll out new features, bug fixes, and, more specifically, compatibility updates.

When WooCommerce releases a major update, it’s common for theme and plugin developers to proactively ensure compatibility with the latest version. They strive to test their products with the new WooCommerce version and make any necessary adjustments or fixes to ensure smooth integration. 

You should easily be able to find information about which version of WooCommerce a plugin is compatible with, either on its official webpage or in the WordPress plugin repository.

If an update hasn’t been released for a plugin for a long time, you’ll generally see a warning about this on the plugin page in the plugin repository.

Additionally, with the release of the latest version of WooCommerce, a new database schema – High-Performace Order Storage (HPOS) – has been introduced. This WooCommerce database upgrade is meant to make your online store more scalable, reliable, and simple to operate.

However, adopting HPOS requires plugin and theme developers to update their products to ensure compatibility with the newer versions of WooCommerce. As a store owner, make sure that the extensions or themes that you’re using or want to use are compatible with HPOS or are going to accommodate this shift in the near future.

What happens if they don’t release updates?

If a theme or plugin developer does not release updates to maintain compatibility with WooCommerce updates, it can lead to potential issues for your store. Your theme or plugin might not work correctly, display errors, or even become incompatible with the updated version of WooCommerce. 

This is why you should only install plugins from developers with a good reputation, who have a track record of releasing frequent updates, and who furthermore have a solid support team and can help if there are compatibility issues.

How soon are compatibility updates released for extensions, themes, and updates?

Official WooCommerce extensions and reputable third-party developers alike will strive to maintain compatibility with WooCommerce when a major, minor, or patch update is released. However, it’s important to note that the exact timing of the compatibility patches or updates for official WooCommerce extensions may vary. 

While efforts are made to release them around the same time as the WooCommerce update, there could be slight delays depending on the complexity of the extensions and the changes introduced in the WooCommerce update. This is why we recommend that you wait a few days before updating WooCommerce, as it reduces the risk of compatibility issues with your theme and plugin.

Do you need a developer to help with WooCommerce updates?

Updating WooCommerce can generally be a straightforward process, and for the most part, you should be able to handle it by yourself. Unfortunately, there are situations where seeking professional assistance, such as the expertise of our Codeable developers, can prove invaluable. 

Before we dive into when to enlist a developer’s help, it’s worth emphasizing an advanced strategy for WooCommerce updates: using a staging site. 

We highly advise updating your WooCommerce site on a staging site first, before applying changes to your live site. This approach allows you to test the update in a controlled environment, ensuring that your online store remains uninterrupted. 

If you’re unfamiliar with this process, we have a comprehensive tutorial on how to update WooCommerce, walking you through the process step-by-step. On the other hand, if the concept of a staging site is foreign to you, or if you’re unsure how to set one up, a developer can assist you in implementing this vital practice.

When to consider developer assistance

While many WooCommerce updates can be managed independently, there are circumstances where the expertise of a developer can enhance the process, mitigate risks, and provide peace of mind. The choice ultimately depends on your store’s complexity, technical comfort level, and preference for hands-on maintenance.

Complex customizations 

If your WooCommerce installation involves extensive customizations, modifications, or integrations with other plugins or themes, updating WooCommerce may require extra attention. Custom code, templates, or third-party integrations could potentially conflict with new versions of WooCommerce, causing compatibility issues. 

In such cases, consulting a developer with expertise in WooCommerce and WordPress development can help ensure a smooth transition and address any conflicts that may arise. They have the know-how to adapt your customizations to the latest WooCommerce version.

Technical expertise and troubleshooting

In certain situations, updating WooCommerce may uncover underlying technical issues or conflicts that require troubleshooting and expertise. 

A developer can help diagnose and resolve issues related to server configurations, database conflicts, performance optimizations, or any other technical challenges that might arise during or after the update. Their experience in handling intricate technical aspects can save you valuable time and prevent potential disruptions to your store.

Overall store maintenance

If you prefer to focus on your business and don’t want to deal with the technical facets of WooCommerce maintenance, a developer can handle the entire update process for you. They can ensure timely updates, perform compatibility checks, address any issues, and help maintain the overall health and performance of your WooCommerce store. 

Need help with WooCommerce updates? Get in touch with Codeable

As we’ve discussed throughout this article, regular updates are not just about staying current with the latest features; they are your shield against security vulnerabilities, your gateway to enhanced functionality, and your assurance of a seamless shopping experience for your customers.

Yet, if the prospect of handling WooCommerce updates on your own seems daunting or if you’re in need of expert guidance and support, we have a solution that can ease your journey: Codeable.

We are a premier developer hiring platform specifically tailored for WordPress and WooCommerce users. With over 700 highly skilled WooCommerce experts at your disposal, our Codeable developers are your trusted partners in testing WooCommerce updates on your staging environment, troubleshooting your website after the upgrade, and ensuring seamless compatibility during the process.

Don’t let updates become a source of stress. Submit your project to Codeable today and let our experts guide your eCommerce business toward new heights of success!

The post Updating WooCommerce: What You Always Wanted to Know appeared first on Codeable.

Enter the WooCommerce REST API.

What truly sets WooCommerce apart, catapulting it to the forefront of eCommerce solutions, is its robust and flexible REST API. But how does it relate to your business objectives? Should you invest time in understanding the WooCommerce REST API? 

In this article, we will demystify the importance of the WooCommerce REST API and discuss the specific scenarios in which it becomes indispensable. We’ll also highlight why collaboration with skilled developers – such as our Codeable experts – is often the best approach for leveraging this advanced feature.

WooCommerce REST API vs. WordPress REST API: Differences explained

When it comes to managing your WooCommerce store or WordPress website, understanding the APIs at your disposal is crucial. 

APIs (Application Protocol Interfaces) are a set of rules and protocols that allow different software applications or services to communicate with each other. They define the methods and data formats that applications can use to request and exchange information, enabling them to work together and share functionality.

The WordPress and WooCommerce APIs both follow the principles of Representational State Transfer (REST), which means they use standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE to perform actions on your site’s data. Each resource (e.g., posts, users, products, orders) is represented as a URL. You can then use HTTP requests to interact with these resources.

Additionally, both APIs primarily use JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) as the data format for request payloads and responses, making it easy to work with data in different programming languages and platforms.

Let’s now explore the distinct purposes of the WordPress REST API and the WooCommerce REST API.

WordPress REST API

The WordPress REST API, often simply referred to as the WP REST API, is a set of web-based endpoints and methods that allow developers to interact with and manage WordPress content using HTTP requests.

It provides a way to access and manipulate data in a WordPress site, including posts, pages, users, comments, and more, without needing to work directly with the WordPress admin interface.

Whether you’re looking to automate content updates or implement custom features, the WordPress REST API can be a vital resource.

WooCommerce REST API

The WooCommerce REST API is an extension of the WordPress REST API tailored specifically for WooCommerce stores. It adds an array of specialized API endpoints for dealing with WooCommerce-specific data, like products, orders, customers, and coupons.

It provides a way for developers to interact with and manipulate the data and functionality of WooCommerce-powered online shop programmatically.

To sum it up, here is a quick comparison between the two REST APIs:

If you operate a WordPress site with WooCommerce integration, you have access to both of these APIs. This dual capability provides a robust framework for implementing a wide range of customizations and integrations that can serve your store’s unique needs.

Can you work with the WooCommerce REST API by yourself?

The idea of total control over your WooCommerce store might be appealing. After all, who wouldn’t want the ability to tweak, adjust, and refine each part of their business operation? 

However, when it comes to the WooCommerce REST API, insufficient knowledge and technical skills can be detrimental due to the following reasons:

The illusion of simplicity

One of the deceptive aspects of REST APIs is their seeming simplicity. Because they work over HTTP and use standard methods like GET requests, you might think that a quick Google search would be enough to get you started. 

This is a common misconception. While API documentation exists, comprehending it fully requires a good understanding of programming concepts, authentication mechanisms, and data structures.

Security risks

Security is one of the most critical aspects to consider when working with any API, and the WooCommerce REST API is no exception. Negligence in this area can expose you to a myriad of risks. 

For instance, incorrectly configured access permissions could allow unauthorized users to view sensitive data, while improperly secured API keys could grant them the ability to modify that data. Even a small oversight could result in a significant security breach, putting your business and customer information at risk.

Data integrity

APIs offer powerful capabilities to modify your site’s database records. Consequently, an erroneous API call can corrupt essential data elements such as product listings, pricing, or customer information. 

What might seem like a simple mistake could snowball into a data integrity nightmare, requiring hours of troubleshooting and potential downtime for your online store.

Integration challenges

Integrating external systems, such as inventory management software or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, can streamline your operations, but they require intricate coding and careful API calls to implement successfully. 

Without a strong understanding of programming and API interactions, you may find yourself stuck, facing errors, or even compromising the other services you are trying to integrate.

Given these risks and complexities, the most advisable course of action is to enlist professional help. This is where Codeable comes into the picture as an invaluable partner. 

As a project-based marketplace specializing in WordPress and WooCommerce solutions, our platform provides access to a vetted pool of over 700 experts. Our developers can offer tailored solutions for any aspect of your WooCommerce REST API project, from conceptualization to implementation and ongoing maintenance.

All you have to do is submit your task on Codeable to leverage the experience and skills of developers who understand the intricacies of both the WooCommerce and WordPress REST APIs. This way, you’ll significantly mitigate the risks associated with API implementation and guarantee that your customizations will be both robust and secure.

What stores would benefit from utilizing the WooCommerce REST API?

Understanding whether your WooCommerce store can truly benefit from the WooCommerce REST API hinges on a variety of factors. Here are some scenarios where implementing the API can add substantial value:

• Store owners with customization needs: If you have a WooCommerce store that requires custom interfaces, integration with other systems, or any unique functionality, the WooCommerce REST API is almost indispensable in this scenario. It gives you the capability to mold your eCommerce store precisely according to your vision and business requirements.
• Store owners with developer access: Having access to skilled developers transforms the WooCommerce REST API into a playground of opportunity. If that’s the case, your developers can harness the capabilities of APIs to automate workflows, construct custom integrations, formulate specialized reports, or even create mobile apps that dovetail with your WooCommerce store.
• Store owners planning for growth: Aspirations for growth dictate a dynamic approach to your store’s functionality. The WooCommerce REST API is a crucial tool that can facilitate scaling efforts, whether that’s breaking into new markets or adopting advanced eCommerce strategies. 

However, not everyone needs to leap onto the API bandwagon immediately.

Who may not need to prioritize the WooCommerce REST API?

• Small or basic online stores: Stores with minimal operational requirements and no immediate plans for complex integrations may find that the WooCommerce REST API is not a pressing need. The core functionalities of WooCommerce are generally sufficient for straightforward eCommerce operations.
• Non-technical users: For those who don’t have technical expertise or immediate access to developers, navigating the API could seem daunting. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be a roadblock, thanks to Codeable. Even if you lack the technical know-how, Codeable ensures that expert assistance is just a click away. 

Use cases for working with the WooCommerce REST API

The true power of the WooCommerce REST API becomes evident when you start diving into the various use cases and what it can facilitate. The following examples demonstrate the API’s flexibility and the potential for your WooCommerce store to become more automated, more integrated, and more successful.

Integrating with a customer relationship management system

Imagine a world where every new order or customer profile update in your WooCommerce store automatically reflects in your CRM system. Well, it’s entirely possible with the WooCommerce REST API. 

Synchronizing WooCommerce data (i.e., customer information, order histories, and product variations) between your store and CRM isn’t just nice to have; it’s becoming the industry standard. This integration streamlines customer management, allows for targeted marketing campaigns, and ensures a seamless customer experience.

Automating inventory management

For many online retailers, inventory management can be a logistical nightmare. The WooCommerce REST API makes it feasible to automate inventory across multiple platforms. 

By integrating with an external inventory management system, your WooCommerce store can reflect real-time stock levels and product availability, eliminating manual updates and minimizing errors.

Creating a custom mobile app for your store

As mobile shopping continues to rise, offering a customized shopping experience for mobile users is very much a necessity. The WooCommerce REST API can serve as the backbone for a custom mobile app. 

You can use the API to fetch product data, manage shopping carts, process orders, and handle customer authentication, providing a seamless and personalized mobile shopping experience.

Building a custom product search or filtering functionality

Basic search and filter options might suffice for smaller stores, but as your WooCommerce store grows, so will your customers’ expectations. 

The API provides an advanced solution for custom search or filtering, allowing you to pull detailed product data and implement nuanced search algorithms based on product attributes, categories, or other custom criteria. This ensures that your customers find what they’re looking for with minimal effort, elevating the user experience.

Integrating with a fulfillment service or shipping carrier

If you’re shipping physical goods, integrating with a fulfillment service or shipping carrier via the WooCommerce REST API can save you hours of administrative work.

Automate the generation of shipping labels and synchronize tracking information and shipping rates between your WooCommerce store and the third-party service. This not only streamlines the entire shipping process but also provides accurate and real-time information to your customers, enhancing their overall experience.

Developing a custom pricing or discount system

With the WooCommerce REST API, you can take discounts and special pricing to the next level. Whether it’s volume-based discounts, member pricing, or special promotional offers, you can implement complex pricing rules that dynamically adjust based on various conditions, providing a more personalized shopping experience for your customers.

Creating custom reports and analytics

Data-driven decisions are the cornerstone of successful eCommerce operations. Utilize the WooCommerce REST API to build custom reporting features that provide insights into sales patterns, customer behavior, and inventory levels. 

By pulling data directly from your WooCommerce store, you can generate reports that are as broad or detailed as you need, empowering you to make informed business decisions.

These are all compelling reasons to use the WooCommerce REST API. However, implementing it effectively requires significant technical expertise. That’s why we highly recommend engaging with one of our dedicated WooCommerce experts to bring these API-based plans to life.

Can plugins achieve similar functionality to the WooCommerce REST API?

The question of whether plugins can achieve similar functionality to the WooCommerce REST API is a noteworthy one, especially for those who are not yet sure about diving deep into API customization. The answer is both yes and no – let’s unpack that.

Plugins serve as ready-made solutions for extending your WooCommerce store’s capabilities. They are generally easy to install and configure, making them a convenient choice for store owners who lack technical expertise or simply prefer a straightforward solution. 

However, this convenience comes with limitations. Plugins offer a predefined set of functionalities, and if your needs extend beyond what the plugin can offer, you’re pretty much boxed in.

On the other hand, the WooCommerce REST API offers near-limitless customization options, making this approach stand head and shoulders above plugins. If you have a very specific way you want to manage inventory, handle customer data, or implement complex pricing models, the API gives you the freedom to do so. 

That said, plugins and the REST API aren’t mutually exclusive; in fact, they can often be used in tandem. Consider a scenario where you use a plugin for basic payment gateway integration. The plugin handles the standard functionalities like payment processing, order confirmation, and receipts. 

Now, suppose you also want to synchronize your store’s data with an external CRM system to enhance customer relationship management. This is a perfect job for the WooCommerce REST API. By utilizing both, you’ve created a system where common functionalities are handled by the plugin, while the unique, complex aspects are managed by the API.

If you’re wondering whether to opt for plugins or leverage the REST API, Codeable can provide the guidance you need. Our highly skilled WooCommerce experts can evaluate your specific requirements and offer tailored advice on which route would serve your business better. If custom API work is necessary, our developers are more than capable of undertaking any project that involves the WooCommerce REST API.

Extend your store with Codeable and the WooCommerce REST API

It’s evident how crucial the WooCommerce REST API can be for any store owner aspiring to customize or scale their business. It’s not just a technicality – it’s a pathway to creating a WooCommerce store that truly resonates with your brand and your customers’ needs.

While the WooCommerce REST API is incredibly powerful, it’s not something we recommend navigating alone if you lack the essential know-how. Improper usage of the API can expose your store to security risks, data integrity issues, and integration challenges. It’s not just about making your store work; it’s about making it work well, securely, and efficiently.

As you look toward scaling your operations or enhancing the custom functionalities of your WooCommerce store, remember that Codeable is here to bridge the gap between what WooCommerce offers out-of-the-box and what your unique store needs to thrive.

Our Codeable professionals are well-equipped to handle any project involving the WooCommerce REST API. Whether you’re looking to build a custom mobile app for your store, integrate with a CRM system, or automate your inventory management, our seasoned developers can turn your vision into a reality.

Don’t compromise on the potential of your WooCommerce store; extend it with the right knowledge and partnership. Submit your project to Codeable today and get expert help to boost your online success!

The post WooCommerce REST API: Why It Matters & When to Use It appeared first on Codeable.

API developers can use these interfaces to make specific requests to send or receive data. For WordPress projects, this often means enabling your website to work with a third-party tool. The right API developer needs to be skilled and comfortable in disciplines such as coding, mobile tech, cybersecurity, and more. This is imperative for ensuring the end-user enjoys an efficient and user-friendly experience. 

However, for those not in the know, programming languages and coding are often overwhelming topics. Consequently, WordPress API development might be something you need a professional’s help with.

In light of that, we’ll discuss how to handle API dev and find the right person to outsource this kind of work to.

Different Types of Web APIs

Open APIs: Also known as public APIs, there are no access restrictions for this API type. They are open source and often supplied by software companies to encourage developers to create new integrations. 

Partner APIs:  These require the developer to possess specific rights or licenses to access the interface. They are not available to the public.

Internal APIs: These are private APIs that are only accessible within internal systems, such as within a company. 

Composite APIs: This type combines several sorts of APIs. It can describe a sequence of tasks that run synchronously upon execution and not at the task’s request. Typically composite APIs are used to improve the performance of listeners on web interfaces.

Additionally to these main types of APIs, there are also web service APIs. These are systems or software with a URL on the web used to provide access to its services.

The most common types include:

• SOAP (simple object access protocol): This protocol uses CML as a format to transfer data and define the structure of the message and communication methods. It uses WSDL (web services definition language) to publish a definition of its interface.
• XML-RPC: Unlike SOAP, this protocol uses a specific XML format for its data transfer. It’s older than the first type and uses minimum bandwidth. It’s also simpler than SOAP.
• JSON-RPC: This protocol is similar to XML-RPC. However, it uses JSON to transfer data instead of an XML format.
• REST (representational state transfer): REST, unlike the other web service protocols, is a set of architectural principles. REST requires characteristics, including simple interfaces (these are resources identified within the request and the manipulation of resources using the interface).

The Anatomy of a Great API and Full Stack Developer

If having read the above, you’re still a bit confused (don’t worry, you’re not alone!), hiring an API developer is likely your best bet. A pro can create intuitive features for your website that are easy for you to work with and great for boosting visitor engagement. 

That said, here are a few pointers on recognizing a great API developer.

In-Depth Programming Knowledge

An API developer’s technical skills are more important than anything else. They must possess in-depth programming knowledge to leverage WordPress’s APIs effectively. Primarily, this requires expert knowledge of JSON and REST. Its imperative developers understand the REST architecture, including all of its permutations. 

On top of that, the best API developers should also be willing and able to explore new styles, recent trends, and protocols as they become available.

API-first Design

Great API developers take an API-first design approach. This means their implementation iterates API design decisions which they optimize as they go along. This includes finetuning resource access and improving the existing design to construct appropriate URI patterns or query parameters. 

Knowledge of API Frameworks

Knowledge of the API framework in question enables the programmer to make effective choices as they implement solutions. With this info, they’re better positioned to embellish it and re-use libraries in the proper context to work efficiently. 

Soft Skills

While technical skills are absolutely crucial, a few soft skills help ensure a smooth-running development process. For instance, a great API developer should also be an excellent communicator. They’ll be able to ask the right questions to understand your needs and brief you on the process. This includes writing precise functional specifications and product information.

Other critical soft skills include:

• Superb attention to detail
• Leadership skills that drive solutions
• Being able to work collaboratively with other team members

You can evaluate soft skills by requesting social proof – for example, testimonials from clients or recommendations from previous colleagues. Remember, you should feel comfortable and confident collaborating with your chosen software developer. So search until you find a good fit; in the long run, it will be worth the extra time. 

Attitude and Mindset

The best API developers have their client’s interests at heart and possess a sharp judgment. This means they’re capable of deciding what’s best for your project. For instance, is it worth re-using existing APIs and opportunities, or is it time to innovate and create something new? A first-developer will be able to make that call. 

Will your developer go above and beyond the set limits? API-driven companies frequently seek flexible and dynamic engineers that are willing to drive innovation across technology stacks. Software development isn’t about following the same repetitive steps every time. The best developers adapt, learn throughout the process, and take an agile approach to design to ensure a great user experience.

About WordPress API Development

There are many projects for WordPress websites that require access to APIs. Many use API development to produce custom WordPress themes, plugins, add specific functionalities to their site, or integrations with third-party tools.

When it comes to WordPress API, there’s a specific set of APIs you need to know about:

REST API (AKA Restful API)

WordPress’s REST API is an interface for app development. From here, apps can interact with your WordPress site by sending and receiving data as JSON objects. This API is also the foundation of WordPress’s Block Editor. You can use this API to enable your custom theme, plugin, or application to present powerful new interfaces for publishing your content. WordPress’s REST API is the best way to get data in and out of WordPress in a structured and extensible way.

The REST API provides access to content that’s publicly visible on your site’s front-end. You can also set the authentication to enable access to private or password-protected content. 

For non-developers, you just need to know that the REST API allows the block editor and modern plugin interfaces to function while maintaining your website’s privacy and security.

You might need an API developer to work with WordPress’s REST API to create a custom theme, plugin, or external application for your site. 

Plugin API

A WordPress plugin is essentially an app defined by PHP files. You can use plugins to create additional functionality for your site that isn’t overwritten whenever WordPress updates its software. 

WordPress plugin development makes use of three key elements:

Hooks: WordPress hooks enable you to manipulate a process at a specific endpoint. If automation is your priority, you can also trigger functions and code snippets at particular times that apply to actions and filters.

Shortcodes: Shortcodes let users insert dynamic HTML elements into posts and pages. A shortcode allows you to communicate with the theme and display information to the user, which comes in useful because plugins don’t directly access WordPress themes. 

Widgets: Widgets are another way for plugin developers to display content to the final user. WordPress comes with a WP_widget class in PHP that can be extended to create widgets inserted onto your site. 

Metadata API

This API is a simple and streamlined way of retrieving and manipulating WordPress object type metadata. A simple key-value represents the metadata of an object. Objects can contain more than one metadata entry. Entries can share keys with others and differ only in their specific value.

The data, in this case, can include things like posts, users, comments, and terms. An API developer could come into play if you need more extensive metadata on other objects, such as custom objects with a plugin. 

The Best Way to Find a Great API Developer

Now you know how to identify high-quality API developers, where can you find one? Vetting prospective developers for your project can be a time-consuming and challenging task – especially if you’re unsure what questions to ask. 

There are many ways to go about hiring API developers. You can find them via job boards, developer communities, or professional networks like LinkedIn or Reddit ForHire. Numerous specialized freelance platforms come to boast vast talent pools. We’ve explored some of these possibilities in our guide on hiring WordPress developers.

But suppose you want to rest easy knowing the developers you interact with have what it takes to excel. In that case, you can’t go wrong with submitting your projects on Codeable.

Codeable saves you the headache that comes with screening candidates. Instead, they do the leg work for you by ensuring all their developers have the skills and years of experience to do your job justice. They then put you in touch with reliable web development partners, so all you need to do is choose from a few select individuals. Simple, right? So, what are you waiting for? Submit your project today to get a free estimate from Codeable’s vetted experts.

The post Where to Find Available Developer APIs for Your WordPress Development Project appeared first on Codeable.