Welcome to the Treehouse Community

Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.

Looking to learn something new?

Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.

Start your free trial

WordPress WordPress for Website Owners Getting a WordPress Site Setting Up Your Own Site

Jeff Iorio
Jeff Iorio
2,381 Points
Posted by Jeff Iorio
Jeff Iorio
2,381 Points

I have a question as far as where I should begin based on my objective.

I would like to get into web development, the whole deal. If I wish to accomplish this, an entire understanding of this industry, where should I begin? I have the basic setup with Treehouse, I started with learning word press. Should I go back and start learning code first, as a developer? Or should I continue at the pace I'm going. I will go through all of the courses eventually, but I'd like some professional insight as far as what would make the most sense. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Jeff Iorio

2 Answers

Dustin Matlock
Dustin Matlock
33,856 Points

Hey Jeff, it's recommended that you know basic HTML and CSS before you start other things like PHP, WordPress development, etc. WordPress is not much different than anything else web-related. You'll be able to use your PHP skills on other projects. You only have to learn how WordPress works, and that takes familiarizing yourself with it's different aspects. It's a CMS, and there are many of those. WordPress just happens to be the most popular.

Most likely, you'll want to familiarize yourself with WordPress in general — its different functionalities, uses, and how to use the dashboard.

Getting Started with and Using WordPress

Jeff Iorio
Jeff Iorio
2,381 Points
Jeff Iorio
Jeff Iorio
2,381 Points

Thank you, that makes sense. I don't feel as if I've wasted any time by learning this CMS the past few days as it was a nice opener to a general understanding of what they're built for and to do. Now that I've done that, I think I'll take your advice and move on to learning HTML and CSS, I appreciate your input!

Dustin Matlock
Dustin Matlock
33,856 Points

No problem, and you certainly haven't wasted time. There isn't a particular set order to learn things, but it helps somewhat to understand basic HTML structure and how CSS styling works.

Kayla Davis
Kayla Davis
4,668 Points
Kayla Davis
Kayla Davis
4,668 Points

I started with the basic Wordpress class as well. I think it was about 10 hours long? It has helped me set up a basic blog to track my own progress in financial wellness and code-to-work. It's a great place to start to learn the basics of the web - and a good jumping off point to decide if you want to go into code with HTML and CSS, or if you want to do the Wordpress Development and learn to make themes and plugins. Both are good choices! But they are definitely school - right now I am working on the Web Design track, which is about 70 hours...

The biggest thing, though, is to practice! And if you aren't currently working in web design daily, I would recommend coming up with a web domain and hosting, and then practice practice practice. Come up with some self-guided projects and then get to work on them. Learn to do versatile things with what you've learned, and show them off. That will be the best way to show potential employers or clients what you're capable of doing, until your business is rolling.

Hope this advice helps a bit! Kayla