WordPress Web Development

Week 1: Web Foundations (HTML5 & CSS3)

• Semantic HTML5: Structuring accessible content using tags like <header>, <article>, and <footer>; understanding the Document Object Model (DOM).

• CSS Architecture: Mastering the Box Model (padding, borders, margins) and CSS Units (px, em, rem, %); working with Google Fonts and Icon libraries.

• Modern Layouts: Building responsive designs using Flexbox and CSS Grid to ensure cross-device compatibility.

• Styling for CMS: Creating reusable CSS classes, handling media queries for mobile-first design, and understanding “CSS Reset” vs. “Normalize.”

• Hands-on Project: Developing a static, single-page responsive portfolio from scratch using pure HTML and CSS.

Week 2: WordPress CMS & Professional Deployment

• CMS Architecture: Understanding the WordPress core, the relationship between PHP, MariaDB/MySQL, and the file structure (wp-content, wp-config).

• Local Development: Setting up local environments using LocalWP or XAMPP to build and test sites offline before going live.

• Themes & Page Builders: Customizing premium themes and building custom layouts with industry standards like Elementor or the Gutenberg Block Editor.

• Plugin Ecosystem: Implementing essential plugins for SEO (Yoast/RankMath), Security (Wordfence), and Performance (WP Rocket); managing shortcodes and widgets.

• Deployment & Maintenance:

  • Migration: Moving a site from local to live servers using migration tools or manual FTP/Database exports.

  • Domain & Hosting: Configuring DNS records (A records, CNAME), SSL certificate installation, and choosing between Shared, VPS, or Managed hosting.

  • Performance Optimization: Image compression, minifying scripts, and setting up CDN (Cloudflare) for global speed.

• Capstone Project: Deploying a fully functional, SEO-optimized business website with a contact form, blog section, and security hardening.