Title: Learn WordPress coding
Last modified: December 4, 2016

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# Learn WordPress coding

 *  [malkah](https://wordpress.org/support/users/malkah/)
 * (@malkah)
 * [9 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/learn-wordpress-coding/)
 * Hi
    I am working with wordpress for ~3 years, running and maintaining several
   websites for myself and for clients. from time to time I am using the services
   of a developer.
 * recently I ran across a complex problem with several sites. in these sites I 
   am bound to use a certain customized theme for functionality reasons. I cannot
   replace the theme since I need its special features. this theme is 2 years old,
   very heavy and not so SEO friendly. so I found myself paying lots of $$ for developers.
   
   it looks inevitable to replace the theme completely and build it from scratch,
   however this will probably cost me tons of money.
 * so I tried to learn some coding by myself and got confused, it looks like a very
   steep curve of learning. so many things to learn: HTML,CSS, PHP, theme building,
   plugins…
    can you please recommend what is the best way to become familiar enough
   in wordpess in order to maintain a website including code modifications by myself.
   I am very eager to learn and already completed two courses in HTML and CSS including
   small projects as part of learning. do I have to invest in learning the core 
   of wordpress? in PHP? or jump right to theme or plugins building?
 * appreciate your professional opinion,
    -  This topic was modified 9 years, 6 months ago by [malkah](https://wordpress.org/support/users/malkah/).

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

 *  [lisa](https://wordpress.org/support/users/contentiskey/)
 * (@contentiskey)
 * [9 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/learn-wordpress-coding/#post-8512454)
 * Attending WordPress meetups and local WordCamps can be a great place to start
   to find people to build a network of knowledgeable WordPress users.
    [https://central.wordcamp.org/](https://central.wordcamp.org/)
 * if you are comfortable with HTML and CSS that’s a great start for basic layout
   and design.
 * yes, understanding PHP will be helpful for making and/or troubleshooting functional
   changes. (theme templates + plugins)
 * > certain customized theme for functionality reasons
 * what sort of functions are woven into the current theme that are causing concern–
   i.e. need to be used in the future even if the theme is changed?
    do you have
   custom post types that were included in the theme?
 *  Thread Starter [malkah](https://wordpress.org/support/users/malkah/)
 * (@malkah)
 * [9 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/learn-wordpress-coding/#post-8517099)
 * Hi Lisa
    it is a search form which is connected to an API. I also have some custom
   page templates.

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

The topic ‘Learn WordPress coding’ is closed to new replies.

 * 2 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [malkah](https://wordpress.org/support/users/malkah/)
 * Last activity: [9 years, 5 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/learn-wordpress-coding/#post-8517099)
 * Status: not a support question

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