Do I need to know how to Code to Build a WordPress Website? | EP 833

Do I need to know how to Code to Build a WordPress Website?

Read the full episode transcript below:

00:28 David Blackmon: Welcome to another episode of WP The Podcast, my name is David Blackmon.

00:35 Tim Strifler: And i’m Tim Strifler

00:38 David Blackmon: Day six Airpod audio, we’re getting close folks, we’re getting close. Today in episode 833 we’re going to talk about, do I need to know how to code to build a WordPress website. And my short answer to that is no. And today’s day and age you can build a website without you, know having knowledge of code. Which is fantastic. Now there are some caveats to that, and I’m before I let Tim dive off into you know probably a lot more of the technical stuff. Um I’m just gonna say this it depends on what it is that you’re wanting to achieve on your website, because there may be some things that you run into that. A plug-in for WordPress or a theme that you may be using may require you to have some basic understanding of coding, you know like CSS or HTML. So Tim, I know you got a lot more better stuff to say than I do, so go for it.

01:48 Tim Strifler: Yeah. So I agree with you short answer, do I need to know how to code to build a WordPress website? No, definitely not. Like with uh WordPress itself as a graphical user interface. WordPress themes and plugins are all user-friendly, built-in controls options stuff like that. And you can do a whole lot without actually coding, which is great. But then beyond that…. I’ve got a little visitor in here…

02:28  David Blackmon: Hello little visitor. Hey Merritt. Hey can you say hi? Tim? If you’re watching us on YouTube or you’re listening to this on Apple podcasts or wherever, go on over to YouTube and come say hi to Merit that’s a mighty big smile you got there. Man he seems happy to see me. Hey, hey David?

02:46 Tim Strifler:  You… Can’t actually hear you dude.

02:48  David Blackmon: Uh, I know, I know. He can’t. Tim has his Airpods in, but uh.. Merritt just learned how to swim, so he’s amazing. And Tim has a pool, so he wouldn’t have to worry about his son drowning, because he can swim now!

03:29 Tim Strifler: …Yeah sorry about that. So yeah, um you definitely do not need to know how to code to build a WordPress website by any means. However the more you know the more powerful of a website builder you’ll become. And one thing that’s kind of funny, is the kind of the the lay person when they think of like oh does this person know how to code it’s they think of it as an All or Nothing type of thing like oh this person knows how to code this person doesn’t where that’s not how it works because there’s so many different coding languages. A true like full stack developer coder like you could even call them like a software engineer. Well they’re going to be able to code in any language essentially or they’ll be able to quickly learn a coding language. However when it comes to web design, web development. You can learn kind of the entry-level layers of coding without being a full-blown like developer coder. Right, I’m not a full-blown coder developer but I know CSS and HTML and I can look at PHP and JavaScript and kind of figure out what I’m trying to do. And edit the code and customize and move it around. And all of that. So while I can’t full on code and write functions and program, I’m not a programmer. I know enough to be able to take me further. Right, I know the HTML and CSS and some of the basics of PHP and JavaScript to where I can. I can do more and I’m able to manage people that do know those languages thoroughly and are full-blown programmers. So it’s not an all or nothing you can learn bits and pieces and kind of Stack. The layers of what you know and can do and you’re going to become a more powerful website builder in the process.

05:00  David Blackmon: Yeah, and I think you know, beyond that it depends on what your goals are. If you know aren’t a developer a programmer you’re not going to be building out sites. And you have a small business in a town, and you’re going to put your website up and you’re not really going to mess with it much after that outside of updating and making sure that it stays secure. You’re probably not going to have to learn coding and stuff. It’s not going to be that that big of a deal. But if you want to expand your website’s capabilities, and to do all the things that Tim was talking about, then it’s you know. It might behoove you to go ahead and learn a little bit. So there you go. Hope we answered your question. Tomorrow we’ve got another great topic. I want to build websites for clients, but where do I get started? We’re going to share with you that knowledge tomorrow. Until then we’ll see you then.

05:51 Tim Strifler: Take care, bye.