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Learn WordPress Development and get equipped with the knowledge and skills you need to manage WordPress websites with confidence. We’re a team of WordPress experts ready to help you learn WordPress fast and master this sometimes complicated platform. Watch the video below for details or read on to learn more about our WordPress development course for business owners, administrative staff, IT staff, and marketers.
Learn WordPress development from experienced experts at Emily Journey & Associates and support the growth of your company.
Office: (844) 972-6224 Contact Us
What makes WordPress Development a prized skill?
Even when your primary role is not “WordPress Developer,” understanding WordPress is a valued skill to add to your resume.
Anyone can start using WordPress, but it has a vast ecosystem that may be challenging to comprehend. Learning WordPress for beginners at Emily Journey & Associates can teach you everything you need to know to succeed on the platform.
Employers are often frustrated by the slowness of their outsourced website developer. They don’t feel in control of their company website and it takes days (or even weeks) to implement small changes.
In the meantime . . . the company’s time, money, and reputation circle the drain while everyone on the team waits for important website updates. It doesn’t have to be that way.
We teach WordPress Development to:
- Graphic Designers
- Marketing Teams
- Administrative Assistants
- Agency Owners
- I.T. Professionals, and more!
Learn WordPress Development 1-on-1
Do you need a customized, one-on-one learning experience that doesn’t take weeks? Then you’re probably looking to learn WordPress development with a private tutor. Meet virtually or in-person with one of our WordPress experts to walk through everything you need to know about managing and building a WordPress website. This is one of the best ways to learn WordPress because you can receive an experts’ undivided attention and take WordPress lessons at your own speed.
Fun fact: Most of our travel training is for just one person.
Whether you choose the virtual or in-person option to learn WordPress development, this WordPress development course is perfect for:
- Independent business owners such as retail shop owners, real estate agents, coaches, speakers, and other service professionals
- The in-house team member who got tasked with managing the website–lucky you!
- IT professionals, graphic designers, and marketing professionals who want to expand their skill set
How we teach WordPress development
If you’re looking for a lengthy PowerPoint presentation and generic handouts, this probably isn’t the best learning option for you. When you book our WordPress development course, be prepared to learn WordPress development step by step with an interactive, hands-on experience.
- Get access to resources for a stronger foundation and preparation.
- Two intensive, one-on-one sessions lasting 4-hours each.
- Receive the video recordings of your training sessions for review at your convenience (available only with virtual training via Zoom.)
- Receive an additional 60 days of access to your instructor for follow-up questions and consultation.
Even after you have finished your WordPress training, our experts will be there for you every step of the way to guide you through everything from installation to developing and maintaining content.
There are no wrong questions. We will completely address all of your questions and concerns while you learn WordPress development.
Get started and Learn WordPress Development
Step 1: Let’s talk about your goals
First things first. We’ll discuss your learning goals and challenges so we can customize your WordPress training to suit your short and long-term objectives. Understanding what you want to accomplish helps us customize your individual WordPress training for your unique needs.
Already know WordPress basics? Great! Your learning experience will be more advanced. This first conversation is also a great time to ask any additional questions you have about the process.
Step 2: Set Training Dates
We’ll get things off the ground by securing a spot on our calendar. We’ll work with you to choose the best times for you to learn WordPress development.
Once we have our training dates decided, we will provide a payment link via email. You will also get the best WordPress learning resources based on your unique goals to tide you over until the big day.
Step 3: Learn WordPress by Doing
We are big proponents of kinetic learning – aka, learning by doing! And since you’re seeking some personalized training, it’s pretty safe to assume you’d like that kind of atmosphere too.
If you want us to read your instructions on how to use WordPress, this training program probably isn’t for you. Your experience with us will be interactive and you will learn how to further your WordPress skills efficiently long after your training with us. We’ll meet in-person or via Zoom as you are guided through the steps of managing WordPress.
Is virtual WordPress Training different?
We get this question all the time! It’s true… virtual learning can be the wrong choice if your verbal communication skills are below average. After all, we are not able to see your facial expressions during virtual learning. Instead, we rely on the words you say and your tone of voice. The main advantage of learning WordPress development virtually is this:
you get a video recording of your training!
If you choose to learn WordPress development in a virtual class format, you see my screen, hear my voice, and are able to ask me questions. But, mostly, I’m viewing your screen because you are doing all of the work! Rather than just sitting there and listening to me speak, you will get thorough hands-on training sessions. You’ll get personalized class information in advance and no one else will be included in the training.
Here’s what Emily Journey has to say about her own first experience with virtual learning:
“My first experience with virtual learning was not as the instructor but as the student. In 2011, I hired an expert to teach me about Search Engine Optimization. During our virtual training sessions, I was impressed with how easily we communicated. Despite my initial hesitations about virtual training, I am thankful that I took the plunge. I know it can seem “not quite as good” as face-to-face learning. I wondered:
- Could I really learn this way?
- Would I get as much value from the training?
Thankfully, I didn’t let my doubts get the best of me. That virtual learning experience not only changed the way I did business – it changed my life.”
Stop struggling and learn WordPress development faster.
The benefits of becoming a WordPress developer
In addition to the fact that WordPress developers are in increasingly high demand, there are a number of reasons this career path is particularly appealing to entrepreneurs.
- It can be quite lucrative if you become an adept developer and decide upon the right niche.
- You can be a WordPress developer as a freelancer. This means it’s possible to be your own boss, work from home or anywhere in the world, and set your own schedule.
- WordPress has a broad community of users who are eager to help, meaning it’s easy to gain access to the support you need.
- The skills you acquire (especially in regards to the main languages of WordPress) will be readily applicable to a huge variety of industries and niches.
- If you have a creative streak and a willingness to immerse yourself in the mechanics of the world’s most popular Content Management System (CMS), learning how to become a WordPress developer will be worth your while. It’s also worth considering if you’re looking for a job that’s ‘future-proof’.
Emily Journey’s Best Practices for WordPress Developers
I learned WordPress development in 2012. Since then, I have been helping people and companies improve their WordPress websites so they can see the results they’ve been waiting for. Along the way, I made a few mistakes and learned some valuable lessons.
It is my goal to share the WordPress expertise I’ve accumulated over the years to help individuals learn WordPress development quickly and efficiently and provide advice on how to become the best WordPress developer.
Here is my list of best practices for becoming a WordPress developer.
1. Tell the truth
As a WordPress expert, I have learned that if you don’t know how to do something, then say so. It’s really okay to not know everything. Honesty pays off in many ways. Customer loyalty is one of them.
2. Be transparent
If you are outsourcing some or all of your project, then talk about it in your proposal.
3. Outsource some of your work
You are just not that good at everything. The truth is that no one person, or even two people, possesses all the skills that an average client needs to make their project a success. Your client will get a better finished product when you outsource the things you’re not good at.
I outsource graphic design, branding, and advertising. I even outsource some things I am good at like copywriting because I can’t deliver copywriting quickly when I’m the one doing the writing.
4. Encourage your clients to own their digital assets
Domain name. Hosting account. Social profiles. Do not assign yourself ownership of these important properties. Don’t ever be in the position of declining your client access to their own website files because you put them on your own server.
5. Complete projects
Be prepared to provide a full refund if you can’t complete a project. Or, pay out of your own pocket to make sure somebody gets the work done. I’ve done both.
6. Part ways with dignity
Make it easy to break up with you. Why would you want to hold a client and their digital property hostage? My parting words are always, “Thank you for trusting us with your business” and “We will be here if you need us in the future.”
7. Get paid faster
Who said 50% deposit and 50% upon completion was a good idea? Not me. Instead, get a 1/3rd deposit, 1/3rd at 30 days, and the remaining 1/3rd upon project completion. This approach ensures you are paid for 2/3rds of your work fairly quickly and prevents client foot-dragging near the end of the project.
8. Be responsive to your client’s needs
Don’t force your big (expensive) ideas down your client’s throat. Your client may end up committing with reservations. They will be on high alert for all the reasons why this was a bad idea and you will be thrown under the bus. Always take the time to understand their needs and communicate your ideas in a friendly way.
9. Assist your clients in making informed decisions
Sometimes clients have bad ideas. Help them understand why it’s a bad idea to put a slider with 18 animated slides at the top of their homepage. They will make an informed decision; they might do it anyway, but their choice won’t be a reflection of your work.
10. Pick up after yourself
Delete the slew of unused/unneeded plugins and themes on the website.
11. Sweat the small stuff
Take the extra time to do the work correctly. Resize large images before uploading them to the website. Avoid uploading images of 1MB or larger. Details matter.
12. Have someone else test your work before delivering your finished product
You’ve been staring at the website for so many hours that you can’t see it anymore! Have someone you trust go through it while you watch. Have them click on every link. This will ensure your website exceeds expectations.
13. Speak in ways you can be understood
Take a minute to remember what it was like to learn WordPress development. You didn’t know all of the terminology, and your clients most likely don’t either. Since they haven’t learned WordPress development, slow down and simplify your language for the sake of your client. It will pay off in overall better understanding on both sides.
14. Pick up the phone
Email is not always appropriate. Especially if your client is upset or confused. Even when a client tries to have an important conversation with me via email, I will direct them to schedule a phone call with me.
15. Use instant video to explain and teach
Instant video tools such as loom are powerful time-savers and effective in helping clients understand you. I use instant videos throughout my workday to efficiently respond to questions from my staff and clients. Answers which used to require lengthy written descriptions and annotated screenshot attachments are now a snap with instant video.
16. Be responsible for your mistakes
If you messed up something, fix it on your own time. Don’t charge your clients for your mistakes.
17. Research and troubleshooting is a service
Research and troubleshooting of problems is a normal part of our work. It’s not free. Help your client understand this aspect of our work as a service.
18. Build in a time-limited support period after the project launch
Prevent the project from never ending. Make it clear how much time is available and what the cost of additional support will be.
19. Have a single point of contact at your client’s business
Invited to the team meeting to brainstorm about the website? I will show up for this meeting just once. While I’m there, I explain why it’s important for them to have these meetings without me. A single point of contact with decision making authority is more efficient and less expensive.
20. Leave your company name off of the website footer.
Your client’s website is not your billboard–even if they do love you.
Complementary Skills for a WordPress Developer
Having a versatile skill set only makes you more marketable. Learning WordPress development from a team of experts can give you the necessary skills you need to build a website you’re proud of. If you’re more focused on becoming a WordPress developer, there are certain skills outside of the typical WordPress development skills that will come in handy to you. Here are a few of the more relevant skills that complement a WordPress developer.
- SEO expertise
- Proficient at web and graphic design
- Digital marketing: email marketing, social media marketing, content marketing
- Copywriter (requires a deep understanding of both SEO and content marketing)
Learning SEO as a profession is ideal for those who are good at both writing and problem-solving. Mastering SEO is less labor-intensive than becoming an expert WordPress developer. That said, those skills combined are impressive, enhance one’s marketability, and are highly desired.
Having design competency gives you an inherent advantage in creating the home page of a website or a post on a social media platform. You don’t have to be a professional graphic designer to be skilled enough to market your own or your client’s brand.
Being a gifted writer does make a world of difference for both marketing and SEO. Content creation is a critical component often dictating the success of one’s marketing endeavors. That said, don’t be afraid to outsource this or any of these functions. You need not be a master of every skill as long as you are able to identify your own strengths and weaknesses.
Office: (844) 972-6224 Request Information
The Intangibles that Set You Apart from Your WordPress Developer Competition
Many consumers have had nothing but bad experiences with WordPress developers. When I started my business, I wanted to be certain not to follow in the footsteps of those WordPress developers who earned such terrible reputations.
I’ve applied all the things I’ve learned over the years to build a company that values openness and honesty and prioritizes the needs of its clients.
I asked myself the same questions you should be asking yourself. As a WordPress developer in training, how will you set yourself apart from your competition? Are you especially friendly? Particularly responsive?
Are you a partner in your clients’ strategy (as opposed to someone who just builds what people say they want)? Do you have especially clear and transparent pricing? Unusually quick and reliable turnarounds?
Ideally, you’d like to be able to answer all these questions affirmatively. Whether or not that is realistic, the point is to spend some time understanding exactly why a client should be happy they hired you, as opposed to hiring someone else at the exact same price for the exact same thing. What are the intangibles about the way you do business as a WordPress freelancer that makes working with you the right choice for your potential clients?
I have had a simple formula that has allowed me to separate myself from my competition. First and foremost, I am honest with my clients. If a client asks a question that I can’t answer, I let them know I will need time to research the issue and get back to them.
Second, if my clients want to learn WordPress development and become WordPress experts, I want to provide the training and other tools that will allow them to develop the skills so that they no longer require my services (assuming that is their ultimate goal).
Why Choose Emily Journey & Associates
At EJ&A, we understand that you might not have the necessary tools or expertise to learn WordPress on your own quickly.
We act as website advisors and instructors so you can learn WordPress development step-by-step and feel secure managing your own WordPress website. We work hard to ensure you get the most out of our WordPress lessons.
We are committed to you want to help you succeed.
Check out our WordPress Training Courses.
