Web Development Archives - Brian Dean Web Development Services, Design & Art https://brian-dean.com/category/web-development/ Front End Web Development, Web Design & SEO Services Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:31:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://brian-dean.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/cropped-Profile-Pic-Aug-2018-from-2017-opt-v1-73K-32x32.jpg Web Development Archives - Brian Dean Web Development Services, Design & Art https://brian-dean.com/category/web-development/ 32 32 The WordPress plugin I recently made: Color Labels for Posts and Pages https://brian-dean.com/2024/05/19/created-a-new-plugin-today-color-label-posts-pages/ Sun, 19 May 2024 20:13:43 +0000 https://brian-dean.com/?p=4367 The post The WordPress plugin I recently made: Color Labels for Posts and Pages appeared first on Brian Dean Web Development Services, Design & Art.

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This is the first version of it: Color Labels for Posts and Pages – in progress, in my Github repo.

A while ago I thought, it’d be really useful if I could navigate through WordPress pages, posts that are color-coded (coloring the whole page/post menu item HTML element) so I could find certain ones quicker. I started looking around for a plugin that could do this and I couldn’t find one. I searched again this spring, with various keywords, key phrases and I still couldn’t find one. So, I decided to go forward with creating this plugin and did my research on what’s required of a WordPress plugin.

 

11/18/2025 EDIT:
I’m working on some finishing touches before I submit it to the WordPress.org plugin directory. My goal is for them to accept it & I’m considering making a premium version with many other features I have in mind. 

This plugin did require some unexpectedly difficult updates later on this year, so with all this, it’s probably best to check out this plugin both in GitHub & for use in WordPress later when this particular ‘EDIT’ message is no longer here.

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How to keep up as a WordPress developer in 2024 according to GPT4 https://brian-dean.com/2024/03/02/how-to-be-a-currently-relevant-wordpress-developer-in-2024/ Sat, 02 Mar 2024 18:16:22 +0000 https://brian-dean.com/?p=3993 The post How to keep up as a WordPress developer in 2024 according to GPT4 appeared first on Brian Dean Web Development Services, Design & Art.

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Me to GPT4:What would you say a junior wordpress web developer (nearing or wanting to near ‘senior’ level) like myself must know to get hired & stay competitive against their fellow jobhunter competition?” GPT4:

Focusing on a combination of technical skills, industry trends, and soft skills is crucial. Here’s a comprehensive guide:

1. Advanced Technical Skills:

  • Deep WordPress Core Knowledge: Understand the core PHP code that WordPress is built on, including how to modify and extend it through plugins and themes.
  • Custom Theme Development: Ability to create custom themes from scratch that are responsive, SEO-friendly, and accessible.
  • Plugin Development: Skills in developing custom plugins to add unique functionality to a WordPress site.
  • Front-end Technologies: Proficiency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and pre-processing platforms like SASS or LESS. Knowledge of front-end frameworks like React.js or Vue.js is increasingly valuable, especially with the rise of headless WordPress.
  • Back-end Technologies: Strong grasp of PHP and MySQL. Knowledge of RESTful APIs and GraphQL for integrating with third-party services and building web applications.
  • Version Control: Familiarity with Git for tracking changes, collaborating with teams, and deploying code.

2. Performance Optimization:

  • Speed Optimization: Understanding of caching mechanisms, CDN integration, image optimization, and minimizing HTTP requests.
  • Security: Knowledge of best practices for securing WordPress sites, including securing data, preventing common vulnerabilities, and regular maintenance routines.
  • SEO: Skills in optimizing WordPress sites for search engines, understanding of SEO plugins like Yoast SEO, and adherence to web standards.

3. Project Management and Workflow:

  • Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with agile development processes and tools like Jira or Trello.
  • Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Understanding of CI/CD pipelines for automated testing and deployment.
  • Collaboration Tools: Proficiency with collaboration and version control tools such as Git, GitHub, Bitbucket, or GitLab.

4. Soft Skills:

  • Problem-Solving: Ability to troubleshoot issues, think critically, and come up with effective solutions.
  • Communication: Clear communication skills, both written and verbal, for collaborating with team members and clients.
  • Time Management: Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines efficiently.
  • Continuous Learning: Commitment to staying updated with the latest technologies, WordPress updates, and industry trends.

5. Additional Considerations:

  • Community Involvement: Participation in WordPress forums, contributing to open-source projects, or speaking at WordPress meetups and conferences can showcase your commitment and expertise.
  • Certifications and Courses: While not always necessary, certifications in relevant technologies or completion of advanced WordPress development courses can bolster your resume.
  • Portfolio Development: A strong portfolio demonstrating your WordPress projects, including themes, plugins, or contributions to open-source projects, can significantly enhance your job prospects.

Focusing on these areas will not only prepare you for senior-level roles but also differentiate you in the competitive job market for WordPress developers.

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