Key Skills & Requirements:
1. Proficiency in PHP
Strong knowledge of PHP programming, as WooCommerce is built on WordPress, which is primarily written in PHP.
Experience with object-oriented programming (OOP) in PHP.
Ability to write clean, efficient, and well-documented code.
2. WooCommerce Development Expertise
Familiarity with WooCommerce’s core structure, hooks, actions, and filters.
Experience customizing WooCommerce functionalities and themes to meet unique business requirements.
Knowledge of WooCommerce-specific functions, such as handling products, orders, payments, and checkout processes.
3. WordPress Core and Theme Development
Understanding of the WordPress CMS structure, template hierarchy, and theme development.
Experience with creating or customizing WordPress themes compatible with WooCommerce.
Familiarity with WordPress plugins, especially those commonly used with WooCommerce.
4. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Proficiency in HTML and CSS for front-end styling and layout adjustments.
JavaScript skills for dynamic features, with experience in libraries like jQuery (commonly used in WooCommerce).
Familiarity with responsive design to ensure mobile compatibility of WooCommerce sites.
5. REST API and Webhooks
Experience working with the WooCommerce REST API to integrate with other systems and manage orders, products, and customers.
Knowledge of setting up and managing webhooks for real-time data updates and synchronization with third-party tools.
6. MySQL and Database Management
Understanding of MySQL databases for managing and optimizing WooCommerce and WordPress database queries.
Ability to write custom SQL queries for data retrieval and analysis.
8. Security Best Practices
Awareness of WordPress security best practices to protect WooCommerce stores from vulnerabilities.
Experience implementing secure payment handling, data validation, and sanitization to protect against common attacks like SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS).
9. Debugging and Troubleshooting
Ability to troubleshoot issues and debug code, using tools like WP Debug, error logs, and browser dev tools.
Experience with version control systems, primarily Git, for code versioning and collaborative work.
10. Performance Optimization
Knowledge of techniques for improving WooCommerce performance, including caching, lazy loading, and database optimization.
Familiarity with tools like WP Rocket, Autoptimize, and others for boosting website speed and user experience.
11. Familiarity with SEO for eCommerce
Understanding of SEO best practices for WooCommerce to improve the store’s search engine rankings.
Experience with SEO plugins like Yoast or Rank Math that integrate with WooCommerce.
These skills will allow a developer to create, customize, and maintain high-quality, performance-driven WooCommerce websites that offer a seamless eCommerce experience for users and meet business goals.
