30+ Must-Ask Interview Questions for WordPress Developers
Ralph Sanchez
30+ Must-Ask Interview Questions for WordPress Developers
General and Experience-Based Questions
Can you describe a challenging WordPress project you've worked on and how you overcame the obstacles?
How do you stay updated with the latest trends and updates in the WordPress ecosystem?
What is the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com?
Technical WordPress Questions
What are WordPress hooks (actions and filters), and can you provide an example of how you've used them?
What is a child theme and why is it important?
How do you debug issues in WordPress? What tools do you use?
Can you explain the purpose of the functions.php file?
How would you create a custom post type?
Security and Performance Questions
What are the most important steps you take to secure a WordPress website?
How do you approach optimizing a WordPress site for speed?
What is the $wpdb global object and when would you use it?
Problem-Solving and Scenario-Based Questions
A client reports the 'white screen of death.' What are your first steps to diagnose the problem?
You need to add a complex feature. Would you build a custom plugin or use an existing one? Explain your reasoning.
How would you handle a conflict between two plugins that are both essential for the site?
Conclusion
References
30+ Must-Ask Interview Questions for WordPress Developers
Finding the right WordPress developer can make or break your project. The interview is a critical step in the hiring process. Asking the right questions can reveal a candidate's true expertise, problem-solving abilities, and passion for development. This guide provides over 30 essential questions categorized by skill set to help you identify top talent.
A good interview process starts with a clear job description. Once you've found your ideal candidate through hiring a WordPress developer, you might need to decide between hiring them as a freelancer or as part of an agency. But first, you need to ensure they have the skills you need.
Let's dive into the questions that will help you separate the WordPress wizards from the wannabes.
General and Experience-Based Questions
These opening questions help you understand the candidate's background, passion, and overall experience with WordPress. They're your conversation starters - the questions that get candidates comfortable while revealing their depth of experience.
Can you describe a challenging WordPress project you've worked on and how you overcame the obstacles?
This question assesses problem-solving skills and resilience. Listen for specific details about the challenge they faced. Did they encounter a plugin conflict that broke the site? Maybe they had to optimize a database with millions of records?
The best answers will include:
A clear description of the problem
The steps they took to diagnose it
The solution they implemented
What they learned from the experience
Red flags include vague responses or blaming others without taking ownership. You want someone who can navigate rough waters, not someone who abandons ship at the first sign of trouble.
How do you stay updated with the latest trends and updates in the WordPress ecosystem?
This reveals their passion for the field and commitment to continuous learning. WordPress evolves constantly. New versions roll out regularly. Security patches appear overnight. The plugin ecosystem shifts like sand dunes.
Strong candidates might mention:
Following WordPress news sites and blogs
Participating in WordPress communities or forums
Attending WordCamps or local meetups
Contributing to open-source projects
Testing beta versions of WordPress
Someone who says "I just Google when I need something" might not have the proactive mindset you need for complex projects.
What is the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com?
A fundamental question to gauge their basic understanding of the WordPress landscape. This might seem too basic, but you'd be surprised how many people get confused.
The correct answer should cover:
WordPress.org offers the free, self-hosted software
WordPress.com provides hosted solutions with various plans
The differences in customization options
Control over plugins and themes
Hosting and maintenance responsibilities
If they can't nail this question, they probably aren't ready for professional WordPress development.
Technical WordPress Questions
These questions dive into the specifics of WordPress development to test their technical knowledge. This is where you separate those who've dabbled from those who truly understand the platform's architecture.
What are WordPress hooks (actions and filters), and can you provide an example of how you've used them?
Tests their understanding of a core WordPress concept for customization. Hooks are the backbone of WordPress extensibility. Without them, you're just scratching the surface.
A solid answer should explain:
Actions allow you to add functionality at specific points
Filters let you modify data before it's used
Real examples from their work
For instance, they might describe using
wp_enqueue_scripts to properly load JavaScript or the_content filter to add social sharing buttons. The key is hearing concrete examples, not textbook definitions.What is a child theme and why is it important?
Assesses their knowledge of best practices for theme customization and maintenance. This question reveals whether they understand sustainable development practices.
Look for answers that mention:
Preserving customizations during parent theme updates
Maintaining a clean separation of modifications
Faster development by building on existing themes
Easy rollback capabilities
Developers who modify parent themes directly are playing with fire. You want someone who builds for the long term.
How do you debug issues in WordPress? What tools do you use?
Evaluates their troubleshooting process and familiarity with debugging tools. Debugging separates professionals from amateurs. Everyone can build when things go right. What matters is how they handle it when things go wrong.
Strong candidates will mention:
Enabling
WP_DEBUG and related constantsUsing error logs effectively
Browser developer tools for frontend issues
Query Monitor or Debug Bar plugins
Xdebug for complex PHP debugging
Systematic approaches to isolating problems
The best developers have a methodical approach. They don't just randomly change things hoping something works.
Can you explain the purpose of the functions.php file?
A basic but important question about theme structure and functionality. Every WordPress theme has one, and it's often where the magic happens.
They should explain that functions.php:
Acts as a plugin for your theme
Loads automatically with the theme
Contains theme-specific functions and features
Can add custom post types, taxonomies, and more
Should be used thoughtfully to avoid bloat
Watch out for developers who dump everything into functions.php without organization. Clean code matters.
How would you create a custom post type?
Tests their ability to extend WordPress beyond standard posts and pages. Custom post types are essential for complex sites. They transform WordPress from a blog into a powerful CMS.
Good answers will cover:
Using
register_post_type() functionSetting appropriate arguments and labels
Considering UI and UX implications
Planning for templates and queries
Possibly mentioning plugins like CPT UI for simpler cases
The best candidates will also discuss when custom post types are appropriate versus using standard posts with categories.
Security and Performance Questions
These questions focus on two critical aspects of any professional website: ensuring it's secure and fast. A beautiful site that gets hacked or loads slowly is worthless.
What are the most important steps you take to secure a WordPress website?
Reveals their knowledge of security best practices, such as using security plugins, updating regularly, and implementing strong passwords. Security isn't optional in today's web landscape.
Comprehensive answers should include:
Regular updates for core, themes, and plugins
Strong passwords and two-factor authentication
Limited login attempts to prevent brute force attacks
File permissions set correctly
Security headers and SSL certificates
Regular backups (because prevention isn't always enough)
Security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri
Hiding WordPress version and login URLs
Bonus points if they mention security audits and monitoring. The best developers are proactive, not reactive.
How do you approach optimizing a WordPress site for speed?
Assesses their understanding of performance optimization techniques like caching, image optimization, and code minification. Speed affects everything - SEO, conversions, user experience.
Look for a systematic approach:
Analyzing current performance with tools like GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights
Optimizing images through compression and proper formats
Implementing caching at multiple levels (browser, page, object)
Minifying CSS and JavaScript files
Using a CDN for global reach
Optimizing the database and removing bloat
Choosing quality hosting appropriate for the site's needs
Lazy loading for images and videos
Great developers understand that performance optimization is ongoing, not a one-time task.
What is the $wpdb global object and when would you use it?
A more advanced question to test their knowledge of direct database interaction and security. This separates intermediate developers from advanced ones.
They should explain:
$wpdb provides safe methods for database queries
When to use it (complex queries not possible with WP_Query)
Security considerations like using prepare() for SQL injection prevention
Performance implications of direct queries
Alternatives like WP_Query for standard needs
Red flag: Anyone who writes raw SQL without mentioning security concerns isn't ready for production work.
Problem-Solving and Scenario-Based Questions
These questions present hypothetical situations to see how the candidate thinks on their feet. Real development is full of unexpected challenges. You need someone who thrives under pressure.
A client reports the 'white screen of death.' What are your first steps to diagnose the problem?
Tests their logical troubleshooting process in a common high-pressure scenario. The white screen of death strikes fear into clients' hearts. How your developer handles it matters.
A systematic approach should include:
Enable debugging to see error messages
Check error logs on the server
Deactivate all plugins via FTP or database
Switch to default theme to rule out theme issues
Increase memory limits if needed
Check for corrupted core files
Review recent changes that might have triggered it
The best answers show calmness and methodology. Panicking helps nobody.
You need to add a complex feature. Would you build a custom plugin or use an existing one? Explain your reasoning.
Evaluates their decision-making process regarding build vs. buy, considering factors like budget, timeline, and maintenance. This question reveals their business acumen, not just technical skills.
Smart developers consider:
Project timeline - custom takes longer
Budget constraints - existing plugins save development costs
Specific requirements - can existing plugins meet them?
Long-term maintenance - who will update and fix issues?
Performance impact - bloated plugins vs. lean custom code
Security implications - third-party code risks
Client technical ability - can they manage it themselves?
There's no single right answer. You want someone who weighs options thoughtfully.
How would you handle a conflict between two plugins that are both essential for the site?
Assesses their debugging skills and ability to navigate compatibility issues. Plugin conflicts are WordPress reality. Your developer needs strategies beyond "pick one."
Strong problem-solving approaches include:
Identifying the specific conflict through systematic testing
Checking for known issues in support forums
Contacting plugin developers for patches or workarounds
Using hooks to modify behavior without editing plugin files
Creating a compatibility plugin to bridge the gap
Finding alternative plugins that play nice together
Custom development to replace one plugin's functionality
The best developers see conflicts as puzzles to solve, not roadblocks to avoid.
Conclusion
These 30+ questions give you a comprehensive toolkit for evaluating WordPress developers. Remember, the best interviews feel like conversations, not interrogations. Let candidates elaborate on their experiences. Ask follow-up questions when something interests you.
Technical skills matter, but so does communication. Can they explain complex concepts simply? Do they show enthusiasm for solving problems? Will they mesh with your team or clients?
Use these questions as a starting point, but adapt them to your specific needs. A developer building simple business sites needs different skills than one creating complex web applications.
The right WordPress developer becomes a partner in your success. Take time to find someone who combines technical expertise with problem-solving abilities and professional communication. Your projects - and your clients - will thank you.
References
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Posted Jun 15, 2025
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