Top 25+ WordPress Interview Questions and Answers

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WordPress is a free and open-source content management system that powers over 40% of all websites today. It was launched in 2003 by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little as a user-friendly tool for blogging. Since then, it has grown into a powerful platform used for everything from personal blogs to eCommerce sites. With its wide usage in web development, WordPress skills are in high demand. If you are applying for a WordPress-related role, it is smart to prepare well. Here are 25+ WordPress interview questions and answers to help you get ready.

Fun Fact – WordPress powers over 60% of all websites that use a content management system (CMS).

Basic Level WordPress Interview Questions

Here are some WordPress interview questions and answers to help beginners understand the core concepts of WordPress development.

1. What is WordPress and how does it work?

WordPress is a free content management system (CMS) that lets users build websites without coding. It started as a blogging platform but now supports blogs, business sites, and even online stores. It works by storing data in a MySQL database and displaying it using PHP-based templates. The user-friendly dashboard makes content creation easy.

2. What are the differences between WordPress.org and WordPress.com?

WordPress.org is self-hosted. You install it on your own server and have full control. WordPress.com is a hosted platform managed by Automattic. It is easier to use but comes with restrictions unless you pay for upgrades. Developers and businesses often prefer WordPress.org for its flexibility.

3. How do you install a WordPress theme?

Go to Appearance > Themes > Add New. You can search for a theme, click “Install,” then “Activate.” For premium themes, upload the .zip file under “Upload Theme.” It only takes a minute.

4. What is a plugin in WordPress?

A plugin is a piece of software you add to WordPress to extend its features. For example, you can install a plugin for SEO, backups, or contact forms. Plugins are installed from the dashboard or uploaded manually.

5. How can you create a post in WordPress?

Click “Posts” > “Add New” from the dashboard. Add your title, content, media, and publish it. You can also assign categories and tags before publishing.

6. What is the WordPress dashboard used for?

The dashboard is your main control panel. It lets you add posts, manage pages, install plugins, change settings, and more. Everything starts here.

7. How do you update WordPress to the latest version?

Go to Dashboard > Updates. If a new version is available, click “Update Now.” It’s best to back up your site first. WordPress also allows automatic background updates for minor releases.

Note – Basic-level WordPress interview questions often include topics like themes, plugins, dashboard features, and content management basics.

WordPress Interview Questions for Freshers

These interview questions on WordPress are perfect for freshers looking to build a strong foundation in website development and CMS usage.

8. What are widgets in WordPress?

Widgets are small content blocks that you can add to sidebars, footers, or other widget areas. They let you display things like recent posts, search bars, menus, or custom text without editing code. You can drag and drop them from Appearance > Widgets.

9. How do you create categories and tags in WordPress?

While writing a post, you will see options for categories and tags on the right panel. You can add a new category or tag directly there. Or go to Posts > Categories or Posts > Tags from the dashboard to manage them separately.

10. What is the default WordPress table prefix?

The default table prefix is wp_. It appears before each database table name, like wp_posts or wp_users. You can change it during installation for better security.

11. How can you add media files to a WordPress post?

While editing a post, click the “Add Media” button above the editor. Upload files or choose from the Media Library. You can insert images, videos, audio, or documents directly into the post content.

12. What is a permalink in WordPress?

A permalink is the full URL of a post, page, or category. It’s what people use to access your content. You can set permalink structure from Settings > Permalinks. A good permalink is short and includes keywords.

13. What are the different user roles available in WordPress?

There are six main roles: Administrator, Editor, Author, Contributor, Subscriber, and Super Admin (for multisite). Each has different access levels. Admins have full control, while Subscribers can only manage their profiles.

14. How do you customize the homepage of a WordPress site?

Go to Settings > Reading and choose “A static page.” Then select which page to show as your homepage. Use the block editor or a page builder to design it as needed.

Advanced Level WordPress Interview Questions for Experienced Professionals

Let’s go through some WordPress questions and answers for interview that test your in-depth knowledge.

15. What are action hooks and filter hooks in WordPress?

Action hooks let you run custom code at specific points in WordPress execution, like wp_head or init. Filter hooks modify data before it’s used or displayed, such as changing post content using the_content. They are part of the WordPress plugin API.

16. How do you enqueue scripts and styles in a WordPress theme?

Use wp_enqueue_script() and wp_enqueue_style() inside a function hooked to wp_enqueue_scripts. This method avoids conflicts and loads files the right way. Always use get_template_directory_uri() or get_stylesheet_directory_uri() for correct paths.

17. Explain how WordPress handles URL routing and permalinks.

WordPress uses a system called “rewrite rules.” These rules convert URLs into query variables. For example, /about becomes index.php?pagename=about. The permalink structure is managed through .htaccess (Apache) or web.config (IIS) with rewrite_rules stored in the database.

18. How do you create a custom post type in WordPress?

Use the register_post_type() function inside an action hook like init. You can set labels, public visibility, supports, and rewrite options. This allows you to create content types like portfolios, testimonials, or products.

19. How do you improve WordPress site performance using caching?

Use page caching plugins like WP Super Cache or LiteSpeed Cache. Object caching with Redis or Memcached speeds up database queries. Also, use a CDN for static files and compress images before uploading them. Minifying CSS and JS helps too.

20. What security measures do you take while developing a WordPress site?

I always sanitize and validate user inputs. I use nonces for form actions to prevent CSRF attacks. I limit login attempts, keep WordPress and plugins updated, and disable file editing from the dashboard. I also use strong passwords and SSL.

WordPress Interview Questions for 3 Year Experienced

• Tell us about a challenging WordPress project you handled.
• How do you prioritize tasks when multiple WordPress bugs are reported?
• What would you do if a plugin update breaks the site layout?
• What is the difference between a child theme and a parent theme?

WordPress Interview Questions for 5 Years Experienced

• How do you keep yourself updated with the latest WordPress changes?
• How do you handle disagreements during WordPress project planning?
• A client site is hacked. What are your first steps?
• What are transients and how are they used in WordPress?

WordPress Interview Questions for 10 Years Experienced

• What motivates you to still work with WordPress after a decade?
• How do you mentor junior developers in WordPress projects?
• What is your approach to refactoring a legacy WordPress site?
• What is your process for architecting a large-scale WordPress solution?

WordPress Technical Interview Questions

This section covers technical interview questions on WordPress focused on coding, APIs, database structure, and customization techniques.

21. How does WordPress interact with the MySQL database?

WordPress uses PHP to connect to MySQL through the $wpdb class. This class handles all database queries like reading posts, saving settings, or registering users. Each part of WordPress – posts, users, options – has its own table in the database. Data is stored, retrieved, and displayed dynamically.

22. What are the key components of the WordPress architecture?

The main components are:

• Core files (PHP, JavaScript, CSS)
• Themes (handle design and layout)
• Plugins (add extra functionality)
• Database (stores content and settings)
• Admin dashboard (manages everything)

It runs on a LAMP stack – Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP.

23. How do you debug WordPress issues using WP_DEBUG?

Set define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true); in the wp-config.php file. It shows PHP errors, deprecated functions, and notices directly on the screen. For better logging, use WP_DEBUG_LOG to write errors to a debug.log file in the wp-content folder. Turn it off in production.

24. What is the difference between get_option() and get_theme_mod()?

get_option() fetches values saved using the Settings API – like site title or admin email. It pulls from the wp_options table.
get_theme_mod() retrieves values saved through the Customizer, like header image or custom colors. It is theme-specific.

25. How do you create and use a nonce in WordPress?

A nonce (number used once) protects URLs and forms from misuse. Use wp_create_nonce() to generate one. Pass it with your form or AJAX call. Then verify it using check_admin_referer() or check_ajax_referer() before processing any action.

Other Important WordPress Interview Questions

Here are some additional WP interview questions that are commonly asked across different roles.

WordPress Developer Interview Questions

These are the most asked interview questions that WordPress developers often face.

1. How do you create a custom shortcode in WordPress?
2. What are the steps to create a custom theme from scratch?
3. How do you handle form validation in WordPress?
4. How do you secure user input in WordPress development?
5. How do you register and use custom taxonomies in WordPress?

PHP WordPress Interview Questions

1. What is the difference between include and require in PHP?
2. How do you interact with the WordPress database using $wpdb?
3. How do you create a custom query in WordPress using WP_Query?
4. What are PHP template tags in WordPress?
5. How do you handle AJAX in WordPress using PHP?

Also Read - Top 50+ PHP Interview Questions and Answers

WordPress Elementor Interview Questions

1. What is Elementor and how does it work with WordPress?
2. How do you create a responsive layout in Elementor?
3. What are global widgets in Elementor?
4. How do you export and import Elementor templates?
5. How do you optimize Elementor pages for speed?

WordPress Backend Interview Questions

1. How do you create a custom admin page in WordPress?
2. What are metaboxes and how do you add them to post types?
3. How do you handle custom user permissions in WordPress?
4. How do you use cron jobs in WordPress?
5. What is the purpose of the REST API in WordPress?

WordPress Plugin Interview Questions

1. How do you create a basic WordPress plugin?
2. How do you register settings in a plugin settings page?
3. What are the activation and deactivation hooks in plugins?
4. How do you include external libraries in a WordPress plugin?
5. How do you handle plugin conflicts in WordPress?

WordPress eCommerce Interview Questions

1. What is WooCommerce and how does it integrate with WordPress?
2. How do you set up payment gateways in WooCommerce?
3. What are hooks specific to WooCommerce?
4. How do you customize product pages in WooCommerce?
5. How do you handle inventory management in WooCommerce?

Tips to Prepare for WordPress Interview

Preparing for a WordPress interview means knowing both technical skills and real-world project experience. Here are some tips:

• Revise core topics like themes, plugins, hooks, and database basics
• Practice explaining your past WordPress projects clearly
• Try building a simple custom theme or plugin from scratch
• Stay updated with the latest WordPress release and features
• Read through common interview questions and answer them out loud
• Keep your GitHub or portfolio site ready to show

Wrapping Up

These 25+ WordPress interview questions and answers give you a strong base to build on. Keep working on new projects and improve your coding and design skills. The more experience you get, the easier interviews will feel. 

Want to find your next WordPress job? Try Hirist – an online job portal for IT professionals. Here, you can easily find the top WordPress jobs in India that match your skills.

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