Top 40 WordPress Interview Questions and Answers

The popularity of the platform and the constant need for website creation and upkeep have created a strong demand for WordPress developers. You can pursue a fulfilling career in this exciting industry by honing your skills in WordPress and related technologies. Here are the top 40 WordPress interview questions and answers to help you ace the interviews. Explore our WordPress course syllabus to get started. 

WordPress Interview Questions for Freshers

Here are the basic WordPress interview questions and answers for freshers:

1. What is WordPress?

WordPress is an open-source, free content management system (CMS) that enables users to make blogs, websites, and other types of content. It is the world’s most widely used CMS.  

It is user-friendly, flexible, supports many types of content, and it has a wide range of plugins and themes to make our website impressive.

2. What are WordPress themes?

A WordPress website’s layout and design are managed by themes. A theme in WordPress is a collection of style sheets and template files that specify how the content of a website should look and be presented. One may loosely refer to this as a site design. The Appearance > Themes option allows you to add, edit, and manage them. 

3. What are WordPress plugins?

Software add-ons called WordPress plugins increase the functionality of your WordPress website. Contact forms, social media links, and e-commerce are just a few of the features that may be added using plugins. Plugins give a WordPress website additional features like contact forms, e-commerce capabilities, and SEO tools. 

4. What is the loop in WordPress?

PHP code called the loop is used to show posts on a WordPress website. WordPress uses PHP code called The Loop to show posts. WordPress uses The Loop to format each post based on how it satisfies predetermined criteria within the Loop tags before displaying it on the current page. Every post in the Loop will have any HTML or PHP code processed. 

5. What is the WordPress dashboard?

The control panel for WordPress website management is called the dashboard. It’s a safe space where users may develop and manage content while also getting a site overview. You may administer your WordPress website using the dashboard.  

6. What are WordPress widgets?

Small content blocks called widgets can be placed to sidebars and other places that are widget-ready. Users can contribute content to regions outside of the main page editor with WordPress widgets, which are layout components. These sections consist of the header, footer, and sidebar.  

7. What is a shortcode in WordPress?

Adding dynamic content or functionality to posts, pages, or widgets can be done quickly with shortcodes. You can add functionality to your website without knowing how to write code due to this little bit of code. Similar to shortcuts, shortcodes enable you to incorporate functionality into your website.

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8. What is the REST API in WordPress?

WordPress data can be interacted with by external apps through the REST API. Applications also can interact with WordPress websites through the WordPress REST API interface. It makes it possible for apps to see, edit, and control WordPress content.  

9. What is a taxonomy in WordPress?

Content is categorized using taxonomies, which include tags and categories. A taxonomy in WordPress is a way to group material into tags and categories. Taxonomies enhance SEO and facilitate user navigation on your website.  

10. What is the difference between get_post() and WP_Query?

Whereas WP_Query is utilized for intricate searches, get_post() just retrieves a single post. Get_posts() offers a more straightforward method of retrieving posts without changing the main query, however WP_Query gives you the most freedom and is usually the best option for complicated queries.

11. How do you secure a WordPress site?

Limit login attempts, utilize security plugins, update plugins and themes, and use strong passwords. You may use a firewall, create strong passwords, and keep your software updated to safeguard your WordPress website. Additionally, you can restrict login attempts, enable two-factor authentication, and periodically backup your website.  

12. What is two-factor authentication (2FA)?

By demanding a second form of verification upon login, 2FA offers an additional layer of protection. Before gaining access to an account or system, two-factor authentication (2FA) requires two distinct methods to confirm your identity. Dual-factor authentication or two-step verification are other names for 2FA.  

13. What is a brute force attack?

A brute force attack is a type of cyberattack that obtains access to accounts and networks by trial and error. This technique is used by hackers to break login credentials, encryption keys, and passwords. In order to obtain access, a brute force attack entails attempting various passwords repeatedly.

14. How do you prevent SQL injection in WordPress?

Using parameterized queries, verifying user input, and utilizing a web application firewall can all help prevent SQL injection. Sanitize user inputs in WordPress and use prepared statements with wpdb.

15. What is a CDN?

A collection of servers that cooperate to provide users with content more quickly is known as a content delivery network (CDN). For quicker loading, a Content Delivery Network (CDN) divides up the content of a website among several servers. The servers that make up CDNs are dispersed globally.  

16. What is an SEO plugin for WordPress?

Two well-known SEO plugins are Rank Math and Yoast SEO. Extension modules for browsers, software programs, and content management systems are known as SEO plugins. 

By adding unique activities and features that impact search engine optimization, site analysis, online marketing, and other areas, an SEO plugin broadens the scope of the original software. 

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17. How do you enable Gzip compression in WordPress?

GZIP compression can be enabled on your WordPress website most easily by using a cache or speed optimization plugin. Gzip can be enabled using.htaccess or a caching plugin.

For example, W3 Total Cache’s Browser Cache settings panel offers the ability to enable GZIP compression if your WordPress website is hosted on an Apache web server. 

18. How do you optimize a WordPress site?

We can use a CDN (Content Delivery Network) for the following reasons:

• To decrease CSS/JS files.
• To optimize pictures.
• To employ cache plugins. 

Choosing an appropriate theme, using caching plugins, compressing images, turning on a CDN, updating WordPress and plugins on a regular basis, removing unnecessary plugins, optimizing your database, and using the most recent PHP version are all important steps in optimizing a WordPress website.

19. What are action hooks?

You can run custom code at particular stages of the WordPress lifecycle by using action hooks. 

• An “action hook” is a technique to trigger custom actions at specific events within the WordPress system. 
• In the context of WordPress development, it is a specific point within the WordPress code where developers can insert their own custom code to execute a function at a particular time during the website’s loading process. 
• This effectively enables developers to modify the website’s default behavior without directly altering the core WordPress code.  

20. What are filter hooks?

With filter hooks, you can edit data before it’s stored or shown. WordPress filter hooks are functions that change data as it moves through the code. Filter hooks allow developers to modify data before it is saved or seen.

• Developers attach a function to an existing filter hook in their code.
• The data is intercepted and altered by the filter hook.
• The updated data is returned for additional processing. 

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Interview Questions for WordPress Developer Experienced

Here are the advanced WordPress interview questions and answers for experienced:

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

While WordPress.org is self-hosted and provides complete control over the website, WordPress.com is a hosted platform. The primary differences between them are:

2. What is a child theme?

The functionality and style of a parent theme are passed down to a child theme, enabling customization without changing the parent theme. 

• The parent theme is necessary for a child theme to exist.
• The modifications made to the child theme are carried over to the latest version of the parent theme.
• Simple color adjustments or more intricate tweaks can be made with child themes.

3. What is the purpose of the functions.php file?

To add new functionality or change already-existing features in a theme, use the functions.php file. 

• By enabling developers to define their own PHP functions, make use of WordPress hooks, and change the website’s existing behaviors, the “functions.php” file in WordPress is used to add custom functionality and features to a theme. 
• It functions similarly to a plugin tailored to the current theme, allowing site customization without requiring changes to the core WordPress files.  

4. What is the difference between posts and pages?

Pages, like “About Us,” are static, but posts, like blog entries, are dynamic and time-sensitive. Pages in WordPress are static content that rarely changes, whereas posts are dynamic content that may be modified. 

5. What is the WordPress database?

WordPress stores user data, settings, and content in a MySQL database. 

• A WordPress database is a group of tables that house all of the data for a WordPress website, including details about posts, pages, users, comments, settings, and more. 
• It serves as the main repository for all of the data on your site, enabling WordPress to access and manage it dynamically. 
• MySQL is the database management system that WordPress primarily uses to store and retrieve this data.

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6. What are custom post types?

You can build content types other than standard posts and pages (such as portfolios and testimonials) with custom post types. 

• In WordPress, you can create a new type of content called a “custom post type” that is different from regular “posts” and “pages.” 
• This type of content allows you to store and display unique data with different formatting and features that better suit your needs, such as product listings, staff profiles, or a portfolio of projects, all of which can be managed within the WordPress interface. 
• It’s a custom category of posts with its own set of fields and display options.  

7. What is the role of wp-config.php?

WordPress configuration options, including database connection information, are contained in the wp-config.php file. 

• The “wp-config.php” file serves as a bridge between your WordPress website and its database, enabling it to store and retrieve data required for the site to function. 
• It contains vital information such as database connection details (name, username, password, host), security keys, and other settings required for your WordPress site to operate correctly.  

8. What is the purpose of .htaccess in WordPress?

Security setups, redirects, and URL rewriting are all done with the help of the.htaccess file. 

• By establishing precise guidelines for how the server should respond to requests to your website, a “.htaccess” file in WordPress functions as a configuration file that regulates how your web server communicates with your website. 
• This enables you to manage a number of aspects, including URL redirects, security settings, permalinks, and overall site performance. 
• It is a potent tool for optimizing the behavior of your website without having to change server settings directly.  

9. What is WP-CLI?

A command-line tool for controlling WordPress installations is called WP-CLI. It allows users to administer their WordPress websites from the command line. It is an open-source project that is based on PHP.  

Examples:

• wp help: It offers details about commands and options.
• wp cli version: It checks the WP CLI version.
• wp core download: It downloads the latest version of the WordPress core files.
• wp config create: It creates a config file.
• wp db create: It creates a new database.
• wp theme install: Installs a theme.

10. What is lazy loading?

By delaying the loading of resources until they are required, a technique known as “lazy loading” can increase efficiency and conserve bandwidth.

• Non-essential resources are identified using lazy loading, which loads them only when required.
• A web page may, for instance, show a placeholder image in place of an image that is below the fold.
• Only when the user scrolls down to the image’s location does it load.

11. What is the difference between hooks and filters?

While filters alter pre-existing data before it is shown, hooks let you add custom code at certain locations.

12. How do you enqueue scripts and styles in WordPress?

The wp_enqueue_scripts WordPress hook and two extra functions for stylesheets and scripts make up the enqueuing process. 

• Stylesheets and JavaScript files are queued on your WordPress website using the wp_enqueue_scripts action hook. 
• The functionalities of a WordPress theme typically use this hook. 
• Utilize the functions.php file’s wp_enqueue_script() and wp_enqueue_style() functions.

13. What is the template hierarchy in WordPress?

The template hierarchy determines which template file is used to display content. It’s a structured method by which WordPress chooses which template file to render a page based on the content being accessed, such as a single post, category page, or search results page. 

The “template hierarchy” in WordPress decides which template files to use when displaying a webpage on your site by following a specific order to find the most relevant template for the content being viewed, starting with specific page types and falling back to more general templates if a specific one isn’t found.  

14. How do you create a custom page template?

In order to create a custom page template, 

• Go to the theme editor in your website’s backend (usually through a content management system like WordPress).
• Create a new template file with specific code that defines the layout and design elements for your custom page
• Assign that template to the pages you want on your site. 

Usually, this entails adding a special comment block at the top of the new file to identify it as a custom template and specifying its name for selection within the website interface.

With a note like /* Template Name: Custom Template */, create a PHP file.

15. What are transients in WordPress?

Temporary data with an expiration date is stored in the database using transients.

By eliminating needless database queries and API calls, “transients” in WordPress refer to a mechanism that enables developers to keep cached data in the database for a predetermined amount of time. 

This system functions as a temporary data cache with an expiration date and helps enhance website performance.

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16. How do you debug a WordPress site?

Accessing your “wp-config.php” file and setting “WP_DEBUG” to “true” will activate debug mode, allowing you to see error messages and warnings either directly on the website or in a dedicated debug log file located within your WordPress installation directory. 

For more complex troubleshooting options, you can also use debugging plugins. This is the main method for debugging a WordPress site.  

Use debugging plugins such as Query Monitor and enable WP_DEBUG in wp-config.php.

18. What is the purpose of the wpdb class?

Without using raw SQL commands, this class is used to communicate with databases. 

• The global $wpdb object, which gives access to the WordPress database, is instantiated by WordPress by default using this class. 
• In wp-content/db, you can set the $wpdb global variable to substitute your own class for this one.
• To communicate with the WordPress database, utilize the wpdb class.

19. How do you create a custom widget?

Expand the WP_Widget class and add the required methods. The exact steps will vary depending on the platform you’re using. We can create a custom widget with the following: 

• Using the widget development tools within your platform of choice.
• Writing code to define the widget’s appearance and functionality.
• Configuring any required data sources or inputs, and then integrating the widget into your application or dashboard.
• Defining its placement and how it interacts with other elements.

20. What is the purpose of nonces in WordPress?

To stop CSRF attacks, nonces are used to confirm the source and purpose of requests. It serves as a unique identifier that confirms the legitimacy of an action on your site.  

By ensuring that a particular request or form submission can only be used once and is coming from a legitimate user, not a malicious third party, a nonce, short for “number used once”, is a security token in WordPress that helps protect your website from malicious attacks, particularly Cross-Site Request Forgeries (CSRF). 

21. How do you improve WordPress site speed?

Reduce HTTP requests, optimize images, and make use of caching. Here are the ways to increase the speed of your WordPress website: 

• Using a caching plugin.
• Optimizing images.
• Utilizing a Content Delivery Network (CDN).
• Selecting a lightweight theme.
• Minimizing CSS and JavaScript files.
• Updating your WordPress core and plugins to the latest versions.
• Cleaning up your database.
• Limiting unnecessary plugins.
• Taking into consideration a reputable hosting provider.

These strategies center on lowering file sizes, minimizing server requests, and using caching mechanisms to serve content more quickly.  

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Conclusion

It is necessary to be acquainted with both technical and practical aspects of WordPress, such as optimization, customization, and troubleshooting, in order to prepare for an interview. You may easily demonstrate your proficiency in WordPress development and administration by becoming an expert in these areas. We hope these 40 WordPress interview questions and answers will be helpful. Gain expertise in content management systems with our WordPress course in Chennai.