User Guide

Getting someone else to do it for you

Developing a plug-in really is a question of what you want it to do.

For example, I developed the plug-in at http://WordPress.org/extend/

plugins/hts-display-active-members/ because it was needed for a website called

Blueflipper Diving - a website for scuba divers at http://

www.blueflipperdiving.co.uk (where you can see the plug-in working).

It took about half an hour, because I knew exactly what was wanted, and didn’t

rely on any input from anyone else.

On the other hand, a complicated plugin, with exact requirements not defined,

may take days, weeks or even longer depending on the complexity!

Be careful selecting your developer, make sure you can trust them. A plug-in

may need to be updated as you upgrade WordPress. Are they available for

support? Did you get a copy of the source code (which is written in PHP) in case

they go out of business or you fall out with them (it’s likely you will need

someone else to continue support)? And so on.

I am happy to offer advice on creating WordPress plug-ins, and of course as an

experienced website developer over 20+ years, you would be surprised if I

didn’t offer my services! You can find out more at www.wpsymposium.com

including information about the company behind the website and myself.

WordPress 3 User Guide" Chapter 8: Plugins