Would I choose to be a WordPress developer if I were no longer a BI developer?

Photo by Arnel Hasanovic on Unsplash

Some time ago, I received a challenge from one of my bosses, which consisted of revamping the company’s website, including new content and design. At that time, as someone passionate about working with data, I found it a bit intimidating because I didn’t have so much experience with WordPress, but also attractive because I love trying new things.

So, I gave it a shot and accepted my boss’s challenge, and here is what I learned.

What are the top-notch abilities you possess to create a stunning website?

As a BI developer, I found myself wondering what skills I have to create a catchy website 🤔

Despite primarily dealing with data, I soon discovered a unique set of aces up my sleeve that, surprisingly, played well in the art of web development:

• Design skills — my experience in crafting interactive dashboards to convey key insight to the client in a more effective way than simple tables became the necessary foundation for sketching out our engaging and visually appealing website design.

The guiding concept for our website theme was inspired by my boss’s vision of an ‘explorer.’ In the dynamic landscape of the software industry, there is a constant pursuit of faster ways to evolve and implement innovative solutions using cutting-edge technology.

Starting from this vision, I saw the website as a virtual journey through time, symbolizing the company’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve. The portal design, intricately woven from this ‘explorer’ theme, encapsulates the spirit of progress and innovation.

Portal designed by Author

I must confess that my self-learned Figma skills have come in handy for turning these concepts into reality. 😁

• Storytelling — one of the most useful skills of a BI developer is storytelling; it allows us to weave a narrative based on data, explaining the significance and relevance of our discovered insights to clients. When creating a website, compelling and easy-to-understand text is crucial, focusing on what you want to convey to your audience. This skill helped me structure the website with a clear beginning, middle, and end, emphasizing key messages through effective communication

Text crafted by the Author for the company’s website

• Collaboration — another indispensable skill of a BI developer is collaboration and communication. In our field, we need to work closely with end-users and stakeholders to understand their needs. Building the website was an iterative process that required constant communication with my boss and colleagues to gather feedback on prototypes or early versions of different website sections. The collaboration skill helped me to adapt to changing requirements and gain a deeper understanding of them.
• Structured thinking and planning — any BI project demands extensive consideration, planning, and, more than anything, organization; this also applies when you create a website. Starting from the conceptualization stage, deep thought about its structure and meticulous organization is imperative to culminate in a breathtaking website.

What I’ve learned?

After all this experience, I saw that the transition from a BI developer to a WordPress developer wouldn’t be so hard to do because working with data, gathering insights, and presenting them in a more understandable way for non-technical users form the foundation for a website creator.

Yes, you still have to learn specific tools and technologies associated with web development, but we already have a strong foundation composed of planning and organizing, data handling and processing, user-focused approach, visualization and design sensibility, and many more.

In conclusion

The quote “The first love is unforgettable” perfectly captures my enduring passion for working with data, a flame that ignited during my university days and continues to be a central part of my professional journey. The thought of stepping away from the world of data analysis is a bit daunting because working with data is not just a career for me; it’s my first and last love.

To address the main question…

My current answer is no, but I’m intrigued by the idea of pursuing it as a hobby 😊.

However, if circumstances steer me away from being a BI developer, I would wholeheartedly embrace the idea of becoming a WordPress developer.

Thank you so much for your support, it means a lot to me.

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