How You Can Get Involved With the WordPress Project

When I attended my first WordPress community event, I was amazed that every person I met was genuinely excited to help others succeed with WordPress. That’s when I realized that WordPress isn’t just a software project, it’s a movement of people who believe in making the web accessible to everyone.

The WordPress community thrives because people like you choose to get involved. You don’t need to be a programmer or have years of experience to make a meaningful difference.

While contributing to an open-source project might sound scary, the reality is much simpler than you think. The benefits flow both ways – you’ll gain new skills, meet incredible people, and often discover opportunities you never knew existed.

Whether you have five minutes a week or five hours, there are meaningful ways to contribute to WordPress that match your schedule and skills. I’ve participated in various contribution areas over the years, and I’m excited to share the most rewarding and accessible options with you.

Why Contributing to WordPress Matters

I’ve met countless WordPress users who don’t realize they’re part of something bigger. They use WordPress to run their businesses, build their dreams, and connect with customers around the world, but they think of it as just another piece of software.

The truth is, WordPress is free because thousands of volunteers contribute their time and skills to keep it growing. Without community contributions, WordPress wouldn’t exist, and neither would the websites that depend on it.

Many small business owners I talk to express the same frustration. They want to give back to the project that’s helped them succeed, but they feel lost about where to start. They assume you need to be a developer or have deep technical knowledge to make a difference.

The reality couldn’t be more different. WordPress needs people with all kinds of skills:

• The mom who runs a successful blog can help other beginners in support forums.
• The designer who creates beautiful websites can contribute to theme translations.
• The business owner who’s struggled with specific plugins can leave helpful reviews for other users.

When you contribute to WordPress, you’re not just helping the software – you’re supporting millions of people who depend on it for their livelihoods. Every contribution, no matter how small, creates a ripple effect that strengthens the entire ecosystem.

Here are some ways you can give back to the WordPress community:

1. Start Small – Help Others in WordPress Communities

The easiest way to start contributing to WordPress is by helping other users who are stuck with problems you’ve already solved.

I remember my first answer in a WordPress support forum. It was about fixing a simple plugin conflict, which is something I’d dealt with just weeks earlier.

That single answer helped three other people solve the same issue. It felt incredible to know my small experience had saved others hours of frustration.

Start by visiting the official WordPress support forums. You’ll find thousands of users asking questions about everything from basic setup to advanced customizations.

Look for questions in areas where you have experience. Maybe you’ve figured out how to add a contact form, customize a theme, or fix a common error message. Even if you consider yourself a beginner, there are always newer users who know less than you do.

Beyond the official forums, you can also help in unofficial WordPress communities. You could join the WPBeginner Engage Facebook group, where over 98,000 members share questions and solutions daily.

Reddit has active WordPress communities, too, including r/WordPress and r/wpbeginner_engage. These platforms have a more casual tone, making them perfect for sharing quick tips and personal experiences.

When answering questions, share what worked for you specifically. Instead of saying “try this plugin,” explain how you used it and what results you got. This personal touch makes your advice more valuable and trustworthy.

2. Attend or Organize Local WordPress Events

One of the most rewarding ways I’ve contributed to WordPress is by getting involved with local events. The connections I’ve made at WordPress meetups and WordCamps have shaped both my understanding of the platform and my career path.

Start by searching for WordPress events in your area. These informal gatherings happen monthly in most major cities and welcome everyone from complete beginners to seasoned developers.

I was nervous before attending my first meetup, worried I wouldn’t know enough to contribute. Within an hour, I was helping someone troubleshoot a plugin issue while learning about advanced SEO techniques from another attendee.

If you can’t find a meetup near you, consider starting one yourself. WordPress provides resources and sometimes funding to help new organizers get started.

You don’t need to be an expert. You just need enthusiasm for bringing the community together.

WordCamps are larger, more formal events that happen throughout the year in cities worldwide. These conferences feature speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities that can accelerate your WordPress knowledge dramatically.

Even if you’re not ready to speak at events yet, you can volunteer to help with registration, setup, or social media. Every WordCamp depends on volunteers, and it’s an excellent way to meet organizers and speakers while contributing behind the scenes.

The relationships you build at these events often lead to collaboration opportunities, job offers, or simply lasting friendships with people who share your passion for WordPress.

3. Contribute to WordPress Translation

When I first discovered that WordPress was available in dozens of languages, I was amazed at the effort that went into making this possible.

Every translated phrase you see in WordPress was contributed by volunteers who wanted to make the platform accessible to speakers of their native language.

Translation is one of the most impactful ways to contribute, especially if you’re bilingual or multilingual. You’re literally helping millions of people use WordPress in their preferred language.

To get started, head over to the WordPress translation portal. From there, you can find your language in the list. Clicking on it will show you which plugins, themes, and even WordPress itself need translation help.

WordPress uses a tool called GlotPress for translations. The interface is surprisingly simple – you’ll see English text on one side, and you can add your translation in a text box next to it. No technical skills required, just knowledge of both languages.

I started by translating just a few phrases during my lunch breaks. Within a month, I’d contributed to translating an entire plugin, knowing that users in my country could now use it more easily.

Don’t limit yourself to WordPress core translations. Thousands of themes and plugins also need translation help. See our guide on how to find and translate a translation-ready WordPress theme to get started with theme translations.

Many plugin authors are grateful for translation contributions and will often acknowledge your work in their plugin descriptions or websites.

4. Test and Report WordPress Issues

Testing WordPress and reporting bugs is like being a detective for the community.

I’ve discovered several issues over the years simply by using WordPress in ways the developers hadn’t anticipated, and each report has helped make WordPress more stable for everyone.

Setting Up Your Testing Environment

The safest way to test WordPress is by setting up a local development environment on your computer. You can install WordPress locally on Windows or Mac, creating a sandbox where you can experiment without affecting your live website.

Once you have WordPress running locally, install the WordPress Beta Tester plugin from the official plugin directory. This plugin automatically updates your local installation to the latest development versions, giving you access to new features before they’re released.

Identifying and Documenting Issues

As you test new features and updates, pay attention to anything that appears to be broken or behaves unexpectedly. Take screenshots of errors and note the exact steps that caused the problem.

Submitting Your Findings

When you find an issue, you can submit it through WordPress Trac, the project’s bug tracking system.

See our beginner’s guide to using Trac for detailed instructions on reporting bugs.

Keep in mind that Trac is for issues with WordPress core software. If you find a bug in a specific plugin or theme, it’s usually best to report it in that plugin’s support forum on WordPress.org or directly to the developer.

You can also participate in WordPress’s bug bounty program, where security researchers are rewarded for finding and responsibly reporting security vulnerabilities. Check out our guide on what a WordPress bug bounty program is to learn how to get involved.

Remember to never test development versions on your live website. Always use local installations or staging sites to avoid breaking your actual WordPress site.

5. Share Your WordPress Knowledge

One of the most powerful ways to contribute to WordPress is by sharing your experiences and knowledge with others. Every challenge you’ve overcome and every solution you’ve discovered can help someone else who’s facing the same struggle.

You can start by documenting your WordPress journey on your own blog or website. Write about the problems you’ve solved, the plugins you’ve tested, or the customizations you’ve made. These posts often become valuable resources that help other users for years to come.

Simple blog posts about fixing common WordPress errors can get thousands of views and help hundreds of people. Your unique perspective and way of explaining things might be exactly what someone needs to understand a concept.

Teaching friends, family, and colleagues about WordPress is another excellent way to contribute. Show them how WordPress can help their businesses or personal projects. You could even walk them through setting up their first website or choosing the right hosting provider.

Consider creating tutorials, case studies, or video walkthroughs based on your real experiences. Share the specific steps you took to achieve certain results, including any mistakes you made along the way and how you fixed them.

Social media platforms like YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn are perfect for sharing quick WordPress tips and insights. Even a short video showing how to solve a common problem can reach and help dozens of people.

When you share your knowledge, you’re not just helping individual users. Instead, you’re adding your wisdom and experience to the WordPress community and making the platform more accessible to newcomers.

6. Support WordPress Financially

Supporting WordPress financially doesn’t require a huge budget. Even small amounts can make a significant impact when combined with contributions from thousands of other community members.

The simplest way to support WordPress is by making a donation to the WordPress Foundation. Even $10 per year helps fund essential infrastructure, security initiatives, and community programs that keep WordPress running smoothly.

When choosing hosting, themes, or plugins for your WordPress sites, you can also prioritize companies that contribute back to the WordPress project. You can find these businesses listed on the Five for the Future pledges page.

I’ve made it a practice to support companies that give back to WordPress because I know my money helps fund ongoing development and community initiatives. It’s a way to align my purchasing decisions with my values.

Leaving reviews for plugins and themes you use is another form of financial support.

These reviews help other users make informed decisions and often encourage developers to continue improving their products. See our guide on how and why you should leave reviews on WordPress for best practices.

If you’ve benefited significantly from a free plugin or theme, consider making a voluntary donation to the developer. Many plugin authors include donation links on their WordPress.org pages or websites.

Your financial support, combined with time-based contributions, creates a sustainable ecosystem where developers can continue creating amazing tools for the WordPress community.

7. Create and Maintain WordPress Resources

Creating resources for the WordPress community is one of the most rewarding ways to contribute. When you build something that helps other users, you’re leaving a lasting impact that can benefit thousands of people.

Developing WordPress Plugins

Developing a free plugin is an excellent way to solve problems you’ve come across and share the solution with others.

Many plugins that address specific needs become incredibly popular because they fill gaps that other users experience.

If you’re ready to publish a plugin, just see our guide on how to add your plugin to the WordPress plugin directory. The process is straightforward, and having your plugin in the official directory gives it credibility and visibility.

Creating WordPress Themes, Documentation, and Tools

You don’t need to be a programmer to create valuable resources. You could design a free WordPress theme, create helpful documentation, or build tools that make WordPress easier to use.

Contributing to WordPress’s official documentation is another impactful way to help. The documentation team welcomes contributions from users who can explain concepts clearly and help improve existing guides.

Maintaining Your Contributions

Maintaining your contributions is just as important as creating them.

Keep your plugins updated, respond to user questions, and fix bugs when they’re reported. This ongoing commitment ensures your resources continue helping the community long-term.

Advanced Ways to Contribute

Once you’re comfortable with basic contributions, you might want to get involved in more technical aspects of WordPress development. This requires more time and expertise, but it can have a significant impact on the future of WordPress.

Contributing code patches to WordPress core is the most technical form of contribution. You’ll need programming skills in PHP, JavaScript, and other web technologies, plus an understanding of WordPress coding standards and best practices.

If you’re interested in core development, you can start by exploring the Make WordPress teams.

You can think of the Make WordPress teams as different departments in the WordPress project. There’s a team for design, one for making WordPress accessible to people with disabilities, one for security, and of course, one for writing the core code.

These teams often communicate via Slack and have regular meetings. You can start by observing, then asking how you can help with current tasks or tickets on Trac.

Even fixing minor bugs or improving code comments can make WordPress better for millions of users.

Speaking at WordPress events is another advanced way to contribute your expertise. WordCamps and meetups are always looking for speakers who can share practical knowledge and real-world experiences.

You don’t need to be a world-renowned expert to speak at events. Some of the most valuable presentations I’ve seen were from users sharing their journey from being a beginner to becoming a proficient WordPress user.

Making Your Contributions Sustainable

The key to long-term contribution success is finding ways to give back that fit naturally into your life and work routine. In my experience, sustainable contributions are far more valuable than short bursts of activity followed by long periods of absence.

Start small and build consistency before expanding your involvement. Choose one contribution method that matches your current schedule and skills, then commit to it for at least three months before adding new ways to help.

Many successful WordPress businesses integrate giving back into their business models. They allocate specific hours each week for community contributions, sponsor events as part of their marketing budget, or create free resources that also showcase their expertise.

You can track your contributions to see the impact you’re making. Whether it’s answering support questions, translating text strings, or helping at events, documenting your involvement helps you stay motivated and see your progress.

Remember that taking breaks is perfectly normal and healthy. Life gets busy, work demands change, and personal priorities shift. The WordPress community will always welcome you back when you’re ready to contribute again.

Start Contributing to WordPress Today

The WordPress community has given so much to millions of people around the world. Now you have the tools and knowledge to give back and become part of this incredible movement.

Remember that every contribution matters, no matter how small it might seem. The answer you post in a support forum could save someone hours of frustration. The plugin review you write could help another user make the right choice for their website.

You don’t need to master every contribution method I’ve covered. Instead, you can pick one that interests you and matches your current situation.

Maybe that’s helping in support forums during your lunch break, or attending a local meetup next month.

The WordPress community is incredibly welcoming to newcomers who want to help. Don’t worry about making mistakes or not knowing enough – we’ve all been beginners, and experienced contributors are usually happy to guide you through the process.

Your unique background and perspective bring value that others can’t provide. The challenges you’ve faced and overcome with WordPress can help someone else who’s struggling with the same issues right now.

Take the first step today. Visit the WordPress support forums, find a local meetup, or simply write about your WordPress experience on your blog. The community is waiting to welcome you, and your contributions will help shape the future of WordPress for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Contributing to WordPress

Here are some questions I’m frequently asked by WordPress users who want to learn more about contributing to the project and community.

Do I need to be a programmer to contribute to WordPress?

Absolutely not! WordPress needs people with all sorts of talents. As I’ve shared in this article, there are many ways to contribute that don’t require coding skills.

You can help in support forums, translate WordPress, write documentation, organize events, test software, leave reviews, and much more.

How much time do I need to commit to make a difference?

Any amount of time you can offer is valuable. Whether you have five minutes to answer a quick question in a forum, an hour a week to translate some strings, or more time to dedicate to larger projects, every little bit helps.

The key is consistency and finding something that fits your schedule.

What if I make a mistake while contributing?

The WordPress community is very welcoming and understanding, especially towards newcomers.

If you make a mistake, experienced contributors are usually happy to help guide you. For example, translations are often reviewed, and code contributions go through a review process.

Don’t let the fear of making a mistake hold you back.

We hope this guide helped you discover meaningful ways to get involved with the WordPress project. You may also want to see our beginner’s guide on what WordPress is and our list of the most common misconceptions about WordPress.

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