How Developer Communities Shape the Future of Online Content Platforms in 2024

Platforms like StackOverflow, GitHub, and Slack are home to many vibrant developer communities. Developers gather to discuss novelties in their respective areas of expertise, comment on issues they might have, help other developers, and more. The proliferation of these communities is shaping the future of content platforms like WordPress, Drupal, and Wix in numerous ways.

In fact, their role is so pivotal that it has given rise to a niche called Developer relations (DevRel), which mainly involves marketing to developers. People working in this niche foster relationships between organizations and developers to increase sales, improve customer satisfaction, and enhance product adoption.

WordPress developers enhance software and build custom sites 

In 2024, there are around 29 million content management system developers. WordPress developers specialize in creating websites with WordPress. They develop the front end and the back end, which is known as full-stack development. Companies and individuals hire WordPress developers to build custom websites for them or improve WordPress software functions.

As of 2024, WordPress is used by 62.6% of all websites with known content management systems, corresponding to 43.4% of all websites. Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that web developer employment is anticipated to grow by 16% by 2032, which is much faster than the employment average. This statistic corresponds to an annual average of 34,700 new jobs.

WordPress developers are typically responsible for:

• Translating client requirements into technical specifications
• Writing, testing, and debugging code
• Designing and developing new features and functions
• Implementing and maintaining website architecture.

Drupal developers boost website performance

Drupal is another popular and publicly accessible CMS on which developers build websites. Like WordPress, Drupal thrives on developers’ contributions. Its community includes more than one million technical experts.

In 2024, 1.3% of all websites with known CMS use Drupal, which represents 0.9% of all websites. Drupal developers create features mainly with PHP to boost website performance and functionality.

Drupal websites are relatively complex and resource-intensive. If you choose Drupal for your content needs, invest in a high-quality Drupal hosting solution. Look for advanced caching, optimized server configurations, and CDNs to ensure optimal performance. The best hosting solutions help Drupal remain a viable option for large-scale websites that require fast load times.

Drupal developers are masters at creating website elements and transforming content structures to meet specific needs. Their functional sites run optimally with support from content writers and other experts.

Drupal developers also create add-ons or modules that the whole Drupal community can access. They can build on existing modules to improve features and functionality.

Finally, Drupal theme developers also have expertise in CSS and HTML. They transform designs into working themes. Some have experience in graphic design.

Wix developers come up with stunning, customized, functional websites

With around 8 million live websites on Wix, the platform accounts for 45% of the site builder share in 2024. As of February 2024, Wix held 2.24% of the web hosting market.

Wix developers display expert capabilities, a fact companies like Walmart, Nikon, and the New York Times recognize. All three use Wix for their subsidiaries’ websites. Wix’s market share is still limited, but the platform carries a lot of potential. Developers use Wix’s intuitive, built-in custom features to build functional and awe-inspiring websites per client needs.

Wix websites are SEO-friendly thanks to the developer community’s role in offering built-in tools and guidance.

Final thoughts

Online content platforms thrive on the contributions of their developer communities. Developers create new plugins, modules, and features that extend the capabilities of platforms like WordPress, Drupal, and Wix. This constant innovation helps keep content relevant.

Developer communities are pivotal in shaping the future of online content platforms by driving innovation, fostering collaboration, improving functionality, and ensuring adaptability.