Learn PHP: How to Start Building Dynamic Websites with PHP

When you learn PHP, a server-side scripting language built for the web. Also known as Hypertext Preprocessor, it powers over 75% of websites that use a backend language — including WordPress, Facebook (in its early days), and thousands of custom business sites. Unlike front-end tools like HTML or JavaScript, PHP runs on the server. It handles form submissions, talks to databases, and generates dynamic content — all before the page even reaches your browser.

If you’re trying to build a website that changes based on who’s viewing it — like a login system, product catalog, or user dashboard — you need PHP. It’s not magic, but it does need practice. You don’t need a computer science degree. You don’t even need to know JavaScript first. Just start with basic HTML and CSS, then add PHP to make things work behind the scenes. Many people who learn full stack development, building both front-end and back-end parts of a website begin with PHP because it’s straightforward and widely supported. Tools like XAMPP or MAMP let you run PHP on your own computer, so you can test code without renting a server. And since WordPress uses PHP, learning it opens the door to customizing themes and plugins — not just using them.

PHP also connects to databases like MySQL, which means you can store user data, blog posts, or product info and pull it back when needed. This is why so many learning platforms and job listings mention PHP alongside web development. You’ll see it in posts about WordPress development, creating custom sites without relying on plugins, or how to build a site from scratch. Even in 2025, companies still hire developers who know PHP because it’s reliable, fast, and cheap to host. And if you’re curious about web developer salary, how much coders earn without a degree, PHP skills can get you started with freelance gigs or entry-level roles — often without needing a portfolio full of flashy frameworks.

What you’ll find below are real guides from people who’ve walked this path. Some explain how to start from zero. Others show how PHP fits into full-stack work, or why it’s still worth learning even when new tools pop up every year. You’ll see how it connects to WordPress, how it compares to JavaScript for backend tasks, and why so many non-IT people succeed with it. No theory dumps. No fluff. Just clear steps, honest advice, and practical examples that match what you’ll actually do as a beginner. Ready to build something real? The next posts show you exactly how.