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This Week in WordPress #294

"Palinopsia, revise your notion of reality" - This Week in WordPress #294
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 15th April 2024. You can find the episode here: https://wpbuilds.com/2024/04/23/this-week-in-wordpress-294

369 – No Script Show, Episode 8 – Designing an effective homepage

Designing an effective homepage - WP Builds WordPress podcast #369
So we’re back with another ‘podcast hijack’, in which the WP Builds podcast is temporarily taken over by a new podcast that I’m doing with David Waumsley. It’s called “The No Script Show”, and we’re getting back to the basics which we feel we’ve lost touch with, namely HTML and CSS. This week, it’s all about something called ‘component based web design’, but before that, a few words about what this show is about… Over the years our reliance on tools like Page Builders mean that we’ve not kept up with the new technologies which are becoming available to us via the browser, HTML and CSS… and that made us sad! Sad because there’s real power in what can now be achieved, and it’s an exciting time, where CSS can do much of the heavy lifting which used to be the domain of Javascript. Does this mean that WordPress is not in view, not for me, but WordPress uses all-the-things we discuss, so they’re tied together in so many ways! The hope is that you’ll enjoy the podcast enough to subscribe to it and enjoy the podcast as we get into this new subject. There are the show notes that you’ll find on the noscript.show website for this episode. Today we are talking about… designing an effective homepage.

368 – Driving WordPress education via Full Site Editing with Chris Badgett

"Driving WordPress education via Full Site Editing with Chris Badgett" - WP Builds WordPress Podcast
Today we're joined by Chris Badgett, who is a WordPresser with a rich background in e-learning and WordPress development. Starting in 2008 with a leadership blog, he transitioned to freelance work and eventually ran his own agency focused on learning management systems, memberships, and coaching. Identifying a lack of integrated tools in the market, Chris founded LifterLMS, a learning management plugin for WordPress that blends e-commerce, gamification, and membership functions. Now, nine years after launch, LifterLMS is a testament to his dedication to providing WordPress solutions for educators and learners within the WordPress ecosystem. In this episode, we talk about Chris's journey from humble blogging beginnings to crafting a comprehensive, integrated LMS platform that democratises online education for experts and novices alike. Chris, a non-developer by trade, has leveraged the capabilities of full site editing to empower his customers to design online education experiences without the need to write any code. We get into the milestones of LifterLMS, detailing the significance of their evolution towards full stack learning solutions. We talk about how the platform can be customised, and the recent launch of the SkyPilot theme, designed to significantly enhance the user experience for course creators and learners. We also explore the shift from traditional themes to full site editing, how it's reshaping user expectations, and the role of templates and blocks in simplifying the creation of course content.

367 – No Script Show, Episode 7 – How do we start a website project?

"How do we start a website project?", No Script Show, Episode 7 - WP Builds WordPress Podcast
So we’re back with another ‘podcast hijack’, in which the WP Builds podcast is temporarily taken over by a new podcast that I’m doing with David Waumsley. It’s called “The No Script Show”, and we’re getting back to the basics which we feel we’ve lost touch with, namely HTML and CSS. This week, it's all about something called 'component based web design', but before that, a few words about what this show is about... Over the years our reliance on tools like Page Builders mean that we’ve not kept up with the new technologies which are becoming available to us via the browser, HTML and CSS… and that made us sad! Sad because there’s real power in what can now be achieved, and it’s an exciting time, where CSS can do much of the heavy lifting which used to be the domain of Javascript. Does this mean that WordPress is not in view, not for me, but WordPress uses all-the-things we discuss, so they’re tied together in so many ways! The hope is that you’ll enjoy the podcast enough to subscribe to it and enjoy the podcast as we get into this new subject. There are the show notes that you’ll find on the noscript.show website for this episode. Today we are talking about how do we start a website project?

366 – Need a lightweight calendar? Have a look at Pie Calendar

"Need a lightweight calendar? Have a look at Pie Calendar" - WP Builds Weekly WordPress podcast
Today we have a conversation with Jonathan Jernigan, the co-creator of the Pie Calendar plugin for WordPress. Jonathan has been working with WordPress for many years. For 5 years he worked with Oxygen, and within the last year has made the switch to full-time GenerateBlocks and GeneratePress as his tools of choice. As if that were not enough, he's also the co-founder of Pie Calendar, which is the reason that he's on the podcast today. This episode gets into the philosophy and strategy behind creating a WordPress plugin that champions a less-is-more approach. Jonathan, alongside his colleague Elijah Mills, took the decision that they wanted Pie Calendar be minimal and adapt to the needs of its users, be affordable, and concentrate upon a feature set which they could maintain. If you're interested in a lightweight calendar plugin for your WordPress website, this episode is for you.

365 – No Script Show, Episode 6 – What’s the big deal with container queries?

What’s the big deal with container queries? - WP Builds Podcast
Today we are talking about CSS container queries. These mark a serious advancement in what browsers will allow us to do, but we are asking what does that mean for us right now? CSS container queries off the potential for granular styling based on container size. We discuss the challenges overcome to make container queries possible, highlight real-world usage examples, and share our personal perspectives on their significance. We also hint at a potential shift in the show's focus for future episodes. Go listen...

364 – Nenad Conic on crafting quirky eCommerce websites using WooCommerce

"Nenad Conic on crafting quirky eCommerce websites using WooCommerce" - WP Builds Weekly WordPress podcast
Today we welcome Nenad Conic of Maksimer, to discuss some of the challenges and solutions in WooCommerce e-commerce projects. Maksimer, which has been at the forefront of WordPress and WooCommerce-based e-commerce solutions since its founding in 2009, has been creating large-scale and complex online stores. Nenad gets into the work required to operate a WooCommerce store with over 1.2 million products, and talks about how they developed a specialised platform for online medication management, utilising WooCommerce for subscription services within the constraints of healthcare regulations. The episode also gets into an ambitious endeavour where Maksimer used WooCommerce Bookings to craft a booking system for a camping site website, integrating a React application with Google Maps API to enhance the user experience. It's a really great implementation and shows how, with the right knowledge, Woo can be used for unconventional e-commerce scenarios. It's a fascinating discussion, showing what Woo is capable of if you've got the time, budget, expertise to hire a team like Maksimer. Good food for thought concerning the future of e-commerce in WordPress.

363 – No Script Show, Episode 5 – What is component based web design?

What is component based web design? - No Script Show, Episode 5 - WP Builds WordPress Podcast
So we’re back with another ‘podcast hijack’, in which the WP Builds podcast is temporarily taken over by a new podcast that I’m doing with David Waumsley. It’s called “The No Script Show”, and we’re getting back to the basics which we feel we’ve lost touch with, namely HTML and CSS. This week, it's all about something called 'component based web design', but before that, a few words about what this show is about... Over the years our reliance on tools like Page Builders mean that we’ve not kept up with the new technologies which are becoming available to us via the browser, HTML and CSS… and that made us sad! Does this mean that WordPress is not in view, not for me, but WordPress uses all-the-things we discuss, so they’re tied together in so many ways! The hope is that you’ll enjoy the podcast enough to subscribe to it and enjoy the podcast as we get into this new subject. This episode looks at 'component based web design', what it is, and do we even need it?

362 – Inside WordPress with Raitis Sevelis: UI/UX, IndyStack, and community

"Inside WordPress with Raitis Sevelis: UI/UX, IndyStack, and community" - WP Builds WordPress Podcast
Today, I'm chatting with with Raitis Sevelis on several topics in the WordPress landscape. Sevelis has an extensive background in UI/UX design and product management for prominent WordPress tools like WPBakery and Visual Composer, and he shares his insights into the inner workings of the platform and the community. We discuss the founding principles and unique features of IndyStack, Raitis' latest venture, which bridges the gap between developer needs and client usability in managed WordPress hosting. IndyStack introduces the capability for developers to work on a site for free and transfer ownership to their clients while maintaining developer access, a novel concept that I find quite intriguing for some agency workflows. Raitis also takes us behind the scenes of WP Racoon, his side project, which serves as a forum for discussing plugins, themes, and the business of WordPress, away from the constraints of corporate affiliations. The role of communities, the use of Facebook for engaging with users, and the strategic benefits and downsides of such platforms are also discussed. We round off the episode getting into the need for core developers and the community to collaborate in refreshing WordPress's ecosystem through improved onboarding, user interface, and by fostering educational content to power the platform's next phase of growth.

361 – No Script Show, Episode 4 – What is Intrinsic web design?

361 – No Script Show, Episode 4 - What is Intrinsic web design?
So we’re back with another ‘podcast hijack’, in which the WP Builds podcast is temporarily taken over by a new podcast that I’m doing with David Waumsley. It’s called “The No Script Show”, and we’re getting back to the basics which we feel we’ve lost touch with, namely HTML and CSS. This week, it's all about something called 'Intrinsic design', but before that, a few words about what this show is about... Over the years our reliance on tools like Page Builders mean that we’ve not kept up with the new technologies which are becoming available to us via the browser, HTML and CSS… and that made us sad! Sad because there’s real power in what can now be achieved, and it’s an exciting time, where CSS can do much of the heavy lifting which used to be the domain of Javascript. Does this mean that WordPress is not in view, not for me, but WordPress uses all-the-things we discuss, so they’re tied together in so many ways! The hope is that you’ll enjoy the podcast enough to subscribe to it and enjoy the podcast as we get into this new subject. These are the show notes that you’ll find on the noscript.show website for this episode. This episode looks at 'Intrinsic design', what it is, and why it's important for the future of the web.

360 – Synchronising data and design with Jorge Casals from DataPocket

"Synchronising data and design with Jorge Casals from DataPocket" - WP Builds Weekly WordPress Podcast
Today we're having an interesting conversation with Jorge Casals, and we're talking about DataPocket. Jorge chats about how DataPocket serves as a conduit for synchronising data from various platforms to design tools, offering a better flow of information for e-commerce teams. The discussion gets into DataPocket's pricing model and its integration with Intercom for customer support, highlighting the roadmap to expand its reach to larger enterprises. Jorge talks about why he thinks DataPocket is revolutionising e-commerce by automating content creation and synchronisation, while also addressing the platform's utility for agencies and plans for future integrations. We also tackle the ethical implications of AI integration and the thought process behind DataPocket's approach to data storage and accessibility. As you'll hear in the episode, I was a little unsure of how it all worked, but I'm sure that you'll figure it all out from Jorge's explanations! If you've not heard of DataPocket before and are interested in how synchronisation of designs can alter the e-commerce landscape, this episode is for you.

359 – No Script Show, Episode 3 – Modern CSS layouts

359 – No Script Show, Episode 3 - Modern CSS layouts
So we’re back with another ‘podcast hijack’, in which the WP Builds podcast is temporarily taken over by a new podcast that I’m doing with David Waumsley. It’s called “The No Script Show”, and we’re getting back to the basics which we feel we’ve lost touch with, namely HTML and CSS. Over the years our reliance on tools like Page Builders mean that we’ve not kept up with the new technologies which are becoming available to us via the browser, HTML and CSS… and that made us sad! Sad because there’s real power in what can now be achieved, and it’s an exciting time, where CSS can do much of the heavy lifting which used to be the domain of Javascript. Does this mean that WordPress is not in view, not for me, but WordPress uses all-the-things we discuss, so they’re tied together in so many ways! The hope is that you’ll enjoy the podcast enough to subscribe to it and enjoy the podcast as we get into this new subject. These are the show notes that you’ll find on the noscript.show website for this episode: This episode looks at what modern CSS techniques can bring to make your designs easier to manage, and much more interesting.

358 – Exploring web accessibility: a conversation with Gen Herres

Exploring web accessibility: a conversation with Gen Herres - WP Builds WordPress Podcast
So today we're chatting with Gen Herres about web accessibility. Gen is an experienced WordPress developer who has been in the field for over a decade. After making the typical mistakes in website development, Gen met Amber Hinds in 2019 and became interested in accessibility through her company, Equalize Digital. This led to a deep dive into the world of accessibility, and Gen began to incorporate it into her development processes. She discovered the lack of good checklists for accessibility and continues to explore this challenging and rewarding aspect of web development. Whether you're new to the world of accessibility or a seasoned professional seeking to enhance your knowledge, this episode provides a comprehensive overview of the critical role that accessibility plays in web development.

357 – No Script Show, Episode 2 – The big picture

No Script Show, Episode 2 - The big picture - WP Builds Weekly WordPress Podcast
So we're back with another 'podcast hijack', in which the WP Builds podcast is temporarily taken over by a new podcast that I'm doing with David Waumsley. It's called "The No Script Show", and we're getting back to the basics which we feel we've lost touch with, namely HTML and CSS. Over the years our reliance on tools like Page Builders mean that we've not kept up with the new technologies which are becoming available to us via the browser, HTML and CSS... and that made us sad! Sad because there's real power in what can now be achieved, and it's an exciting time, where CSS can do much of the heavy lifting which used to be the domain of Javascript. Does this mean that WordPress is not in view, not for me, but WordPress uses all-the-things we discuss, so they're tied together in so many ways! The hope is that you'll enjoy the podcast enough to subscribe to it and enjoy the podcast as we get into this new subject.

356 – What’s the state of teams in the WordPress space?

'What's the state of teams in the WordPress space?' - WP Builds Weekly WordPress Podcast
The WP Builds Podcast episode #356 features an in-depth conversation with James Giroux, discussing the Team Experience Index survey by TeamWP. Key insights from the survey highlight areas for improvement in the WordPress community, emphasizing transparent leadership, communication, ownership, and continuous learning. Recommendations include fostering an inclusive culture and intentional recognition for team development. Have a listen to find out more...

355 – David’s return… A new podcast called The ‘No Script Show’

David's return... A new podcast called The 'No Script Show' - WP Builds WordPress Podcast #355
So in episode 353 we said bye bye to David Waumsley. Well, now is the time to own up to the fact that David is not in fact going away! In my defence, David is moving away from the WP Builds podcast, as he's really no longer making much use of WordPress, but he's still in the website building profession. He's decided that he wants to make website without a framework, and therefore he's going to be working from with HTML and CSS and trying to follow along with the guidelines the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) lay out for us all to follow. With that in mind, no sooner had David stepped away from WP Builds, well, he was back in my inbox asking if I'd like to create an entirely new podcast with him about this 'new' (old?) approach of his to website building. Having loved every minute of the past seven years of content creation with David, I jumped at the chance, and so a new show was born, and we're calling it the 'No Script Show'. You can find it at noscript.show. So for the next six episodes which would have normally been myself and David, it's still going to be myself and David. Hopefully you'll get an understanding of what we're, and you never know, some of you might even subscribe to the show as well. After six weeks of this format, we'll go back to just WP Builds content, week after week. So here it is then... episode 1 of the No Script Show. I hope that you enjoy it.

354 – How GREYD.SUITE is tackling website accessibility

How GREYD.SUITE is tackling website accessibility - WP Builds Weekly WordPress Podcast #354
On the podcast today, I have a conversation with Jakob Trost and Anne Bovelett, as we expore GREYD.SUITE, and its philosophy and commitment to website accessibility in the products they offer. Jakob tells us about GREYD's approach to website development, emphasising the company's dedication to providing a complete suite of tools for professional websites. The discussion revolves around GREYD's innovative "hub" for website management, which allows users to administer and manage multiple websites from a single interface, simplifying the process even when the websites are on different servers and WordPress installations. Anne joins in with her passionate advocacy for accessibility in web design. She shares her journey in making websites fully accessible, highlighting the prevalent misconceptions around accessibility and the ongoing work required to create inclusive digital experiences. Anne's vision of developing a plugin to guide users on accessibility levels and design alternatives is also discussed. This episode is a great testament to one company's journey towards better, accessible-ready, tools for website builders and developers. It's lovely to see a WordPress product which has gone 'back to the drawing board' to see if they can make this matter for them, and therefore you too!

353 – Bye bye

Bye bye - WP Builds Weekly WordPress Podcast #353
It’s the last episode of our “Thinking the Unthinkable” series… and also David's last as a regular on WP Builds. We’ve saved the most “unthinkable” for the end which is: “Is it time to quit WordPress?”. It isn’t for Nathan, but for David it (sort of) is. He'll still use WordPress daily as his own local static site generator and code organiser, but he disabled Gutenberg and has stopped using almost all 3rd party software. As he's not going with WordPress’ new direction, it makes sense to make way for those who are. More on that in 2024! So this episode is done with a tear in our eyes, but we don't just cry, we get into the subject of why it's time for David to move on from his decades long obsession with WordPress, and what he's going to be doing next. What happened with WordPress for David to feel like there's better ways of making sites in the future?

352 – Why email marketing is still alive: insights from Rytis Lauris of Omnisend

Why email marketing is still alive: insights from Rytis Lauris of Omnisend - WP Builds Podcast #352
Today, we're joined by Rytis Lauris, the co-founder and CEO of Omnisend, a marketing automation platform for online businesses. We discuss the enduring effectiveness of email marketing, the importance of owning your own content, and how Omnisend integrates with WordPress and WooCommerce to provide value for online sellers. Rytis explains how email automation can drive revenue and improve customer engagement, and emphasises the need for permission-based communication and personalised messages. He also shares insights on the growing importance of SMS marketing and the role of AI technology in streamlining marketing processes. With their innovative approach to automation and targeted campaigns, Omnisend is paving the way for businesses to effectively communicate with their customers and boost their online sales.

351 – The one where the entire episode was created by AI

The one where the entire episode was created by AI - WP Builds Podcast #351
On the podcast today we're straying into the world of AI. Not in the way that everybody else does, with an intelligent analysis of the use of AI and tools to make your life easier. No that's too difficult for us. We've decided to pollute your podcast listening experience today with an episode made (almost) entirely with AI tools. Honestly, I'd give up here if I were you, but if you fancy a laugh, please feel free to continue. Do not write in complaining about the "hour of your life that you're never going to get back". We know, we had to make this thing! We input some fairly boilerplate text prompts into a variety of AI tools (you can find out which in the recording) and read out what they told us to say. No edits, no modifications, it's exactly what the AI thought would make a good podcast. Somewhat alarmingly, they're way better than usual (they're not I hope, I just added that in to be self deprecating). It's early days for AI, and so it's somewhat expected that the output of the AI models was going to be generic, and a little over-the-top, but in some cases it's impressive; the text often stays on-message and adds a certain je ne sais quoi.

350 – Ymir: The future of serverless WordPress hosting with Carl Alexander

Ymir: The future of serverless WordPress hosting with Carl Alexander - WP Builds Weekly WordPress Podcast #350
In today's episode, we're talking about serverless WordPress with our guest, Carl Alexander, founder and developer of Ymir. As you will hear, Carl is very clever, and I'm out-to-sea with the topic under discussion! Carl is passionate about the concept of serverless technology, and is fully embracing it as a way to simplify server management for WordPress users. With serverless technology, Carl believes that users can upload their WordPress sites without having to worry about managing servers, updates, or security concerns. He views serverless technology as a game-changer, allowing users to focus on their content without the hassle of server management. As always, if you enjoyed the conversation leave a comment, and share it all over the place!!!

349 – Is 20 years too long in web tech?

"Is 20 years too long in web tech?" - WP Builds Weekly WordPress Podcast #349
It’s the 19th episode of our "Thinking the Unthinkable" series and today's (ambiguous)  topic is... "Is 20 years too long in web tech?". Full of our usual British cheerfulness, we are celebrating WordPress’s 20th birthday year with a title implying its potential demise. This episode is not about predicting the future of WordPress. It’s because we have never had a chat dedicated to why some web tech flourishes (as WordPress certainly did), and some die. We cover the following: The last 30 years of the web (gosh, it's a real adult now). Is growth and demise in tech a matter of luck and unpredictable? The fundamental web languages, and how they lasted. HTML and CSS are safe, aren't they? But... frameworks and CMS's are vulnerable. There's a lot more in this episode as well, so check it out...

348 – How the Gato GraphQL plugin can accelerate your WordPress development

How the Gato GraphQL plugin can accelerate your WordPress development - WP Builds Weekly WordPress Podcast #348
Today on the podcast we have Leonardo Losoviz. Leonardo is an experienced developer and the creator of the Gato GraphQL plugin for WordPress. We'll be exploring the power of Gato GraphQL, its features, and how it could change the way we use WordPress. Leonardo highlights the power of GraphQL, a technology for retrieving data from a server. It can be used in WordPress to fetch data from the server and render HTML in the editor for interactive content creation. GraphQL offers advantages over the REST API, providing flexible querying and manipulating of data, such as retrieving metadata for personalised emails or duplicating and modifying blog posts. He also explains how his plugin builds on top of this foundation to enable WordPress to make use of this powerful technology. To help users get started and unlock the full potential of Gato GraphQL, Leonardo has created a section called "recipes" within the plugin and on the website. These pre-coded GraphQL queries serve as a learning tool, explaining how GraphQL works and providing tips for more complex tasks like translating posts. The recipes gradually increase in complexity, allowing users to grasp the full capabilities of the plugin over time. So, whether you're a WordPress developer looking to enhance your website's capabilities or a content creator searching for more efficient ways to manage and distribute your content, this episode is for you. Get ready to tap into the power of Gato GraphQL and unlock a new world of possibilities within WordPress.

346 – WonderSuite: simplifying the setup in WordPress for all users

WonderSuite: simplifying the setup in WordPress for all users - WP Builds WordPress Podcast #346
On the podcast today we have Jason Cross. He's an experienced tech executive with a diverse background in the industry. Currently serving as the SVP of product at Bluehost / Newfold Digital, and he's been there for over a year and a half. He is responsible for overseeing their WordPress, commerce, and proprietary products across multiple global brands. Before joining Bluehost / Newfold Digital. The basic premise is this... WordPress website hosts experience quite a lot of customer churn, and so Bluehost are seeking to reduce this by delivering websites as efficiently as possible, aiming to keep users satisfied with their WordPress experience from the moment they first log in to their account. This endeavour is called WonderSuite, and later in the episode we unravel the wonders of WonderSuite (did you see what I did there!), a series of unique experiences curated to cater to the needs of agencies, professionals, and small business owners, irrespective of their WordPress familiarity.

345 – Don’t make websites for friends and family

"Don’t make websites for friends and family" - WP Builds Weekly WordPress Podcast
It’s the 17th episode of our “Thinking the Unthinkable” series and our topic is  “Don’t make websites for friends and family”. Do I even need to explain this episode?!?! If, like David and I, you stumbled into working on the web, then it's likely that friends and relations played some part in getting your career off the ground. Back-in-the-day there were no 'pros' and clients were just after someone who had a pulse and knew how to turn a computer on to build their site. This was nice. Now, the industry is highly skilled and professional, so is there any space for someone to work for their friends when there's more 'legitimate' places to find work? We discuss this and more on the podcast today.

344 – Dan Knauss on why you should harden WordPress

Dan Knauss on why you should harden WordPress - WP Builds Podcast #344
Today we're joined by Dan Knauss, a technical content generalist at SolidWP (formerly iThemes). The episode focuses on the importance of hardening WordPress websites for enhanced security. Dan discusses their approach to security, which includes targeted security measures rather than trying to cover every potential vulnerability. They emphasise the need for timely updates and advocate for working with a reliable host that provides hardware and software firewalls. Dan also addresses the limitations of traditional security plugins, referring to WordPress malware scanners as "fundamentally flawed" and proposing an external line of security through application firewalls. The conversation highlights the upcoming rebranding of iThemes to SolidWP and touches on their premium security product, Solid Security, which prioritises tried and tested features over added "bolt-ons".

343 – Is browser interoperability a threat to page building?

Is browser interoperability a threat to page building? - WP Builds Podcast #343
This is the 16th episode of our "Thinking the Unthinkable" series and I think we have come up with our catchiest title ever... “Is browser interoperability a threat to page building?" - truly inspirational! Remember the good old days when no two browsers renders anything in the same way? You don't? You're lucky! It used to be the case that all of the browsers went their own way. The result was a spaghetti of code, with little variations for each of the browsers. This was a waste of our time, but it also held back the innovation with HTML and particularly CSS, for a decade or more. Thankfully though, that's behind us, and the browser vendors seems to be speaking the same language. This means that in the future the browsers will do so much more, with far less complexity. How much of a threat are browsers to Page Builders? Find out today on the podcast…

342 – Thomas J Raef on protecting your website. Security mini series 3/4

Thomas J Raef on protecting your website. Security mini series 3/4 - WP Builds Episode 342
This is third of four podcast episodes related to WordPress security. It's the third of our four-part security mini series. Prior to that, the other episodes featured Calvin Alkan as well as Akshat Choudhary. This is Thomas from, we watch your website giving his impression of the state of WordPress security. I did the spiel before, but I'm going to do it again in order to not put anybody's noses out of joint and to make it as fair as possible. I recorded four episodes with Calvin, Akshat, Thomas, and in a future episode, Dan Knauss from SolidWP. They all have that chance to explain the malware madness as we'll get into a little bit later. How WordPress security plugins do or don't, depending on your point of view, protect your WordPress website. Thomas is giving his opinion today and we go into loads of ground. We talk about such subjects as security plugin, and cleanup processes, previous attacks, challenges, and vulnerabilities, security features, Thomas' expertise, protecting your WordPress by blocking IPs, the motivations of hackers, and so much more.

341 – Is the WordPress community overrated?

Is the WordPress community overrated? - WP Builds Weekly WordPress podcast #341
This in the 15th episode of our "Thinking the Unthinkable" series. Today we are asking... is the WordPress community overrated? What have we done? This could be the end of this podcast! Let’s hope nobody thinks we are trying to speak for the community, or that we even have a clue what the community truly is! We explore the diverse perspectives surrounding the WordPress community. From debates on diversity and inclusion to the avoidance of political discussions, we navigate the complexities and challenges faced by this ever-growing community. We also touch on the recent issues surrounding the handling of diversity at the European WordCamp, causing tensions to rise among community members. We begin by examining the difficulties in defining and understanding the WordPress community, recognising its immense user base in America and the UK. We share our personal experiences and observations, shedding light on the ebb and flow of community engagement, facing issues of churn, and questioning whether WordPress will maintain its relevance in the future. We also discuss the impact of online confrontations and the perception of fragmentation within the community, analysing the role of media coverage in amplifying conflicts.

340 – Akshat Choudhary on the utility of WordPress firewalls and malware scanners. Security mini series 2/4

Akshat Choudhary on the utility of WordPress firewalls and malware scanners. Security mini series 2/4 - WP Builds WordPress Podcast
This is second of four podcast episodes related to WordPress security. For the first time ever (well second time I suppose!) I feel like I need to add some context to the show notes so that you understand the context of what I'm doing here. A little while ago there was some news in the WordPress space about the merits of using plugins for securing your WordPress website. Researchers (see the previous episode for more on this) had discovered ways in which the effectiveness of the plugins might be compromised. There were several posts on social media which amplified the issue, making it harder to gain an understanding of what happened, and when. I decided to reach out to a number of people to get 'their side of the story'. Today you're going to hear from Akshat Choudhary from Blogvault and Malcare putting his case for why WordPress firewalls and scanners are useful.

339 – Are web design clients only interested in what they can see?

"Are web design clients only interested in what they can see?" - WP Builds Podcast #339
It is the 14th episode of our “Thinking the Unthinkable” series. The idea for today's topic came from our last episode in which we were talking about the pros and cons of no code builders. Here we’re asking "Are web design clients only interested in what they can see?", but it could have been "Are web designers responsible for the growth in DIY sites?". We explore the evolving landscape of web design and the growing trend of clients taking a more active role in designing their own websites. We discuss the challenges of balancing client expectations, user experience, performance, and accessibility. We also touch on the rise of page builders and DIY website building, examining the potential consequences and legal implications for those who lack the necessary knowledge and skills in areas such as accessibility. On a side note, we're looking for sponsors for the upcoming Page Builder Summit in September, so if you're interested, be sure to reach out. Also, please note that there will be a week off next week, but rest assured, we'll be back with episode two of our security mini series then. As always, we invite you to subscribe to the WP Builds podcast and leave your comments on our website.

338 – Calvin Alkan on the state of WordPress security plugins. Security mini series 1/4

his is first of four podcast episodes related to WordPress security. For the first time ever, I feel like I need to add some context to the show notes so that you understand the context of what I'm doing here. A little while ago there was some news in the WordPress space about the merits of using plugins for securing your WordPress website. Researchers (Calvin being one of them) had discovered ways in which the effectiveness of the plugins might be compromised. I'll leave the audio (and transcript) of the podcast to explain the technicalities here, but there were several posts on social media which amplified the issue, making it harder to gain an understanding of what happened, and when. I decided to reach out to a number of people to get 'their side of the story'. Also a first for this podcast, I set some ground rules for the interviews to take place: Each participant (there are four in total, one per episode) was told who the other guests were Each participant was told that their episode would not be published until all four recordings had taken place Each participant was told that their episode would be published in a random order What you're listening to today is the first of that random publishing schedule. The other three episodes will come out in the following weeks. This was done to ensure that the guests did not have. a chance to listen to the other participants episode, and therefore had. a chance to 'better prepare'. With hindsight, which was likely overkill as all the guests were very thoughtful and polite. They do in some cases mention rival products and describe areas where they think that errors were made in code and communication. That being said, there was no general sense of mud slinging that I detected. The guests are (in random order): Calvin Alkan - Snicco Akshat Choudhary - Malcare Dan Knauss - iThemes (now SolidWP) Thomas J Raef - We Watch Your Website I'm going to keep my commentary here to a minimum to avoid getting embroiled in the debate, but there's some additional information about what we cover in the show notes of the post.

337 – No code is a lie

No code is a lie - WP Builds Weekly WordPress Podcast #337
So you've been building websites for a while now and you've got really good at it. You don't really touch the code, but that's okay, because the tool that you're using promised that you would never have to. Erm... how's that working out in reality? I'm guessing that if this question resonates with you, you'll be interested in the podcast today. Is it possible to have tools which really allow you to create good, working websites with none, zero, nada, ziltch, no code at all? We talk about whether true no code is possible, if it's something to be desired and the reliance you develop for a specific tool. Oh, and of course there's AI coming for your job as well! If you're creating WordPress websites with the assistance of tools, this podcast is for you.

336 – Roman Axelrod on standardising web development workflows

Roman Axelrod on standardising web development workflows - WP Builds Podcast #336
On the podcast today we have Roman Axelrod, a web developer from Israel. Roman joins us to share his experience running a web development agency, and his journey into the world of WordPress. He discusses the challenges his agency faced when working with third-party freelancers who created inconsistent designs; the frustrations he felt and what he did about it. To tackle this issue, Roman and his team developed a dev tool that allows them to share style guidelines with freelancers and ensure consistency in design elements. The tool includes features for testing and ensuring accurate designs. We talk about what this tool can do, as well as the fact that Roman is open to having discussions with other like-minded people about the direction the tool might take. It's an interesting chat and you can leave a comment on the post as well as finding the links mentioned in the show.

335 – Affiliate marketing is disingenuous

Affiliate marketing is disingenuous - WP Builds Weekly WordPress Podcast #335
Welcome to the 12th episode of our 'Thinking the Unthinkable' series. Today we shall be squirming in our seats as we talk about whether  'Affiliate marketing is disingenuous'. Affiliate marketing has never been our thing, but with making content there has to be some way to pay for the time. Certainly we have earned some commissions from it via our individual content. I think it fair to say we have struggled with it and here we are questioning whether it is a necessary or unnecessary evil. Is it a useful way for WordPress product owners to make some additional income? Perhaps you think that it's a sleazy way for marketers to hype products which they don't believe in? Maybe it's both, or neither! Have a listen to the podcast, and then leave is a comment.

334 – Building a platform: helping developers commercialise their projects

Building a platform: helping developers commercialise their projects - WP Builds Podcast #334
On the podcast today we have Vova Feldman, the founder of Freemius. Vova is an entrepreneur with a passion for software development. He was introduced to WordPress by accident. While working as a software developer in the Israeli intelligence and doing startups on the side, Vova created a SaaS product as a hobby. People started requesting a WordPress plugin for his product, which sparked his curiosity about the platform. Vova delved into WordPress and created his first plugin, realising the potential of turning his side project into a WooCommerce solution. This led to building a platform to help developers easily commercialise their own passion projects - Freemius, a platform that simplifies the process of bringing products to market. The conversation is varied, covering two quite different subjects, podcasting (Vova's new podcast) and Freemius. If you're interested in selling your WordPress product, this podcast is worth a listen.

333 – No one cares what your website looks like!

"No one cares what your website looks like!" - WP Builds Weekly WordPress Podcast #333
It is the 11th episode of our “Thinking the Unthinkable” series, and today's thought provoking title is “No one cares what your website looks like!”. There’s a number of articles with this title and similar sentiment expressed by many UX designers and SEO’s. With limited ways to judge the abilities of a web agency, many clients are likely to approach websites as if they were a piece of work in an art gallery. This can see them getting ripped off. It is hard for us not to do the same. We know first impressions matter, and we are always searching for visual inspiration too. We get into how UX, SEO, branding, call to actions (and more) can influence the route that you might take when creating a website. Check out the episode...

332 – Transitioning from clients to products in WordPress

"Transitioning from clients to products in WordPress" - WP Builds Weekly WordPress Podcast #332
On the podcast today we have a lovely conversation with Derek Ashauer. He's been working with WordPress for many years, and has gone through a few changes during that time. I suspect that many of you will really identify with this podcast. The idea that you're a web developer, plugin / theme / block author, content creator etc. might suit you for a while, but perhaps you've had itchy feet from time to time. Derek certainly has! He started out building websites in decades ago, but for a variety of reasons this did not seem to be 'the thing' that he wanted to do year after year. And so, in 2013 he decided to turn his attention into plugin development. Success (whatever that means) always seemed to be a little further into the future. Although his Sunshine Photocart plugin was doing fine, it was not the end of the road. You'll hear Derek explain that he's not that comfortable with marketing, having a more self deprecating demeanour (he fits right in here). So this podcast is all about listening to a nice person talking about how to transition from being an agency, dealing with clients, to being a product owner. Just lovely!

331 – Why pay full price when we have GPL clubs?

Why pay full price when we have GPL clubs? - WP Builds Weekly WordPress Podcast
This is the 10th episode of our "Thinking the Unthinkable" series and today's thoroughly unsavoury thought is “Why pay full price when we have GPL clubs?”. I think to put things in perspective we need a bit of history. We tend to think of GPL clubs as a bit shady, but you could also argue that they serve as an essential consumer rights movement within WordPress. Let's start in the year 0. In the beginning was the Word. A few millennia later in the year 2003 WordPress comes along. It would not exist without the freedoms of the General Public Licence as it was a folk of b2/cafelog. It's build on the GPL and this allows for free use of code which sits on top of WordPress. But is this fair to the developers? Is it fair your clients? Are we all going to end up with malware infected plugins and themes which will wreak havoc on our site, or should we just talk a breath, calm down, and realise that this is all just fine? Find out what we think on the podcast today.

330 – Get lots for free with Maxi Blocks

Get lots for free with Maxi Blocks - WP Builds Weekly WordPress Podcast #330
On the podcast we have Christiaan Pieterse from Maxi Blocks. If you've ever dug into WordPress block packs / suites then it's quite likely that what you're going to hear about Maxi Blocks today will be quite familiar, except one important thing - the pricing model. More on that in a minute. Maxi Blocks has all the blocks that you typical website needs. I could list them all here, but just click the link above and you'll find them. There's containers, headings, images, maps, groups, icons, sliders, all-the-things so to speak. The thing that's different here is that way that they're pitching the product. Maxi Blocks is free. There is no feature that is locked away. You have access to every block, every setting inside those blocks, no functionality is hidden behind a pro option. So, you're thinking, well this product won't last long. They'll go through their cash, give away everything and run out of road. Not so fast! They do have a pro version, but you're going to be paying only for pre-built designs and patterns. If you're curious about blocks, take a listen to the podcast, check out the Maxi Blocks site, and tell us what you think of the product in the comments.

329 – Thinking the unthinkable (TTUT). Episode 9: WordPress is too expensive

WordPress is too expensive - Thinking the unthinkable (TTUT), Episode 9
This is the 9th episode of our "Thinking the Unthinkable" series and today's unpalatable thought is… WordPress is too expensive? We can dismiss this as insane ramblings straightway? It’s free! But, it can be expensive to do anything out of the ordinary, although Site Editing is changing that! Is WordPress a trap for the naive DIYer? Cheap start, but a longer term hidden costs in hosting and maintenance? Or is it still possible to build something decent but at a low cost? What about the freedoms that the GPL provides, and (dare I say it?) the websites that sell premium plugins for knock down prices? It's an interesting chat and we hope that you enjoy it!

328 – What to do when you begin to think that you’re splitting up with WordPress

What to do when you begin to think that you're splitting up with WordPress - WP Builds Weekly WordPress Podcast #328
Today on the podcast we have Arnas Donauskas, who is a Product Owner at Hostinger. He's on the show to talk about something that I'm sure that we've all felt before… that feeling of not being sure that WordPress is the project that it once was, that the future is not what you'd like, and how you can move on and work on the web with something else. This is a tough subject for a podcast called WP Builds! The name implies that we're here come what may! I guess that the title is a little bit of clickbait, and perhaps a better title would be more like 'how do you get your WordPress mojo back?' WordPress site building and growth can be challenging, and quite often people lose their motivation to continue, and this is what we address… getting back your inspiration and desire to use WordPress and be a part of the community that surrounds it. Having said all of that, we cover a lot of ground about this topic and a whole bunch of other topics too.

327 – Thinking the unthinkable (TTUT). Episode 8: Is open source a liability?

Is open source a liability? Thinking the unthinkable (TTUT), Episode 8 - WP Builds
On this 8th episode of "Thinking the Unthinkable" we are asking “is ‘open source’ a liability? This was prompted by a 2021 incident. A zero-day attack called Log4Shell that affected major players like Microsoft and Cloudflare. It's a chat about risk assessment really. Lots of levels with WordPress’ LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, PHP and MySQL). It seems quite remarkable that WordPress has worked so well for 20 years. So how do we 'sell' free, open source solutions to our clients, when most of them are from a world in which you need to pay for all-the-things?

326 – James Giroux on workplace culture, team dynamics and leadership in WordPress companies

On the podcast today we have James Giroux and he's here to talk about a new project that he's set up called TeamWP. It's all about workplace culture, team dynamics and leadership in WordPress companies. We open up the conversation with a lengthy chat about the rich history that James has in the WordPress space. He's worked for lots of different companies in a multitude of different roles, some big, some small. He's had mixed experiences in these companies, feeling empowered and enabled in many roles, but also working in dysfunctional workplaces where he feels that his talents were not exploited to their fullest potential. Normally, the podcast guest's background would not be all that significant, but given the nature of the conversation today, it truly is. You see, the itch that James is trying to scratch with TeamWP is trying to figure out what a 'good' WordPress workplace looks like; what represents a 'good' company. Now James is not suggesting that he's got the answers to all these questions just yet. It's a work in progress, but TeamWP is on a mission to find out what all this means.

325 – Thinking the unthinkable (TTUT). Episode 7: Designing in the browser is for amateurs

It's the 7th in our “Thinking the Unthinkable” series where we attempt to rationalise controversial views on WordPress and web design? Today’s topic is… Designing in the browser is for amateurs. David thought this topic was about whether to use design software rather than jump in with a page builder or start amending a template. Nathan thought it was about how design tools are increasingly online and work in the browser leaving us not having to install software for our computer operating systems. We will cover both because more recently graphical tools that work in the browser are also capable of spitting out HTML code too. Please feel free to leave us a comment at the bottom of the post!

324 – Having a career in tech and WordPress with Fränk Klein

Having a career in tech and WordPress with Fränk Klein - WP Builds Podcast #324
On the podcast today we have Fränk Klein, and he's here to discuss the important topic of making a career from using WordPress. Like any other career, in technology, there's really no replacement for knowledge. The more you know, the more likely you are to adapt to situations that arise. Some of those might be repetitive, but there's also the curve balls that life throws at you, and your knowledge can empower you when strange things happen. Fränk is all about acquiring new skills. Learning new things so that you can make yourself indispensable to the organisation that you work for. Fränk's premise is pretty simple… being better educated will give you a chance to earn more. We talk about how Fränk became a WordPress developer. What his framework is for moving through the software industry, what his current job market is like in the wider WordPress ecosystem. Essentially, the message from this podcast boils down to staying curious and keep learning as a priority.

323 – Thinking the unthinkable (TTUT). Episode 6: If you use more than 10 plugins on a site, you are a cad and a scoundrel!

If you use more than 10 plugins on a site, you are a cad and a scoundrel! - Thinking the unthinkable (TTUT) Episode 6 - WP Builds
Welcome to the 6th episode of our "Thinking the Unthinkable" series where we attempt to rationalise controversial views on WordPress and web design. Today’s topic is, "If you use more than 10 plugins on a site, you are a cad and a scoundrel!" This is WP Builds humour for a chat about plugin strategy! We are sure most listeners will know plugins are only a method to deliver additional functionality to WordPress. They can be as complex as WooCommerce or as simple as the Hello Dolly plugin. As silly as it is to count the numbers, most of us are fascinated by what others use and are always reviewing the situation. So is there a sweet spot in the number of plugins you should use, and do you try to reduce plugin usage where possible? Find out what we think on the podcast...

322 – Why accessibility is so important and how you can do better with Nic Steenhout

Why accessibility is so important and how you can do better with Nic Steenhout - WP Builds Podcast #322
Accessibility is a topic which is getting much more attention these days, and rightly so. It's important for websites because it ensures that everyone, including people with disabilities and impairments in areas such as sight, hearing, motor difficulties, or cognitive limitations, can effectively use and engage with the website content. By making your WordPress websites more accessible, you're creating a more inclusive and welcoming online experience for all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. But how might you do that, and what are you looking for to improve the accessibility of the site that you're working on now? Nic Steenhout is an expert in this area and he's here to go through some things that need your attention right now.

321 – Thinking the unthinkable (TTUT). Episode 5: Website clients are impossible!

Website clients are impossible! - Thinking the unthinkable (TTUT) Episode 5 - WP Builds
Welcome to the 5th episode of our "Thinking the Unthinkable" series, where we attempt to rationalise controversial views on WordPress and web design. Today’s topic is… Website Clients are Impossible! This could have been called "Web Designers are Impossible", as it’s about the sometimes tense relationship between those who commission websites and those who build them. Do we correctly set the expectations for our clients, or are we opening ourselves up to criticism because they're not at all clear on how our process works? Are we working with "the client always knows best" model, and does this really give them what they need? Should we rather explain to them we're the expert and they should jolly well listen every time we speak? It's a fun conversation and no doubt there's going to be a lot of food for thought!

320 – Javier Casares on WP Vulnerability, the API / project for WordPress vulnerabilities

WP Vulnerability, the API / project for WordPress Vulnerabilities - The WP Builds Weekly WordPress podcast #320
Today, it's all about WordPress security and what you can do with the WP Vulnerability API / project. In the podcast you're going to meet the wonderful Javier, and I thought that I'd let him take over the show notes, as he wrote such wonderful notes prior to our chat. So… over to Javier… Hello, I'm Javier, and I'm around the Internet since 1994. In 1997, I created my first website, and in 2005, I created my first WordPress (with WordPress 1.5). Today we are talking about WPVulnerability.com, a project focused on democratizing WordPress security information. This project is a 100% open and free API, for access by any WordPress user, with the sole purpose of improving the security of a site, thanks to this information. Although is an API, with some colleagues, we created the WPVulnerability plugin, that checks your site looking for vulnerabilities and showing them in the Site Health section. Find out more by checking out the podcast.

319 – Thinking the unthinkable (TTUT). Episode 4: Do we even need WordPress?

Do we even need WordPress? - Thinking the unthinkable (TTUT). Episode 4 - WP Builds
This seems a little odd, 'Do we even need WordPress', given that we're a WordPress podcast. But, there's actually quite a lot to be said here. Both David and I have been using WordPress for years (David, quite a bit longer), and perhaps it's time to think about whether WordPress is always the right choice for our website building projects. If the site is a simple brochure site that's really never going to get updates, is WordPress really the right option? After all, you'll be needing to maintain the website, patch for security, update themes and plugins, when all that you really needed were a few lines of HTML, CSS as perhaps some JavaScript. David's been exploring taking his sites more in the 'static' direction lately, and whilst you can do this with WordPress and some plugins, David's finding the joys of writing his own HTML and getting back into what the w3c have to say. It's a fun chat and something that you might not have looked at closely, so go and have a listen and leave us a comment.
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