This Week in WordPress #317
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 25th November 2024.
Podcast WP Builds
400 – From WordCamps to podcasts: Bud Kraus’ adventures in WordPress
Today is a big day. It's episode #400 of the WP Builds podcast. This is an important milestone, and as suck I'm going to do absolutely nothing of any kind whatsoever to celebrate it, aside from this paragraph of text. So there! I'm joined on the podcast by Bud Kraus. Bud is a WordPress educator and content creator, best known for his educational materials on joyofwp.com. His expertise in WordPress and his engaging instructional style have made him a pillar in the WordPress community. In this episode, we dive deep into Bud's journey, exploring how his passion for teaching and creating content started. We'll also talk about his podcast, "Seriously BUD?" which offers a refreshing departure from traditional WordPress content by focusing on stories and light-hearted conversations. Bud shares his motivation behind starting the podcast and the joy he finds in uncovering fascinating personal stories from his guests. So, join us as we celebrate Bud Kraus’s contributions to the WordPress ecosystem, share some intriguing personal stories, and gain insight into what makes the WordPress community so special.
This Week in WordPress #316
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 18th November 2024.
399 – Joost de Valk talks about Progress Planner, their new website productivity tool
Joining us is Joost de Valk, the mastermind behind the immensely popular Yoast SEO plugin. But today, Joost is here to share his latest project, Progress Planner - a tool designed to revolutionise the way we maintain and update our websites. Imagine a blend between a "Fitbit for websites" and Duolingo. That's precisely what Progress Planner aims to be, combining gamification techniques with practical maintenance strategies to keep users engaged and their sites up-to-date. In our chat, Joost unveils the features, from special badges and weekly activity emails to a task management dashboard right inside of WordPress. We explore how these elements work together to reduce procrastination and make website upkeep a fun, interactive endeavour. So, whether you're a non-tech-savvy business owner struggling to keep your site relevant, an agency looking for ways to enhance client interaction, or someone simply curious about innovative WordPress tools, this episode has something for you.
This Week in WordPress #315
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 11th November 2024.
398 – What just happened? Episode 2. An uneventful 3 months
In this episode, Nathan Wrigley and Rae Morey discuss key events in the WordPress community. Highlights include an automated plugin review system achieving zero backlog, the expansion of the Kim Parsell Memorial Scholarship to WordCamp Europe and Asia, and HeroPress' call for sponsorship. They address the ongoing conflict between Automattic and WP Engine, including legal disputes and community fallout, alongside the departure of WordPress Executive Director Josepha Haden Chomposy and Mary Hubbard's new leadership. Despite the drama, the episode offers insights into WordPress's design updates, featured events, and efforts to improve gender diversity. Check it out...
This Week in WordPress #314
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 4th November 2024.
397 – Ben Butler on turning WordPress static with Headless Hostman
In this episode of WP Builds, I'm joined by Ben Butler, who runs the Headless Hostman static WordPress hosting solution. Ben shares insights on their approach to enhancing security and performance for WordPress sites. The challenges faced by sites running things like NitroPack and WooCommerce. And dynamic functionalities managed via CloudFlare. They plan a Shopify plugin extension soon, and are actively developing a WooCommerce static solution. Their innovative infrastructure boasts high traffic handling and many other features discussed in the episode. Ben also highlights their seamless integrations with Elementor, WP Rocket, and WPML, aiming to help enterprises manage large-scale, traffic-heavy websites effectively.
This Week in WordPress #313
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 28th October 2024.
396 – New show “At The Core” with Birgit Pauli-Haack – Episode 1.
Today we have the first instalment of our (yet another) new quarterly show. This one is called "At The Core,", and I'll bet you can't guess what it's about!?! Erm... WordPress Core, and all the recent updates that we can squeeze into 45 minutes! For this new show I'm joined by Birgit Pauli-Haack. She's an Automattician, massive fan of Gutenberg, and all around lovely person! She's also the founder of the Gutenberg Times, which you really should check out. In this premiere episode (ha!), we talk about the latest and greatest developments in the WordPress universe; spotlighting WordPress Playground, a revolutionary tool that allows users to effortlessly spin up websites directly in their browsers - no hosting or database required. We discuss its cutting-edge features, including managing multiple sites from one browser and the much-anticipated blueprints for easy site setup. This episode is packed with resources and discussions, so check it out right away...
395 – HeroPress: What it is, and why it’s so important
In this episode we have Topher DeRosia discussing HeroPress, a platform sharing inspiring stories within the WordPress community. Topher highlights HeroPress’ mission to counteract negativity by showcasing WordPress’s potential. He shares truly impactful stories, such as a child in a stock photo symbolising HeroPress’s motivation to help, and individuals like Hari from India who found success through WordPress. Despite funding challenges, Topher remains committed to maintaining the core essays and possibly starting a storytelling podcast, urging support through recurring donations. Check out the episode today!
This Week in WordPress #312
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 14th October 2024.
394 – New show “Get it optimised” with Remkus de Vries. Episode 1.
So, here we are with yet another WP Builds show. Shiny! In this episode, Remkus de Vries discusses building a high-performance WordPress website, emphasising a solid foundation with good hosting and theme selection. He highlights the importance of "bare metal" speed, Time to First Byte, and independent hosting reviews. Remkus recommends starting with the WordPress site editor and tools like the 'Create Block Theme' plugin. He advises against relying on third-party page builders which may induce complexity and vendor lock-in. The conversation stresses early optimisation and concludes with plans for future discussions on extending WordPress capabilities. Check it out...
This Week in WordPress #311
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 7th October 2024.
393 – Streamlining digital sales with Mindspun
Matt Laue, founder of Mindspun, discusses how his company aims to revolutionise digital purchases by enabling users to buy products online in seconds using seamless tools like digital wallets and fingerprint scans. He highlights the advantages of reducing checkout time and tackling cart abandonment. Matt shares the complexities behind developing Mindspun's WordPress payment plugin, including integrating block-based design and maintaining compatibility with systems like Stripe. He also reflects on the challenges of standing out in a competitive market and the evolving WordPress community, expressing optimism about its future and adaptability. So, join us as we learn about a possible future for e-commerce and digital wallets!
This Week in WordPress #310
The WordPress news from Monday 30th September 2024.
392 – New Show “Feeling Insecure? with Tim Nash”. Episode 1.
Tim Nash, seasoned WordPress security expert, launches "Feeling insecure?" podcast discussing tools, legislation, vulnerabilities, and security best practices for WordPress. This show, just like the other new shows I've recently started (and the ones I'm still to unveil) will happen about once a quarter, and this is the first one! We explore a range of pressing security topics. Tim begins by discussing the relevance of tools like Patchstack for comprehensive security and the potential legal ramifications of software vulnerabilities highlighted by new legislation such as the European Cyber Resilience Act. The conversation turns to looking into real-world examples, including the CUPS vulnerability affecting Linux systems, illustrating the far-reaching impact of security flaws (or not!). You'll hear Tim's expert opinion on the topic of 'responsible disclosure' and the recent actions of major security players like Ubuntu and Red Hat. There's loads more, so have a listen...
This Week in WordPress #309
The WordPress news from 16th to 29th October 2024. What a week it was!
391 – What the heck is an immutable website? Tim Nash knows and explains all
Today, I'm joined by WordPress security maestro Tim Nash. I'll bet he's never been called that before! He's here to explore his tactics for securing and managing WordPress website deployments. Tim delves into the concept of immutable operating systems, advocating for read-only core files to boost security, particularly for high-traffic, enterprise environments. He also addresses deployment strategies, such as red-green deployments and the utilisation of orchestration tools like Kubernetes. Practical solutions for file management, database efficiency, and mitigating DDoS attacks are highlighted, alongside standard practices like blocking PHP execution in upload directories. The episode offers a blend of technical insights and fun anecdotes, making it essential listening (!!!) for anyone looking to enhance their WordPress site's security and performance. Get the tinfoil hat ready, and a large mug of coffee, just in case!
390 – Transforming conversion tracking in WordPress with Conversion Bridge
Todoay, we're with seasoned WordPress developer Derek Ashauer discussing his new product, Conversion Bridge, designed to enhance conversion tracking on WordPress sites. Derek highlights its compatibility with 51 plugins, including WooCommerce and various LMS systems. He explains the easy setup process, flexible site license structures, and robust customer support. Privacy concerns and alternative analytics platforms that comply with global laws are also addressed. Unique user needs and future integrations are covered, providing insights into streamlining analytics and conversion tracking. This episode is packed with information that'll help you simplify your conversion tracking workflow, and make the most out of your WordPress site.
389 – All New ‘The Community Show’ with Courtney Robertson. Episode 1.
So this is fun! A new show! This is the next one that I'm announcing… The Community Show! It's with Courtney Robertson, who knows more about the WordPress community than almost anyone else I can think of. We're going to be doing this show, just like the other ones (stay tuned, I'll announce them soon too) every 3 months or so. That means that our new podcast hosts won't get burn out, but also we'll have plenty to talk about. So what's this new show about… well… the WordPress community, and all the things that it does. Events, meetups, online sessions, updates and more. Really, this show will encompass almost anything in the WordPress space. It's going to be fun and I'm grateful that Courtney has made some time in her busy schedule to record the show with me. So, whether you're a seasoned WordPress expert or a newcomer eager to dive in, this episode offers a pretty comprehensive look at the ways that you can keep up with the community.
This Week in WordPress #308
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 2nd September 2024. You can find this episode here: https://wpbuilds.com/2024/09/10/this-week-in-wordpress-308
388 – Bringing Back Conversations: Matthias Pfefferle on ActivityPub and WordPress
Today on the podcast Matthias Pfefferle joins me to discuss the integration of WordPress with the Fediverse through the ActivityPub protocol. Mathias talks about the differences between traditional social media and decentralised networks like Mastodon, focusing on the benefits of ActivityPub for bloggers. He explains how the plugin allows WordPress posts to function as social media posts, enabling direct interactions from various federated platforms without cross-posting. The conversation covers the evolution, technical challenges, and future roadmap of the plugin, including new features like supporting podcasting (yay!) and improving profile editing. Matthias also touches on the broader adoption of Fediverse platforms and their potential for growth. Check it out!
This Week in WordPress #307
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 26th August 2024. You can find the episode here: https://wpbuilds.com/2024/09/03/this-week-in-wordpress-307
387 – Building customer trust through transparent crisis management with Marc Benzakein
Today I chat with Marc Benzakein, a tech industry veteran, as he shares insights on crisis management. Marc recounts a severe cyber security breach during his tenure at a previous company where a hacker demanded $40,000 within 72 hours. He emphasises the importance of honesty, transparency, and clear communication in crisis management. We also discuss the role of proactive security measures and professional handling of cyber threats in a post-9/11 world. The episode underscores the value of gaining customer trust and business sustainability through transparent crisis management. Join me for a sobering and insightful discussion that underscores the need for honesty, preparation, and resilience in the face of security crises. This episode is not just informative but a good listen for anyone looking to understand the intricacies of effective crisis management and customer relations.
386 – What just happened? A new show with Rae Morey from The Repository. Episode 1.
So this is really, truly, genuinely exciting for me! Today, we announce a new show "What just happened?" with Rae Morey. Rae, a former newspaper journalist turned web developer, curates top WordPress stories over at The Repository. This, the first episode, discusses Automattic's partnership with Perplexity, educational resources at learn.wordpress.org, logistical improvements for WordCamp events, Uganda's educational initiatives, and the revival of the Cwicly page builder. Rae’s background, motivations, and her wonderful newsletter are highlighted. The episode provides insights and encourages community engagement within the WordPress space as it cast an eye back over the last 3 month in the WordPress space.
This Week in WordPress #306
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 12th August 2024. You can find the episode here:
385 – Revolutionising newsletters: Xaver Birsak’s journey with his Mailster plugin
In this episode of the WP Builds podcast, I chat wih Xaver Birsak, the creator of Mailster, an email marketing plugin for WordPress. Xaver, who has over 20 years of experience in the tech industry, shares his journey from working with Flash, HTML, and JavaScript to developing Mailster, which initially launched in 2012 and recently updated to version 4.0. The discussion covers Xaver's transition from the Envato marketplace to a subscription-based model, detailed features of Mailster such as its drag-and-drop builder and GDPR compliance, and future plans for the plugin. Whether you're a seasoned email marketer or just starting, this conversation is packed with insights on integrating email marketing seamlessly within your WordPress site while maintaining full control over your data. Check it out...
This Week in WordPress #305
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 5th August 2024. You can find the post here: https://wpbuilds.com/2024/08/13/this-week-in-wordpress-305
384 – Surveying the WordPress industry: Revenue trends and challenges with Kyle Van Deusen
Today we have Kyle Van Deusen on the podcast. Kyle is not only the founder of the prominent community, The Admin Bar, but also a dedicated WordPress expert who has been deeply engrossed in the industry for years.
In this episode, we explore the results of the latest survey conducted by The Admin Bar, which delves into the nitty-gritty of the WordPress ecosystem. With over 1,100 participants, mainly freelancers and agency owners, the survey provides a comprehensive snapshot of the current state of the industry.
We discuss some key stats, such as how 68% of businesses reported gross revenues under $100,000 in 2023, and how only 10% of freelancers and agency owners are making $100,000 per year.
Whether you’re a freelancer, agency owner, or just passionate about web development, this episode provides the insights and benchmarks you need to stay ahead of the curve.
This Week in WordPress #304
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 29th July 2024. You can find the post here: https://wpbuilds.com/2024/08/06/this-week-in-wordpress-304
383 – No Script Show, Episode 14 – The Frontend Divide: UX Designers vs JavaScript Specialists
In episode 14 of "The No Script Show," Nathan Wrigley and David Waumsley discuss the division between UX designers and JavaScript specialists, focusing on Chris Coyier’s article “The Great Divide.” After halting their work together on the WP Builds podcast, due to David’s shift towards minimalist web development with HTML and CSS, they launched "The No Script Show" to explore this new approach. This episode, the last to be featured on WP Builds, delves into whether the divide between HTML/CSS-first developers and JS framework specialists has narrowed over the years, touching on advancements in CSS, web components, and web standards, and examining ongoing issues such as gatekeeping and accessibility.
382 – Alex Moss Talks Yoast, entrepreneurship, and SEO trends
In WP Builds Podcast episode #382, Alex Moss discusses his multifaceted career from a self-taught PHP developer in 2011 to Principal SEO at Yoast. The conversation spans his co-founding of an agency, involvement in the NFT market, and views on emerging digital trends. Alex highlights potential practical uses of NFTs beyond speculation, collaboration between marketing and development teams, and advancements at Yoast post-acquisition by Newfold Digital. Key topics include the future of SEO amidst AI and privacy challenges, Google's dominance, the evolution of search engines, and the balancing act of offering premium and free services at Yoast. Go check it out.
This Week in WordPress #303
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 15th July 2024. You can find the post with the links here: https://wpbuilds.com/2024/07/23/this-week-in-wordpress-303
381 – No Script Show, Episode 13 – What is the W3C doing about AI?
In this episode of the WP Builds Podcast, Nathan Wrigley and David Waumsley discuss the significant and evolving role of AI on the web, focusing on the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) new report titled "AI and the Web, Understanding and Managing the Impact of Machine Learning Models on the Web". The episode delves into AI's dual challenges: data quality and environmental impact. We explore ethical and societal implications, such as privacy, transparency, and the potential for AI to undermine human creativity and entry-level jobs. We also address the importance of standards, regulatory frameworks, and Tim Berners-Lee's optimistic vision of AI, emphasising the need for collaborative and ethical AI development. Go listen...
This Week in WordPress #302
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 8th July 2024. You can find the post here: https://wpbuilds.com/2024/07/16/this-week-in-wordpress-302
380 – Exploring Siren Affiliates with Alex Standiford: redefining affiliate marketing strategies
On the podcast today, we have Alex Standiford talking about his innovative approach to affiliate programs through his new plugin, Siren Affiliates, which is unlike any other affiliates system you've used. Alex gets into the specifics of Siren and its user interface, explaining how rewards are divided, what actions earn points, and what events trigger point calculations. He emphasises the ability of third-party developers to extend these components, allowing for a high degree of customisation. If you’re interested in a truly new and unique approach to affiliate programs that fosters collaboration and fairness among affiliates, this episode is for you.
This Week in WordPress #301
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 1st July 2024. You can find it here: https://wpbuilds.com/2024/07/09/this-week-in-wordpress-301
379 – No Script Show, Episode 12 – How web typography has evolved
On the podcast today, David Waumsley and I go a journey through the evolution of web typography! We both admit to feeling a mix of intrigue and intimidation toward typography, traditionally seen as the realm of design experts. We start by acknowledging the historical constraints of web typography and the relevance of its principles, despite the shift to the digital age. We then get into modern practices, such as responsive design and the shift from pixels to rems. We also explore new web typography features, including font size adjust, kerning, and scroll animations, while emphasising the significance of accessibility and internationalisation, particularly for non-Latin languages. Fluid typography and its benefits, like proportional font size changes, are highlighted, along with tools such as the Utopia CSS generator for creating cohesive designs. The practicalities of ensuring readability through proper spacing and underlining are also explored. We wrap up with a look at the shift from system fonts to the abundance of Google Fonts, highlighting the importance of readability and clarity in contemporary web design. For anyone interested in the nuances of modern web typography and responsive design, this episode is for you.
This Week in WordPress #300
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 24th June 2024. You can find it here: https://wpbuilds.com/2024/07/02/this-week-in-wordpress-300
378 – Exploring AI in customer support with Aaron Edwards
In podcast episode #378 of WP Builds, Aaron Edwards discusses his DocsBot AI, a chatbot plugin designed for WordPress customer support. Edwards, former CTO of WPMUDev, shares his journey into AI, highlighting his work on the Imajinn plugin and his pivot to developing DocsBot AI. This AI-based SaaS integrates with various content sources to train custom bots, automating customer ticket responses while ensuring GDPR compliance. The episode covers the technical aspects, integration capabilities, pricing, and future potentials of AI in customer service, making it a valuable listen for WordPress developers and business owners seeking to streamline support workflows.
This Week in WordPress #299
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 17th June 2024 with Remkus de Vries, Birgit Pauli-Haack, Birgit Olzem. You can find the show here: https://wpbuilds.com/2024/06/25/this-week-in-wordpress-299
377 – No Script Show, Episode 11 – What’s new in web images. Are they worth a thousand words?
Today we discuss advancements in web image standards and new CSS features. Topics include object fit, aspect ratio, border images, filters, clip path, mask-image, and backdrop filters, which offer alternatives to traditional image editing tools like Photoshop. The episode also covers HTML and CSS considerations, such as img and picture elements, alt tags, and loading attributes. New image formats like WebP and AVIF are examined, along with the use of SVGs for accessibility and performance benefits. Go listen...
376 – Exploring typography and accessibility with Piccia Neri
In Podcast #376, guest Piccia Neri, a seasoned designer and long-time collaborator with WP Builds, discusses the evolution of her career and the critical role of accessibility in web design. Initially a book designer, Piccia adapted her skills to the digital age, emphasizing accessibility as essential for good UX. The episode explores the importance of starting web design with content and typography, driven by ethical considerations and upcoming legislation like the European Accessibility Act. Piccia shares actionable insights on accessible typography, HTML structuring, and how accessible design can boost SEO. Listeners are offered valuable resources, including a free accessibility primer and workshops.
This Week in WordPress #298
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 27th May 2024. You can find it here: https://wpbuilds.com/2024/06/04/this-week-in-wordpress-298
375 – Insights from Marcel Bootsman on static site hosting with Kinsta
Today we're talking to Marcel Bootsman from Kinsta, discussing Kinsta's static site hosting. We get into the benefits, technical nuances, and environmental sustainability of static site hosting, highlighting its potential to enhance WordPress website speed and efficiency. Marcel explains how Kinsta leverages Cloudflare's global infrastructure and discusses the complexities involved. The conversation also touches on the developer expertise needed and the possibility of integrating dynamic elements into static sites. Kinsta's static hosting emerges as a cost-effective and high-performing alternative to traditional methods, offering insights on getting started and associated costs.
374 – WordPress turns 21. Hear from 21 voices about what WordPress means to them.
So this is like no podcast episode I've ever done. Normally it's me talking to one, perhaps two, other people... but not today! A few weeks ago I was on a call with Adam Warner and Marcus Burnette from GoDaddy, and we were trying to come with fun ways to celebrate the 21st birth of WordPress, which is on May 27th 2024. This podcast is the result. It's 21 voices from the WordPress world who recorded themselves speaking about their experiences of WordPress; the software, the community, the things that it's enabled for them. And it's wonderful. It's varied, it's interesting, it's encouraging, it's fun! I truly hope that you enjoyed this episode, I enjoyed making it!
373 – No Script Show, Episode 10 – User Preferences: rethinking web design
Once more we bring you a podcast hijack in which the No Script Show takes over the WP Builds podcast, perhaps for the last time? I confess that I'm enjoying this new project very much indeed!
We get into some of the new features that have been added to CSS and what they enable you to do, and how widely supported they are.
If you've not listened to the previous 9 episodes, then you won't know that your browser is getting more capable and instead of hacking things together with frameworks and scripts, we can now do many of the 'cool things' with just a smattering of CSS.
But what are these CSS things, and how do they allow the user of a web page to have some control in what they see, and how do they enable you, the website builder do do things with less dependencies and in shorter amounts of time?
Listen to find out...
This Week in WordPress #297
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 6th May 2024.
You can find the show notes here: https://wpbuilds.com/2024/05/14/this-week-in-wordpress-297
372 – Alex Borto discusses AI integration in WordPress development
Today we have the pleasure of hosting Alex Borto, a WordPress developer from France.
Alex has been part of the WordPress landscape since 2011, educating and inspiring through his popular blog, wpmarmite.com, and a thriving YouTube channel with over 69,000 subscribers.
In this episode, Alex will delve into his innovative project, WP Turbo Dev, which has been making waves by significantly enhancing the workflow for WordPress developers through the integration of AI technology.
As the founder of WP Turbo Dev, Alex shares insights into how this tool not only accelerates development processes, but also ensures that, even as AI takes on more routine tasks, the art of development remains irreplaceable for more complex demands.
We explore the current features, the projected roadmap, and how the tool integrates with popular plugins and themes to provide a comprehensive development experience.
Alex also talks about the broader implications of AI in WordPress development, reflecting on how developers can leverage AI to improve their coding efficiency, whilst still maintaining a high standard of creativity and functionality.
He’ll also touch on his initial motivations for starting free WordPress code generators, and how incorporating AI has expanded the capabilities and resources available to the community.
For both new and experienced developers interested in the future of WordPress and AI, this discussion with Alex Borto promises to be worth a listen.
This Week in WordPress #296
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 29th April 2024. You can find the post here: https://wpbuilds.com/2024/05/07/this-week-in-wordpress-296
371 – No Script Show, Episode 9 – Does Baseline solve our browser support problems?
Back in the day, all the browsers were enemies. They all went off and decided how they would do things with no regard for what their 'rivals' were doing.
This was fun and gave us website developers the joy of having to make sure that what you'd built looked decent in most of the popular browsers.
If you're as old as me and have been in this game for a while, you'll remember shouting at your monitor when things did not work out as planned - which was all the time. I even had a soft rubber mallet, called "The Hardware Hammer" with which I could beat my computer without the costly repair bill!
Fast forward to today and things are much better. Browser vendors all seem to be working towards a common goal, a common spec.
But, and there had to be a but... they don't ship all of the feature at the same time. Some browsers support this thing, others don't (yet).
In this episode we explore where we can go to find out what new features are available in which browsers, so that you can be sure that the site that you're about to ship works well for everyone, no matter how they're viewing it.
This Week in WordPress #295
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 22nd April 2024. You can find the episode here: https://wpbuilds.com/2024/04/27/this-week-in-wordpress-295
370 – Airtable meets WordPress: uniting Airtable’s power with WordPress
On the podcast today we have Stéphane Menet, a seasoned expert with a 20-year background in web strategy and business. He's not only the founder of WP Connect, but also heads a web agency that collaborates with freelancers to build dynamic project teams. His experience runs across a multitude of frameworks and CMS's, it's not all WordPress. We get into the evolving realm of no-code tools, and their impact on content management and web development. Stéphane has crafted a plugin, the Airtable to WordPress plugin, that demonstrates this shift, catering especially to non-technical WordPress users who require an intuitive way to manage their website data. You'll learn about the specific process of setting up the Airtable to WordPress plugin, from generating a token for secure connectivity, to mapping your data with pretty granular control.
Episode here: https://wpbuilds.com/2024/04/25/370-airtable-meets-wordpress-uniting-airtables-power-with-wordpress
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
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.
This Week in WordPress #293
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 8th April 2024.
368 – Driving WordPress education via Full Site Editing with Chris Badgett
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.
This Week in WordPress #292
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 1st April 2023.
367 – No Script Show, Episode 7 – How do we start a website project?
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
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.
This Week in WordPress #291
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 18th March 2024.
365 – No Script Show, Episode 6 – What’s the big deal with container queries?
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...
This Week in WordPress #290
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 11th March 2024.
364 – Nenad Conic on crafting quirky eCommerce websites using WooCommerce
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.
This Week in WordPress #289
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 26th February 2024.
363 – No Script Show, Episode 5 – What is component based 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 '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?
This Week in WordPress #288
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 19th February 2023.
362 – Inside WordPress with Raitis Sevelis: UI/UX, IndyStack, and community
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?
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.
This Week in WordPress #286
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 5th February 2024.
360 – Synchronising data and design with Jorge Casals from DataPocket
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.
This Week in WordPress #285
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 29th January 2024.
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.
This Week in WordPress #284
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 22nd January 2024.
358 – Exploring web accessibility: a conversation with Gen Herres
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
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.
This Week in WordPress #282
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 8th January 2024.
356 – What’s the state of teams in the WordPress space?
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...
This Week in WordPress #281
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 1st January 2023.
355 – David’s return… A new podcast called The ‘No Script Show’
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.
This Week in WordPress #280
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 11th December 2023.
354 – How GREYD.SUITE is tackling website accessibility
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!
This Week in WordPress #279
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 4th December 2023.
353 – Bye bye
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?
This Week in WordPress #278
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 27th November 2023.
352 – Why email marketing is still alive: insights from Rytis Lauris of Omnisend
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.
This Week in WordPress #277
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 19th November 2023.
351 – The one where the entire episode was created by AI
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.
This Week in WordPress #276
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 13th November 2023.
350 – Ymir: The future of serverless WordPress hosting with Carl Alexander
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!!!
This Week in WordPress #275
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 6th November 2023.
349 – Is 20 years too long in web tech?
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...
This Week in WordPress #274
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 30th October 2023.
348 – How the Gato GraphQL plugin can accelerate your WordPress development
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.
This Week in WordPress #273
The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 23rd October 2023.