Wp Builds

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!

The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 14th October 2024.

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...

The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 7th October 2024.

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!

The WordPress news from Monday 30th September 2024.

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...

The WordPress news from 16th to 29th October 2024. What a week it was!

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!

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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.

The WordPress news from the last week which commenced Monday 12th August 2024. You can find the episode here:

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...

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

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.