The WP Minute+ (Matt Medeiros)

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. 

Read the full blog post and get the transcript here.

Here are 5 key takeaways from the interview with Adrian of Groundhogg:

1. Groundhogg started as a plugin to help integrate Infusionsoft (now called Keep) with WordPress. It has evolved into a full-featured CRM and marketing automation platform for WordPress.
2. Groundhogg is focused on flat-rate pricing with no “success tax,” unlike some CRM competitors that charge based on metrics like number of contacts.
3. Self-hosting gives users control over their data. Adrian believes people are tired of getting “shafted” by SaaS providers in terms of pricing and potential data/account issues.
4. Most people switching to Groundhogg are surprised by how comparable it is to HubSpot, ActiveCampaign, etc. despite being a WordPress plugin. The data integration across WordPress plugins is a key differentiator.
5. Adrian is passionate about keeping Groundhogg self-hosted but is considering selective SaaS integrations in the future while still allowing self-hosting. An eventual exit is likely but he’d love to open a winery someday too.

Important links

• Adrian on Twitter
• https://groundhogg.io

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Matt Cromwell and Katie Keith introduce WP Product Talk's first episode of 2023. Katie Keith joins the show as the new co-host. They talk about their guest, Zach Katz, founder of Gravity Kit and Trusted Login, and how they will discuss the subject of being a solo founder. Matt Cromwell also mentions a Twitter poll he conducted asking people if they prefer audio-only or YouTube streaming, with the majority preferring YouTube. However, they are still exploring other options.

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I recently had an insightful discussion with Rytis Lauris, co-founder and CEO of the email marketing platform Omnisend, on the WP Minute+.

Even after nearly 10 years in business, Rytis described Omnisend as still being in "startup mode." He credits staying bootstrapped with helping maintain their agility to pivot based on customer feedback, rather than getting bogged down in bureaucracy like many older companies.

Omnisend is a Pillar Sponsor of the WP Minute. Part of the sponsorship agreement is to host an interview like this, in an effort to have a candid conversation about their company. 

We covered a wide range of topics relevant to any WordPress Professional, from competition to company culture to leveraging new technologies like AI. Here are 5 of my key takeaways from our conversation:

1. Laser focus on a niche is critical - By specifically targeting ecommerce merchants early on, Omnisend set itself apart from more generic marketing platforms. Really understanding customer pain points lets you build solutions tailored to their needs.
2. Community delivers long-term stability - Rytis believes platforms like WordPress have an advantage over solitary gatekeepers like Shopify thanks to open source's distributed model where no one entity controls the ecosystem.
3. Go where the customers are - Though initially focused on Shopify, Omnisend expanded into WooCommerce after seeing impressive organic traction there. Value creation trumps personal preferences.
4. Startup mindset stems from leadership - Maintaining ambition and efficiency despite company maturity comes from the top. Rytis still drives Omnisend's vision decade later.
5. AI should enhance abilities, not replace jobs - Omnisend judiciously uses AI to help humans be more productive. But Rytis believes strategic thinking still requires human creativity and intuition.

Beyond the key insights, here are 5 reasons why you should tune into our conversation:

1. We have 20+ years combined building digital companies so share informed perspectives on the industry.
2. Gain insider knowledge of the WordPress vs Shopify ecosystems from someone operating within both.
3. Learn how to scale your startup without sacrificing agility or customer centricity.
4. Hear a thoughtful approach to leveraging promising innovations like AI without going overboard.
5. Enjoy an insightful dialogue with the candid yet focused Rytis Lauris about business and personal growth.

I thoroughly enjoyed my talk with Rytis - his uniq

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Read the show notes here: https://thewpminute.com/?p=15514

Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group.

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. 

I recently sat down with Jason Resnick, founder of NurtureKit.co, to explore the changing landscape of email marketing as we head into 2024. The timing couldn't be better - with major shifts happening at Gmail, Yahoo, and Apple, WordPress professionals need to understand how these changes impact their email strategies.

Jason shared fascinating insights about how email platforms are pushing us toward more authentic engagement. Gone are the days of simple broadcast newsletters. Success now depends on creating genuine two-way conversations with subscribers and adapting to new authentication requirements. For WordPress professionals managing client relationships or running product businesses, these changes are particularly relevant.

This episode dives deep into practical strategies for improving deliverability and engagement, including innovative approaches like incorporating audio messages in email sequences. Whether you're running an agency, selling WordPress products, or building a community, you'll find actionable advice to make your email marketing more effective in today's evolving landscape.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:

• Email remains the highest-converting marketing channel
• Focus on creating genuine conversations with subscribers, not just broadcasting
• Major email providers now require stricter authentication and engagement metrics
• List maintenance and segmentation are crucial for deliverability
• Consider incorporating audio elements to build trust and engagement

Important URLs:

• NurtureKit.co - Email marketing consultancy
• youtube.com/nurturekit - Educational content
• rezzz.com - Jason's website

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Join Matt, Katie, and Aaron as they discuss how to diversify (plugin + SaaS) a WordPress product. 

They highlight the importance of this subject because it is an up-and-coming and continuing to grow aspect of WordPress products, and it has advantages for serving types of content or doing types of functionality that should not be limited to a WordPress website specifically. Additionally, diversifying a WordPress product can be a good model for certain types of products and can scale more quickly, making it a good option for businesses. 

Aaron highlights the technical difficulties of supporting and maintaining WordPress plugins due to compatibility issues with hosting providers, themes, and other plugins, making it difficult to ensure compatibility with all possible configurations. The discussion focuses on the various ways to diversify WordPress products, including creating a software as a service (SaaS) product, offering hosting services, and creating a platform or community for your product.

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This episode of The WP Minute+ podcast features host Matt Medeiros in conversation with guest Marc Benzakein.

Marc is currently involved with two WordPress-related businesses – MainWP, a self-hosted WordPress site management plugin, and Site District, a managed WordPress hosting company.

Matt opens the show recapping his previous interview with Marc on The Matt Report podcast, where they discussed Marc’s former business ServerPress which has now shut down. Marc shares what he has been up to since closing ServerPress, including taking a 6 month sabbatical away from WordPress, before getting involved again working with smaller bootstrapped companies in the WordPress space.

Topics Discussed:

• The high sponsorship costs for events like WordCamp make things difficult for small companies in the WordPress ecosystem. Marc and Matt debate whether the platform can sustain if sponsors pull out.
• They discuss the necessary move towards block editors and full site editing for WordPress to stay competitive, even though some developers dislike it. The focus needs to be ease of use over speed.
• Marc highlights the existential threat of keeping websites relevant when social platforms like Facebook offer quicker user engagement. All of WordPress needs to address this issue.
• The dominance of big tech platforms and algorithms threatens the open web, as most content is now filtered through them rather than accessed directly. Podcasting faces similar challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• Opportunities for WordPress pros with strong personal brands to work with multiple niche companies rather than one big corporate roleNeed to make 
• WordPress site building competitive with social platforms for ease of use
• All of WordPress needs to band together to demonstrate the benefits of owning your data with a website

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In this episode of WP Minute+, Matt interviews Angela Jin, the Head of Programs and Contributor Experience at Automattic.

They discuss Angela’s work overseeing community training and events like WordCamps. Angela shares her perspective on making WordPress thrive, not just as a CMS but also as an open source community.

They talk about bringing younger generations into the WordPress world through education initiatives and pathways for contribution. Matt and Angela also discuss some of the challenges facing the community events, including rising costs and the increasing need for official roles like an incident response team.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Insight into Automattic’s vision for helping hosts and supporting the WordPress open source community
• Ideas for how to attract younger generations to learn and engage with WordPress
• Perspective on the rising operational complexity of running community events and governing a large open source project
• Commentary on gracefully handling conflict and disagreement within an open community like WordPress

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Matt Medeiros interviews Vik Patel, General Manager of Pressable, a managed WordPress hosting company that is part of Automattic.

They discuss Pressable’s startup culture within the larger Automattic organization, how the various Automattic hosting brands work together, and the importance of WordPress being open source software.

Vik talks about Pressable’s focus on agencies and developers as their target customer base, and how they aim to provide a fast, unopinionated hosting platform. He mentions some updates coming to Pressable in 2024 like improved staging/production syncing, a UI for agencies to run mass actions across their sites, and security-focused auto updates.

Key Takeaways:

• Pressable maintains a startup culture within Automattic, moving fast to build new features without lots of internal coordination
• Automattic’s hosting brands refer customers to each other when another brand is a better fit, putting the customer’s needs first
• WordPress being open source provides freedom and control compared to closed platforms
• Pressable is focused on serving agencies and developers by providing great support and an easy-to-use, flexible hosting platform

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The concept of being an online “creator” has exploded in popularity over the last decade. Spurred by platforms like YouTube and Substack, millions of people now aspire to build audiences around their content and make it a business. However, sustainably monetizing content and turning casual hobbyists into full-time creators is easier said than done.

I know better than anyone…

In an attempt to consolidate the creator toolset, Automattic recently launched a packaged offering called Jetpack Creator. For $119.40 the first year, it bundles relevant parts of Jetpack into an all-in-one product targeting creators. To learn more, I spoke with one of the leads behind Jetpack Creator – Mike Stott.

His startup produced a simple CRM plugin for small businesses called Zero BS CRM which was eventually acquired by Automattic. After being folded into Jetpack’s offerings, Mike now oversees product direction for various components like Jetpack CRM and the new Creator package.

We had an insightful discussion on the goals, competition, and differentiation of Jetpack Creator compared to other options creators have available. We also debated the level of effort required for creators to successfully monetize content through WordPress, even with streamlined offerings available on the market.

Key Takeaways:

• Jetpack Creator bundles existing Jetpack features at a discounted price, focusing on blocks, patterns, and creator networking
• The CRM feature in Jetpack emerged from Mike’s previous startup, with a goal of simple functionality for small businesses
• Creators need consistent content output to build an audience; Jetpack aims to streamline publishing but won’t replace that effort
• Monetization through WordAds, Stripe payments, and other tools can come later as traffic and subscriptions grow
• There is still fragmentation across WordPress products for creators; opportunities exist for more tailored user experiences

3 Reasons to Listen:

1. Learn how Jetpack Creator aims to compete with platforms like Substack and Ghost for creators
2. Understand Mike’s vision for unifying WordPress creator solutions
3. Get insight into the origin story of Jetpack CRM coming from Mike’s startup

Chapters:

• 0:01 Intro
• 0:35 Mike’s background with Zero BS CRM
• 1:52 Bundling existing features in Jetpack Creator
• 3:29 Competing with other creator platforms
• 5:16 Making money from creator content in WordPress
• 7:21 The challenge of consistent content creation
• 9:14 Unifying WordPress products for creators
• 11:34 Who is the Jetpack Creator customer?
• 13:52 Impact on the WordPress ecosystem
• 16:31 Tools for repurposing and amplifying content
• 19:14 Unlocking WordPress.com features for self-hosted sites
• 21:29 Defining what a “creator” is
• 25:54 The difficulty of creator sustainability
• 27:49 Ad revenue challenges on platforms like YouTube
• 30:25 Approaching content creation as a business
• 32:16 Additional ways to share and monetize content
• 34:09 Cryptocurrency payment options
• 36:06 Wrapping up

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I’ve been skeptical about the AI tools I see emerging in my Twitter feed.

So many of my WordPress friends are using these tools to code, write articles, build websites, and even develop their own AI products. But I’ve been struggling to catch on. Until I saw a thread from Kim Coleman in Post Status about her success with better prompts in ChatGPT.

So like any podcasters would do — I invited her on the show to learn more.

The Right Prompts Unlock AI’s Potential

Both Matt and Kim initially struggled to get good results from ChatGPT and similar AI tools. They found the content too generic and not helpful for their WordPress needs. The breakthrough came when they learned to craft detailed, structured prompts to give the AI more context. Instead of just saying “summarize this blog post,” they give background like: “You are an expert WordPress content creator. Summarize this blog post in a conversational tone for our podcast listeners.” Kim shares prompts she uses to turn video transcripts into step-by-step tutorials, and to turn technical changelog notes into readable blog posts. Carefully shaping the prompt helps the AI stay on track.

Trying New AI Tools Yields Mixed Results

Matt has had more success using Claude.ai instead of ChatGPT to generate show notes by giving it two separate interview transcripts. The key is uploading both transcripts at once so the AI doesn’t confuse information between interviews. Kim experimented with some tools like ContentScale and others where you fill out forms instead of chatting. She didn’t find these as effective as crafting her own prompts in a chat interface. They agree that graphic and video AI tools like Midjourney are not yet ready for marketing assets, though they see potential in the future.

AI’s Role in WordPress’ Future

There is some debate around integrating AI directly into WordPress products. If it’s just a basic tool that pastes in text, it may not add much value and could even backfire if it provides bad results. More complex integrations like LifterLMS using AI as a “coach” to guide course creation show more promise. This takes into account the human goals instead of just spitting out generic content. Matt and Kim agree responsible humans are still needed to oversee AI tools, but they will likely continue shaping parts of the WordPress workflow. Using the right prompts unlocks the benefits while avoiding potential downsides.

Important links

Here are the important links we mention throughout the conversation:

• ChatGPT (chat.openai.com)
• Claude AI (claude.ai)
• ContentScale (contentscale.com)
• Midjourney (midjourney.com)
• Canva (canva.com)
• LifterLMS (lifterlms.com)
• Paid Memberships Pro (paidmembershipspro.com)
• The WP Minute Podcast (thewpminute.com)

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In this episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Laura Elizabeth, founder of Client Portal, a WordPress plugin that helps freelancers and agencies manage client communications and deliverables. Laura's journey from freelance web designer to successful product creator offers valuable insights for WordPress professionals considering a similar transition.

Laura shared how Client Portal emerged from her own needs as a freelancer, frustrated with endless email threads and file sharing. What started as a personal solution gained traction after conference presentations, leading to a successful pre-sale campaign that funded the plugin's initial development. Her approach to building the product - focusing on simplicity and clear use cases - has allowed it to serve diverse industries while maintaining a coherent vision.

We discussed the challenges of transitioning from services to products, including the technical hurdles of building a WordPress plugin as a non-developer. Laura's story of finding and maintaining a long-term relationship with a contractor developer highlights the importance of human connection in business relationships. Her experience with the evolving WordPress block editor also provides insight into the challenges plugin developers face keeping pace with core changes.

Key takeaways for WordPress professionals:

1. Successful products often emerge from solving your own problems
2. Pre-sales can validate ideas and fund initial development
3. Focus and simplicity can be more valuable than feature complexity
4. Human relationships matter in building successful partnerships
5. Maintaining product quality often means saying no to feature requests
6. Block editor integration requires significant ongoing development effort
7. Clear product boundaries help manage diverse user requirements

Important URLs mentioned:

1. client-portal.io
2. Twitter: @lauraelizdunn
3. WP Minute Newsletter

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Warm Welcome
00:52 Meet Laura: Founder of Client Portal
01:38 Transition from Services to Products
02:00 Current Market Landscape
03:38 The Power and Versatility of WordPress
06:52 Journey into Product Development
10:28 Courses and Client Work
13:13 Professional Services and Competition
15:31 Understanding Client Portal's Unique Position
17:04 Balancing Feature Requests Across Industries
19:00 From Concept to Development
22:46 The Role of AI and Future Integrations
26:33 Challenges in WordPress Development
29:33 Client Portal's Key Benefits for Freelancers
31:09 Technical Integrations and Flexibility
32:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt welcomes Robert DeVore, a seasoned WordPress developer and entrepreneur, to discuss how open source changed his life. Robert shares his journey from launching a cannabis-related WordPress plugin in 2015 to rapidly developing AI-powered tools for the WordPress ecosystem today. He reflects on the challenges he faced in the cannabis industry, particularly being “debanked,” which ultimately pushed him to explore new opportunities in tech.

Robert dives into his current projects, including Plugin Pal, an AI-powered WordPress plugin generator that helps developers quickly create and customize plugins. He and Matt also explore the broader impact of AI on development, the sustainability of WordPress in an evolving landscape, and the importance of continuing to innovate within open source. Throughout the conversation, Robert emphasizes how WordPress and open source provided him with a career path that transformed his life and enabled him to give back to the community.

Key Takeaways

Robert’s Journey in WordPress & Open Source:

• Robert initially built a cannabis-related plugin but faced financial barriers due to industry regulations.
• He learned valuable lessons about business constraints and industry challenges.
• Pivoted to AI and rapid product development, releasing multiple WordPress tools.

AI’s Role in WordPress Development:

• AI enables faster development, but human oversight is still crucial.
• Tools like Plugin Pal generate structured, modern WordPress plugins.
• AI is not replacing developers but augmenting their workflow for efficiency.

Challenges & Opportunities for WordPress:

• WordPress remains a powerful platform for new developers and business owners.
• Competing with newer, AI-driven platforms requires emphasizing the flexibility of open-source solutions.
• Governance and leadership concerns in WordPress are ongoing but shouldn’t deter innovation.

Building a Business with Multiple Products:

• Robert embraces a diversified product approach rather than focusing on a single flagship plugin.
• Rapid product development allows him to test ideas and iterate based on user feedback.
• Twitter/X plays a key role in his marketing and community engagement.

Important Links

• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe
• Connect with Robert DeVore
  Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/DevioRobert
  Website: https://robertdevore.com/
• Plugin Pal: https://pluginpal.app/

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Cory Miller has been at the center of two major shifts in the WordPress ecosystem.

First, he sold his full ownership of Post Status to Marieke van de Rakt and Joost de Valk, who are now forming a new nonprofit entity to back it. Matt explores Cory’s timeline of running Post Status after acquiring it from Brian Krogsgard.

Today, he is part of the A2 Hosting acquisition by World Host Group, a private equity-backed company consolidating hosting brands. In a recent WP Minute conversation, Matt Medeiros spoke with Cory about these transitions and what they mean for the WordPress community.

A2 Hosting’s Acquisition by World Host Group

• Private Equity Backing: A2 Hosting has been acquired by World Host Group, a private equity-backed company managing 14 hosting brands.
• Leadership with WordPress Experience: Cory highlighted that the new leadership team includes individuals with a deep understanding of WordPress, helping to ease concerns about the acquisition.
• Investment Over Cost-Cutting: Unlike typical private equity acquisitions that prioritize cost reduction, World Host Group’s approach focuses on increasing investment in product and support.
• No Immediate Changes: Customers should not expect significant changes to pricing, dashboards, or service URLs in the short term, though new developments are anticipated in the coming months.
• Trust as a Core Value: CEO Seb de Lemos has emphasized building a trusted, globally recognized brand—something that is often lacking in the hosting industry.

The Transition of Post Status

• Moving to a Nonprofit Model: Post Status, long a hub for WordPress professionals, is now a nonprofit organization led by the founders of Yoast.
• Challenges of WordPress Media: Running a media and community-driven business in the WordPress space is difficult. Cory noted the constant challenges of securing sponsorships, maintaining engagement, and ensuring financial stability.
• The Importance of Support: Cory emphasized that WordPress companies have a responsibility to support independent media outlets because they provide essential industry insights, foster community engagement, and hold key stakeholders accountable. Without financial backing from businesses that benefit from these platforms, these critical resources risk disappearing, weakening the ecosystem as a whole.

Final Thoughts

The acquisition of A2 Hosting and the transition of Post Status signal significant shifts in the WordPress industry. While private equity involvement in hosting raises concerns, Cory remains optimistic about the focus on trust and investment. Letting go of Post Status was both a relief and a deeply emotional moment for Cory.

After years of dedication, he now watches as the community he helped build takes on a new chapter under nonprofit stewardship. While there’s a sense of closure, there’s also hope that this transition will empower independent WordPress media & community in new ways.

Now is the time for stakeholders to actively shape the future of WordPress through engagement and support.

Chapters

• 00:00 Welcome Back, Cory Miller!
• 00:30 Big Changes and Acquisitions
• 01:37 A2 Hosting Acquisition Insights
• 02:32 Leadership and Vision at World Host Group
• 03:51 The Importance of Communication
• 06:46 Private Equity and WordPress
• 10:24 AI and the Future of Tech
• 17:08 The Power of WordPress Distribution
• 22:27 Immediate Changes at A2 Hosting
• 26:17 Struggles with WordPress Community and Content Creation
• 27:15 Reflecting on Acquiring PostStatus
• 28:38 The Importance of Community
• 30:47 Challenges and Gratitude
• 34:28 The Future of WordPress Media
• 40:25 The Human Touch in WordPress News
• 43:32 Balancing Community and Business
• 49:32 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Relevant Links Mentioned in the Conversation

• A2 Hosting’s new parent company: World Host Group
• A2 Hosting: a2hosting.com
• Cory Miller’s website: CoryMiller.com
• Post Status community: PostStatus.com
• WordPress media efforts: The WP Minute & The Repository
• Upcoming community conference: PressConf

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In this episode of the WP Minute+, Matt chats with Katie Keith, co-founder of Barn2 Plugins, about her decision to diversify her WordPress-focused business by introducing Shopify apps. Katie shares insights into the challenges and opportunities of the WordPress ecosystem, touching on the increasing uncertainties surrounding WooCommerce and WordPress leadership. While Barn2 remains committed to its existing WordPress products, Katie discusses the strategic importance of venturing into Shopify to safeguard the future of her business.

In addition, Katie shares the thought process behind expanding to Shopify, including her team's excitement about the technical challenges and opportunities. She highlights how leveraging her WooCommerce knowledge helps identify gaps in the Shopify app market. Katie emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach to diversification while continuing to deliver quality in both the WordPress and Shopify ecosystems.

## Key Takeaways

### Marketing & Content Strategy
- Barn2's primary sales channels remain blog SEO and YouTube content.
- Diversification in content platforms (e.g., live streams and videos) is critical for adapting to algorithm changes.
- AI tools like ChatGPT are driving product awareness, with customers reporting purchases based on AI recommendations.

### The Decision to Diversify
- Increasing uncertainty in WordPress, especially with WooCommerce's "more in core" policy, prompted Barn2 to explore Shopify.
- Expanding to Shopify allows for greater business stability without compromising WordPress operations.

### Challenges of Diversification
- The Shopify ecosystem offers its own risks, including potential competition from core features.
- Team enthusiasm and readiness for technical challenges were key factors in the decision to expand.

### Community Insights
- Katie appreciates the collaborative and welcoming nature of both WordPress and Shopify communities.
- Leveraging networks on platforms like Twitter and insights from peers in both ecosystems have been vital for her business growth.

## Important Links
- *The WP Minute+* Podcast: [thewpminute.com/subscribe](thewpminute.com/subscribe)
- Connect with Katie Keith on Twitter/X: [twitter.com/KatieKeithBarn2](twitter.com/KatieKeithBarn2)
- Learn more about Barn2 Plugins: [barn2.com](barn2.com)

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In this livestream recording of our impromptu "emergency" episode, host Matt Medeiros and guest Mark Szymanski dive into recent discussions and frustrations within the WordPress community. The conversation was sparked by a live stream hosted by Paul Charlton, also featuring several prominent WordPress content creators.

The episode provides an in-depth look at the complexities of WordPress development, community dynamics, and the challenges faced by both users and contributors. Matt and Mark explore various aspects of WordPress governance, the role of Automattic, and the importance of understanding the open-source nature of the project. They also discuss the responsibilities of content creators in the WordPress ecosystem and the need for better communication between different stakeholders.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:

1 The ongoing debate between open source and ownership in WordPress

2 The complexity of Automattic's role in WordPress development

3 Challenges in contributing to WordPress and understanding the decision-making process

4 The nuances of WordPress's leadership structure and the concept of "benevolent dictatorship"

5 The importance of understanding GitHub, Trac, and other development tools used in WordPress

6 The balance between criticism and constructive feedback in the WordPress ecosystem

7 The need for better communication and transparency in WordPress development

8 The challenges of implementing user suggestions and feature requests

9 The role of content creators and influencers in the WordPress community

Important URLs mentioned:
WP Minute Youtube

Paul Charlton's live stream (moved to Web Squadron channel) 

WordPress.org/data-liberation

Core.trac.wordpress.org

Github.com/WordPress/gutenberg

Chapter Titles with Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction and Context

[00:05:23] Open Source vs. Ownership Discussion

[00:15:39] Automattic's Role and Contributions

[00:27:46] Understanding Gutenberg and Decision Making

[00:42:39] Core Contributors and Leadership

[00:54:05] Navigating Open Source Contributions

[01:05:00] The Data Liberation Project

[01:20:21] Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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In this thought-provoking podcast, Matt and Mark dive into the current state of WordPress, discussing its target audience, marketing strategies, and potential challenges that lie ahead. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, offering insights into the future of the popular content management system.

Key questions and topics discussed:

1. Who is WordPress primarily built for - DIYers or professional developers?
2. How can WordPress better understand and cater to its end users?
3. The impact of the Gutenberg editor on WordPress' user experience and market position.
4. The role of Automattic and wordpress.com in shaping the future of WordPress.
5. The debate between using free vs. premium WordPress plugins and themes.
6. WordPress' position in the market compared to competitors like Wix and Squarespace.
7. The potential impact of AI on website building and the WordPress ecosystem.
8. The importance of the WordPress community and how it can continue to thrive.
9. The challenges of balancing the needs of different user groups within the WordPress ecosystem.
10. The future of WordPress pricing and the sustainability of the open-source model.

Throughout the conversation, Matt and Mark explore various scenarios and possibilities for WordPress' evolution, considering factors such as open-source development, commercialization, and the role of key players like Automattic. They also touch upon the importance of understanding and catering to the needs of different user groups, from hobbyists to professional agencies.

While no definitive answers are reached, the discussion highlights the complex nature of the WordPress ecosystem and the challenges that lie ahead as it continues to adapt and evolve in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Follow Matt

Follow The WP Minute
Follow Mark

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In this episode of *The WP Minute+*, Matt chats with Ariele Krantzow, the Marketing Lead at Pressable, a Managed WordPress Host. Ariele shares her journey from a design-focused background to a thriving career in content and marketing. She highlights her experience as a long-time WordPress user, the community's influence, and the rapid learning curve she faced when she joined Pressable just in time for her first WordCamp.

The conversation covers the value of quality hosting, customer education, and marketing strategies tailored to the needs of WordPress users. Ariele describes how Pressable balances startup agility within the larger Automatic ecosystem and focuses on creating a superior user experience. The discussion also focuses on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in marketing and the WordPress ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of creativity, human connection, and innovation in a fast-evolving digital landscape.

## Key Takeaways
### Ariele's Journey to Marketing:
- Started in design and community roles before transitioning into content marketing.- 
Values combining creativity and strategy to drive impactful results.

### Marketing at Pressable:
- Focus on customer education and simplifying the hosting experience.
- Pressable is positioned as a premium, quality-driven host with a user-friendly dashboard and top-notch support.

### WordPress Community Insights:
- Ariele emphasized the value of WordPress in enabling diverse careers, from content marketers to developers.
- Engaging with the community at WordCamps has been a cornerstone for learning and growth.

### AI in Marketing:
- AI is an assistant, not a replacement, for creativity in marketing.
- Marketers must focus on producing unique, human-centric content to stand out amidst AI-generated content.

### Video Strategy:
- Pressable is expanding into video content to complement its robust blog and knowledge base.
- Emphasis on relatability and authenticity in video production.

### Important Links
- *The WP Minute+* Podcast: [thewpminute.com/subscribe](https://thewpminute.com/subscribe)  
- Connect with Ariele Krantzow: LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/akrantzow/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/akrantzow/)
- Learn more about Pressable: Pressable Website [pressable.com](https://pressable.com/)

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In a recent interview on the WP Minute+ podcast, host Matt Medeiros sat down with Chris Vano, Senior Director of Product Management at Bluehost, to discuss the company's latest offering: Bluehost Cloud, a WordPress hosting solution powered by WP Cloud. Vano shared insights into the development process and key features of this new product, which targets agencies, freelancers, and professionals.

Vano emphasized the importance of customer feedback in shaping the Bluehost Cloud offering, revealing that the company conducted interviews with agencies and professionals to understand their specific needs and pain points. This research led to the decision to partner with Automattic, leveraging their proven WP Cloud platform to deliver a high-performance, WordPress-optimized hosting solution.

Key features of Bluehost Cloud include dedicated resources for each site, scalability, a global CDN, and a choice of data center locations with automatic failover. The solution also boasts a 100% guaranteed network uptime, backed by a promise to refund customers if they experience downtime. Additionally, Bluehost Cloud incorporates Jetpack features such as backups and malware scanning at no extra cost.

Vano also discussed the role of Bluehost's core contributor team in optimizing the Cloud solution and the company's plans to expand the offering to cater to enterprise customers in the future. The product launch is supported by a dedicated WordPress expert support team, setting it apart from competitors in the market.

Episode Takeaways:
- Bluehost Cloud is a WordPress hosting solution powered by WP Cloud, targeting agencies, freelancers, and professionals.
- Customer feedback played a crucial role in shaping the product's features and offerings.
- The solution offers dedicated resources, scalability, a global CDN, and multiple data center locations with automatic failover.
- Bluehost Cloud guarantees 100% network uptime and includes Jetpack features like backups and malware scanning.
- The company plans to expand the offering to cater to enterprise customers in the future.
- A dedicated WordPress expert support team is available to assist Bluehost Cloud customers.

Important Links:
- Bluehost Cloud landing page: https://bluehost.com/hosting/cloud
- Webinar recording with Chris Vano and Devin Sears (to be added to show notes)
- Matt Medeiros' interview with Jesse Friedman about WP Cloud (to be added to show notes)
- Chris Vano's Twitter profile: https://twitter.com/tallkidzdad

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Host Matt Medeiros interviews Brent Lundell, an IT innovator at Bluehost, about optimizing WordPress performance and scaling on Bluehost’s infrastructure. They dive into the challenges of supporting a diverse WordPress landscape, from outdated plugins to complex WooCommerce stores.

With over 15 years at Bluehost’s parent company Newfold, Lundell provides unique insights into their cross-functional approach to WordPress optimization. If you run a WordPress site on Bluehost or are considering the platform, you won’t want to miss Lundell’s candor regarding their past struggles and recent improvements. Tune in to understand Bluehost’s dedication to the individual WordPress user’s experience.

Key Takeaways:

• Bluehost builds custom solutions for WordPress instead of relying on off-the-shelf configurations
• They optimize for complex WooCommerce stores as an indicator of overall WordPress performance
• A cross-functional “performance team” coordinates WordPress improvements across the company
• Bluehost partners directly with key players like Cloudflare, JD Goff at WordPress Core, and major plugin developers

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In this episode, I sat down with Raquel Manriquez, Community Manager at Elegant Themes, to discuss her exciting new venture - PressConf. This event is a spiritual successor to the legendary Pressnomics conference, which was a cornerstone event for WordPress business professionals. Raquel shares her journey of launching her own business, Wonderland Curious, and how the idea to revive this beloved conference came from a genuine need in the WordPress community for a dedicated business-focused event. What makes this particularly special is that Raquel secured the blessing from Pressnomics founders Josh and Sally Strebel before moving forward with this new iteration.

What really struck me during our conversation was Raquel's authentic approach to honoring the legacy of Pressnomics while bringing her own vision to PressConf. The event will maintain key elements that made Pressnomics special - like hosting it at the Mission Palms Resort in Tempe and keeping presentations exclusive to in-person attendees (no recordings). But she's also adding her own touch with structured networking time to maximize the valuable connections made at these events.

The WordPress business community has been missing a flagship event focused purely on the business side of WordPress, and PressConf aims to fill that void. Hearing Raquel's passion and seeing the talented team she's assembled gives me confidence that this will be a must-attend event for WordPress professionals in 2024.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals

• PressConf will be a single-track, business-focused WordPress event with no recordings - you must be present to experience the content
• The event features invite-first speakers, targeting industry leaders and known names in WordPress
• Unlike WordCamps, this is specifically designed for "hallway trackers" - people who value high-level business networking
• The venue (Mission Palms Resort in Tempe) is specifically chosen to create an intimate setting that encourages networking
• There will be structured networking time built into the schedule, separate from talks and social events
• The event runs April 23-26, 2024, with two full days of talks and one day for activities

Important URLs & Resources

• PressConf website: https://pressconf.events
• Twitter: @Press__conf
• Instagram: @pressconf
• Early bird tickets available at $680 for VIP access and $580 for general admission

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• https://twitter.com/chrislubkert
• https://extendify.com/
• https://thewpminute.com/support

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I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jon Clark, Marketing Automation Specialist at StellarWP, who also has his own YouTube channel called Jon Automates where he discusses movies, pop culture, and video games. In this fun and insightful episode, Jon shares his expertise on email marketing automation, creating entertaining YouTube content, and his thoughts on recent video games like Elden Ring.

At StellarWP, Jon focuses on managing email marketing automation across their suite of WordPress products. He discusses best practices like avoiding email sends on Fridays, finding the optimal times to reach engaged audiences, and using dynamic content and segmentation to create more personalized, relevant messaging. Jon emphasizes focusing on whether an email campaign will entertain or provide value rather than just chasing metrics.

On his YouTube channel, Jon prioritizes creating entertaining content on movies, trailers, and pop culture over optimizing for the algorithm. He collaborates with a close group of "YouTube friends" who cross-promote each other's channels. Jon purposefully avoids "rage channels" and politics to foster a positive community where different opinions can be shared openly. He's considering starting a second channel focused just on creative film projects and cinematography.

Listeners can find Jon online on YouTube and Twitter.

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Katie Keith from Barn2 joins the podcast to discuss her recents success running a WordPress & WooCommerce plugin business.

Key Takeaways

• Transitioning from client services to product business takes forethought about your ideal lifestyle and abilities.
• Know if you want to manage a team before diving in. Build a remote team culture by regularly checking in, being flexible, and celebrating shared wins – not just revenue goals.
• SEO success requires a balance between optimization best practices and creating content real humans love. Don’t over-optimize.
• Consider both logic and marketing impact before splitting brands and websites. Domain authority has tangible value.
• Providing bundled offerings can ease plugin pricing fatigue for customers with diverse needs.YouTube and content marketing are powerful sales drivers.
• Invest in what already works for your business.

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 1:00 Katie’s background
• 3:00 Transitioning from agency to product company
• 8:00 Remote team culture
• 10:30 SEO strategies
• 13:00 Document Library Pro success
• 15:00 Evaluating business models
• 17:00 The state of WooCommerce
• 21:00 Matt’s SEO frustrations
• 23:00 Marketing through content
• 25:30 Plugin pricing and bundles
• 28:00 Lifetime licenses debate
• 31:00 Podcasting strategies
• 35:00 Investing in YouTube

Important Links

• Barn2 Plugins – https://barn2.com
• WP Product Talk Podcast
• Ellipsis Marketing
• https://twitter.com/KatieKeithBarn2
• https://thewpminute.com/support

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In this fascinating conversation with Mark Szymanski, we dove into our evolving perspectives on AI tools, particularly in coding and content creation. What makes this discussion particularly interesting is how both Mark and I have shifted from skepticism to seeing AI as a powerful assistant in our work. I shared my recent experience using Claude and Cursor to build a web application - something I never thought I'd be able to do as a non-developer. While I'm not writing code in the traditional sense, I'm learning to be an effective "prompt engineer" and project manager for these AI tools.

The conversation revealed how AI is changing not just how we code, but how we approach content creation and research. Mark brought valuable insights about using AI for YouTube content optimization, from generating chapter markers to brainstorming video titles. We both agreed that while these tools are powerful assistants, they're not magic - they require human direction and understanding to be truly effective.

What really struck me during our discussion was the broader implications for WordPress and web development. While these AI tools are making it easier for non-developers to build custom solutions, they also highlight the incredible value of established platforms like WordPress. There's a fascinating tension between the accessibility these new tools provide and the depth of functionality that traditional platforms offer.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals

• AI coding tools like Cursor are making development more accessible to non-developers, but require strategic thinking and project management skills
• Claude 3.5 offers significantly better coding assistance compared to earlier versions, including detailed explanations and suggestions
• AI can significantly speed up content creation workflows, especially for tasks like YouTube chapter markers and content optimization
• The combination of multiple AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor) can provide better results than relying on a single solution
• Current limitations include token usage restrictions and the need to maintain context between sessions
• Professional developers can likely leverage these tools to dramatically increase their productivity
• The WordPress ecosystem remains valuable despite these new tools, but may need to evolve

Important URLs & Resources

• cursor.sh - AI-powered code editor
• mjs.bio - Mark's website and newsletter
• wpminute.com/subscribe - WP Minute newsletter (now on Kit)
• Whisper AI Transcription (Mac app for transcription)
• kit.com - Newsletter platform (formerly ConvertKit)

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In this episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Noel Tock, co-founder of Human Made, a leading Enterprise WordPress agency. We dove into the recent explosive events between Automattic and WP Engine, exploring the implications for the WordPress community and the potential for an independent WordPress.org fork.

Noel's unique perspective as both an agency owner and a humanitarian worker in Ukraine provided a fascinating backdrop to our discussion. He emphasized how WordPress remains a critical tool for humanitarian efforts, powering thousands of new charities in crisis zones. This reminder of WordPress's global impact set the tone for our conversation about its future.

We explored the current economic challenges facing WordPress agencies in today's competitive landscape. Noel highlighted the need for better product marketing of WordPress in the enterprise space, where it often competes as a "secondary CMS" against more comprehensive suites. This led us to discuss the potential motivations behind Matt Mullenweg's recent actions and what it might mean for the WordPress ecosystem.

The core of our conversation revolved around the feasibility and implications of forking WordPress.org. We explored the technical challenges, the potential costs, and the community dynamics that would be involved in such an endeavor. Noel provided valuable insights into what it would take for an independent repository to gain traction, suggesting that incentivizing premium plugin developers could be a key strategy.

Key takeaways for WordPress professionals:

1 The WordPress ecosystem is facing increased competition and needs better product marketing, especially in the enterprise space.

2 Forking WordPress.org would be a massive undertaking, requiring significant resources and community buy-in.

3 Clarity on governance and what constitutes meaningful contribution to WordPress is crucial moving forward.

4 The relationship between commercial interests and open-source principles in WordPress needs careful navigation.

5 WordPress remains a critical tool for global humanitarian efforts, highlighting its importance beyond just business applications.

6 The hosting industry may need to reassess its relationship with WordPress in light of recent events.

7 Automattic's role as a steward of the open web extends beyond just WordPress, complicating the financial dynamics.

⠀Important URLs mentioned:

1. HumanMade.com
2. WordPress.org
3. @noeltock
4. thewpminute.com/support

⠀Chapter titles with timestamps:

1 [00:00:00] Introduction and WordPress's role in humanitarian efforts

2 [00:05:18] The state of WordPress agencies and competition

3 [00:15:30] Exploring the possibility of forking WordPress.org

4 [00:23:36] The potential for new WordPress marketplaces

5 [00:28:00] Matt Mullenweg's role and the future of WordPress governance

6 [00:32:30] Implications for the web hosting industry

7 [00:34:00] Automattic's broader role in the open web

8 [00:37:24] Closing thoughts on focus and learning from experiences

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The discussion is about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to grow WordPress product businesses.

The speakers are Andrew Palmer, co-founder of Bertha.ai, and the hosts of the WP Product Talk podcast. They discuss the importance of AI for WordPress product owners, noting that it is a trending topic in the tech world, and offers opportunities for both internal improvements and AI-related products. 

They mention the potential for AI to change working processes and the need for WordPress product owners to adapt to this technology. The speakers also touch on their personal experiences with AI, such as using it for content generation and marketing purposes.

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In this extended episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Mark Szymanski for an in-depth discussion about the current state of WordPress, its growth trajectory, and the challenges it faces in marketing and community engagement. We explored recent developments in the WordPress ecosystem, including insights from industry leaders and data trends from the WP Product Talk episode.

This conversation was sparked by recent presentations and discussions in the WordPress community, particularly focusing on the apparent plateau in WordPress growth and the need for renewed community engagement. We analyzed Josepha Haden Chomphosy's WordCamp US presentation from a year ago, which highlighted the importance of human involvement in WordPress's future success.

Highlighting the complexities of WordPress's position in the market, comparing its growth trends with competitors like Wix, Squarespace, and Webflow. We discussed the unique challenges WordPress faces as an open-source project competing with commercial entities, and how this impacts its marketing and growth strategies.

A significant portion of our discussion focused on the potential for marketing initiatives within the WordPress community. We explored ideas for collaborative marketing efforts, the challenges of creating a unified message for such a diverse platform, and the potential role of content creators in promoting WordPress.

Throughout our conversation, we touched on several critical issues, including:
1. The balance between open-source ideals and commercial interests in WordPress
2. The need for better data and metrics to understand WordPress's market position
3. The challenges of creating a cohesive marketing strategy for a diverse platform
4. The role of Automattic and other major players in shaping WordPress's future
5. The potential for community-driven marketing initiatives

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:
1. WordPress is experiencing a growth plateau, necessitating new strategies for engagement and growth
2. There's a growing recognition of the need for better marketing and community engagement in WordPress
3. The diversity of WordPress use cases presents both a strength and a challenge for marketing efforts
4. Content creators and community members play a crucial role in shaping perceptions of WordPress
5. There's potential for collaborative marketing efforts, but challenges in coordination and messaging remain
6. The open-source nature of WordPress provides resilience but also complicates marketing efforts
7. Understanding different user avatars is crucial for effective WordPress marketing

Important URLs mentioned:
1. wordpress.org/about/philosophy
2. wordpress.com
3. wix.com
4. squarespace.com
5. webflow.com
6. thewpminute.com/support
7. markszymanski.co
8. mjs.bio

Chapter Titles with Timestamps:
1. [00:00:00] Introduction and Recent WordPress Developments
2. [00:15:00] Analyzing WordPress Growth Trends
3. [00:30:00] The Challenges of Marketing Open-Source Software
4. [00:45:00] Community Engagement and WordPress's Future
5. [01:00:00] Comparing WordPress to Commercial Competitors
6. [01:15:00] Potential Marketing Strategies for WordPress
7. [01:30:00] The Role of Content Creators in WordPress Promotion
8. [01:45:00] Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

This episode provides a comprehensive look at the current state of WordPress from both a veteran's perspective and a newer community member's viewpoint. It highlights the ongoing challenges and opportunities within the WordPress ecosystem, offering valuable insights for anyone deeply involved in the WordPress community.

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I sat down with Brian Coords to dive into WordPress 6.7 and specifically the new Twenty Twenty-Five default theme. While 6.7 might not seem like a groundbreaking release at first glance, it's laying important groundwork with features like block bindings and improvements to the block editor. Brian and I had an interesting discussion about the Twenty Twenty-Five theme's minimalist approach and how it differs from Twenty Twenty-Four in terms of default homepage layouts and patterns.

What really caught my attention was our conversation about the evolving WordPress landscape, particularly how AI tools are changing the game for web development. Brian made a great point about how AI isn't necessarily going to replace developers, but it's dramatically reducing the time from idea to MVP (Minimum Viable Product). This led us into a deeper discussion about WordPress's role in an increasingly AI-powered world and whether the open-source argument will remain as compelling when people can quickly build solutions using AI and proprietary platforms.

We wrapped up with some thoughts on the future of social media, RSS feeds, and the importance of owning your content - themes that continue to be relevant in our WordPress community even as new platforms emerge.

## Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals

- WordPress 6.7 introduces block bindings, allowing blocks to pull data from custom fields (though currently requiring code to implement)
- Twenty Twenty-Five theme takes a more minimal approach compared to Twenty Twenty-Four, focusing on photography and artistic content
- New preference toggle allows users to disable the pattern suggestions popup when creating new pages
- Theme switching between Twenty Twenty-Four and Twenty Twenty-Five isn't seamless - expect to rebuild content
- The Patterns UI in WordPress could benefit from improvements in discoverability and organization
- AI tools are changing how quickly people can build MVPs, potentially affecting WordPress's market position

## Important URLs & Resources

- WordPress Playground: https://playground.wordpress.net
- Brian's YouTube channel: @BrianCoords 
- WP Minute subscribe page: https://wpminute.com/subscribe

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Building a thriving suite of digital products is no simple feat. In this episode of The WP Minute Plus, host Matt Medeiros dives into the challenges and opportunities with WordPress entrepreneur Christian Raiber.

After getting his start by recognizing the potential of passive income through WordPress themes, Christian has built an impressive portfolio of niche plugins. He shares the method to his madness - how he identifies overlapping user segments to solve pressing problems. Christian also provides hard-won advice on balancing vision with user needs as products scale and evolve. Whether you're just getting started with your first commercial plugin, or looking to expand your product lineup, don't miss Christian's insights on the WordPress business landscape. 

Tune into the full episode to level up your product building game.

Full show notes: https://thewpminute.com/?p=12929

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It’s WordPress 6.4 release day, and I’m really excited for this new version of WordPress. I think it’s one of the most important releases for WordPress, especially through its new default theme, Twenty Twenty-Four. I also think this is a first milestone release of an”Apple way” of releases.

Meaning, just like iPhones and MacBooks, updates are iterative, and not groundbreaking at every release. I see WordPress settling into a similar feature/update cycle similar to Cupertino. So when I say it’s important, I mean, will this next year of development, building off 6.4, continue to bring WordPress into the future?

Read the full blog post here.

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In this episode of WP Minute+, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Doc Pop, a veteran content creator and WordPress enthusiast. Our conversation spanned Doc's impressive 16-year journey in digital content creation, from his early days making zines to becoming a prominent figure in the WordPress community.

We dove deep into the world of open-source technologies, focusing on WordPress and its impact on the internet. Doc's insights on the challenges and opportunities in open-source projects were enlightening, especially his thoughts on balancing user experience with advanced features.

The highlight of our conversation was Doc's excitement about the Fediverse and ActivityPub. His recent project, the Fediverse Files for WordPress.com, aims to educate people about the potential of a more interconnected and open web. 

We also touched on the importance of RSS and other open protocols, with Doc sharing his views on the cyclical nature of web technologies. His optimism for new open standards, balanced with concerns about big tech dominance, provided a nuanced perspective on the future of the internet.

Overall, Doc's passion for open-source technologies and content creation are two areas aspiring content creators should consider in their own work. His unique insights into the past, present, and future of the web left me inspired and eager to see how these technologies will shape our digital landscape.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:

• The evolution of content creation from zines to blogs to modern social media
• The importance of creating content for passion rather than solely for metrics or monetization
• The challenges and opportunities of open-source projects like WordPress and the Fediverse
• The potential of ActivityPub and the Fediverse to create a more interconnected and open web
• The role of RSS and open protocols in shaping the internet
• The production process behind Doc's Fediverse Files series for WordPress.com
• The future possibilities of the Fediverse beyond just social media alternatives

⠀Important URLs mentioned:

• wordpress.com/fediverse - Doc's Fediverse Files project
• docpop.org/about - Doc's personal website and link
• Follow Doc Pop on Mastodon

⠀Chapter Titles with Timestamps:

1 [00:00:00] Introduction and Doc's Content Creation History

2 [00:03:00] Evolution of Content Creation and Social Media

3 [00:09:00] WordPress, Open Source, and User Experience

4 [00:15:00] The Importance of Open Web and RSS

5 [00:24:22] The Fediverse Project for WordPress.com

6 [00:31:24] ActivityPub Plugin and WordPress Integration

7 [00:37:34] Behind the Scenes of Fediverse Files Production

8 [00:41:25] Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

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In this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt is joined by Nathan Wrigley to discuss the evolving landscape of WordPress and the broader tech industry. The conversation touches on AI’s impact on development, the changing nature of podcasting, and how WordPress professionals must adapt to the rapid technological shifts. Nathan shares his experiences with AI tools, revealing his initial struggles and skepticism, while Matt describes his journey into AI-powered development, highlighting tools like ChatGPT, Bolt, and Repl.it.

They also explore AI’s philosophical and ethical implications, from its role in replacing repetitive coding tasks to the possibility of AI-driven software development reducing the need for traditional app stores. They also discuss how AI may empower individuals while simultaneously challenging the business models that many rely on. Matt and Nathan agree that while AI is reshaping the industry, understanding and integrating these technologies is essential for WordPress professionals looking to stay ahead in 2025 and beyond.

Key Takeaways

AI’s Impact on WordPress Development:

• AI is enabling faster prototyping but still struggles with consistency.
• WordPress professionals must learn to integrate AI tools into workflows to stay competitive.
• AI could eventually reduce the reliance on traditional app stores by allowing users to generate custom software on demand.

The Role of WordPress in a Changing Landscape:

• AI-driven development raises questions about the future demand for traditional web developers.
• WordPress remains a powerful tool for structured content management, but professionals must find new ways to add value.
• The rise of headless WordPress, AI-assisted content generation, and improved automation will shape the platform’s future.

Podcasting & Content Creation in 2025:

• The industry is shifting toward video-based podcasting, but audio still has a strong presence.
• Storytelling remains crucial to engaging content through AI-driven tools or traditional methods.
• Creators must be adaptable as platforms and audience behaviors evolve.

The Future of AI & Ethical Concerns:

• AI’s development speed is outpacing regulatory and ethical considerations.
• The sustainability of AI models and their economic impact remains uncertain.
• The next few years will determine whether AI continues to be venture-capital-driven or finds a stable commercial model.

Important Links

• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe
• Connect with Nathan Wrigley
  Twitter/X: https://x.com/nathanwrigley
  Website: https://nathanwrigley.com/
• WP Builds Podcast: https://wpbuilds.com/

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I’m sure we’re all glad that year of WordPress is behind us.

WordCamp US 2024 marked the start of a transformative era for the culture of WordPressers—a situation that thrust the community and the greater ecosystem into a tailspin with widespread uncertainty and instability across various sectors.

As of this writing, we’re still unsure how the lawsuit between Matt Mullenweg/Automattic vs WP Engine will fully play out. While we witness the dust settle and find our new normal, here are the ways I think WordPress will change over the year 2025.

1. Automattic continues to rip off the band-aid

I think we can all agree that since the inception of Gutenberg, there hasn’t been a major “Wow!” moment for WordPress.

Usability has improved, and some cool concepts have shipped, but nothing showstopping has graced our wp-admin dashboards. It’s a two-sided coin, really:

• A stable tool for publishing? Yep.
• Buzzworthy or exciting for the outside world—including our closed-source competitors? Nope.

Automattic needs to stay relevant, charm investors, and keep building cool stuff.

That’s hard enough for any product company—let alone an open-source product company. It boils down to marketing and awareness, which WordPress has always struggled with.

Even if Gutenberg was welcomed with open arms, excitement for building with blocks and using WordPress for your next website project was still necessary.

I believe that for Matt/Automattic to steer the ship back to relevancy, he needed to pull this entire operation back under full control. Lines needed to be drawn—and they certainly were in 2024.

I noticed a “different” tone when Mullenweg appeared on WP Product Talk earlier in 2024. The change was coming back then. Did I think it would be the ‘scorched Earth nuclear‘ approach we witnessed? No.

You wouldn’t be wrong if you argued that Mullenweg has been trending in this direction for years, but it seemed like 2024 was filled with far too many distractions: a flailing Tumblr acquisition or spending tens of millions on messenger apps.

What about focusing on WordPress?

I’ve predicted that, in the future, we’ll visit WordPress.org and find: “The best way to experience WordPress is at WordPress.com or by hosting WordPress powered by Jetpack.” And then somewhere far below that H1, you’ll find in small text: “Click here to download WordPress for free.”

In the short term, ripping off the band-aid to let the world know Matt’s in charge is one step closer to that reality. One step closer and fewer distractions for Mullenweg—perhaps less community involvement, and much more of the mothership in control in 2025.

2. Community -> Communities

The WordPress community as we knew it is not coming back.

You’re either for or against Automattic, using the project or spinning up your own fork, meme’ing us on X, or you’ve already quit the whole thing and are riding off into the sunset on a new CMS.

I’m still left wondering: What Would Josepha Do?

There have been two public opportunities for Mary Hubbard, the new Executive Director of WordPress, to share her plans for the community. Both appearances that left me with more questions than answers.

On a live stream with Mullenweg, Hubbard mentioned not wanting to be a “Josepha 2.0.” Totally understandable! No one wants to be a 2.0 of their predecessor. However, the North Star held by the previous ED was shining bright with the desire to help WordPress thrive.

“Help WordPress thrive.” A call to action we could all rally around.

In the State of the Word 2024, Hubbard opened with: “I am deeply passionate about defending and celebrating WordPress.” And this is where—I believe—the community begins to fracture.

Is WordPress truly under attack from external forces (specifically private equity), or is it just suffocating from within?

On paper, PE consuming more of WordPress isn’t a good thing. From what I’ve witnessed in the traditional tech space, they don’t care much for community investment either. The playbook is to grow the asset, sell the asset, and keep the revolving door of the portfolio moving.

However, I don’t agree with Matt/Automattic turning the community into cannon fodder—something that has done more damage in a fiscal quarter than if Silver Lake sold WP Engine to Wix.

We, the community, could have been the biggest advocates for Mullenweg’s change, but instead, we were tossed aside (and continued to be badgered) regardless of tenure or contribution.

This is why we’ll see more micro-communities pop up around WordPress through 2025. People fall out of love with WordPress as a “place to be,” and WordPress just gets tossed into the toolbox alongside Mailchimp and Google Apps.

Transforming the experience from an open-source project backed by a global community into a free website builder by Automattic.

Over 2025, WordPress will go from one big community to a decentralized collection of users who care less about the mission of open source and more about building their websites.

3. Playground is the future for WordPress

As sure as the iPhone gets 10% better year after year, so does the software of WordPress.

So yes, that’s part of this prediction: WordPress, the software, does get better—but probably not by all that much.

Playground will start to set an important stage for WordPress—one that I think is needed for the long-term survivability (and interest) of the project. To stay competitive, relevant, and easily accessible, the Playground will take center stage. Here’s why:

As I explored other software in 2024, specifically other CMS apps, no other website allowed me to try their software hands-on in the browser without installing or registering, like WordPress can.

Even if you argue that WordPress is monolithic, uses old technologies, and generally can’t get out of its own way, I don’t see any other tech stack solving the complete stack like WordPress does—website builder, theme layer, drag-and-drop design, publishing, plugins, an ecosystem, etc.

It’s a real lightbulb moment when you put that power instantly into the hands of someone looking to learn, build, or publish online without friction.

Playground allows you to build out a custom WordPress instance, save the blueprint...

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In this episode of the WP Minute+ podcast, Matt sits down with Victor Ramirez, an experienced technologist working at the intersection of WordPress and data analytics. The conversation explores the challenges WordPress professionals will encounter in 2025, from increasing competition in the CMS market to the impact of AI on development and marketing.

Victor shares insights from his career working with enterprise organizations like News Corp, The Knot Worldwide, and Sotheby's. He discusses how AI is reshaping development workflows, making some roles obsolete while creating opportunities for those who learn to harness AI effectively. He also discusses the evolving WordPress landscape, including the shift toward headless WordPress, the potential decline in enterprise adoption, and how professionals can adapt by focusing on best practices and scalability.

Matt and Victor also explore Upwork's role as a viable platform for high-level WordPress professionals and the increasing importance of SEO, metadata, and analytics in an AI-driven search landscape. They wrap up with a discussion on Gutenberg's impact on WordPress usability and the ongoing debate over whether WordPress should cater to end users or web professionals.

## Key Takeaways

### WordPress in Enterprise
- Large organizations are questioning whether to continue investing in WordPress or transition to platforms like Webflow.
- The strength of WordPress lies in its flexibility and open-source nature, but governance and product direction concerns are growing.

### AI's Impact on WordPress Development
- AI accelerates workflows but also threatens repetitive, low-level development jobs.
- Developers who learn to integrate AI into their processes will have a competitive edge.
- AI-generated code often lacks consistency and sustainability, reinforcing the value of WordPress as a structured platform.

### Freelancing & Upwork Insights
- Upwork can be a viable channel for high-level professionals, particularly in enterprise WordPress projects.
- SEO plays a critical role in discoverability, with Upwork profiles often ranking higher than individual portfolios.

### SEO & WordPress as a Publishing Platform
- SEO is evolving beyond traditional keyword strategies into metadata and AI-driven search.
- WordPress remains strong for content publishing but faces increasing competition from headless solutions and alternative CMS platforms.

### Gutenberg & WordPress Usability
- The WordPress Block Editor remains a divisive tool, praised for flexibility but criticized for its lack of structure.
- Professionals and businesses need guardrails to prevent content management chaos.

### Important Links
- The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe
- Connect with Victor Ramirez:
Website: https://www.isvictorious.com/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/isvictoriousss
- Learn more about WordPress Enterprise Solutions: https://wpvip.com/ 

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• https://twitter.com/miriamschwab
• https://elementor.com/
• https://www.strattic.com/
• https://thewpminute.com/support

Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group.

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. 

In this episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Kurt von Ahnen, a WordPress agency owner and e-learning specialist. We dove deep into the world of web agency sales, particularly focusing on enterprise clients and the often-overlooked opportunities in the WordPress space.

Kurt's journey into WordPress is fascinating - he transitioned from a career in the automotive industry to web development, driven by a desire for better work-life balance. What struck me most was how he leveraged his experience in customer service and project management to build a successful agency. Kurt's approach to targeting enterprise clients for e-learning solutions using WordPress and Lifter LMS is a great example of niching down. 

Kurt's perspective on WordPress diverse capabilities and the need for clear messaging to different user groups is spot-on. I appreciated his balanced view on WordPress's strengths and the importance of focusing on solving client problems rather than getting caught up in technical debates.

We also touched on the role of AI in e-learning and content creation. Kurt's cautious yet practical approach to AI tools reflects a growing sentiment in the industry - AI can be a powerful aid, but it requires expertise and careful curation to be truly effective.

Key takeaways for WordPress professionals:

1. Transition from freelancing to agency work by leveraging your strengths and building a network of specialists.
2. Target enterprise clients by solving specific pain points, like replacing expensive legacy systems with WordPress solutions.
3. Focus on understanding and addressing client needs rather than getting caught up in technical debates about WordPress.
4. Use your expertise to guide clients towards appropriate solutions, avoiding unnecessary customizations early in projects.
5. Engage with the WordPress community through meetups and WordCamps to expand your network and opportunities.
6. Approach AI tools with caution, using them to enhance your work rather than replace your expertise.
7. Consider specializing in niche areas like e-learning to differentiate your agency.

Important URLs mentioned:

1. https://manananomas.com/
2. scormpress.com
3. lifterlms.com
4. https://thewpminute.com/support

Chapter titles with timestamps:

1. [00:00:00] Introduction and background in the auto industry
2. [00:14:00] WordPress evolution and current challenges
3. [00:21:00] Targeting enterprise clients for e-learning solutions
4. [00:28:00] Transitioning from freelancing to agency work
5. [00:34:00] Marketing strategies for agencies
6. [00:38:00] The role of AI in e-learning and content creation
7. [00:41:00] Closing thoughts and contact information

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I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Alex Panagis, CEO of digital growth agency Scalemath, on my podcast The WP Minute+. As a leader in the WordPress space with deep roots in the ecosystem, Alex had plenty of insightful perspectives to share.

A big topic we dug into was WordPress vs. closed platforms like Webflow. As you might expect, Alex is firmly in the open source WordPress camp. He sees the flexibility of WordPress as superior for most uses, allowing users to control more of their site without getting locked into a proprietary ecosystem.

That said, Alex doesn’t believe Webflow is necessarily bad if it enables someone to build a better site than they could with WordPress. The choice comes down to what works best for each user and their goals. The concern is more about avoiding vendor lock-in down the road.

We also discussed the impact of AI on digital marketing and content creation. While useful in certain applications, Alex believes AI raises the bar in terms of the quality and originality needed from human creators and strategists. Essentially, it forces everyone to up their game, which is ultimately a good thing.

Several other highlights that WordPress professionals may find interesting:

1. How Scalemath builds deep, long-term partnerships vs. the typical agency/client relationship
2. The importance of product development in scaling a services agency
3. Why most smaller WordPress firms don’t make economic sense for an agency to work with
4. Alex’s take on Basecamp’s upcoming Slack competitor and “pay once” software model

It was a wide-ranging and insightful chat with Alex!

Chapter Markers

• [00:00:00] Introduction
• [00:02:00] Alex’s background and Scalemath
• [00:05:00] Working with clients and pricing
• [00:10:00] Ideal client criteria
• [00:15:00] Building the Scalemath brand
• [00:19:00] Pricing and value
• [00:25:00] Open source vs closed source CMS
• [00:30:00] SaaS pricing models
• [00:35:00] Basecamp’s new “pay once” model
• [00:37:00] The impact of AI
• [00:42:00] Disclosing AI written content

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In this episode of the WP Minute+ podcast, host Matt Medeiros sits down with Ben Ritner, the creator of the popular Kadence WordPress theme. Ben shares his journey from building websites for clients to creating the Virtue theme, which gained over 300,000 active installs at its peak. He discusses the evolution of the Kadence brand, which has been around for 10 years, and the launch of the Kadence theme four years ago as a Gutenberg-ready solution.

Ben and Matt delve into the challenges faced by theme developers when adhering to WordPress.org guidelines while trying to meet user demands. They explore the idea of allowing users to choose their site-building foundation, whether it be core WordPress or a third-party solution like Kadence or Elementor, to simplify the onboarding process and improve user experience.

The conversation also touches on the role of hosting companies in providing streamlined WordPress experiences and the difficulties in onboarding non-WordPress users. Ben shares his thoughts on the Kadence ecosystem, which includes a range of plugins focused on front-end performance, design, and marketing. He also discusses the integration of AI into Kadence products as an assistant to help users create content more efficiently.

Matt and Ben explore the topic of AI in the WordPress space, discussing the concept of AI credit fatigue and the importance of trust in centralized AI platforms. They also touch on the potential of open-source AI models and their integration into WordPress products.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Kadence brand has evolved over the past decade, with the Kadence theme launched four years ago as a Gutenberg-ready solution.
2. Theme developers face challenges in adhering to WordPress.org guidelines while meeting user demands for more control over their site-building experience.
3. Hosting companies have attempted to provide streamlined WordPress experiences, but onboarding non-WordPress users remains a challenge.
4. The Kadence ecosystem focuses on front-end performance, design, and marketing, with AI integration aimed at assisting users in creating content more efficiently.
5. Trust in centralized AI platforms and the potential of open-source AI models are important considerations in the WordPress space.

Important Links:

• Kadence WP: https://www.kadencewp.com/
• Ben Ritner https://twitter.com/BenjaminRitner

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In this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt sits down with Mario Peshev, founder of DevriX, to discuss how marketing agencies must adapt to industry shifts in 2025. Mario shares insights from running a high-level WordPress consultancy, working with enterprise clients, and navigating the rapidly changing landscape of digital marketing, SEO, and AI. He shared his agency’s transition from general web development to specializing in complex, high-traffic websites and B2B SaaS, all while balancing the demands of an evolving tech ecosystem.

The discussion covers the impact of AI on marketing, the diminishing effectiveness of SEO, and how agencies should focus on strategic partnerships with platforms like HubSpot and Salesforce. Mario also shares his perspective on the current turbulence in the WordPress ecosystem, how agencies can stay competitive, and why embracing AI as an operational tool rather than a replacement for human creativity is crucial.

Key Takeaways

WordPress & Agency Growth:

• Agencies must specialize to remain competitive – generalist approaches are becoming less sustainable.
• WordPress remains a core tool for enterprises, but clients are increasingly exploring alternative platforms like Webflow.
• Transitioning to consultancy-based models can provide stability in uncertain markets.

AI’s Impact on Marketing & Web Development:

• AI enables faster prototyping but does not eliminate the need for experienced developers.
• AI-generated content is becoming oversaturated, requiring businesses to differentiate through authenticity and human insight.
• Marketing agencies should focus on AI-assisted operations while maintaining human-driven creativity.

SEO & Digital Marketing in 2025:

• SEO has become highly volatile, with algorithm changes reducing its reliability as a primary acquisition channel.
• Agencies should diversify their marketing strategies beyond just organic search.
• Strategic partnerships with platforms like HubSpot, Salesforce, and AWS can provide sustainable business growth.

Navigating WordPress Industry Changes:

• Ongoing debates around WordPress governance and Automatic’s influence create uncertainty in the community.
• Despite industry shifts, WordPress remains a powerful publishing platform with a strong ecosystem.
• Agencies must balance their reliance on WordPress while exploring other viable business models.

Important Links

• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe
• Connect with Mario Peshev
  Twitter/X: https://x.com/no_fear_inc
  Website: https://mariopeshev.com/
• DevriX: https://devrix.com/

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In a recent episode of the WP Minute+ podcast, Matt Medeiros sat down with Nyasha Green, a WordPress developer, course creator, and podcaster, to discuss her new podcast, "The Hopeful Workspace." Nyasha shared her experience of being laid off twice within a year and how she turned this challenging situation into an opportunity to create a support system for others facing similar circumstances.

Nyasha's decision to start "The Hopeful Workspace" podcast stems from her desire to create a space where people can share their experiences, find support, and know they are not alone in their struggles. By choosing a podcast format, Nyasha aims to reach a wide audience and provide a platform for in-depth conversations and storytelling.

Despite the challenges of editing and producing a podcast on her own for the first time, Nyasha found the experience rewarding and fulfilling. Her goal is for "The Hopeful Workspace" to be a place where people can turn when they feel tired, frustrated, or on the verge of giving up, knowing that there is a supportive community ready to lift them up.

As the WordPress community continues to navigate the challenges of the current job market, stories like Nyasha's serve as a reminder of the importance of building connections, supporting one another, and finding innovative ways to showcase our skills and passions.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:

• Building a strong network within the WordPress community can help you find job opportunities during difficult times
• Social media can be a valuable tool for connecting with others and finding support
• Consider creating a side hustle or a portfolio of work to showcase your skills and passion
• Employers should consider normalizing and supporting employees' side projects as a way to foster growth and provide a safety net
• Sharing your story and experiences can help others feel less alone and more supported during challenging times

Important URLs Mentioned:

• The Hopeful Workspace
• Nyasha Green on Twitter
• Nyasha Green on LinkedIn

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To honor WordPress’s 20th anniversary David Bisset has invited four charming and entertinaing community members to talk about some highlights in it’s history. Primary topics include: how WordPress has made an open source for the general community, what proposal or feature of WordPress over the years didn’t get attention or appreciation it deserved, and what WordPRess event has been the most noteworthy?

Just like other conversations - there is quite a few memory of about the community and forgotten WordPress features. Join us and you may recognize some of the things shared!

Shownotes

Guests w/ Shared links

• Francesca Marano
  • Helen Hou Sandí appearance at WCEU2016 (“not 2017 as I mentioned”) https://youtu.be/Nl6U7UotA-M?t=2380
  • “Multisite Roadmap that, I believe, was not given a fair chance” https://make.wordpress.org/core/roadmap/multisite/
  • [Feature project] “Updates on updating the updaters with Outcome 2 committed yesterday”
  • The Women of WordPress. “It's hard to mention just a few, because luckily there are many and hopefully many more to come. But if I had to pick only 3, Josepha Haden Chomphosy, Underrepresented in tech (gaming the system here :grimacing: ) and myself”.
  • Twitter: @FrancescaMarano
• Maitreyie Chavan
  • Introduction of REST API Endpoints in WP 4.7 - https://wordpress.org/news/2016/12/vaughan/
  • An all-women and non-binary release WordPress 5.6 - https://make.wordpress.org/core/2020/03/11/all-women-release-squad/
  • Launch of Learn WordPress - https://wordpress.org/news/2020/12/introducing-learn-wordpress/
  • WordCamp Asia 2023 - https://asia.wordcamp.org/2023/we-did-it/
  • https://twitter.com/maitreyie_c
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/maitreyie/
• Jason Cosper
  • https://wordpress.org/news/2008/10/usability-testing-report-25-and-crazyhorse/
  • https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/post-formats/
  • WordCamp 2016: “The Camp That Started It All” https://sf.wordcamp.org/2006/
  • Managed WordPress Hosting: “This is where WP moved upmarket… Sites started outgrowing and graduating from shared and VPS hosting and WordCamp talks and tracks started talking about the "business of WordPress".
  • https://wpwatercooler.com
  • https://simian.rodeo/@boogah
• Joshua Wold
  • ttps://joshuawold.com
  • https://onboardwp.io

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In this episode of the WP Minute+, Matt Medeiros interviews Rafal Tomal, co-creator of the new Rockbase WordPress theme. Tomal, a renowned designer in the WordPress community, discusses his journey from working at Copyblogger and StudioPress to founding his own agency and eventually creating Rockbase with his partner, Chris Hufnagel.

Tomal shares his experiences working with clients, noting that the industry has evolved to better understand the distinctions between design and development. He highlights the importance of providing a complete service to clients, rather than just delivering a final product.

The conversation also touches on the rise of AI tools and their impact on the WordPress ecosystem. Tomal believes that while these tools are valuable for smaller websites and businesses just starting out, there will always be a need for custom design and development services as companies grow and require more advanced functionality.

Tomal explains the concept behind Rockbase's "playbooks," which are designed to provide users with a complete mini-website rather than just a child theme. He also shares his hopes for the future of the WordPress editor, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and user experience improvements without overloading the core with unnecessary features.

Key Takeaways:

• The WordPress industry has matured, with clients better understanding the distinct roles of design and development.
• Providing a complete service, including communication and guidance, is crucial for client satisfaction.
• AI tools and advanced WordPress themes are valuable for small businesses, but custom design and development remain essential for growth.
• Rockbase's "playbooks" offer users a complete mini-website solution, going beyond simple child themes.
• The WordPress editor should focus on simplicity and user experience improvements while avoiding feature bloat.

Important URLs Mentioned:

• Rockbase: https://rockbase.co/
• Rafal Tomal's previous interview on the Matt Report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5MhogzU0Y4

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Bluehost has launched a new suite of products called WonderSuite to improve the onboarding experience for new WordPress users. The goal is to simplify the initial setup process and eliminate common pain points that can be frustrating for beginners. WonderSuite includes tools like WonderTheme for easy customization, WonderBlocks for premade layouts, WonderCart for ecommerce features, WonderStart for tailored site building, and WonderHelp for AI-powered assistance. These features provide guardrails and helpful guidance so first-time users aren't overwhelmed learning WordPress.

WonderSuite makes use of AI in a couple ways. WonderHelp allows users to ask plain English questions and receive step-by-step tutorials. WonderBlocks uses AI to generate initial content tailored to the user's business, like a flower shop. The key is the AI is assistive, not taking full control. Users still have flexibility to modify all settings and content. Overall, WonderSuite aims to smooth the learning curve so new users can focus on their business instead of web development. It provides an easy onramp while still building on WordPress as the foundation.

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I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Nyasha Green about her experiences in the WordPress community. Nyasha is a talented developer, writer, and podcaster who has contributed tremendously to WordPress over the years.

In our conversation, Nyasha shared some great insights for new WordPress developers just getting started. Here are 3 key takeaways from our discussion:

1. Learn WordPress development through YouTube and Twitter. Nyasha explained how she learned WordPress and Gutenberg through YouTube videos and people live-tweeting their learning journeys. YouTube is a valuable resource for picking up WordPress skills. Following WordPress experts on Twitter can also connect you with people willing to teach and walkthrough concepts.
2. Contribute to WordPress in small ways. Nyasha talked about how anyone can contribute to WordPress, even in small ways like providing support, designing assets, and testing. Look for teams and projects seeking help wherever your skills allow you to pitch in. The process may seem intimidating but start small.
3. The WordPress community welcomes new developers. Nyasha stressed the WordPress community warmly welcomes both new developers and non-developers. It’s important to make new people feel comfortable when they lack knowledge on technical topics. Go out of your way to support and guide newcomers positively.

It was great having Nyasha share her open, honest perspectives on the WordPress community and new developer experience. Be sure to listen to our full conversation on the podcast and follow Nyasha on Twitter!

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In this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt sits down with Steve Burge, founder of PublishPress, to discuss why publishers choose WordPress despite growing competition and shifting industry trends. Steve shares his journey from teaching and writing books to building and managing a suite of WordPress plugins focused on content management. His experience with government agencies, universities, and major publishers has shaped his approach to developing tools that enhance WordPress for organizations that require structured publishing workflows.

The conversation touches on the strengths of WordPress as an open-source publishing platform, the challenges posed by competing tools like Substack and Ghost, and the ongoing debates around the future of WordPress. Steve also sheds light on the role of Newspack, the impact of AI in publishing, and the need for greater clarity and governance within the WordPress ecosystem.

Matt and Steve discuss the evolving landscape of web development, how agencies and publishers should navigate the changes, and what the future holds for WordPress as both a publishing and website-building tool.

Key Takeaways

WordPress & The Publishing Industry

• WordPress remains dominant for publishers, universities, and government organizations that require structured editorial workflows.
• Platforms like Newspack, Paywall Project, and LEDE are pushing innovation in WordPress-based publishing.
• The rise of Substack, Beehive, and other newsletter platforms is pulling smaller publishers away from WordPress.

Steve’s Journey from Training to Plugins

• Steve transitioned from in-person and online training to building WordPress plugins.
• PublishPress originated from the need for editorial workflows in WordPress, inspired by Drupal’s access control features.
• Acquired and improved various plugins, including MetaSlider and Co-Authors Plus.

Challenges & The Future of WordPress

• The WordPress ecosystem is facing fragmentation and governance concerns.
• AI and closed-source platforms like Webflow are attracting younger developers who might otherwise choose WordPress.
• Open-source principles remain crucial, but WordPress needs better governance and clearer commercial guidelines to thrive.

Is WordPress a Website Builder or a Publishing Tool?

• The dual focus on Gutenberg as both a website builder and publishing tool creates challenges.
• Some argue WordPress should specialize in publishing, leaving website-building to third-party tools like Elementor and Bricks.
• The community remains divided on whether WordPress should prioritize content creators or developers.

Important Links

• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe
• Connect with Steve Burge
  Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/steveburge.com
  Twitter/X: https://x.com/SteveJBurge
  Website: https://steveburge.com/
• PublishPress: https://publishpress.com/

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Special kind of episode today! I'm sharing a segment from the recent Media Corps mid-term goal updates from Josepha Haden Chomphosy. You can watch the full recording on YouTube, so you can get a feel for what the Media Corps team does and listen to all of the Q&A segment from other attendees. 

Sadly I missed this one, but intend to be on the next one! Will I see you at WordCamp? Tweet at me if you're going @mattmedeiros

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In this episode, Matt chats with James, an industry veteran in WordPress, about his new initiative TeamWP. They delve into James' experiences and insights, revealing the need for a more robust approach to team-building and culture within WordPress businesses.

James introduces TeamWP, a service aimed at fostering healthier and more productive work environments within these businesses. He discusses how they aid in obtaining candid feedback from employees, maintaining confidentiality, and promoting a psychologically safe space for open communication.

James shares his philosophy on company culture, underscoring the importance of balancing hard work with celebration and relaxation to avoid burnout. He also highlights some of the models and principles that he's developed over 15 years in the industry, including the Open Team framework and an employee engagement survey.

This engaging discussion ends with James emphasizing that his approach is interactive and guided, striving for sustainable improvement over quick fixes.

Important links

• https://twitter.com/jamesgiroux
• https://teamwp.co/
• https://thewpminute.com/support

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Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. 

Launching a WordPress website can be daunting for new users. Between learning the platform, choosing templates, setting up your homepage, and establishing an online store, it’s a lot to take on. This is where Bluehost’s WonderSuite comes in.

In today’s episode, Matt interviewed Jocelyn Hendrickson, a Senior Product Manager at Bluehost, WordPress Commerce. We went deep into their WonderSuite product, especially how it impacts WooCommerce users. She gave great insight into how this new offering simplifies the website creation process for their customers.

In a nutshell, WonderSuite provides tools and guidance to get your WordPress site up and running smoothly. No more staring at a blank page wondering what to do next.

Jocelyn explained that WordPress experts like us understand the platform because we’ve been using it for years. But for beginners, it can be really confusing trying to figure everything out.

This is where WonderSuite comes in with features like templates to choose designs, placeholder content to match your theme, and a support portal for asking questions when you get stuck.

One of the key components Jocelyn highlighted is WonderCart, which makes setting up an online store a breeze. You don’t have to build promotions and sales pages from scratch anymore. WonderCart uses AI and pre-made templates to do it for you.

As Jocelyn put it, WonderSuite and WonderCart remove the burden of launching a customized, functional WordPress site. Instead of getting overwhelmed, you have tools to guide you through the process.

The next time you’re ready to recommend WordPress to a beginner user, keep Bluehost and WonderSuite in mind. Especially if you’re not going to be there to help them along every step of the way.

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(Note: I had to record on Zoom and the audio quality isn't the greatest. Sorry about that!)

In this podcast episode, Matt and Clifton discuss Clifton's role as a web expert and his journey with WordPress. 

They talk about Clifton's YouTube channel and his approach to teaching WordPress step by step. They also touch on the evolution of website building using WordPress, the benefits of themes like StudioPress, and the introduction of Gutenberg. They discuss the future of WordPress, the concerns of agency owners, and the power of the WordPress developer ecosystem. Clifton shares his motivation for creating educational videos on his YouTube channel and his plans for the future. They also discuss video production techniques and the importance of prioritizing education in content creation.

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In this episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Mark Szymanski to discuss the recent buzz surrounding WordPress.com's "content models" experiment. 

This feature, which briefly excited the WordPress community, promised to bring custom post types and fields to the core WordPress experience. However, the excitement was short-lived as Automattic announced that the feature wouldn't be coming to core WordPress after all.

One of the most intriguing parts of our discussion was the broader implications for WordPress.com and WordPress.org. We touched on the potential future of WordPress development, including the possibility of WordPress.com offering enhanced features as a way to differentiate itself and generate revenue. 

This led to an interesting debate about the balance between open-source development and commercial interests in the WordPress ecosystem.

Throughout the conversation, it became clear that this incident highlighted some of the ongoing challenges in WordPress development and communication. While we both expressed hope that the feature might still find its way into WordPress in some form, we agreed that clearer communication and expectation management are crucial for the platform's future.

Key takeaways for WordPress professionals:

• Prototypes and experiments can generate significant community interest and should be communicated carefully.
• The relationship between WordPress.com and WordPress.org continues to evolve and may lead to differentiated features.
• Clear communication is crucial when showcasing potential new features to avoid confusion and disappointment.
• The WordPress community is eager for improvements in custom post types and fields within the core experience.
• The balance between open-source development and commercial interests remains a complex issue in the WordPress ecosystem.
• User experience and ease of implementation are critical factors in the adoption of new WordPress features.
• The future of WordPress development may involve more native app-like experiences, such as WordPress Studio and Playground.

Important URLs mentioned:

• WordPress.com
• GitHub repository for the content models prototype
• WordPress Playground
• WordPress Studio

Chapter titles with timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction and initial reactions to the content models prototype

[00:05:00] The excitement and potential of the new feature

[00:10:00] Confusion and disappointment following Automattic's announcement

[00:15:00] Implications for WordPress.com and WordPress.org

[00:20:00] The future of WordPress development and commercial interests

[00:25:00] Communication challenges in the WordPress ecosystem

[00:30:00] Exploring the prototype and its potential impact

[00:35:00] Closing thoughts and hopes for the future of WordPress

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In this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt sits down with Tessa Kriesel, a seasoned expert in developer relations and founder of Built for Devs. Once deeply involved in WordPress, Tessa now works with developer-focused companies to help them engage technical audiences authentically. She shares insights on how companies can build trust, engage communities effectively, and think strategically beyond traditional marketing.

The conversation examines challenges freelancers and agencies faced in 2024 and what to expect moving into 2025. Tessa discusses the shift in DevRel from casual relationship-building to strategic engagement, the evolving role of AI in development, and how the tech industry is tightening budgets while demanding clear ROI. She also shares advice for WordPress product makers on pricing, sustainability, and community-building. She encourages them to challenge outdated practices like underpricing plugins and relying solely on Black Friday sales.

Key Takeaways

The Role of Developer Relations (DevRel)

• DevRel isn’t just about attending WordCamps and networking; it requires strategy and delivering value.
• Companies must build authentic relationships with developers while aligning with business objectives.
• WordPress has a strong community, but other ecosystems also foster deep connections.

Challenges in 2024 & Looking Ahead to 2025

• Economic pressures are causing tech companies to scrutinize spending and demand clear ROI.
• VC funding has shifted focus from user adoption to revenue generation.
• The lack of trust in marketing and business interactions makes it harder for companies to gain traction.

WordPress & Business Growth

• Many WordPress companies still underprice their products, following outdated open-source pricing models.
• Product makers should focus on value-based pricing rather than low-cost models with limited revenue potential.
• Relying on Black Friday discounts as a primary sales strategy is shortsighted. Products should be priced for sustainability year-round.

The Role of AI in Development & Business

• AI is a powerful tool for efficiency but still requires human oversight.
• Companies investing in AI-driven solutions must balance automation with trust-building.
• Developers who integrate AI into their workflows will gain a competitive edge but won’t be replaced entirely.

Important Links

• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe
• Connect with Tessa Kriesel
  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessak22/
  Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/TessaK22
• Learn more about Built for Devs: BuiltFor.Dev

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• https://twitter.com/ChrisBadgett
• https://lifterlms.com/
• https://paidmembershipspro.com/
• https://thewpminute.com/support

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In this episode of WP Minute+, we sat down with Brendan O’Connell, a WordPress agency employee, freelancer, and content creator. Brendan shared his journey in the WordPress ecosystem, from his early days with Divi to his current role at an agency and his transition to using the Bricks builder.

Brendan’s story is a testament to the evolving landscape of WordPress development and the challenges faced by agencies and freelancers in adapting to new tools and technologies. He offers valuable insights into the world of page builders, the importance of community involvement, and the future of WordPress.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:

• Transitioning between page builders can be challenging but may lead to improved workflows and client satisfaction.
• Staying up-to-date with core WordPress developments, including Gutenberg and site editor improvements, is crucial.
• Creating content (like YouTube tutorials) can lead to unexpected business opportunities and community growth.
• Attending local WordPress meetups can provide valuable insights into user struggles and needs.
• Balancing multiple roles (agency work, freelancing, content creation) requires careful time management and focus.
• The WordPress ecosystem benefits from a healthy third-party plugin and theme community.
• AI will likely impact the industry, but human interaction and interpretation remain essential in web development.

Important URLs mentioned:

1. Brendan’s YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@BrendanOConnellWP
2. Brendan’s Website: brendan-oconnell.com
3. Bricks Builder: bricksbuilder.io
4. Pine Grow (Custom Block Builder): pinegrow.com/wordpress

Chapter Titles with Timestamps:

1. [00:00:00] Introduction and Brendan’s WordPress Journey
2. [00:04:00] Transitioning from Ruby on Rails to WordPress at the Agency
3. [00:08:00] The Shift from Divi to Bricks Builder
4. [00:15:00] Page Builders vs. Core WordPress Development
5. [00:20:00] Evaluating and Choosing Page Builders
6. [00:24:00] WordPress Onboarding and Hosting Considerations
7. [00:27:00] Brendan’s YouTube Channel and Content Creation
8. [00:31:00] Future of WordPress and Exciting Developments
9. [00:32:42] AI in Web Design and Development

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Cory Miller and I discuss how the WordPress community is impacted when “big issues” clash with Matt, Automattic, and other community members. How should we handle these moments of passion and strife?

It’s easy to label these issues as WPDrama, but in my opinion that’s not doing the WordPress community any favors. From the exterior, it’s categorized and shrugged off as “yet another drama issue” in WordPress land. Aren’t we all tired of that? Inside the community, or interior, it takes away from the actual pain or strife someone is experiencing.

Today’s episode unpacks how Cory and I decipher these issues and how Post Status + WP Minute members handle it when it comes up.

We’ll also discuss how we deal with Matt Mullenweg at the center of issues, leading the product, and leading the community.

Important links
- Cory Miller
- Post Status
- Matt Medeiros
- WP Minute

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In a recent episode of the WP Minute+ podcast, Matt Medeiros sat down with Kim Coleman, co-founder of Paid Memberships Pro, to discuss the often-challenging topic of raising prices for WordPress plugins. Kim shared valuable insights into why WordPress companies should consider price increases, how her team prepared for the change, and the market's reaction to the move.

Kim emphasized the importance of finding the right balance between providing value to customers and ensuring the long-term sustainability of your business. By carefully considering pricing strategies and communicating changes effectively, WordPress companies can successfully navigate price increases while maintaining customer loyalty.

As the WordPress ecosystem continues to evolve, plugin and theme developers must adapt their pricing strategies to remain competitive and support their ongoing development efforts. Kim Coleman's experiences with Paid Memberships Pro serve as a valuable case study for WordPress professionals looking to make informed decisions about their own pricing models.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:

• Regularly evaluate pricing against inflation, market competitors, and your target audience
• Slowly increase prices over time to avoid a significant jump that may deter customers
• Align pricing with the value your product provides and the type of customer you want to attract
• Experiment with different pricing models, such as introductory pricing, to find the best fit for your product
• Communicate price changes to customers in advance, honoring legacy prices and offering a grace period
• Consider offering an enterprise-level plan to cater to larger organizations and agencies
• Diversify your marketing efforts by attending events outside the WordPress community to reach a broader audience

Important URLs Mentioned:

• Paid Memberships Pro: https://www.paidmembershipspro.com/
• LifterLMS: https://lifterlms.com/
• Kim Coleman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ColemanK83

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I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Brian Jackson, co-founder of Forge Media and creator of the popular WordPress plugins NovaShare and Perfmatters. Brian has extensive experience building successful products and businesses in the WordPress space.

In our wide-ranging conversation, we discussed several important topics relevant to the WordPress community right now:

Using AI to Enhance Content Creation

Both Brian and I have begun experimenting with AI tools like ChatGPT and Bard to improve our content workflows. He uses a "hybrid approach", leveraging AI to generate ideas and drafts but still adding his own personal touch. I completely agree that carefully crafted prompts are key to getting good results from AI. Neither of us is yet comfortable publishing fully AI-written content.

The Impact of AI on the Future of WordPress

We speculated about how advanced AI could enable automated site building outside of WordPress in the future. However, Brian emphasized that niche complexities of WordPress will be difficult for AI to grasp anytime soon. 

Monetization and Support for Plugin Businesses

Brian explained why he avoids "lifetime deal" pricing for his products, despite it being common for WordPress plugins. While tempting for short-term revenue, it removes incentive for ongoing improvement. He believes subscribers should continue supporting developers to allow constant iteration. Still, he limits sales to just the major Black Friday promotion each year.

Key Takeaways

• AI can help generate ideas and drafts, but human refinement is still needed
• WordPress niche complexity means AI won't replace it soon
• JavaScript skills are critical for WordPress developers now
• "Lifetime deal" pricing removes incentive for ongoing development
• Limiting sales promotes sustainable growth over quick cash grabs

Quotables

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In this episode of the WP Minute+, Matt Medeiros interviews Scott Stapley, CEO and co-founder of BigScoots, a managed WordPress hosting company. Stapley shares the story of how he and his business partner started BigScoots in 2010 while still in college, focusing on providing exceptional service in the hosting industry.

Stapley discusses the challenges of scaling a hosting business, especially as an infrastructure provider. He explains how BigScoots differentiates itself by owning and operating its own infrastructure, allowing them to offer more resource-abundant solutions at competitive prices while still delivering top-notch service.

The conversation also touches on the importance of customer service in the hosting industry. Stapley emphasizes that BigScoots has built its reputation on providing unparalleled support, which has led to a loyal customer base and minimal churn. He believes that the service gap in the industry is growing, and hosting companies must focus on delivering value through exceptional service to succeed.

Stapley also shares his thoughts on the potential role of AI in customer support, stating that while AI can be a valuable internal tool, BigScoots will never replace human interaction in their customer communication.

Key Takeaways:

• BigScoots was founded in 2010 with a focus on providing exceptional service in the hosting industry.
• Owning and operating their own infrastructure allows BigScoots to offer resource-abundant solutions at competitive prices.
• BigScoots has built a loyal customer base through unparalleled support, resulting in minimal churn.
• The service gap in the hosting industry is growing, and companies must focus on delivering value through exceptional service.
• AI can be a valuable internal tool, but BigScoots believes in maintaining human interaction in customer communication.

Important URLs Mentioned:

• BigScoots website: https://www.bigscoots.com/

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In this episode of The WP Minute, Brian Coords and I unpacked Matt Mullenweg's recent interview at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 with Connie Loizos. 

What struck me most was how this wasn't just another tech conference appearance - it was a deep dive into the ongoing controversy between Automattic and WP Engine. The interview revealed several surprising details, including how Automattic was "kicked out" as an investor in WP Engine in 2018 during the Silver Lake acquisition, and the potential for this legal battle to stretch into 2026-2027.

https://youtu.be/Bq_Gny09JzU

Connie's interviewing style was refreshingly direct, pushing for clarity on issues that many in the WordPress community have been afraid to address. She repeatedly pressed Matt on the 8% revenue request and the criteria for determining when a company has crossed the line with trademark usage. 

While Matt was open about many aspects, some key questions remained unanswered, particularly about the specific threshold that would trigger similar actions against other WordPress-based businesses.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:

1. Be cautious with WordPress/WP branding in your business name
2. Consider your contribution strategy to the WordPress ecosystem
3. Stay aware of the distinction between wordpress.org and WordPress Foundation
4. Monitor how this might affect plugin repository policies
5. Keep an eye on trademark usage guidelines
6. Consider diversifying your business strategy beyond WordPress-dependent branding

Important URLs Mentioned:

• Matt Mullenweg: The Future of WordPress and the Web
• Connie Loizos
• Brian Coords
• Support WP Minute
• Subscribe to our newsletter

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Zack Katz of GravityKit & TrustedLogin joins the show to talk about running multiple products in the WordPress space.

The conversation explores the ups-and-downs of doing a product rebrand, plus, what it's like to build a business in the Gravity Forms (and WordPress!) ecosystem. Don't miss this episode.

https://www.gravitykit.com/
https://www.trustedlogin.com/
https://twitter.com/zackkatz

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In this episode of the WP Minute, Matt Medeiros and Mark Zemanski discuss the overuse and misinterpretation of the term 'open source,' particularly in the context of WordPress. 

They reference a recent episode of WP Town Hall where Mark posed the question to Chris Pearson. Matt and Mark explore the complexities and nuances behind 'open source,' noting the difference between open source code and the brand value of WordPress. They debate the evolving nature of WordPress governance, expressing concerns over the potential disillusionment within the WordPress community. 

Additionally, the discussion touches on the implications of Matt Mullenweg's control over WordPress, the survival and contributions to the project, and how closed-source commercial alternatives might be gaining traction. The conversation concludes with the question of whether society is moving towards more closed-source solutions, driven by business needs and the challenges of sustaining open-source models.

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In this episode of WP Minute+, host Matt Medeiros interviews Emmanuel, a WordPress agency owner and community organizer from Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

My conversation with Emmanuel was truly enlightening and left me feeling optimistic about the state of WordPress in Nigeria. It was refreshing to hear how WordPress is thriving in his part of the world, powering an impressive 65% of websites in the country.

I was particularly impressed by the vibrant WordPress community Emmanuel described in Port Harcourt. The mix of students and professionals, ranging from 17 to 40 years old, actively participating in meetups and events speaks volumes about the platform's appeal across generations.

Emmanuel's insights into running a WordPress agency in Nigeria were fascinating. Despite the competitive landscape, it's clear that there's a strong demand for WordPress services.

The upcoming first WordCamp in Port Harcourt is an exciting development, and it's great to see the WordPress community growing and organizing larger events. This progress bodes well for the future of WordPress in the region.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:

1. The WordPress ecosystem in Nigeria is competitive but thriving, with WordPress powering about 65% of websites in the country.
2. Word-of-mouth and referrals play a crucial role in acquiring clients for WordPress agencies in Nigeria.
3. The WordPress community in Nigeria is growing, with a mix of students and professionals aged 17-40 participating in meetups.
4. Open source aspects of WordPress are less important to end-users in Nigeria, but the community values the ability to customize and learn from the platform.
5. Elementor is popular for client projects due to its customization capabilities, but there's interest in Gutenberg's evolving features.
6. WordPress events, including meetups and hackathons, are gaining traction in Nigeria, with plans for the first WordCamp in Port Harcourt.
7. Blogging is still relevant in Nigeria, especially in the entertainment sector, but faces competition from social media platforms.

Important URLs mentioned:

1. Brela
2. thewpminute.com/subscribe

Chapter Titles with Timestamps:

1. [00:00:00] Introduction and Recent WordPress Hackathon
2. [00:02:00] WordPress Business Landscape in Nigeria
3. [00:06:00] WordPress Usability and Client Onboarding
4. [00:09:33] Elementor vs. Gutenberg: Feature Comparisons
5. [00:13:42] Open Source Significance in the Nigerian Market
6. [00:16:16] WordPress User Demographics in Nigeria
7. [00:18:28] WordPress Meetups and Events in Port Harcourt
8. [00:22:01] Blogging Trends and WordPress Adoption
9. [00:24:07] Future Plans: First WordCamp in Port Harcourt

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In this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt welcomes Laurence Bahiirwa, a WordPress developer at Freemius and the creator of the TechiePress YouTube channel. Laurence shares his journey from being a high school ICT teacher to freelancing and eventually landing a role at Freemius. He discusses how his YouTube channel played a crucial role in securing his current job, acting as both a portfolio and proof of his expertise.

The conversation explores content creation challenges, the importance of balancing a full-time job with a YouTube channel, and how AI is transforming WordPress development. We also explore the role of WordPress in education, how it serves as a gateway for aspiring developers, and how AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot make coding more efficient. He also gives insights into Freemius’ latest initiatives, including improvements in data portability for plugin and theme sellers.

Key Takeaways

WordPress as a Career Path:

• Laurence started as a high school teacher before transitioning to freelancing and Freemius.
• His YouTube channel helped him stand out in job applications.
• WordPress serves as a foundation for learning broader web development skills.

Content Creation & YouTube Journey:

• Laurence started creating videos to fill gaps in WordPress development content.
• Balancing content creation with a full-time job is a challenge.
• Technical videos require significant preparation and editing time (6+ hours for a 15-minute video).

AI & WordPress Development:

• Using AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot for development efficiency.
• AI accelerates problem-solving but still requires human oversight.
• Laurence sees AI as a tool for educators to enhance learning, not replace it.

Freemius & Data Liberation:

• Works on improving data export options for Freemius users.
• Freemius has trained an AI-powered bot to assist with documentation searches.
• Emphasizes transparency and control over user data.

Important Links

• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe
• Laurence’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@techiepress
• Connect with Laurence
  Twitter/X: https://x.com/omukiguy
  Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/omukiguy.bsky.social
  Website: https://omukiguy.com/
• Freemius: https://freemius.com/

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Kim Coleman and Brad Williams are discussing the significance of Five for the Future, an initiative promoting the WordPress community's contribution to the platform's growth. They mention that WordPress is built by people who volunteer and are passionate about the web and the platform. They argue that building a business on top of the platform requires one to rely on WordPress itself moving forward, and contributing to the platform can make it an effort that's part of the whole team. 

They also suggest that contributing to the platform can be a lot more creative and extends beyond development work.

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In this episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Jono Alderson, an independent technical SEO consultant and former Yoast team member. We dove into the evolving world of SEO, the challenges facing WordPress marketing, and the recent controversies surrounding WordPress.org and WordPress.com.

Jono's insights on SEO were enlightening. He emphasized that modern SEO is about overall website quality, encompassing user experience, technical integrity, performance, security, and accessibility. 

This holistic approach contrasts with outdated notions of keyword stuffing or churning out content for content's sake. We discussed the shift towards building brand reputation and recall, especially in the face of AI-powered search results that are changing how people discover information.

Our conversation took a deep dive into the state of WordPress marketing and community involvement. Jono highlighted the critical lack of resources, strategy, and leadership in marketing WordPress effectively. We explored the challenges of volunteer-led initiatives and the absence of a clear product direction. This led to a sobering discussion about the burnout and exodus of contributors from the WordPress ecosystem, which Jono sees as one of the most significant threats to the project's future.

The recent controversies surrounding WordPress.com's mirroring of the .org plugin repository and Matt Mullenweg's comments about WordPress.org ownership were central to our discussion. 

Jono provided valuable context on how these moves could impact plugin developers and the broader WordPress ecosystem. We speculated on the potential fragmentation of WordPress through various marketplaces and the implications for user choice and website portability.

His insights into the technical superiority of WordPress over competitors, despite marketing challenges, were particularly interesting. It left me pondering how the community might address these issues and chart a path forward in this new, more complex WordPress landscape.

Key takeaways for WordPress professionals:

• Modern SEO focuses on overall website quality, not just keywords or content volume.
• WordPress faces significant challenges in marketing and community involvement, with a noticeable exodus of contributors.
• The relationship between WordPress.org and WordPress.com is becoming increasingly complex and potentially problematic for the ecosystem.
• WordPress still maintains a technical edge over competitors, but struggles to communicate this advantage effectively.
• The potential fragmentation of WordPress through various marketplaces could threaten the platform's valued portability.
• There's a critical need for clear leadership and strategy in WordPress development and marketing.
• AI-powered search is changing SEO strategies, emphasizing the importance of brand building over traditional ranking factors.

Important URLs mentioned:

jonoalderson.com

wordpress.org

wordpress.com

thewpminute.com/support

Chapter titles with timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction and SEO in 2024

[00:09:00] WordPress marketing challenges and community burnout

[00:24:00] The WordPress.com plugin repository controversy

[00:31:00] Potential fragmentation of WordPress through marketplaces

[00:35:00] WordPress vs competitors in the SEO landscape

[00:37:00] Favorite SEO plugins and tools for WordPress

[00:39:00] Closing thoughts and Jono's latest blog post

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Matt Medeiros, host of the WP Minute+ podcast, recently had an engaging conversation with Adam Zielinski, the creator of WordPress Playground, a revolutionary tool that allows users to run WordPress entirely in their browser without the need for a server or hosting environment. The discussion delved into the technical aspects, potential use cases, and future prospects of WordPress Playground.

The conversation highlights the significant potential of WordPress Playground in shaping the future of WordPress development, education, and user experience. As the tool continues to evolve and gain traction within the community, it may well become an essential resource for WordPress professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Key points from the conversation:

1. WordPress Playground is a browser-based tool that enables users to run a fully functional WordPress instance without the need for a server or hosting environment. It operates using static files and can even function offline once loaded.

2. The tool is designed to make WordPress more accessible and to streamline the learning and development process. It allows users to experiment with themes, plugins, and code without the hassle of setting up a local development environment.

3. Adam Zielinski envisions a future where WordPress Playground could synchronize data with actual WordPress instances, enabling seamless staging and deployment workflows. He also foresees the possibility of running WordPress on edge servers and exchanging data between instances in real-time.

4. WordPress Playground offers a range of features, including the ability to switch between different PHP and WordPress versions, import and export content from GitHub, and share instances through pull requests.

5. The tool has the potential to revolutionize WordPress education by providing interactive examples and hands-on learning experiences directly within the browser.

6. Adam Zielinski emphasizes the importance of making WordPress more accessible and user-friendly for newcomers, especially in light of the increasing competition from other website builders and CMS platforms.

Important links mentioned:

- WordPress Playground: https://playground.wordpress.net
- WordPress Playground community space: https://wordpress.org/playground
- Adam Zielinski's Twitter: https://twitter.com/adamzielin
- WordPress Playground GitHub repository: https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-playground

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I recently caught up with Eric Karkovac to look back at his most influential WP Minute articles from 2024. 

As our resident voice for WordPress freelancers, Eric brings a unique perspective - he doesn't just write about WordPress, he actively builds client sites and runs his own business. This combination of hands-on experience shapes everything he writes.

Our conversation explored the real challenges facing WordPress professionals right now. From managing endless plugin subscriptions to navigating the Automatic vs. WP Engine situation, Eric's articles tackle the issues that matter to freelancers and small agencies. What I appreciate most about Eric's writing is his practical approach - he's focused on helping WordPress professionals find workable solutions to everyday challenges.

Looking ahead to 2025, we talked about what matters most for WordPress professionals: building strong client relationships, being selective about new projects, and keeping the human element front and center in our technical work. For anyone running a WordPress business, this episode offers practical strategies from someone who understands the day-to-day reality of our work.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:

• Focus on proactive client communication and relationship building
• Consider the total cost of plugin subscriptions when planning projects
• Stay adaptable with WordPress changes while maintaining client trust
• Quality client relationships matter more than quantity
• Keep human experience at the forefront of technical solutions

Important URLs:

• wpminute.com/subscribe - Subscribe to our newsletter
• https://thewpminute.com/how-does-automattic-vs-wp-engine-impact-freelancers/
• https://thewpminute.com/why-small-wordpress-ui-changes-are-a-big-deal/
• https://thewpminute.com/go-ahead-and-use-wordpress-your-way/
• https://thewpminute.com/using-wordpress-often-means-subscriptions-a-lot-of-them/
• https://thewpminute.com/data-liberation-needs-to-happen-within-wordpress-too/
• Eric on Bluesky
• Eric on X

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WP Minute+ News Round Table Episode 1. This will be a monthly series on WP Minute+ Podcast.

Read the full shown notes: https://thewpminute.com/?p=12987
Get the weekly newsletter: https://thewpminute.com/subscribe
Support the show! https://thewpminute.com/support

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I recently had Jess Frick, Director of Operations at Pressable, on the WP Minute+ podcast. We had an insightful conversation about Pressable’s relationship with Automattic, how the company differentiates itself, and the benefits of Jetpack.

I appreciated getting Jess’s insider perspective on Pressable and how they balance being owned by Automattic while still maintaining their own identity and startup mentality in the WordPress hosting space.

Definitely check them out if you want managed WordPress hosting with great performance and infrastructure.

Key Takeaways

• Pressable is owned by Automattic but operates independently with a startup mentality. They have more freedom to be “edgy” compared to other Automattic properties.
• Pressable builds on top of WP Cloud infrastructure created by Automattic. This gives them performance advantages that allow them to handle large websites.
• They work closely with Jetpack and see big value in including it for free with hosting plans. Security features are especially important.
• Pressable targets agencies, freelancers, and site owners who want great WordPress infrastructure without the rigidness of a company like VIP Hosting.
• They aim to be innovative and regularly improve the hosting experience like the recent updates to make staging -> live site migration easier.

Important Quotes

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• https://twitter.com/syedbalkhi
• https://thrivethemes.com/
• https://awesomemotive.com/
• https://thewpminute.com/support

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Robby McCullough of Beaver Builder joins the podcast to chat about the future of page building in WordPress and at his company. Robby and his team have just celebrated 9 years running the Beaver Builder plugin, changing the page building landscape as WordPress users know it. He's excited to press forward into his next chapter of WordPress products with the Assistant plugin. Think of it as the glue to connecting your multiple WordPress websites across the cloud, sharing templates, blocks, and other data. 

https://twitter.com/RobbyMcCullough
https://twitter.com/BeaverBuilder
https://assistant.pro/
https://wordpress.org/plugins/assistant/
https://thewpminute.com/support

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On this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt chats with Toby Cryns, founder of Minneapolis-based agency The Mighty Mo!, about what it’s like to run a WordPress agency for 20 years. From building sites in Flash before pivoting to WordPress after Steve Jobs’ infamous “Flash is dead” moment, Toby reflects on the evolution of the web industry, the rise of page builders, and the growing influence of AI on development and client expectations.

Toby shares his journey of overcoming fear around AI, his experiments with ChatGPT and Copilot, and how he’s using these tools to develop a WordPress-based project management app. He discusses how the small business and nonprofit web design market is shifting, the impact of DIY platforms like Wix and Squarespace, and the growing divide between clients who want $300 websites and those who need reliable long-term partners. Through honest anecdotes and hard-earned lessons, Toby explores pricing strategies, client relationships, project management, and the power of sticking with WordPress – even amid uncertainty in the ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

AI and WordPress Development:

• AI is useful as a junior-level coding assistant but still requires deep domain knowledge.
• Tools like ChatGPT and Copilot have saved Toby hundreds of hours on plugin development.
• AI won’t replace agencies but it will change workflows and create new opportunities.

Adapting to Market Shifts:

• The entry-level web market is increasingly lost to AI and DIY tools.
• High-end clients may be exploring prototyping internally before approaching agencies.
• Adaptation is key: agencies that don’t evolve risk becoming obsolete.

Running a Sustainable WordPress Agency:

• Project managers and account managers are game changers for scaling without burnout.
• WordPress plugins like Beaver Builder and services like ManageWP streamline delivery and maintenance.
• Raising prices (even a little) can be a healthy, overdue adjustment.

Community and the Future of WordPress:

• Despite recent governance controversies, Toby remains hopeful about the WordPress community.
• The community is WordPress’ greatest asset – leaders must help rebuild trust and direction.
• Gutenberg may yet become the publishing backbone of the modern web.

Important Links

• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe
• Visit Toby’s Agency: https://themightymo.com/
• Connect with Toby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobycryns

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Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. 

Read the full show notes

Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group.

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. 

n this episode of the WP Minute+, Matt Medeiros interviews Alex Standiford, the creator of Siren Affiliates, a new affiliate plugin for WordPress. Standiford explains that Siren Affiliates is designed to help businesses create diverse affiliate programs that go beyond traditional affiliate marketing, enabling collaboration and partnerships in various ways.

Standiford addresses the negative perception often associated with affiliate marketing, emphasizing the importance of building authentic relationships between businesses and affiliates. He believes that by focusing on sincerity and creating valuable products, businesses can develop successful affiliate programs that benefit both parties.

The conversation also highglights how service-based businesses, such as freelancers and agencies, can leverage Siren Affiliates to grow their client base and revenue. Standiford suggests creating affordable, fixed-scope products or services that affiliates can easily promote, which can lead to long-term client relationships and more substantial projects.

Standiford shares his strategy for finding affiliates, starting with networking within the WordPress community and gradually expanding to other verticals. He also discusses the plugin’s unique features, such as the ability to create multiple affiliate programs and a blog content bonus program that rewards contributors based on traffic and conversions.

Key Takeaways:

• Siren Affiliates enables businesses to create diverse affiliate programs that foster collaboration and partnerships.
• Building authentic relationships between businesses and affiliates is crucial for successful affiliate marketing.
• Service-based businesses can use Siren Affiliates to grow their client base by creating affordable, fixed-scope products or services for affiliates to promote.
• Networking within the WordPress community and expanding to other verticals is a key strategy for finding affiliates.
• Siren Affiliates offers unique features like multiple affiliate programs and a blog content bonus program.

Important URLs Mentioned:

• Alex on X
• Siren Affiliates website: https://sirenaffiliates.com/
• Alex Standiford’s interview on LMSCast

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In this episode of WP Minute+, host Matt Medeiros sits down with Kevin Geary, founder of Geary.co and creator of the Automatic CSS product. Kevin, known for his strong opinions on WordPress and Gutenberg, shares his insights on the current state and future of WordPress, focusing on several key areas that are crucial for developers and agencies.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:

• The importance of adhering to web design fundamentals, even when using page builders
• Concerns about the direction of the Gutenberg editor and its departure from traditional web design practices
• The value of education in elevating web design skills and understanding
• The potential risks and benefits of using various page builders
• The importance of data portability and avoiding vendor lock-in
• The need for clear communication and vision in WordPress development
• The role of AI in web design and its current limitations

Important URLs mentioned:

1. Kevin Geary's website: geary.co
2. Kevin's YouTube channel: youtube.com/@gearyco
3. Automatic CSS: automaticcss.com
4. Kevin's Twitter: twitter.com/thekevingeary
5. Digital Gravy (Kevin's agency): digitalgravy.co

Chapter Titles with Timestamps:

1. [00:00:00] Introduction and Kevin's WordPress Background
2. [00:07:31] Criticisms of Gutenberg and WordPress Leadership
3. [00:14:21] Page Builders vs. Core WordPress Development
4. [00:23:51] The Vision for the Block Editor and Its Challenges
5. [00:35:28] WordPress.org vs. WordPress.com and Serving Different Markets
6. [00:46:14] Scaling Businesses with Page Builders
7. [00:54:00] Technical Challenges with the Block Editor
8. [01:04:26] The Future of WordPress and Competition
9. [01:18:02] Gutenberg's Potential Beyond WordPress
10. [01:21:50] AI's Impact on Web Design and Development

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From the early days of WordPress Media to the high-stakes game of balancing life, work, and passion; journey with us into the world of two WordPress veterans. Join Matt and Dustin as they reminisce about their beginnings, discuss the ever-evolving landscape of WordPress, and share insights about maintaining successful long-term projects. So buckle in, it’s time to dive deep into the riveting realm of WordPress.

Matt asks Dustin about his consistent content contributions to the WordPress community and the non-monetary benefits he derives from it. They delve into the challenges of balancing content production with a full-time job, family responsibilities, and other life events. 

Dustin discusses his aspiration to monetize his YouTube channel to generate enough income to upgrade his personal Apple devices. He explores the idea of sponsorships and generating income indirectly by optimizing his wife’s online businesses.

They also talk about the struggles of dealing with website management, as exemplified by Dustin's pain points in transferring their data from Sensei to LearnDash. Matt also commends Dustin for his maintenance of the Website Engineer brand and its informative value to the WordPress users. Toward the end, they soothe their creator challenges by reminiscing about the joy of being recognized and how they're influencing others because of what they do.

Here are some key links they referenced:

• Your Website Engineer podcast: yourwebsiteengineer.com
• Dustin’s YouTube: youtube.com/yourwebsiteengineer

Three key takeaways:

• Consistency is crucial in content creation, whether it's a podcast, a YouTube channel, or a blog. You cultivate credibility and a dedicated audience over time.
• Monetizing content creation is possible, but it requires strategy, persistence, and sometimes, disruptive thinking. Connections and sponsorship can be avenues for income generation.
• Keeping up with the evolving nature of content creation tools and platforms is important, even if transitioning between them poses challenges.

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Matt and Mark debate WordPress in 2024. Why open source, who is WordPress for, and should we care? Tune in to listen to the whole "debate!"

Follow Mark @markjszymanski
WP Tutorials @WPMinute
Join the newsletter https://thewpminute.com/subscribe

Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to the WP Minute!
00:06 Expanding the WP Minute Audience
00:44 Upcoming Live Stream with Sam Harrison
01:33 Mark's Streamathon and Learning in Public
03:09 The WordPress Journey: Learning, Sharing, and Caring
05:11 Exploring WordPress: CMS, Open Source, and Community
12:18 The Open Source Debate: WordPress vs. Paid Tools
18:35 Contributing to WordPress and the Open Source Ecosystem
22:48 Understanding WordPress Politics and Open Source Challenges
27:23 The Evolution of WordPress and Its Community
27:48 Jetpack's Role and Community Reactions
28:35 Governance and the Push for WordPress Project Bylaws
30:00 The Importance of Open Source and Potential Threats
31:25 The Power of Forking in Open Source
32:00 Commercialization Concerns and the Future of WordPress
33:22 The Debate on Open Source Philosophy and Its Impact
37:18 The Future of WordPress: Predictions and Possibilities
44:24 The Significance of Open Source for Users and Developers
46:51 Closing Thoughts on Open Source and WordPress's Future

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In this episode of *The WP Minute+*, Matt sits down with recurring guest Mark Szymanski to discuss the evolving role of AI in their daily workflows. From creating content and writing code to experimenting with tools like Claude and Cursor, they explore both the promises and frustrations of AI-powered solutions. Matt shares his journey of using AI for coding a personal project, detailing the challenges of token limits, tooling decisions, and bridging gaps in technical knowledge. Mark highlights his experience creating WordPress plugins with AI assistance and provides insights into how AI has revolutionized his content creation process.  

The conversation also covers broader implications for AI in industries like development, marketing, and content creation, as well as concerns about its commoditization and future pricing models. Both Matt and Mark agree that while AI is still far from being an independent problem-solver, it has already proven to be a game-changing assistant.  

## Key Takeaways  
### AI in Coding:
- Tools like Claude and Cursor can help non-developers create functional code, though human oversight is essential.  
- Cursor, a coding environment integrated with Claude, significantly streamlines workflows by auto-applying changes to files.  
- Prompt engineering and token management are critical skills for effectively using AI in coding.  

### AI in Content Creation:
- AI can save time by generating YouTube chapters, video titles, and descriptions from transcripts.  
- Tools like Claude are better for processing large transcripts, while ChatGPT excels in brainstorming creative ideas.  
- AI is still limited in generating high-quality thumbnails, though it can provide useful prompts for design tools.  

### Future of AI:
- Commoditization of AI tools could lead to higher costs, restricting access to advanced features.  
- AI is more of a junior assistant than an independent creator, requiring human guidance to produce optimized results.  
- As AI continues to evolve, industries may see dramatic shifts in productivity and accessibility.

## Important URLs Mentioned  
- *The WP Minute+* Podcast: [thewpminute.com/subscribe](https://thewpminute.com/subscribe)  
- Mark Szymanski’s Links and Newsletter: [mjs.bio](https://mjs.bio)  
- ConvertKit (Now Kit): [kit.com](https://kit.com)  

For more insights and updates, don’t forget to subscribe to *The WP Minute+*!

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Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. 

Read the full show notes and get the link here: https://thewpminute.com/?p=13199

Chapter Markers:

• What is WPTurbo and who is it for? [00:02:26]
• How does WPTurbo integrate AI into WordPress development? What are the benefits for developers? [00:01:59]
• Walk us through what it's like to use WPTurbo - do you need coding expertise? [00:04:17]
• Can I design WordPress websites with WPTurbo? [00:04:45]
• How does WPTurbo ensure high coding standards for performance, accessibility, SEO? [00:05:34]
• Where does WPTurbo increase efficiency for developers? [00:07:34]
• How does WPTurbo address security concerns with AI-generated code? [00:09:00]
• How do you see AI evolving for web development, and WPTurbo's role? [00:09:48]
• What's new and exciting coming up for WPTurbo? [00:10:21]

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In this episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Mark Szymanski, a rising WordPress content creator, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in WordPress content creation. We explored the changing landscape of the WordPress community, content strategies, and the various ways creators can monetize their work.

Our conversation kicked off with a reflection on the saturated WordPress content space. As someone who's been creating WordPress content for over a decade, I shared my perspective on how the influx of new creators has made it more challenging to retain audience attention. Mark, with his fresher perspective, offered insights into how he's navigating this competitive landscape.

Mark emphasized the value of personal branding and connecting with audiences on a human level. This resonated with me, as I've always believed in the power of genuine connections in the WordPress community. We also discussed the various content formats and how creators need to find what works best for them, whether it's video, podcasting, or written content.

One of the most interesting parts of our discussion was about monetization strategies. We explored different avenues like sponsorships, affiliate marketing, courses, and memberships. I shared my experiences with these various models, including the challenges of running a membership community. Mark brought up some interesting points about the importance of packaging offerings for potential sponsors, which is something I believe many creators overlook.

Towards the end of our chat, we touched on the struggles of indie product makers in WordPress. We both agreed that building relationships with content creators can be a valuable strategy for those who struggle with marketing their products. It was refreshing to hear Mark's empathetic take on this, as he understood the challenges faced by developers who may not have strong marketing skills.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:

1. Authenticity and personal branding are crucial in standing out in the saturated WordPress content space.
2. Diversifying content across multiple channels (video, audio, written) can help reach a broader audience.
3. Monetization strategies should be varied and may include sponsorships, affiliates, courses, and memberships.
4. Building relationships with content creators can be an effective marketing strategy for indie product makers.
5. Consistency and persistence are key in content creation, with most creators seeing significant results after at least a year.
6. Repurposing content and cross-promoting appearances can maximize the impact of collaborations.
7. Understanding your audience and tailoring your content to their needs is essential for growth.

Important URLs mentioned:

1. mjs.bio (Mark Szymanski's links)
2. thewpminute.com
3. thewpminute.com/subscribe
4. thewpminute.com/support

Chapter Titles with Timestamps:

1. [00:00:00] Introduction and WordPress Content Landscape
2. [00:15:00] Authenticity and Personal Branding in Content Creation
3. [00:30:00] Monetization Strategies for WordPress Content Creators
4. [00:45:00] Challenges of Running Membership Communities
5. [00:60:00] Marketing Strategies for Indie WordPress Product Makers
6. [01:15:00] The Importance of Relationship Building in WordPress
7. [01:30:00] Future Trends in WordPress Content Creation
8. [01:45:00] Closing Thoughts and Where to Find Mark Szymanski

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In this episode of WP Minute+, Matt Medeiros sits down with Mark Szymanski, the owner of FindIT Tech Agency, to discuss Mark’s journey into the WordPress space, his experience with page builders like Elementor and Bricks, and his thoughts on the future of WordPress.

Mark shares his background, starting his agency in 2019 and diving into the world of WordPress. He discusses his early experiences with themes and page builders, eventually settling on Elementor before discovering Bricks.

The conversation then shifts to the WordPress community and the challenges of catering to such a diverse group of users with varying needs and objectives. Matt and Mark discuss the importance of getting involved in the community, attending WordCamps, and contributing to the platform’s development.

They also touch on the sometimes contentious nature of page builder communities and the importance of focusing on providing value to clients, regardless of the tools used.

Throughout the episode, Mark offers his unique perspective as a relative newcomer to the WordPress space, while Matt provides insights from his years of experience in the community.

Key Takeaways:

• The WordPress community is diverse, with users ranging from DIYers to large agencies, each with their own unique needs and goals.
• Getting involved in the WordPress community through WordCamps and contributing to the platform’s development can help shape the future of WordPress.
• Page builder communities can sometimes become contentious, but the focus should always be on providing value to clients.
• As a WordPress professional, it’s essential to care about the customer and the product first, rather than just chasing quick profits.

Important Links:

Mark Szymanski’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@markjszymanski
Mark Szymanski’s Website: https://markjosephszymanski.com/
FindIT Tech Agency

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North Commerce is a new ecommerce solution built specifically for WordPress. I recently had the chance to speak with Kelley, founder of North Commerce, to learn more about his motivation for building the platform and how he aims to position it in the WordPress ecosystem.

Kelley started developing North Commerce at the end of 2021 after recognizing limitations with existing ecommerce options like WooCommerce and Shopify. He was particularly inspired by the potential of the WordPress block editor and Gutenberg to enable fast, flexible ecommerce experiences.

Over the past year, North Commerce has steadily built up a community of users and refined the platform based on their feedback. They now aim to be a premium all-in-one ecommerce solution for WordPress, with a pricing model starting at $99 per year. This recurring revenue will support continued development and help them deliver dedicated support and community for merchants at higher revenue tiers.

Going forward, Kelley wants to optimize North Commerce as a block editor-first platform that takes full advantage of forthcoming advances like full site editing. He believes this approach will make it the fastest, easiest ecommerce solution available. At the same time, he wants to maintain simplicity and prevent “feature bloat”. Add-ons and extensions will be made available but not activated by default.

Key Takeaways

1. North Commerce aims to be a simplified alternative, not a replacement, for WooCommerce. It wants to provide another competitive ecommerce option tailored for WordPress.
2. The platform is built natively for WordPress, using PHP, JavaScript and WordPress best practices like a custom ORM system. This is to maximize flexibility, integration and avoid the limitations of off-the-shelf SaaS platforms.
3. They chose a paid model starting at $99/year to support an all-in-one feature set and higher-touch support at higher revenue tiers. This contrasts with most free/open source WordPress plugins.
4. North Commerce wants to be the fastest ecommerce platform by using the block editor, full site editing and modern WordPress capabilities. Simplicity is also a key goal.

Links Mentioned:

• North Commerce site: https://northcommerce.com
• North Commerce pricing: https://northcommerce.com/pricing/
• North Commerce free demo: https://instawp.io/northcommerce

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In this episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with John O'Nolan, founder and CEO of Ghost, to discuss the open-source publishing platform and how it compares to WordPress in light of recent controversies. John's unique perspective as a former WordPress core team member and now leader of a competing platform provided fascinating insights into the challenges and opportunities in the open-source CMS space.

Our conversation covered a wide range of topics, from Ghost's opinionated approach to feature development to the structure of its non-profit foundation. I was particularly struck by John's commitment to keeping Ghost focused and relatively small, with a goal of never growing beyond 50 employees. This intentional constraint, he argues, fosters creativity and helps maintain the team's agility and sense of purpose.

Throughout our discussion, I was impressed by John's thoughtful approach to balancing commercial success with open-source ideals. His insights on the need for clear incentives in community contributions and the potential for paid open-source development challenged some long-held assumptions in the WordPress world. As someone who has used both platforms, I found myself reconsidering some of my own views on the future of content management systems and open-source sustainability.

Key takeaways for WordPress professionals:

1. Ghost's non-profit structure offers an alternative model for open-source sustainability.
2. Intentional constraints on company size can drive innovation and focus.
3. The "benevolent dictator for life" model may be outdated for large open-source projects.
4. Clear incentives and recognition are crucial for encouraging community contributions.
5. Open-source projects may need to consider paid contributions to remain competitive.
6. Diversity in platforms and approaches benefits the entire web ecosystem.
7. There's value in exploring and learning from different content management systems.

Important URLs mentioned:

1. ghost.org
2. thewpminute.com/subscribe
3. thepodcastsetup.com

Chapter titles with timestamps:

1. [00:00:00] Introduction and Ghost's approach to features
2. [00:05:00] Ghost's development stack and community
3. [00:12:00] Non-profit structure and governance
4. [00:21:00] Leadership and decision-making in open-source projects
5. [00:28:00] Sustainability and funding models
6. [00:32:00] Defining contributions in open-source ecosystems
7. [00:36:00] Comparing Ghost and WordPress experiences

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Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. 

On the latest episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Roger Williams from Kinsta. Roger shared his journey into the WordPress space, starting from his early days building websites for clients to his current role heading up content at Kinsta.

We discussed the evolution of video and audio content over the past decade. Roger reminisced about the challenges of editing videos back in 2009-2010 compared to today, where tools like Riverside and Descript have simplified the process tremendously. He emphasized the importance of authenticity in content, noting that younger audiences are turned off by overly polished, scripted material.

Roger provided insights into Kinsta's content strategy, which currently focuses heavily on the WordPress community. He highlighted the value of having genuine conversations with people in the space to understand their needs and challenges. While Kinsta does offer hosting for other technologies beyond WordPress, Roger indicated those areas may be explored more in the future.

We also touched on the challenges of representing a well-respected brand and battling impostor syndrome. Roger credited Kinsta's supportive executive team in helping him build confidence. He advised focusing on praise over criticism, especially in the early stages, to help content creators find their voice. The key is to get something out there consistently, learn from it, and iterate.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals

• Authenticity is key in content creation. Don't be afraid to leave in some "ums" and imperfections.
• When getting started with content, keep it simple. Platforms like LinkedIn provide a ready audience for testing material.
• Aim to create at least 50 pieces of content before worrying too much about analytics and optimization. This volume helps you find your voice and preferred topics.
• For brands, heavy praise and light criticism help empower content creators, especially early on. Build up the team's confidence first.
• Stay aware of content ownership concerns when publishing primarily to third-party platforms. Have a plan B, like your own WordPress site.

Important Links

• Aware - LinkedIn analytics and engagement tool
• Boston WordPress Meetup - Roger will be speaking here in late November 2024
• Roger Williams on LinkedIn
• Support The WP Minute

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In this episode of WP Minute+, host Matt Medeiros sits down with Cory Miller, founder of iThemes and current owner of Post Status. Cory shares insights about his new role at A2 Hosting, the challenges of burnout in the WordPress ecosystem, and how Post Status continues to operate without his day-to-day involvement.

This episode provides valuable insights for WordPress professionals on navigating career transitions, managing burnout, and contributing to the WordPress ecosystem. Cory’s experience as both an entrepreneur and now an employee at a hosting company offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities within the WordPress community.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:

• The importance of recognizing and addressing burnout in entrepreneurship
• Transitioning from being a full-time entrepreneur to working for a company
• The challenges of running community-focused businesses in the WordPress ecosystem
• The value of in-person events like WordCamps for community building
• The need for sustainable funding models for WordPress media and events
• The importance of detaching personal identity from business roles
• Recognizing the changing demographics of WordPress users and community members
• The balance between taking from and giving back to the WordPress ecosystem

Important URLs mentioned:

1. A2 Hosting
2. Post Status
3. iThemes
4. Cory on X

Chapter Titles with Timestamps:

1. [00:00:00] Introduction and Cory’s WordPress Background
2. [00:04:00] WordCamp Canada and Community Building
3. [00:12:00] Cory’s Experience with Burnout
4. [00:23:51] Transitioning from Entrepreneur to Employee
5. [00:29:00] Cory’s Role at A2 Hosting
6. [00:38:00] Hosting Companies’ Role in the WordPress Ecosystem
7. [00:43:00] The Future of Post Status
8. [00:46:00] Changing Demographics in the WordPress Community
9. [00:49:00] Giving Back to WordPress

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In this episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Derek Hanson, a Technical Account Manager at Automattic and emerging WordPress content creator. We explored his role within Automattic's Special Projects team, the current state of WordPress, and his personal journey into content creation.

Our conversation started with insights into Automattic's approach to content creation. Derek clarified that while there's no official internal initiative, there's a general ethos of sharing work openly and contributing to WordPress. This led us to discuss the unique position Automattic holds in the WordPress ecosystem and the challenges of balancing open-source ideals with commercial interests.

Derek provided fascinating insights into his work with Automattic's Special Projects team, detailing how they partner with "Friends of Automattic" to build and launch websites. 

Derek highlighted his content creation journey, his background in teaching, and his vision for creating content that focuses on website strategy rather than just technical how-tos. This led to a broader conversation about the essence of WordPress as a publishing platform and the potential for it to combat the challenges posed by social media and proprietary platforms.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:

1. Automattic employees are encouraged to share their work openly, contributing to WordPress improvement.
2. The Special Projects team at Automattic works on custom solutions, providing valuable feedback to product teams.
3. There's an ongoing effort to balance WordPress core functionality with opportunities for third-party innovation.
4. The future of WordPress themes may lie in offering unique patterns and designs rather than complete site structures.
5. There's a growing need for a streamlined, purpose-specific admin experience in WordPress.
6. ActivityPub integration is seen as a potential game-changer for content ownership and distribution.
7. The WordPress community continues to grapple with the balance between frequent updates and user stability.

Important URLs mentioned:

1. DerekHanson.blog
2. Automattic Special Projects
3. thewpminute.com/subscribe

Chapter Titles with Timestamps:

1. [00:00:00] Introduction and Automattic's Approach to Content Creation
2. [00:05:30] Inside the Special Projects Team at Automattic
3. [00:12:45] The Data Liberation Project and Migration Challenges
4. [00:18:20] WordPress Philosophy and Community Perceptions
5. [00:25:00] Derek's Vision for Content Creation
6. [00:32:15] WordPress as a Publishing Platform vs. Website Builder
7. [00:40:30] The Future of WordPress Themes and Admin Experience
8. [00:48:00] Closing Thoughts and Derek's Upcoming Projects

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To honor WordPress’s 20th anniversary David Bisset has a friendly chat with four prominent but cool community members to talk about some highlights in it’s history. Primary topics include: Memorial WordPress Release, a WordCamp or WordCamp Experience, and the most notable State of the Word Announcement from Matt. Guests also share other moments that stood out to them and what the future might hold.

Shownotes

Guests w/ Shared links

• Eric Karkovack
  • WordPress 1.2 "Mingus" added the plugin architecture:
    https://wordpress.org/news/2004/05/heres-the-beef/ 
  • WordCamp Philadelphia 2011 - My first WordCamp. I loved the informal nature of the event and meeting other attendees. It opened my eyes to the WP community.
    https://philadelphia.wordcamp.org/2011/ 
  • 2014: The advent of WordCamp US, and other “anchor” camps worldwide, using Slack instead of IRC for communication:
    https://wptavern.com/matt-mullenwegs-state-of-the-word-highlights-internationalization-mobile-and-new-tools-for-wordpress-contributors 
  • @karks88
    https://www.karks.com/
    https://www.speckyboy.com/
    https://www.thewpminute.com/
• Jeff Chandler
• Rae Morey
  • https://www.therepository.email/
  • https://wptavern.com/wordpress-5-6-simone-includes-new-twenty-twenty-one-theme-and-improved-editor
  • https://peterwilson.cc/wordpress-5-6-released/ (Peter Wilson, Awesome Motive-sponsored core contributor)
  • https://europe.wordcamp.org/2015/
  • https://torquemag.io/2017/12/state-word-2017-recap/
    
    
• Ken Elliott
  • bkreative.net
  • blackpresswp.com
  • twitter.com/kennethspeaks

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I recently caught up with Pippin Williamson, who as many of you know was a prominent figure in the WordPress world for over a decade. He founded Sandhills Development and created popular plugins like Easy Digital Downloads before selling to Awesome Motive a couple years back. (Watch my previous interview on YouTube.)

I was curious to hear what Pippin’s been up to and also get his thoughts on the WordPress ecosystem since his exit. A few things stood out that I thought would interest you all:

First off, Pippin was very clear that his reason for moving on from WordPress boiled down to prioritizing time with family. After so many years of plugin development, he felt burnt out from being on that relentless “hamster wheel” of building and maintaining products. He had zero regrets about leaving.

When it came time to sell Sandhills Development, Pippin made finding the right steward for his team and products a top priority over price or other factors. He felt confident Awesome Motive was the best fit given their product focus. Although he does wish there had been less team turnover resulting from the acquisition.

And while Pippin keeps a very casual eye on WordPress these days, he did note how interesting it was to return to using it purely as an end user rather than a developer. Even being removed for a couple years, he immediately noticed some of the lingering friction between core, plugins, and the overall user experience.

Anyway, those were just a few WordPress-related nuggets I wanted to share. Let me know if you have any other thoughts or reflections on Pippin’s time in our community!

Visit Pippin’s Brewery: Sandhills Brewing

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In this extended episode of WP Minute+, I sat down with Mark Szymanski for an in-depth discussion about the current state of WordPress, its philosophy, and the recent developments in the WordPress community.

We explored the complexities of WordPress as both an open-source project and a commercial entity, touching on recent initiatives to engage with content creators and the challenges of maintaining WordPress’s core mission.

Our conversation was sparked by recent meetings with WordPress core contributors and Automattic employees, including Anne McCarthy’s initiative to unite WordPress YouTubers. Exploring the fundamental philosophy of WordPress, discussing its primary focus on being a publishing platform rather than just a website builder.

I shared my perspective on the importance of WordPress as a tool for democratizing publishing, emphasizing its role in enabling anyone to share their thoughts and ideas online. We also discussed the challenges of balancing this mission with the needs of professional developers and agencies.

Throughout our discussion, we touched on several controversial topics, including the recent appointment of a head of WordPress YouTube and the potential conflicts of interest that arise in the WordPress ecosystem. We also explored the challenges of maintaining transparency and fairness in decision-making within the WordPress project.

Key Takeaways for WordPress Professionals:

1. WordPress’s core philosophy remains focused on democratizing publishing, which may not align with all professional developers’ expectations.
2. There’s a growing initiative to engage with content creators to help promote and explain WordPress.
3. The relationship between WordPress.org and WordPress.com continues to be a source of confusion and debate.
4. The WordPress project faces challenges in attracting younger users and developers.
5. Open-source projects like WordPress often struggle with balancing community input and centralized decision-making.
6. Content creators play a crucial role in shaping perceptions of WordPress and its future.
7. The WordPress ecosystem continues to evolve, with new roles and initiatives emerging to address current challenges.

Important URLs mentioned:

1. Recording of the YouTube meeting with Anne McCarthy
2. wordpress.org/about/philosophy
3. thewpminute.com/subscribe
4. mjs.bio

Chapter Titles with Timestamps:

1. [00:00:00] Introduction and Recent WordPress Initiatives
2. [00:15:00] WordPress Philosophy and Core Mission
3. [00:30:00] The Challenges of WordPress’s Dual Nature
4. [00:45:00] Content Creation and WordPress’s Future
5. [01:00:00] The Role of Automattic in WordPress’s Development
6. [01:15:00] Community Engagement and Decision-Making in WordPress
7. [01:30:00] Reflecting on WordPress’s Path Forward
8. [01:45:00] Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

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In this episode of WP Minute+, Justin Ferriman discusses his business ventures, including founding LearnDash and his latest project, BrightGrowth.

We’ll also discuss GapScout, an AI tool for software businesses to analyze customer reviews, which didn’t go the way he had hoped. He’s now selling GapScout due to development hurdles and legal issues with review site policy changes, leaving him with a small taste of failure.

Ferriman has pivoted to consulting, using his strengths in marketing and strategy to coach startup founders, offering personalized advice and roundtable discussions, despite the approach’s intentional lack of scalability.

His key advice for WordPress entrepreneurs is to leverage personal strengths, be passionate about work, and be discerning in client and service selection for maintaining high standards.

Key Takeaways

• Justin explains how he is now selling his business GapScout after running into challenges building complex AI technology and changes to review site terms and conditions.
• The GapScout experience left Justin feeling defeated but taught him to focus on what really energizes him in business.
• Justin has transitioned to coaching and consulting for startup founders, playing to his strengths in marketing, growth strategies and maximizing profits.
• He is being very selective about who he works with through warm outreach and relationship building vs trying to scale massively.
• For WordPress entrepreneurs, takeaways are to focus on your strengths, cut out parts of business you dislike, and be selective about services you realistically can deliver at a high level.
• Justin leverages Medium for content marketing and gets great organic reach without having to worry about blogging or SEO himself.
• Overall it’s a story of reinvention, lessons learned from failure, and the importance of playing to your strengths as an entrepreneur.

Important links

• LearnDash – Justin’s previous business that was acquired: https://www.learndash.com/
• GapScout – Justin’s latest business that is now for sale: https://www.gapscout.com/
• Bright Growth – Justin’s current coaching/consulting business: https://www.brightgrowth.com/
• Justin’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/justinferriman
• WP Minute Slack Group: [https://thewpminute.com/support
• Medium – Platform Justin is using for content marketing: https://medium.com/
• Pressnomics Conference – Where Justin and host previously chatted: https://www.pressnomics.com/

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Managed WooCommerce hosting is a growing segment within the WordPress ecosystem. And it has a new entrant: WooCommerce. The Automattic-owned eCommerce provider recently launched WooExpress.

The service is hosted by WordPress.com. It aims to be a one-stop shop for building and maintaining an online store. Packages start at $40 per month with discounts for paying annually. A selection of pre-installed extensions and themes are included.

Sarah Gooding of WP Tavern reports that WooExpress’ starting price is higher than entry-level products from GoDaddy and Bluehost. However, the most expensive package ($70 per month) comes in below GoDaddy’s premium tiers.

Beyond its name recognition, WooExpress may enjoy a few advantages over competitors:

As we reported last week, the price of WooCommerce extensions is going up. Bundling popular titles built by WooCommerce is likely to attract value-conscious store owners.

Meanwhile, its beefed-up hosting infrastructure was already in place. WordPress.com has been offering packages that include WooCommerce for some time. That’s likely to cut down on growing pains.

Lastly, ownership’s vast internal knowledge of WooCommerce and WordPress is a win for customers.

How will WooExpress fare? How will its competitors respond? The WP Minute will keep you posted.

Links You Shouldn’t Miss

SEO plugin maker Yoast announced the departure of former CEO Marieke van de Rakt. Under her watch, the company was acquired by Newfold Digital in 2021. van de Rakt will now turn her focus to investing in open source, sustainable, and female-led companies via Emilia Capital. In a related note, Yoast founder Joost de Valk announced that he too is stepping away from Newfold to focus on entrepreneurship.

Security firm Sucuri published a detailed report regarding the abuse of an abandoned WordPress plugin. The Eval PHP plugin hasn’t seen an update in a decade, but it’s being leveraged by malicious actors to install malware. The report also questions the wisdom of leaving similar plugins in the official repository long after abandonment.

WordPress.com launched a website building service back in 2021. It was a controversial topic at the time, with some freelancers wondering if their businesses would be impacted. The service initially aimed for the mid-range market, with prices starting at $4,900. Now they appear to be targeting the lower end of the market as well, with a $499 Built By WordPress.com "Express" package. The package promises a 5-page website built within 4 business days. Thanks to WP Minute Member Paul Lacey for reporting this development.

From the Grab Bag

Now it’s time to take a look at some other interesting topics shared by our contributors.   

• 
  CertifyWP has launched the WordPress Management and Design Credentialing Exam. The $150.00 exam aims to certify those knowledgeable in front-end WordPress development. The organization also offers an optional course to help learners prepare for the exam. 
• There have long been calls for a well-organized notification system for WordPress. Project core contributor Joe Bailey-Roberts provided an update on such efforts over on the Make WordPress blog.
• How can WordPress developers leverage AI tools? WP Engine Builders will hold a virtual event on April 28 to discuss the possibilities.
• Big changes to Twitter’s verification system have been in the news. Users who haven’t purchased the Twitter Blue service are now missing those famous blue checks next to their name. WordPress co-founder and Tumblr CEO Matt Mullenweg recently explained why he’s now a Twitter Blue subscriber.
• Mark Westguard, founder of the WS Form plugin, shared some thoughts about the cost of sponsoring WordCamps. Westguard has questioned the affordability for small businesses.
• When it comes to SEO, page experience has been mentioned as a factor in recent years. However, Google recently removed it from their ranking systems page.
• What does a “power user” think of Gutenberg in its current form? Torque Magazine’s Nick Schäferhoff published a review that points out the good and bad.
• We’ve all seen software and services that use urgency as a marketing tool. The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has offered advice pointing out what is and isn’t permissible.

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In this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt welcomes Nat Miletic, founder of Clio Websites, to discuss the challenges and strategies for scaling a WordPress agency in 2025. Nat shares insights into the evolution of WordPress development, the role of AI in agency workflows, and how agencies can adapt to a rapidly changing digital landscape. He emphasizes the importance of standardizing workflows, focusing on client relationships, and leveraging AI to streamline operations while maintaining the human touch.

The conversation also covers the ongoing debate around page builders vs. custom development, why clients are drawn to platforms like Webflow, and how agency owners can differentiate themselves in a crowded market. Nat highlights the need for agencies to specialize, build efficient processes, and offer value beyond just website development. He also shares his experience growing Clio Websites from a solo venture to a thriving agency, including his hiring strategy and project management approach.

Key Takeaways

WordPress Agency Challenges & Growth:

• WordPress remains a powerful CMS, but fragmentation in tools and workflows can be overwhelming.
• Specializing in a particular stack (like Elementor or Bricks) helps streamline development and improve efficiency.
• Scaling requires hiring the right people and removing bottlenecks in workflow management.

AI & Automation in Web Development:

• AI is a valuable tool for SEO, content creation, and code assistance, but it won’t replace human creativity.
• Agencies should embrace AI to optimize processes, but client relationships remain a key differentiator.
• Future pricing models may factor in AI usage, with clients choosing between human-led and AI-assisted development.

Competing with DIY Platforms & Other CMSs:

• Platforms like Webflow and Wix appeal to clients due to their branding and perceived simplicity.
• Education is key—agencies must communicate the long-term benefits of WordPress over closed ecosystems.
• Many businesses prefer expert-built solutions rather than relying on DIY website builders.

Scaling a WordPress Agency:

• The key to agency growth is hiring strategically and standardizing processes.
• Transparent pricing and client pre-qualification save time and lead to better-fit projects.
• Implement clear project management structures and defined SOPs (standard operating procedures) to improve workflow efficiency.

Important Links

• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe
• Connect with Nat Miletic:
  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natmiletic
  Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/NatMiletic
• Clio Websites: https://cliowebsites.com/

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Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. 

In this episode of The WP Minute Plus podcast, host Matt Medeiros interviews Aaron Edwards about his AI products DocsBot.ai and Imajinn.ai.

Aaron shares his background working in WordPress for over a decade, including serving as CTO of WPMU Dev. He then discusses how DocsBot allows users to train chatbots with their own company data to use for customer support, sales, and internal knowledge. Aaron talks about the process of training the bots, pricing plans for WordPress businesses, and surprises when selling to enterprise customers.

Chapter Markers:

• 0:00 – Intro
• 1:01 – Welcoming Aaron Edwards
• 1:03 – Using this as an AI therapy session
• 1:24 – Aaron’s background in WordPress
• 2:22 – WPMU Dev’s white label reseller hosting plans
• 3:35 – Training chatbots with your own data
• 5:04 – Using retrieval to provide factual answers
• 8:07 – Letting chatbots index your content
• 10:38 – Typical Doc Spot customers and use cases
• 12:02 – The process for training a DocsBot
• 13:15 – Bringing your own OpenAI key
• 15:15 – Ethics of competitors using your content
• 16:41 – Focusing on driving intent vs. informational content
• 18:11 – AI-generated content and SEO
• 20:23 – Creating helpful content with or without AI
• 22:33 – Selling DocsBot plans to WordPress businesses
• 25:26 – Surprises when selling to enterprise customers
• 28:51 – Flexible ways to integrate DocsBot bots
• 29:36 – Potentially expanding to other AI services
• 32:42 – Where to find Aaron and his AI products

Other Important Links:

• The WP Minute Slack – https://thewpminute.com/support
• Aaron on Twitter – https://twitter.com/uglyRobotDev

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