Join us in this engaging episode as we welcome Mark Westguard, founder of WS Form, a powerful WordPress form plugin. Mark takes us through his journey from running an agency since 1996 to transitioning into product development with WS Form. He shares insights on the plugin’s evolution over the past seven years, highlighting its unique features, challenges faced, and the importance of customer feedback in driving innovation.

Discover how WS Form stands out in a saturated market, the role of AI in web development, and strategies for effective support and community building. Whether you're a developer, a WordPress enthusiast, or someone interested in the dynamic world of web solutions, this conversation offers invaluable perspectives.

Join us in this insightful episode of 'Within WordPress' as we welcome back Raquel for the second time. We delve deep into her experience organizing the inspiring PressConf event, which featured two conference days and unique activities like a VIP day and a gathering day.

Raquel shares her personal journey, the challenges, and the uplifting moments of the event. She also provides insights into the selection process for speakers, emphasizing vulnerability, human connection, and future tech in WordPress.

Don't miss out on hearing what made this conference one of the most challenging yet rewarding for both organizers and attendees. Whether you're a seasoned WordPress veteran or new to the community, there's something valuable in this episode for everyone.

In this episode of 'Within WordPress,' the focus is on AI's evolving role within the WordPress ecosystem. Host engages in a detailed conversation with James LePage, AI Lead at Automatic and co-team lead for WordPress.org's AI team. They discuss the recent announcement of the formation of the AI make team coinciding with WordPress's 22nd anniversary.

James shares his journey from founding WPAI to its integration with Automatic, the challenges and triumphs of developing AI tools for WordPress, and his vision for the future with the AI Make Team for WordPress.org.

We also dive a bit deeper into such as the functionality of agents, AI tools optimization, and the potential transformative impacts on WordPress's core and user experience are thoroughly explored. This episode offers valuable insights for developers, business owners, and anyone interested in the future of AI and WordPress.

Join us in this insightful episode as we sit down with Alex, the founder of ScaleMath, to explore topics ranging from effective YouTube greetings to the ongoing advancements in AI for content creation. Alex shares his journey from being a WordPress user in 2012 to founding a Content & Marketing partner providing strategy, product, customer experience, UX, and more.

We delve deep into the role of AI in revolutionizing content research, creation, and optimization, and discuss the development of Workover, a tool designed to enhance content management systems.

Listen in to discover how AI is set to impact the future of content creation, workflow automation, and beyond.

00:00 Introduction and YouTube Greetings
02:07 Welcome to Within WordPress
03:10 Meet Alex: Founder of Scale Math
04:16 Scale Math's Clientele and Services
12:50 The Impact of AI on Content Creation
24:22 The Vibe Coding Trend: Helpful or Harmful?
24:49 Understanding Vibe Coding and Its Tools
25:26 The Risks and Benefits of Vibe Coding
27:41 The Role of Experienced Developers in Vibe Coding
30:39 AI in Content Creation: Opportunities and Challenges
33:32 Deep Research Mode: A Game Changer?
44:10 Building AI Tools for Content Management
47:51 The Future of AI in Content Production
52:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this insightful episode, we dive deep into the world of email marketing with Tadas from Omnisend. We discuss the importance of flexibility, the critical role of data, and how Omnisend helps e-commerce businesses thrive. Tadas sheds light on the core functionalities of Omnisend, including capturing customer data, automation, segmentation, and personalized messaging.

We also explore the common misconceptions about email marketing and why having multiple, targeted automations can significantly boost your revenue.

Learn how to effectively use A/B testing, the nuances of different e-commerce platforms, and why continuous experimentation is key to perfecting your email marketing strategy. Ideal for e-commerce owners and marketers looking to enhance their email marketing game.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:05 Omnisend Overview
01:30 Email Marketing and Segmentation
08:12 Hackathon Experience
12:19 WordPress Staging Environment Manager
20:59 Challenges in Plugin Development
25:51 Email Marketing Strategies
32:19 Capturing and Engaging Customers
34:49 The Power of Welcome Messages
35:23 Personalized Campaigns for Newcomers
36:11 Recovering Lost Sales: Abandoned Cart and Checkout
38:17 Advanced Personalization Strategies
40:02 The Importance of Data-Driven Email Marketing
42:00 Expanding Beyond Basic Automations
49:48 Effective Use of A/B Testing
56:11 Maximizing Customer Engagement with Automation
56:24 The Role of Transactional Emails
01:01:06 Capturing Emails and Customer Data
01:05:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Join us for an engaging episode of 'Within WordPress,' where we talk to Milana Cap, a well-known figure in the WordPress community. In this episode, Milana shares her journey, insights, and tips on various advanced WordPress topics such as WP-CLI, Interactivity API, and HTML API.

From her unique approach to presentations to her thoughts on the future of WordPress development, Milana provides invaluable guidance for both new and seasoned developers.

Don't miss out on these expert insights that can help you elevate your WordPress skills!

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:52 Meet Milana: A WordPress Contributor
04:11 Diving into WP-CLI
06:52 Command Line Tips and Tricks
10:45 Advanced WP-CLI Usage
23:00 Exploring WordPress APIs
25:49 Understanding Gutenberg Blocks
26:13 Challenges with Block Interactivity
27:52 Interactivity API: A Game Changer
30:23 HTML API: The Future of Front-End Development
37:48 The Importance of Documentation
43:40 Embracing the Block Editor
47:05 Navigating Modern Web Development
52:16 Concluding Thoughts

In this episode of 'Within WordPress,' I sit down with Kevin Geary, CEO of Digital Gravy, to discuss the future of WordPress development. Kevin introduces 'Etch,' a new visual development environment that integrates coding and design, geared towards professionals and aspiring professionals.

We explore the limitations of current page builders, the importance of a unified workflow, and the game-changing potential of Etch. Kevin also shares insights on the current state and future needs of WordPress, including UI improvements and deeper CMS functionalities.

Join us for a comprehensive look into how Etch aims to redefine web design and development in the WordPress ecosystem.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
00:36 Kevin Geary's Background and Role
01:15 Understanding Visual Development Environments
03:23 The Ideal User for Etch
06:16 Challenges with Traditional Page Builders
08:18 Etch's Unique Features and Benefits
13:02 Component Functionality in Etch
20:39 Educational Approach and Market Fit
32:28 The Genesis of Stable Sites
33:18 Adapting and Rebuilding Themes
34:09 Challenges with Complex Sites
35:29 Custom Block Development
36:05 The Role of JavaScript and AI
38:29 The Future of WordPress
46:09 AI in Development Workflows
54:38 The Need for UI and CMS Improvements
01:02:37 Reflections and Final Thoughts

In this episode, we welcome back Ian Svoboda from the Generate Press team to discuss the latest innovations and challenges in WordPress block editing. Dive deep into the advancements made in Generate Blocks 2.0, from enhancing usability with global and local styles to overcoming technical debt.

Ian shares how the team navigated limitations within the block editor, their unique solutions, and insights for developers looking to extend WordPress functionalities.

Tune in to understand how you can push the boundaries of the WordPress block editor and deliver more powerful, adaptable solutions.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back
00:24 Discussing the Block Editor
00:48 Introducing the New Product Release
02:35 Technical Challenges and Solutions
04:04 Global Styles and Local Blocks
06:51 Version 2.0: A Major Overhaul
12:51 Developer Insights and Advice
26:49 Interactivity API and Implementation
30:28 Custom Pagination Solutions
31:39 Performance Optimization Techniques
33:09 Standardizing UI Components
38:31 Font Library Feature
41:15 Creative Problem Solving with APIs
48:55 Guiding Principles in Development
52:45 Future Hopes for Core Development
54:59 Conclusion and Recommendations

In this episode of Within WordPress, we sit down with Wes Tatters, the mastermind behind Rapyd Cloud, to talk about what really goes into top-tier WordPress hosting. Wes shares his journey through the tech world—from the early days of the internet with platforms like BuddyBoss to building high-performance hosting solutions tailored for WordPress.

We break down the real challenges of handling high-traffic WordPress sites, the common pitfalls that slow them down, and how Rapyd Cloud is working to make scalable, efficient hosting a reality. Along the way, Wes takes us on a nostalgic ride through the evolution of the web, reminiscing about Netscape, AOL, and the days when HTML and JavaScript were just getting started.

If you love geeking out over tech, performance, and the future of WordPress, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

01:05 Meet Wes Tatters: From Rapyd Cloud to BuddyBoss
02:15 The Evolution of WordPress and Hosting Challenges
04:14 A Journey Through Early Computing and Media
09:17 Navigating the Internet: From CompuServe to Netscape
15:29 The Rise of JavaScript and Web Development
25:53 BuddyBoss: Transforming WordPress Communities
31:30 From Microsoft ASP to WordPress
34:34 Discovering WordPress and Initial Challenges
35:06 Understanding Dynamic Sites and Hosting Needs
36:12 The Problem with Traditional Hosting Solutions
37:50 Addressing Hosting Challenges with Rapyd Cloud
39:50 The Race to the Bottom in Hosting
42:25 Innovations in Hosting Technology
50:17 The Complexity of WordPress Data Structures
56:09 Solving Root Problems in WordPress Hosting
01:02:51 The Future of WordPress and Hosting
01:06:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Within WordPress, we feature Christos, a performance engineer at Presidium. Join us as we explore the intricate details of WordPress caching.

From backend layers like Redis and Varnish to the front-end optimizations using plugins such as WP Rocket, we cover it all. Learn about the challenges and strategies for achieving optimal performance in WordPress websites, including handling logged-in users, capacity planning, and more.

Whether you're a developer or a site owner, this episode is packed with insights to help you fine-tune your WordPress site's speed and reliability.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:42 Christos' Background and Early Career
01:23 Getting Serious with WordPress
03:06 Performance Engineering at Presidium
03:54 Load Testing and Capacity Planning
04:28 Understanding K6 and Protocol-Based Testing
05:17 Challenges in Performance Metrics
07:50 Real User Behavior and Testing
09:32 Caching Strategies and Issues
17:49 Advanced Caching Techniques
21:35 Varnish vs. Cloudflare
28:43 Redis and Object Caching
36:16 Cache Invalidation and Browser Caching
40:22 Understanding Static Sites and Caching
40:55 Challenges with Long-Term Caching
41:46 Performance Optimization Insights
42:33 Plugin Warnings and Best Practices
43:27 Caching Solutions and Preferences
44:48 Advanced Caching Techniques
46:15 Client-Specific Performance Strategies
48:50 The Role of CDNs in Performance
54:10 Fragment Caching and Collaboration
57:21 Final Thoughts on Performance Optimization