WP Townhall

In this episode, Robert DeVore joins us to face off in a friendly but spirited debate about WordPress website pricing!Kevin and Robert recently had a back-and-forth on X about whether $5K should be the minimum price for professional websites, so we're bringing them together to hash it out live. Read the full thread on X here: https://x.com/thekevingeary/status/1911757639068889327Whether you're a WordPress developer, agency owner, or small business looking for website solutions, this conversation impacts you!Want to participate in the next episode? Follow @thekevingeary and @markjszymanski on X and look for WP Townhall Spaces scheduled events. Visit wptownhall.show for upcoming episodes and additional resources.

Jake Goldman, Founder of 10up and now a partner at Fuel, discusses the intricacies of scaling WordPress agencies and the importance of recurring revenue. He shares his strategies for serving enterprise clients and the evolution of programming influenced by AI. The podcast delves into the future of web projects, emphasizing the significance of adaptability in a fast-changing landscape. Goldman also addresses the shift toward gated content in media publishing and the critical connection between publishing and product sales.

Dive into the flawed foundation of page builders that frustrate users and stifle creativity. Discover how misconceptions can derail functionality and the urgent need for innovation in web development tools. Learn about the groundbreaking Etch platform that merges beginner-friendly design with advanced coding capabilities. The discussion emphasizes the importance of professionalism, understanding web design fundamentals, and the changing landscape shaped by AI in the world of web creation.

Matt Medeiros, who works at GravityForms and hosts The WP Minute, tackles whether social media has dominated the content landscape. He discusses the shift from traditional websites to platforms like TikTok and Instagram, emphasizing the importance of content ownership. The conversation dives into the challenges creators face with algorithm-driven feeds, the evolving roles of audio and video, and how engagement is paramount in this new era. Matt stresses that authentic content triumphs over superficial metrics, making a case for personal web presence in building meaningful connections.

In this discussion, Mike McAlister, creator of the Ollie block theme for WordPress, shares his journey from designer to developer. He dives into the shift from code to no-code solutions and the implications for web design accessibility. The conversation explores the challenges of maintaining quality amidst democratization, and how simplified tools might leave some users behind. Mike emphasizes the balance between client control and professional guidance, as well as the need for better communication about WordPress's capabilities.

On this episode of WP Townhall, we chatted with Chris Pearson, a name that might ring some bells – he created the first million-dollar WordPress theme and made waves in 2010 during his GPL licensing dispute with Matt Mullenweg. We dove into Chris's provocative take on why modern websites are broken, exploring how the rise of social media has fundamentally changed user behavior and why he believes this requires a complete rethinking of web design. Things got particularly interesting when Chris shared his perspective on horizontal layouts, navigation menus, and his theory that websites are no longer destinations but rather "off-ramps" from social media and email. We also explored his new web platform project, which sparked a fascinating discussion about open source, licensing, and the future of web development. Matt Medeiros joined us near the end to bring up open source philosophy and what it really means in practice. Throughout the episode, Chris challenged conventional wisdom about web design and content management systems, offering a unique perspective that, whether you agree with it or not, provides plenty to think about.Want to participate in the next episode? Follow @thekevingeary and @markjszymanski on X and look for WP Townhall Spaces scheduled events. Visit wptownhall.show for upcoming episodes and additional resources.

In this episode of WP Townhall, we're discussing Kevin's "3-3-3 plan" for improving WordPress. Our conversation examines three key issues: neglect of core CMS functionality, challenges with the block editor implementation, and insufficient emphasis on design/UX.We explore potential solutions including native custom post types, improved content management tools, and unified UI/UX standards. The discussion covers WordPress's evolution from a blogging platform to powering business websites, with guest speakers like Patrick Gallagher providing insights on the feasibility of forking WordPress. We tackle the dynamics between WordPress's open source nature and commercial interests, examining Matt Mullenweg's leadership and its impact on the platform's development. The conversation highlights different perspectives on WordPress's future direction while maintaining focus on practical improvements. We conclude with a discussion of video content hosting and distribution strategies for WordPress sites.Want to participate in the next episode? Follow @thekevingeary and @markjszymanski on X and look for WP Townhall Spaces scheduled events. Visit wptownhall.show for upcoming episodes and additional resources.

In this episode of WP Townhall, we're joined by special guest Mark Westguard, creator of WS Form, to explore the anatomy of a great forms plugin. Mark, known for his expertise in WordPress form development and exceptional customer support, shares insights from his six-year journey building one of WordPress's most respected form solutions. The discussion delves into various aspects of form development, including WS Form's powerful conditional logic system, extensive field customization options, and deep integration capabilities with platforms like WooCommerce and custom field plugins. Our conversation explores how WS Form tackles complex challenges like accessibility, responsive design, and dynamic form building. Throughout the episode, we examine crucial topics such as the recent CSS styling overhaul, AI integration through OpenAI, and the future of form development in WordPress. Mark shares valuable insights from his extensive experience helping agencies and developers build sophisticated form solutions, while maintaining a focus on user experience and code quality. Join us for this in-depth exploration of modern form development, where we discuss best practices, technical innovations, and how WS Form is pushing the boundaries of what's possible with forms in WordPress.Want to participate in the next episode? Follow @thekevingeary and @markjszymanski on X and look for WP Townhall Spaces scheduled events. Visit wptownhall.show for upcoming episodes and additional resources.

In this episode of WP Townhall, we're joined by special guest Adam Preiser to explore the current state of e-commerce in WordPress. Adam, known for his expertise in WordPress e-commerce solutions (SureCart, SureMembers, SureTriggers) and educational content (WP Crafter), shares his insights on the evolving landscape of online selling within the WordPress ecosystem.The discussion delves into various aspects of WordPress e-commerce, including WooCommerce, emerging alternatives like SureCart, and outside solutions like Shopify. Our conversation explores the challenges faced by store owners, developers, and agencies when building and maintaining e-commerce sites on WordPress.Throughout the episode, we examine crucial topics such as performance optimization for e-commerce sites, the role of page builders in online stores, and the future of WordPress as an e-commerce platform. Adam shares valuable insights from his extensive experience helping others build successful online stores and his perspective on where the industry is heading.Join us for this in-depth exploration of WordPress e-commerce, where we discuss best practices, common pitfalls to avoid, and predictions for the future of online selling in the WordPress space.Want to participate in the next episode? Follow @thekevingeary and @markjszymanski on X and look for WP Townhall Spaces scheduled events. Visit wptownhall.show for upcoming episodes and additional resources.

A lively debate exploring the implications of people being able to easily set up shop in the web design industry. Is it a good thing? Is it a bad thing? Is it good for the industry long-term, or not? And what challenges do our clients face under this model?Throughout the show, we examine questions about the value of formal education in web design, the importance of understanding underlying web technologies, and the balance between democratizing web design and maintaining professional standards.We encourage listeners to share their own experiences and opinions on this topic, whether they're seasoned professionals, newcomers to the field, or business owners.Join us for this insightful exploration of one of the most relevant discussions in today's digital landscape, as we ponder whether the ease of entry into web design is a boon for innovation or a challenge to professional standards.Want to participate in the next episode? Follow @thekevingeary and @markjszymanski on X and look for WP Townhall Spaces scheduled events. Visit wptownhall.show for upcoming episodes and additional resources.