Since 2008, we’ve been building websites that not only meet but exceed our clients’ expectations. Our team stays ahead of the curve by adopting the latest WordPress innovations. This ensures our clients benefit from cutting-edge features and a platform built to last.

Our mission is your success. We accomplish this by creating custom solutions that truly fit each client’s unique needs. This includes developing new (or custom-built) plugins, enhancing themes, and tailoring designs.

Embracing Change: Block and Site Editor as the Foundation

We are always looking for ways to push the boundaries of what WordPress can do. That’s why we’ve fully embraced WordPress Block Themes that bring the Block Editor and Site Editor’s visual editing capabilities to the forefront.

The introduction of the Block Editor was a game-changer! It shifted away from the classic, text-based editor to a more intuitive, modular approach. Now, creating complex layouts with text, images, videos, and other media is as simple as stacking blocks together.

This shift has made WordPress more accessible, empowering everyone—from beginners to seasoned pros. Anyone can craft rich, dynamic content without writing a single line of code. The Block Editor isn’t just an upgrade; it’s become the new standard for building and maintaining websites.

WordPress didn’t stop there.

Building on the Block Editor’s success, the Site Editor takes things a step further. It extends visual editing capabilities to the entire website design. With the Site Editor, users can design and customize every aspect of their website. That includes headers, footers, templates, and individual page elements. All of this is done directly within WordPress through a cohesive visual interface.

This evolution has turned WordPress into a powerhouse of flexibility. Users can achieve professional-grade designs without third-party page builders or heavy custom coding. By embracing WordPress Block Themes that are fully compatible with both the Block and Site Editors, we’re unlocking the full potential of WordPress. This means we can continue to deliver visually stunning and highly functional websites that meet the modern demands of our clients.

WebDevStudios Block Theme

We have always maintained our own theme framework for our client work. The framework we’ve been using for years is called wd_s, which is a starter theme that we forked from Automattic’s _s.

It served us well for several years, building themes the PHP way. We watched as the WordPress Block Editor evolved and the Site Editor became a reality.

In late 2023, we realized that our ol’ standard theme framework wasn’t going to cut it anymore. We faced three choices: updating wd_s to support modern WordPress capabilities, creating our own WordPress Block Theme, or selecting an existing theme currently on the market.

Ultimately, we created our own WordPress Block Theme. At first, we drew inspiration from Brian Gardner’s Powder theme. But we quickly realized that, while a very solid theme in its own right, it wasn’t set up for what we needed in our developer toolkit to keep in line with how we work.

WDS BT stands for WebDevStudios Block Theme.

WDS BT can be found in our WDS BT GitHub repo. We also set the theme up on a demo site, which allows us to showcase it when we talk to our clients about WordPress, Block Themes, Block Patterns, and more.

WDS BT is a product of the hard work of our engineering team, spearheaded by JC Palmes, Engineering Manager. A big thanks goes to JC for all her hard work and dedication in making our new Block Theme come to life!

Stylish and Tailored for WordPress

WDS BT is a stylish block theme tailored for WordPress that features native blocks and compatibility with the Site Editor. With a contemporary aesthetic, an intuitive interface, and seamless integration with the WordPress Block Editor, WDS BT ensures a polished and adaptable framework across all devices.

It’s crucial to understand that WDS BT is crafted as a foundational theme rather than a parent theme. This difference affords users a flexible starting point for customization.

Standard Development Tools Included

We equipped it with essential tools like NPM, Node, Composer, and Sass. These tools enable us to:

• Register block styles.
• Override or customize core block styles.
• Create block variations.
• Use mixins for responsive media queries.
• Implement Stylelint for consistent SCSS styles.
• Automated Versioning process designed to increment the BUILD number automatically upon merges to the main branch.
• Built-in WDS Block Template Creation Script

Full Design System Baked In

We created a full design system integrated into the theme, a departure from what we did with wd_s. This ensures that all core blocks and default templates have consistent styles. Normally, theme frameworks are plain and without much styling built into them.

However, for WDS BT, we wanted a starter theme with standard, consistent, and default styling for all core blocks out of the box. These default styles will provide a foundation for customizing client projects moving forward.

Manage Design at Scale

A design system is like the blueprint for your digital product’s look and feel, providing a set of guidelines, standards, and specifications that help you manage design at scale. It’s a framework that brings together design principles, patterns, and best practices, enabling designers and developers to create a consistent user experience across your entire website or product. Organizations use design systems to keep their digital products consistent, efficient, and scalable—whether it’s a website, app, or software interface.

What Makes Up a Design System

1. Design Tokens: These are the basic building blocks—like color palettes, typography, and spacing—that define your product’s visual style.

2. UI Components: Consider these as reusable puzzle pieces, like buttons, input fields, modals, and navigation bars. They’re designed to work together, allowing you to build complex user interfaces efficiently.

3. Patterns and Templates: Design patterns are tried-and-true solutions for common usability challenges, while templates are pre-built layouts for specific pages or screens.

4. Guidelines and Documentation: This is the instruction manual that includes design principles, usage guidelines, coding standards, and examples. It ensures everyone involved in the project is on the same page and knows how to use the design system effectively.

5. Tools and Resources: These are the libraries, design files, code snippets, and other resources that make it easy to implement the design system in your projects.

Why a Design System Matters

• Consistency: It standardizes visual elements and interaction patterns, ensuring your product feels cohesive no matter where the user goes.

• Efficiency: A library of reusable components and patterns speeds up your design and development process, cutting down on repetitive work.

• Scalability: As your product grows, a design system makes it easier to add new features and content without losing that consistent look and feel.

• Collaboration: A design system creates a common language for designers, developers, and stakeholders, making collaboration smoother and more effective.

Design systems aren’t static. They’re living, breathing tools that evolve as your product, technology, and user needs change. Keeping a design system relevant requires ongoing maintenance and governance. This ensures it continues to serve its purpose as your product grows and adapts.

Block Themes and Modern WordPress Development

Block Themes are changing the game, bringing a more unified and visual approach to site-building in WordPress. They make it easier for everyone—from users to developers—to create and customize websites without the hassle.

A Block Theme uses Blocks for every part of your site, from navigation menus to headers, content, and footers. These themes are designed to take full advantage of the latest WordPress features, letting you tweak and customize your site’s key elements without ever needing to switch themes.

Unlike old-school themes that leaned heavily on PHP templates and custom theme options, Block Themes are built almost entirely with blocks. This means you can edit nearly every aspect of your site’s design and content right through the Block Editor, giving you a more intuitive and visual design experience.

Some Key Features of Block Themes

1. Site Editor: Block Themes are designed to support the Site Editor in WordPress, allowing users to customize all parts of their site directly in the editor. This includes headers, footers, post templates, and more without editing theme files or using custom code.
2. Block-Based Templates: Instead of PHP templates, Block Themes use block-based templates. These templates are made up of Blocks and can be edited visually through the site editor.
3. Theme.json Support: Block Themes utilize a theme.json file. This configuration file allows theme developers to define custom settings and style options that can be used throughout the theme, including colors, typography, layout controls, and Block settings.
4. Global Styles and Settings: Users can globally customize styles and settings across their entire site, including fonts, colors, and layout configurations, directly within the WordPress admin interface.
5. Accessibility and Responsiveness: Many Block Themes are designed with accessibility and responsiveness in mind, ensuring that sites are accessible to all users and work well on various devices and screen sizes.
6. Simplified Theme Development: For developers, creating a Block Theme can be more straightforward than creating traditional themes. It relies on Blocks and a theme.json configuration, reducing the need for complex PHP coding and allowing for more direct manipulation of the site’s appearance.

Block Editor

Here’s a breakdown of what makes the Block Editor so powerful:

1. Block-Based Editing: The Block Editor is all about Blocks. Every piece of content—text, images, or videos—is a block you can easily add, arrange, and style. This gives you total control over how your posts and pages look and feel.

2. Wide Range of Blocks: Out of the box, the Block Editor comes loaded with various Blocks, from basic text and images to more complex elements like tables, columns, and embeds. This means you can build rich, dynamic layouts without touching a line of code.

3. Custom Blocks: For those who want to go a step further, developers can create custom Blocks that extend the editor’s capabilities even more. These Blocks can be tailored to fit specific site needs, bringing in custom functionality and designs that align perfectly with your vision.

4. Live Editing Experience: The Block Editor provides a true WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) experience. As you build your content, you see exactly how it will appear to your visitors, making real-time adjustments and tweaks. This live preview helps you ensure everything looks just right before hitting publish.

5. Block Patterns and Templates: The Block Editor also supports Block Patterns and templates, as well as predesigned Block layouts you can drop into your content and customize. This is perfect for quickly building complex layouts without starting from scratch.

6. Accessibility and Usability: The Block Editor is designed with accessibility in mind, making it easy for users of all skill levels to jump in and start creating. It adheres to web accessibility standards, ensuring a smooth, user-friendly experience for everyone.

7. Site Editor: With the evolution of the Block Editor, the Site Editor now lets you use Blocks to edit not just posts and pages but also site-wide elements like headers, footers, and sidebars. This brings everything together, offering a more holistic, intuitive site-building experience.

The Block Editor represents a major leap forward in creating and managing content in WordPress. Furthermore, it’s designed to be visual, intuitive, and flexible, empowering both beginners and experienced developers to craft engaging web content and layouts with ease.

Patterns

In WordPress and the Block Editor (Gutenberg), “patterns” are like ready-made block layouts that you can drop into your posts and pages. These Patterns are essentially collections of Blocks that are already arranged in specific ways to create a certain design or functionality.

The beauty of Patterns is that they simplify the content creation process. Instead of building complex layouts from scratch, you can just insert a Pattern and customize it to fit your needs. It’s a fast, efficient way to get your desired design without all the heavy lifting.

The Lowdown on Patterns in WordPress

1. Predefined Layouts: Patterns offer ready-made designs that combine different Blocks into a cohesive layout. These can be as simple as a row of buttons or as complex as a full-featured contact section with text, images, and a form—all setup and ready to go.

2. Time-Saving: Patterns are a huge time-saver. Instead of adding and configuring each Block individually, you can drop in a complete Pattern and tweak it to fit your needs. It’s a fast track to creating visually appealing and functional layouts without the hassle.

3. Customization: While Patterns come with predefined layouts, they’re fully customizable. You can add, remove, or adjust any Block within a pattern to match your content and design preferences, giving you the flexibility to make it your own.

4. Consistency: Patterns help keep your design consistent across your site. Using the same Pattern for similar sections on different pages ensures a uniform look and feel, making your site feel cohesive and polished.

5. Theme and Plugin Integration: Patterns can come from your WordPress theme, plugins, or even the WordPress core itself. This means when you switch themes or install certain plugins, you might get access to new patterns specifically designed to enhance the theme’s or plugin’s functionality.

6. Community Contributions: WordPress developers and designers can, and have, create and share their own WordPress Patterns with the community. The WordPress Pattern Directory is a treasure trove where you can find and import patterns created by others, opening up even more design possibilities for your site.

7. Ease of Use: Inserting a Pattern into your post or page is a breeze. Just browse through the available patterns in the Block Editor’s Pattern Library. Preview what you like, and insert it with a click. It’s that simple.

Patterns in WordPress are all about making content creation more flexible and user-friendly. They give everyone—from beginners to pros—the tools to create professional-looking layouts without needing to be a tech wizard or a design guru. It’s all about democratizing web design, making it easier and more accessible for everyone to build beautiful, functional websites.

Full-Page Patterns (Layouts)

Full-page Patterns are like having a complete, ready-to-go page layout at your fingertips. Unlike smaller Patterns that might only cover a specific section (like a header, gallery, or testimonial), these are full-blown page templates. They come with everything you need—think hero sections, About sections, services, contact forms, and footers—all laid out for you in one cohesive design.

Full-Page Patterns Are a Game-Changer

1. Comprehensive Layouts: They offer a full layout solution for an entire page, combining multiple sections and content Blocks. This means you can skip the grunt work and quickly have a fully structured page up and running.

2. Variety of Uses: Whether you need a landing page, an About page, a contact page, or a portfolio, full-page Patterns have you covered. They give you a quick way to add and customize content for any purpose, so you’re not starting from scratch.

3. Customization: Although full-page Patterns have a predefined layout, they are fully customizable. You can tweak, add, or remove Blocks to fit your content and style. Make it your own while still saving time.

4. Theme Integration: Many WordPress themes include a selection of full-page Patterns, ensuring they blend seamlessly with your site’s design. This keeps your website looking consistent and polished without extra effort.

5. Time-Saving: Full-page Patterns give you a head start, providing a structured foundation that speeds up the page-building process. You can roll out complex layouts quickly without compromising on quality.

6. Inspiring: If you’re stuck on page design ideas, check out full-page Patterns for inspiration. They show practical examples of how to combine Blocks effectively, helping you create effective layouts.

Full-page Patterns make the WordPress Block Editor even more powerful. It is easier than ever to create professional, well-designed pages without needing a ton of design or development know-how. It’s all part of WordPress’ mission to make web design more accessible and efficient for everyone.

Global Settings & Styles (theme.json)

The theme.json file has also changed the game for WordPress themes. It offers a streamlined way to manage a theme’s appearance and behavior, especially in the Block Editor (Gutenberg).

Introduced in WordPress 5.8, this configuration file lets theme developers set up default styles, settings, and configurations. This provides more control over the design and functionality of a WordPress site without needing a ton of custom code.

Here’s what theme.json can do:

1. Define Global Styles: With theme.json, you can set global styles that apply across your entire site, from colors and typography (fonts, sizes, weights) to layout settings. This ensures your site maintains a consistent look, regardless of the content you add.

2. Configure Block Settings: Developers can define default settings and styles for specific Blocks. You can control how they look and behave right out of the box. You can even decide which Block options users see in the editor or hide certain settings altogether.

3. Control Color Palettes and Gradients: Want custom color palettes or gradients available in the Block Editor? theme.json lets you set these up, making it easy for users to apply your brand’s colors throughout the site.

4. Manage Typography Options: theme.json allows you to specify custom typography options, like font sizes, families, and line heights, which users can easily apply through the Block Editor.

5. Customize Layout and Spacing: From one file, you can control the site’s overall layout. Control content sizing, spacing, and Block supports, like padding and margin.

6. Enable or Disable Block Features: theme.json allows you to globally enable or disable Block features like custom backgrounds, color settings, or link colors.

7. Simplify Theme Development: theme.json simplifies the development process by centralizing much of the theme’s design and functionality settings. It reduces the need for extra CSS and PHP, making it easier to implement and maintain design standards.

8. Enhance Theme Consistency: The theme.json file ensures that your site’s look and feel remain consistent. It maintains this consistency even as users customize and add content with the Block Editor.

The introduction of theme.json is a big step forward in making theme development more efficient and user-friendly. It empowers theme developers to create flexible, consistent designs. At the same time, it gives users the tools to customize their sites without disrupting the design system.

Conclusion

At WebDevStudios, WordPress is more than just a platform—it’s the heartbeat of everything we do. We’re all about pushing boundaries. WebDevStudios believes in embracing innovations like Block Themes, Block and Site Editors, and robust design systems. We aim to build beautiful, functional, consistent, and scalable websites.

Our WDS BT WordPress Block Theme proves our dedication to crafting tailored solutions that meet each client’s unique needs. We maximize WordPress’ potential in every project. As WordPress evolves, we’re right there with it, ensuring that every site we build is ready for the future. By partnering together, let’s create a digital experience that lasts and impresses.

The post Embracing the Future: How WebDevStudios Is Leading with WordPress Block Themes appeared first on WebDevStudios.

Such a reflection holds immense value as it encapsulates the culmination of efforts, the fruition of strategies, and the evolution of our brand. It serves as a compass, guiding us through the successes and challenges encountered and offering invaluable insights into our collective progress.

Beyond mere documentation, this reflective piece becomes a cornerstone—a testament to the dedication, innovation, and collaborative spirit that define our team. Crafting our WordPress agency’s year in review isn’t solely about showcasing our wins. It’s an acknowledgment of the lessons learned, the hurdles overcome, and the pivotal moments that have sculpted our path forward.

This year-in-review report expresses our gratitude to our dedicated team members, clients, and partners whose unwavering support has been instrumental in our shared accomplishments. Let this be a testament to our commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous growth.

Client Wins

From boosting website performance to building custom solutions to deliver stellar user experiences, our team is passionate about helping our clients reach their goals. Because your success is our mission, here is an assortment of client wins achieved in 2023.

Significant Increase in Website Traffic

When The Toy Insider came to WebDevStudios (WDS) for a data migration and website redesign, we aimed to build a user-centric website that meets and exceeds expectations, encouraging users to return and share their positive experiences with others. Since the launch of this redesign, The Toy Insider has reported a 45% increase in website traffic.

Improvements in the User Experience

WebDevStudios has been working closely with Constant Contact on the development and user experience for the Constant Contact Marketing Blog. Some advanced enhancements have been customized search and filtering and navigating by industry that allows their visitors the ability to find exactly what they are looking for. It also wouldn’t be a Constant Contact blog without some target email newsletter integrations. We helped them with that, too!

You guys are rock stars! You have been helping us to figure this out and get the blog in a better place. Thank you! -Constant Contact

Embedded Developers

Working closely with the Wall Street Journal division of News Corp, we have dedicated developers who are embedded in their team to enhance and strengthen their internal engineering team. They lean on our experience with WordPress to provide direction, product enhancements, and consultation for them.

Thank you. Your team is punctual and dependable, participates in all of the meetings, and provides meaningful feedback and recommendations. The insight is valuable to our product and to our development team. WDS is a great asset to our team. -News Corp

Modern Design to Suit a Client’s Demographic

When the NBA approached WebDevStudios for an update to their G League website with the goals of increasing engagement and entertaining users, while updating an outdated design with a new look that was better suited for a modern league, we embraced the challenge!

We provided this revered sports brand with more than a traditional WordPress redesign; we provided a visually compelling and attractive design for a wide-ranging demographic from Boomers to Gen-Z and beyond. WDS accomplished this by diving deep into research of their user base, working directly with their team on user personas, and understanding the user journey and user flow of their website to create a stunning redesign that they can utilize and build on for years to come.

WebDevStudios Celebrates 15 Years of WordPress

Emerging from a simple website service run from a coffee table in New Jersey, WebDevStudios has grown into a formidable WordPress agency crafting incredible websites for renowned brands. Now, 15 years later, WDS proudly supports brands such as NBA, Care.com, and actress Felicia Day. Our design team created specialized logos to commemorate the event.

Additionally, WDS co-founders and WordPress pioneers Brad Williams, CEO, and Lisa Sabin-Wilson, COO, co-authored a blog post where they shared the story of WDS—how it began and where it’s going next.

“Fifteen years for any business is a long time. Our longevity and success are a true testament to the amazing WebDevStudios team members, past and present,” the WDS co-founders say. Read Brad’s and Lisa’s article to learn more about what WebDevStudios has accomplished in the last 15 years.

WordPress Celebrates 20 Years

Just as WDS hit our 15-year mark, WordPress turned 20. Hard to believe, isn’t it?

On May 27, 2023, WordPress officially turned 20, and across the globe, we all celebrated. In-person parties took place to honor the occasion. At WebDevStudios, we participated in Five for the Future on May 26th and released a special congratulatory video to mark WordPress’ 20th anniversary. Check it out below.

WP Search with Algolia Pro Was Released

When WebDevStudios took over and forked the Algolia search WordPress plugin to create WP Search with Algolia, it didn’t take long for it to grow in popularity. So, we knew folks would love to expand its power further. That’s why, in March of last year, we released WP Search with Algolia Pro.

“WebDevStudios understands the commitment required for plugin development,” says Brad, who is not only our CEO but also a co-author of the book “Professional WordPress Plugin Development, 2nd Edition.”

“Not only does our team adhere to the complexities and integrity behind best-practices coding standards, but they also remain dedicated to providing support and continuously testing our plugins,” Brad says, adding, “WDS ensures the stability of all our products. We’re especially excited to launch this premium version of WP Search with Algolia.”

WP Search with Algolia Pro is designed as an extension of WP Search with Algolia, offering even more search capabilities. See the comparison chart below for details.

You can download WP Search with Algolia free at the WordPress Plugin Repo. Purchase WP Search with Algolia Pro at our WordPress plugin shop Pluginize.

Custom Post Type UI Ranks in the Top 50 WordPress Plugins

According to WP-Rankings, and at the time of this publication, Custom Post Type UI (CPTUI) ranks number 48 of all WordPress plugins. With over 1,000,000 active installations and over 16 million downloads, the popularity of CPTUI just continues to grow!

wd_s Hybrid Theme Release

In September 2023, our WordPress agency team introduced wd_s (wdunderscores) version 4.0.0, marking a significant milestone in WordPress theme development. How’s that? Well, in this release, our WordPress starter theme was transformed into a powerful hybrid theme, equipped with the Site Editor and pre-styled core blocks via theme.json. Boom! Your creative possibilities have been enhanced. You’re welcome.

Engineering Manager JC Palmes announced this release on GitHub. Go there to read it and download the WordPress starter theme wd_s.

1,793 Hours Contributed to Five for the Future

We can’t emphasize enough just how important Five for the Future (5FTF) is to WebDevStudios. Launched in 2014, 5FTF drives sustained WordPress growth by encouraging ongoing community contributions. Participants dedicate 5% of their time and resources to the platform’s development, ensuring its evolution as a leading content management system.

Since its start, this initiative has gained traction, supported by entities like our WordPress agency, becoming a core principle that fosters a collaborative culture within the WordPress community. This commitment has notably enhanced WordPress’s innovation, security, and overall improvement, solidifying its standing as a dynamic, community-driven open-source project.

At WDS, the last Friday of every month is dedicated to 5FTF. In 2023, our WordPress agency contributed 1,793 to the initiative.

10 WordCamps

WordCamps are back in a big way. When WordCamp events had to go virtual during the pandemic lockdown, regular organizers, volunteers, speakers, and attendees missed the in-person interaction.

In 2022, in-person WordCamps returned, and the community is back to seeing old friends and making new ones. Last year, WebDevStudios team members organized, spoke at, volunteered for, and attended 10 WordCamps worldwide. Below is every single WordCamp where WDS had a presence, as well as the team member(s) who were there and what role they played.

• WordCamp San José, Costa Rica: Senior Frontend Engineer Alfredo Navas was a speaker
• WordCamp Manila: JC was a speaker.
• WordCamp Mumbai: Frontend Engineer Aslam Doctor attended this event.
• WordCamp Managua: Project Manager Leo Torres volunteered.
• WordCamp Vancouver: Frontend Engineer Jennifer Farhat volunteered.
• WordCamp US: Director of Operations April Williams, Account Manager Laura Byrne, Principal Engineer Sal Ferrarello, Senior Frontend Engineer Marty O’Connor, Brad, and Alfredo were all attendees.
• WordCamp Iloilo: JC was a lead organizer, and WebDevStudios was a sponsor.
• WordCamp Montclair: Laura was an organizer, and Sal was a speaker.
• WordCamp Phoenix: Brad attended along with Marketing Manager Laura Coronado, while Laura B. was a speaker. WebDevStudios was a sponsor.
• WordCamp Asia: JC was a global Lead Organizer, and Laura B. was a speaker. Lead Engineer Ashar Irfan was in attendance.

Attending WordCamp events offers invaluable opportunities for WordPress enthusiasts, developers, and businesses alike. These gatherings serve as hubs for learning, networking, and staying updated on the latest trends and advancements within the WordPress ecosystem.

By participating in workshops, engaging in discussions, and connecting with like-minded individuals and experts, attendees gain insights that fuel their growth, enhance their skills, and foster collaborations. Ultimately, WordCamp events catalyze personal and professional development within the vibrant WordPress community. If you haven’t attended one before, we encourage you to add doing so to your New Year’s resolutions.

29,081 Tacos Given

Imagine if those were real! No, at WebDevStudios, we use an employee reward system called HeyTaco!, which allows our team members to give each other a taco as a show of gratitude or a simple congratulations. These tacos can then be redeemed for gift cards, actual tacos, a day off, and more.

We make our remote work environment work for us by fostering a company culture of collaboration, mentorship, and partnership. HeyTaco! helps to support that by giving us a way to express our appreciation for our teammates.

More in 2024

As we bid farewell to a transformative year marked by growth, change, and collective synchronicity, we reflect on the strides made in sustaining and bolstering the realms of WordPress, open-source initiatives, and internet technology. Through strategic endeavors and mutual aid, our collaborative efforts have fueled progress and innovation, propelling these domains forward.

Thank you for your support by looking over our WordPress agency’s year in review. We eagerly anticipate what more 2024 has in store, we stand poised to embrace the unknown, anticipating new opportunities, challenges, and triumphs that lie ahead. Together, we remain committed to our clients, partners, and the WordPress community by nurturing these ecosystems, fostering growth, and shaping the future of technology with enthusiasm and dedication.

The post WebDevStudios 2023 Year In Review appeared first on WebDevStudios.

If you’re contemplating the transition from classic to block-based themes, it’s essential to understand the key differences that distinguish these two approaches.

Classic Themes

• Classic themes rely on PHP files to manage content display and page structure.
• The template hierarchy governs the organization of template files.
• PHP functions, such as template tags, are employed to render content.

Block-Themes

• Block-based themes employ HTML files to create adaptable and flexible blocks for different parts of a website.
• While adhering to the template hierarchy, blocks form the fundamental building blocks for all content, with the post-content block taking the place of the_content().
• While text in HTML files is not natively translatable, block patterns can utilize PHP functions to address translation needs.

It’s essential to acknowledge that classic themes retain their significance within the WordPress ecosystem. However, adopting block-themes offers advantages in terms of scalability, performance, and streamlined customization without undermining the strengths of PHP.

Illustrating the Difference Between Classic and Block-Based Themes

To provide a visual representation of the distinction between classic and block-based themes, let’s take a look at two WordPress themes: TwentyTwentyOne (classic) and TwentyTwentyThree (block-based).

As you can see, there is a significant difference in the language used between a classic theme and a block-based theme. In a classic theme, all template files are in PHP, whereas in a block theme, they are not. If we take a closer look, we may wonder: where is the functions.php file? And where do all my functions go?

In block themes, the necessity for a functions.php file is no longer mandatory. However, you have the flexibility to include functions.php in your block theme if you require actions such as enqueuing stylesheets or JavaScript, adding custom block styles and image sizes, or utilizing hooks.

Now, let’s examine the updated hierarchy and template files in block themes. We’ve reorganized the index, page, single, and other templates into a tidy ‘templates’ folder. The former ‘template-parts’ directory is now ‘parts’ in the block theme.

Comparing index.php and index.html

Our focus now shifts to a side-by-side comparison of index.php and index.html files, where we encounter the most noticeable divergences.

Let’s break down these differences as highlighted in the image above:

1. The function get_header() has transformed into a template part, which serves as a block type for organizing your website. As a container block, it displays other blocks within specific sections like the site header or footer. In the header, you’ll find a template part where the Site Logo Block and Navigation Block are grouped and wrapped together. Begin with a blank header.html and place it in the ‘parts’ folder. WordPress programmatically generates a template part block from this file, allowing seamless utilization of your website’s design.
2. The traditional concept of the loop has evolved into a collection of blocks, granting enhanced flexibility and content control. In this code, a wp-block-query block performs a query to display specific posts based on defined parameters. Within it, a wp-block-post-template block handles the layout and structure of individual posts, comprising child blocks for featured images, titles, excerpts, and dates. For easy navigation through posts, a wp-block-query-pagination block handles pagination with navigation arrows. This new approach empowers developers to create custom layouts and designs using blocks, replacing the traditional loop and offering more granular content presentation control.
3. The get_footer(); function, which outputs the footer section of a website, can be replaced with a template part. With FSE, the footer is defined as a reusable template part that can be easily included in your block-based theme.

All About the Blocks

This is a remarkable transformation where familiar templating functions are now seamlessly replaced by blocks. The shift is evident not only in common functions but also throughout various template files, where everything now revolves around blocks. It’s clear that memorizing individual block markups can be challenging; WordPress offers some options for building block-based themes—some as easy as copy and paste!

Comparing Classic Customizer and FSE Editor

Previously, most editing tasks were concentrated within the Customizer, but with FSE and block-based themes, we now have access to the Site Editor. Let’s examine the significant differences between these two approaches and understand how styling works in the new editor.

At the core of the FSE editor lies the theme.json file, which plays a central role in styling each block. Rather than focusing on template-wide styling, FSE adopts a modular approach, enabling individual block styling. Blocks now manage every aspect, from margins and paddings to fonts and colors.

Classic themes allowed changes only in the Customizer’s global settings, affecting the entire template. However, with block-based themes, everything revolves around blocks. Each block can have its unique and personalized styles, making theme.json knowledge crucial. Luckily, there are abundant resources available to understand theme.json and master block-based theming effectively.

Hybrid Themes: Bridging the Gap

As we wrap up our discussion on switching from classic to block-based themes, it’s worth exploring hybrid themes—a middle-ground solution that combines elements of both worlds. In fact, WebDevStudios’ own wd_s Version 4.0 is a hybrid theme.

A hybrid WordPress theme adopts features of block-based themes like theme.json for defining styles and customizing the block editor, while still utilizing traditional PHP template files. It harnesses the block editor for content but not for building the theme itself. A hybrid theme presents a classic theme enriched with additional Site Editing features.

Since WordPress 6.1, classic themes can add block-based template parts. This feature enables customization of output via the Appearance > Template Parts option in the WordPress admin, offering theme authors increased control and customization capabilities. However, it’s important to note that theme authors must register support to enable this feature.

Here are some of the key advantages of hybrid themes:

• Combined Editing Experience: Hybrid themes offer the familiarity of the classic editing experience while introducing the new features of block-based themes.
• Easier Transition: For users apprehensive about fully committing to the block-based editor, hybrid themes provide a smoother transition.
• Enhanced Customization: With more options for page designs and greater control over the design and layout of posts and archives, hybrid themes offer a superior customization experience.
• Block Templates and Template Parts: Hybrid themes can enable block templates and block template parts, adding another layer of flexibility.
• theme.json Features: By adopting theme.json, hybrid themes can leverage features that were previously only available in block-based themes.

The Evolution Is Here

In conclusion, whether you choose to transition directly to block-based themes or take a more balanced approach with hybrid themes, the evolution of WordPress theming opens up new opportunities for creativity and flexibility. Hybrid themes, in particular, offer a compelling blend of traditional and new features that make them worth considering in your WordPress theme transition. As always, the key is to choose the path that best aligns with your needs and comfort level.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I look forward to sharing more insights and tips on WordPress development in future posts. If you have any questions or topics you’d like me to cover, please feel free to leave a comment.

The post Switching from Classic to Block-Based Themes in WordPress appeared first on WebDevStudios.

Importance of Contributing to Five for the Future

The ethos of Five for the Future (5FTF) encapsulates the very essence of collaboration and growth within the WordPress ecosystem. That resonates deeply with our WordPress agency. The commitment to consistently participate in 5FTF isn’t merely a gesture; it’s a testament to our collective responsibility in nurturing the platform that fuels countless websites across the globe.

Five for the Future isn’t just a philanthropic endeavor; it’s an investment in the sustained evolution and enhancement of WordPress. That’s important to us. By devoting time, skills, and resources to this initiative, WebDevStudios isn’t merely giving back; we’re actively contributing to the vitality and longevity of the platform. Every line of code, every mentorship hour, and every collaborative effort amplifies WordPress’s robustness, ensuring its continual adaptability to the ever-evolving digital landscape.

The significance of 5FTF extends far beyond individual contributions. It fosters a culture of generosity, knowledge sharing, and collective advancement within the WordPress community. It’s a beacon, inviting companies, developers, designers, and enthusiasts to converge and channel their energies toward a shared vision of an even more powerful, inclusive, and innovative WordPress.

Through 5FTF, WebDevStudios aligns itself with this spirit, amplifying our commitment to not just using WordPress but actively nurturing its growth for the benefit of all who rely on its capabilities. This upcoming Black Friday is also 5FTF Friday at WebDevStudios. Here are some examples from Twitter of how our team contributed last month. Make sure that you’re following us on X (formerly Twitter), as well as the hashtag #5FTF.

Today’s #5FTF at @webdevstudios : Some light video editing and recording for a Gutenberg tutorial going up on YouTube sometime soon.

Starring: WordPress, Gutenberg, and my ‘majestic dog’, Chili pic.twitter.com/8sa2YyNU5H

— CMDR MitchCraft (@thatmitchcanter) October 27, 2023

#5FTF + #Halloween @webdevstudios and I’m working on my #WCMNL2023 talk and fixing bugs on wd_s and wd_f. pic.twitter.com/ZlgG88k3fq

— JC Palmes #WCAsia2024 (@jpalmes) October 27, 2023

Finishing up an article I’ve been working on and then moving into the WP support forums for #5ftf @webdevstudios#WordPress

— David Walz (@DavesjoshinWDS) October 27, 2023

WordPress 6.4 Contributors

One of the coolest ways to successfully contribute to 5FTF is by contributing to the WordPress Core. WordPress 6.4 was released earlier this month. Engineering Manager JC Palmes, Principal Engineer Sal Ferrarello, and Frontend Engineer Aslam Doctor were listed as Contributors, which is a great honor and acknowledgment of their work. Congratulations to JC, Sal, Aslam, and all the WordPress community members who contributed to WordPress 6.4.

The post Powering Up WordPress Through Five for the Future appeared first on WebDevStudios.

The owner had set up a self-hosted WordPress and already installed a theme. As a developer, I wanted to know about her challenges and her experience as a WordPress newbie. Her main goals were to get a website running and for it to be towards the top of a relevant web search. For this individual, the challenges are broken down into the following ways.

Buying and Trying WordPress Themes

The business owner searched for themes and found some that looked great. After purchasing, she would struggle to get the site to look like the product images that sold her on the theme. She even had to return one.

The WordPress themes she was gravitating towards were not using the WordPress block editor but a third-party editor. I logged into her CMS and was confused myself. How many editors does a website need?

There are a lot of themes out there that come with their own page editing user interface that replaces or augments the WordPress editor. So the line between WordPress and the third-party theme can become blurry and confusing.

Plugin Collecting

Another issue that was occurring was excessive plugin installation. From my experience as a developer, I’ve worked on websites in need of a rebuild that have 50-60 plugins installed. That’s a lot!

I suspect what is happening is some website owners end up using plugins as an avenue of problem-solving. I don’t blame them since a search regarding a website issue will often result in a solution in the form of a plugin. As a result, the website collects plugins as the years pass, possibly increasing the vulnerability of the website if any one of them is not maintained. This is a huge WordPress security issue.

Understanding WordPress Jargon

This entrepreneur also found the terminology of the web world to be confusing at times. For example, themes assume the user understands the difference between parent and child themes. A WordPress beginner is likely coming from a different industry than website technology and can find themselves lost with all these ideas and concepts.

Blocks, components, widgets, and modules… oh my! A resource she found useful was YouTube. There is a good selection of beginner WordPress tutorials that can explain a lot of the terminology we use in the industry. In addition, WordPress has extensive documentation and has a published glossary.

WordPress Hosting

While it is not a WordPress-specific challenge, it is worth mentioning. Between DNS records and any required server provisioning, finding the right managed WordPress host for your website can be a pain point for a lot of people, especially if you are not familiar with the task.

The good news is once you get it set up, you don’t always have to make a lot of adjustments going forward. If this is unfamiliar ground for you, then I suggest a turn-key solution, and luckily many hosting providers have an option.

Some Advice for WordPress Beginners

Know Your Website’s Purpose

If you have decided to put up a website, ask yourself, “What is the purpose of this website?” The answer could be to inform potential customers of your product or service and to make contact, often through a form. Another answer might be to sell your product on the site, such as eCommerce. It’s important to answer this question early on because it’s going to be a compass for you when determining the solutions you’ll need.

Discover WordPress.com

If you choose to go with WordPress but don’t want to mess with hosting or third-party editors, WordPress.com might be a good place to start. It offers you a WordPress turnkey solution. This is a good way to jump right in with the least amount of confusion. If you end up liking it and you need to move your site to your own server, there are export options to make that fairly easy.

Practice Plugin Pickiness

Regarding plugins, it’s important to be a little picky when adding plugins to your site for security and performance reasons. There used to be a rule In the Drupal community known as DMV, which stood for documentation, maintainers, and versioning.

When you go to add a plugin to your site, check that it has updated documentation about how to use it. Also, check that there are people actively maintaining and providing updates. As of writing this, the WordPress plugin market has a field labeled “last updated” to help make this easier.

Partner with a Pro

If you’re migrating a large-scale enterprise company website from another platform to WordPress, you may want to enlist the help of a professional developer. That’s where WebDevStudios comes in. We can migrate your site from any platform to WordPress without missing a beat. After a successful migration, we can even train you on how to use your new WordPress website. Contact us to talk about it.

Good luck, and remember WordPress has a strong community, so finding support is not difficult. Feel free to comment on this blog post if you have any questions.

The post Advice for WordPress Beginners appeared first on WebDevStudios.

Sharing news about our WordPress agency may seem like a mundane task, but it is critical to our business. It allows us to stay connected with our clients, partners, and community, and help them understand what we do. It is more than just mere updates; we open the door and offer everyone a glimpse into our world, showcasing our latest WordPress adventures, innovative solutions, and the impressive accomplishments of our talented team.

By opening this door wider, we invite you to witness our growth, learn about our milestones, and celebrate our successes. But beyond that, sharing our news fosters transparency, builds trust, and reinforces the strong foundation upon which WebDevStudios stands. Every announcement, every accomplishment, and all the latest happenings are a testament to our commitment to excellence and our dedication to exceeding your expectations.

So, get ready to dive into a whirlwind of creativity, technology, and passion. Here is the latest company news from WebDevStudios.

State of Enterprise WordPress 2023

WordPress agencies, including industry leaders like WebDevStudios, are actively collecting data and insights for an upcoming comprehensive report named State of Enterprise WordPress 2023, slated for release later this year. This extensive report aims to delve into various crucial aspects, encompassing budgets, publishing procedures, customized functionalities, and more within the enterprise WordPress ecosystem.

The report will not only shed light on why enterprises opt for WordPress but also explore how they have expanded its capabilities and pinpoint the improvements they aspire to witness. State of Enterprise WordPress 2023 is poised to offer a profound understanding of the intricate needs and prerequisites of enterprise-level organizations. Its impact goes beyond mere analysis; it holds the potential to influence the trajectory of WordPress by shaping the development of future features and updates.

This is your chance to contribute to the evolution of WordPress. By participating in the survey today, you actively assist in shaping the platform’s future. Your insights matter and can play a pivotal role in molding the forthcoming advancements of WordPress. Join us in this journey by taking the survey now at soewp.com. Let your voice be heard, and let’s collectively shape the future landscape of WordPress together.

WordCamps

Wow! WordCamps really are back in full force, aren’t they?

WordCamps, as vibrant WordPress conferences, offer invaluable opportunities for enthusiasts, developers, and businesses to network, share knowledge, and collaborate on innovative ideas, fostering a dynamic sense of community within the global WordPress ecosystem.

These events provide a unique platform for attendees to gain insights from experts, participate in Contributor Day, and stay updated with the latest trends, ultimately empowering individuals and businesses to thrive in the digital landscape. In October, our team members participated in two different WordCamps in two different areas of the world,

WordCamp Mumbai

WordCamp Mumbai was a two-day conference of WordPress sessions, which took place October 28-29. Frontend Engineer Aslam Doctor attended, and Backend Engineer Lax Mariappan presented his talk titled “How to Migrate a WP Application Without Losing Your Mind.” The two engineers also met for the first time in person. Lax has made the slides from his talk available to the public.

WordCamp Managua

On the same weekend as WordCamp Mumbai, WordCamp Managua took place. Project Manager Leo Torres volunteered, and he has reported that the event went great.

From the awesome organizers who plan everything to the volunteers hustling during the event and the speakers who take time out to share their wisdom, WordCamps are a team effort. Making a WordCamp come to life is a big deal, and it takes a bunch of awesome people to do it, including generous people like Leo.

WP Search with Algolia Pro 1.3.0

If you still haven’t gone pro, you will want to because of the latest release of WP Search with Algolia Pro 1.3.0.

Support for SEOPress

Previous versions of WP Search with Algolia Pro included “noindex” matching for Yoast SEO, All In One SEO, and Rank Math SEO, but with Version 1.3.0, if you use SEOPress, WP Search with Algolia Pro will not index content marked as “noindex” for search engines.

Single Searchable Index for WordPress Multisite

The latest version of WP Search with Algolia Pro—Version 1.3.0—introduces an exciting new feature that has the potential to revolutionize search functionality for WordPress Multisites. With this update, users can now set up a single searchable index that consolidates content from across the entire multisite network.

This means that you can perform a global search of all the content available on your network, making it easier to find what you’re looking for. This feature is especially useful for those who manage multiple sites within the same network. Visit our plugin shop Pluginize to download WP Search with Algolia Pro.

WooSesh

Earlier this month, October 10-12, the live, virtual conference known as WooSesh happened. WooSesh is designed for WooCommerce store builders. It takes place annually, and each WooSesh is highly curated to provide attendees with the absolute best possible experience

WebDevStudios CEO Brad Williams participated in a panel discussion called “How to Rescue Disgruntled Clients.” Every presentation, including Brad’s, was recorded and published at WPSessions.

wd_s Hybrid Theme Release

wd_s is a well-known, highly used WordPress starter theme built by WebDevStudios. In late September, Engineering Manager JC Palmes announced the release of Version 4.0.0—a powerful hybrid theme, equipped with the Site Editor and pre-styled core blocks via theme.json, enhancing your creative possibilities. Go to GitHub to read JC’s announcement and download wd_s.

The post Company News – October appeared first on WebDevStudios.

We are absolutely thrilled to continue to be a part of the spooky ranks of passionate organizations participating in Five for the Future (5FTF), an eerily spectacular initiative that encourages WordPress companies like ours to dedicate 5% of work time towards contributing to WordPress and open-source technology.  At WebDevStudios, we’ve always had a soft spot for the supernatural and a strong belief in the magic of open-source, so we’re conjuring up some extra special spells to support the WordPress ecosystem that has nurtured us.

Is Five for the Future a Coven of Spellcasters?

No, you’re thinking of the movie “The Craft.” 5FTF is an initiative that conjures collaboration among the living and the not-so-living, fostering innovation and ensuring WordPress keeps haunting the web in the best possible way. By dedicating 5% of our team’s witching hours, we aim to contribute to the development of WordPress core, plugins, themes, and other open-source projects that make the web a more bewitching and inclusive space for everyone (even Frankenstein!).

Do I Have to Sell My Soul to Participate in 5FTF?

No. The way we see it, why should goblins and gremlins have all the fun? Everyone is invited to join in.

Participating in 5FTF is a chance to join the asylum of passionate developers, designers, content creators, and product makers. WordPress has thrived thanks to the collective efforts of a diverse and dedicated community. By giving back, we’re ensuring the supernatural sustainability of this incredible platform.

Everyone’s participation is a testament to our collective belief in the magic of the web and our commitment to making the internet a spooktacular place. Together, we can create a web where every click sends shivers down your spine, in a good way! WebDevStudios invites our fellow witches, wizards, and friendly apparitions to join us on this exciting journey as we contribute our time, expertise, and phantasmal passion to the future of WordPress.

Here’s a hair-raising peek at how our team contributed to 5FTF last month. Be sure you’re following us on X (formerly Twitter) and the hashtag #5FTF so you can see our contributions in real-time.

#5FTF on Social Media

So… it happened, after months of work we’ve finally released wd_s v4.0 Hybrid: https://t.co/sYL8neaPiw #5FTF

Thank you to all of the engineers @webdevstudios for testing all the things. pic.twitter.com/pay3cJs5Eq

— JC Palmes #WCAsia2024 (@jpalmes) September 29, 2023

Today I’m working on a blog article about interactive WordPress blocks for #5ftf @webdevstudios #WordPress pic.twitter.com/uXQyzkWqmT

— David Walz (@DavesjoshinWDS) September 29, 2023

For today’s #5FTF, I’m bringing back the BlogRing.
Yes. I’m serious.

Funny enough, WordPress has a perfectly GROOVY Link manager. Did you know you can re-enable it?

add_filter( ‘pre_option_link_manager_enabled’, ‘__return_true’ );

Why re-invent the wheel, here?

— CMDR PumpkinSpiceCraft (@thatmitchcanter) September 29, 2023

Happy #5FTF. Thank you @webdevstudios for making this possible. pic.twitter.com/0IvaPEnPC0

— Jennifer Farhat (@jenniFarhat) September 29, 2023

More 5FTF Contributions from September

• Backend Engineer Awais Altaf worked on his open-source plugin Custom Site Logo. This plugin helps you to manage your website’s logo. Awais used his 5FTF day to check its compatibility and update it.
• Backend Engineer Lax Mariappan worked on his plugin At A Glance Widget Plus. Lax’s plugin was developed to extend the WordPress Core’s At A Glance widget. At A Glance Widget Plus adds available custom post types and their count onto the At A Glance widget.
• Backend Engineer Ramsés Del Rosario worked on translations, including for our very own Custom Post Type UI.

The post Have No Fear. Five for the Future Is Here! appeared first on WebDevStudios.

WebDevStudios and Five for the Future

Since the inception of Five for the Future (5FTF), WebDevStudios (WDS) has been actively involved. We’ve gone through various iterations of hosting 5FTF. Here’s how we do it today: every last Friday of the month, our team pauses working on client projects and focuses on contributing to WordPress. This takes place in a variety of ways, but here’s what seems to be the most popular:

• Organizing a WordCamp
• Developing a WordCamp talk
• Taking support tickets from the WordPress Support Forum
• Developing or updating a free plugin
• Mentorship
• WordPress community involvement
• Contribution to the overall knowledge base of WordPress

Last Month’s 5FTF Contributions

During the August 5FTF Friday, our team came up with some interesting ways to contribute to WordPress. Here are just a few:

• Lead Engineer Lauren Levin (Pittenger) built block patterns for the WordPress Block Pattern Directory.
• Principal Engineer Joel Schlotterer created some PRs for issues for our own open-source starter theme wd_s.
• Engineering Manager John Heimkes reviewed themes in the WordPress theme repository.
• Frontend Engineer Ashley Stanley contributed to our own open-source plugin WDS Site Documentation.
• Backend Engineer Garrett Baldwin built an open-source plugin designed to add theme documentation to the WordPress admin dashboard. You can access it on GitHub.

Five for the Future Is for Everyone Who Uses WordPress

It is important for individuals and companies within the WordPress ecosystem to participate in Five for the Future. This initiative is crucial in sustaining and advancing the WordPress open-source project, which powers a considerable portion of the internet. Here are a few reasons why getting involved with 5FTF is significant:

1. Sustainability of WordPress: WordPress is maintained and improved by a global community of volunteers. By contributing 5% of your work time, you help ensure the long-term sustainability of the platform. Your contributions can directly impact the development of core features, bug fixes, security enhancements, and overall stability.

2. Community Building: Engaging with 5FTF strengthens the sense of community within the WordPress ecosystem. It fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and camaraderie among developers, designers, marketers, and users. It’s an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about WordPress.

3. Skill Enhancement: Getting involved with open-source projects like WordPress can be a valuable learning experience. You can expand your skill set, gain hands-on experience, and improve your coding, project management, and communication skills. It’s a win-win situation where you both give and receive.

4. Business Benefits: For companies and independent developers in the WordPress space, contributing to 5FTF can be a strategic move. It enhances your company’s reputation, demonstrates your commitment to the WordPress community, and can lead to new business opportunities and partnerships.

Sharing Our 5FTF Success!

Follow the hashtag #5FTF on X (formerly Twitter). That’s where some of our teammates share their Five for the Future contributions. While there was a time when it seemed like our WordPress website agency was the only one sharing 5FTF success, we’re seeing a trend of more and more WordPress companies and independent developers sharing their contributions, too. All the cool kids are giving back to WordPress!

So keep up with our team on social media tomorrow. You can view their posts from August’s 5FTF Friday below. Be sure to follow us at @webdevstudios.

While the rest of the @webdevstudios team has #5FTF today, I was lucky enough to be at #WCUS Contributor Day yesterday, where I started chasing a WP CLI bug and ended up opening this WordPress core ticket and creating a patch.https://t.co/5KWKShALqy

— Sal Ferrarello (@salcode) August 25, 2023

Another beautiful #5FTF day @webdevstudios I’m working on my open-source theme, a great way to beat the heat!

— David Walz (@DavesjoshinWDS) August 25, 2023

#5FTF @webdevstudios and I really want to be at #WCUS, but for now I’ll be doing #WCAsia stuff and working on wd_s and wd_f themes. pic.twitter.com/sol8AWaSXP

— JC Palmes #WCAsia2024 (@jpalmes) August 25, 2023

Happy to be working on the #WordPress #ActivityPub plugin today for #5ftf!

— django (@MediaFormatUX) August 25, 2023

It’s #5ftf Day at @webdevstudios and this time I am contributing by submitting some bug fixes to #Wordpress core pic.twitter.com/3ZnbmCODLk

— Aslam D WordPress (@aslammdoctor) August 25, 2023

The post Tomorrow, Our WordPress Website Agency Is Giving Back via Five for the Future appeared first on WebDevStudios.

Meet UX Designer Spencer Ravago and Frontend Engineer Nick Guzman. They have an unwavering dedication to excellence and an appetite for pushing boundaries. Spencer and Nick embody the spirit of innovation that defines our agency. We can’t wait to witness the impact they will make on our projects.

So please help us roll out the red carpet for these two new team members. Make sure to keep an eye out for their incredible contributions as they revolutionize the way we approach design and development. Together, we’ll continue to create extraordinary digital experiences that amaze and inspire.

Spencer Ravago, UX Designer

A common theme among the teammates at WebDevStudios (WDS) is a passion for WordPress. That resonates with Spencer.

“What I like most about WordPress as a platform is its versatility,” Spencer explains. “It can be a simple platform for the average person who would use it out of the box for blogging. But on the opposite end of the spectrum, WordPress can also be customized with complex features for enterprise-level clients, like what we do for our clients at WDS. With the addition of Gutenberg blocks and full site editing, there are so many possibilities with WordPress.”

Lucky for us, Spencer was no stranger to WDS. He and Engineering Manager JC Palmes are longtime friends. In fact, both are lead organizers for WordCamp Iloilo 2023. We can give thanks to JC for nudging Spencer to apply to join our team.

“JC told me about the vacant designer position here and encouraged me to apply,” reports Spencer. “I was honestly intimidated and hesitant at first. But thinking about the great people on the team, the collaborative work environment, and the caliber of clients WebDevStudios has, it was too good not to even give it a shot. Thankfully, I did.” We’re grateful, too!

In Spencer’s team bio, he mentions that he enjoys the “problem-solving aspect of design.” When asked why that is, he says it’s just how he’s wired.

“I generally have a hard time doing something that doesn’t have a specific goal in mind,” Spencer clarifies, adding, “Which is probably why I consider myself more of a designer than an artist since art leans more toward self-expression. Design allows me to be creative in a way that focuses on a specific goal or problem that I can work towards.”

As mentioned earlier, Spencer and JC were lead organizers of WordCamp Iloilo. (WebDevStudios was a proud sponsor.) The pair also headed up the Kids Camp portion of the event, too. Spencer has been actively involved with his local WordPress community since 2008.

“What keeps me interested in being involved with WordCamps and the local WordPress community is how tight-knit and collaborative our group has become,” Spencer says. “Some of the people in the community have even moved on to other non-WordPress careers, yet they continue to be active in our community, especially during WordCamps.”

When Spencer isn’t working or getting involved with the WordPress community, he focuses on his interest in the San Antonio Spurs. He hasn’t been to a game yet, since he is located halfway around the world from the team, but going to a game is on his bucket list.

“What I admire about the San Antonio Spurs is that they’re generally low-key and not very flashy since they’re a small market team,” Spencer explains his adoration for the team. “Yet they’re one of the more successful teams in the league, having won five championships. This is largely due to the team’s emphasis on fundamentals, teamwork, and continuous improvement. Great values to live by even outside of sports.”

Nick Guzman, Frontend Engineer

“My journey with WordPress began during my time as a junior at university,” shares Nick, adding, “I quickly developed a deep appreciation for its capabilities. Working with WordPress not only ignited my passion for web development but also provided me with opportunities to earn income while pursuing my education.”

Nick was inspired to join the team at WDS after discovering our blog. “Some years ago, I was googling for a starter custom theme for a WordPress client, and I stumbled upon the WebDevStudios starter theme wd_s, which was the subject of the blog post ‘Building a WordPress Theme,'” he explains. “I started following the blog closely, and when I saw a frontend engineer job opening, I decided to apply, and here I am.”

Prior to joining WDS, Nick worked on some interesting mobile projects. For example, he worked closely with the chief technology officer building Remble, which is on the mission to enhance the lives of millions of people throughout the world by making relationship and mental health support accessible to everyone.

“We used WordPress very heavily on the content side and as a Headless CMS, and on the frontend, we used React and React Native,” Nick explains. Before that, he also worked on the AAA mobile app. Additionally, he has worked for nonprofits and enterprise clients, too.

Nick really enjoys enterprise-level projects. He says they bring a unique set of challenges and opportunities.

“One aspect I particularly enjoy is the scale and complexity of these projects. They often involve integrating various systems, handling large amounts of data, and implementing advanced functionality,” he adds.

You wouldn’t know it by looking at him, but Nick loves all things Disney. He has visited both Disney US properties multiple times and gone on Disney cruises. Plus, he also attends other Disney events, such as marathons or horse riding events. But when it comes to Disney movies, there’s one in particular that captures Nick’s heart. “I love ‘Toy Story!'” Nick exclaims.

The post These New Hires Bring Fresh Ideas and Expertise to WebDevStudios appeared first on WebDevStudios.

WordPress Turns 20

On May 27, 2023, WordPress officially turned 20. Created in 2003 by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little as a blogging platform, WordPress has since evolved into a powerful and flexible content management system (CMS) that can be used to create any website.

Today, WordPress powers over 400 million websites worldwide, making it the most popular CMS on the planet. WordPress is used by many businesses and organizations, from small businesses to large enterprise corporations. It grows more robust, more advanced, and more popular every day.

Across the globe, in-person parties took place to honor the occasion. At WebDevStudios, we celebrated by participating in Five for the Future on May 26th and releasing a special congratulatory video to mark WordPress’ 20th anniversary. Watch it below.

WDS Continues to Celebrate Turning 15

Our official 15th anniversary was last month, but we plan to celebrate all year. In May, a blog post was published by WDS CEO Brad Williams and WDS COO Lisa Sabin-Wilson to commemorate our special occasion. We hope you’ll take a moment to read it.

Lisa Featured in The Repository

The Repository is a free weekly digest of news from across the WordPress ecosystem. Lisa was featured in the #WPCommunityFeels column, where she shared her favorite podcast and a recent article she read that had an impact and suggested a habit worth forming.

Not a The Repository email subscriber? No problem. You can read Lisa’s feature online.

Post Status Member Spotlight

WDS Marketing Manager Laura Coronado was included in Post Status’ Member Spotlight column. She discusses what she enjoys most about WordPress and offers advice for other WordPress professionals. You can read her interview at PostStatus.com.

WordCamps

WordCamps are important because they provide a forum for WordPress users and developers to come together and share knowledge and learn from each other. They’re also beneficial because they help to promote WordPress and its community. Because of those facts, you’ll always find someone from WebDevStudios at different WordCamp events around the world.

WordCamp Buffalo

WDS Backend Engineer Topher DeRosia is a hero of WordPress. As the founder of HeroPress, Topher has created a platform for others to share their WordPress stories. He talked about that at WordCamp Buffalo on May 6, 2023.

WordCamp Montclair

It was just announced that WDS Principal Engineer Sal Ferrarello will be a speaker at WordCamp Montclair on June 24, 2023. His talk is titled “Fun with the WordPress Rest API.” WDS Account Manager Laura Byrne is a lead organizer of the event. Tickets are still available.

Product Updates

From plugins to starter themes, WebDevStudios creates more than websites. Here are our latest product updates.

WP Search with Algolia Pro

WP Search with Algolia Pro 1.2.0 was released in early May. This update includes the following:

• Supporting “noindex” with the Rank Math SEO plugin
• Average Rating is now indexed alongside Total Ratings in the search results
• Autocomplete and Instantsearch settings can be limited to Product Post Type only

wd_s Transition Release

wd_s is a starter theme created by our team and used by many developers. Just recently, Version 3.5 was released to the public, which includes the following:

• PHP 8 compatible
• Node 16 compatible
• Support for the new theme.json file

You can learn more about the enhancements and fixes for wd_s on GitHub.

Hang Out on WordPress Friday

Brad continues to host his live stream show WordPress Friday with cohost Victor Ramirez. They love talking about WordPress and other tech-related topics.

The show has changed a bit, happening only on the last Friday of every month. Anyone is welcome to join and hang out live via video, audio, or chat. That means you can join, too! The next WordPress Friday show is June 30, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. Comment on this blog post if you want to be considered. Watch past shows on YouTube.

Work at WebDevStudios

Move your career to WebDevStudios. We’re hiring for the following positions:

• Engineering Manager
• Lead Engineer
• Backend Engineer
• Frontend Engineer

Interested? Apply online. Good luck!

The post Company News – May appeared first on WebDevStudios.