The WP Minute+ podcast

#Entrepreneur #Business #News #Tech News #Matt Medeiros

30:23

Tiffany Yu is the CEO & Founder of Diversability, an award-winning social enterprise to elevate disability pride; the Founder of the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter, a monthly micro-grant that has awarded $92.5k to 93 disability projects in 11 countries; and the author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World. As a person with visible and invisible disabilities stemming from a car crash, Tiffany has built a career on disability solidarity. Now that she has found success, she works to expand a network of people with disabilities and their allies to decrease stigmas around disability and create opportunities for disabled people in America. Episode Chapters 0:00 Intro 1:26 When do we choose to share our disability stories? 4:12 Jay’s disability story 8:35 Visible and invisible disabilities 13:10 What does an ally to the disability community look like? 16:34 NoBodyIsDisposable and 14(c) 21:26 How does Tiffany’s investment banking background shape her advocacy? 27:47 Goodbye and outro For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Stay in touch: X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/…

The WP Minute+

Поширити

Головна серій•Feed

For long-form interviews, news, and commentary about the WordPress ecosystem. This is the companion show to The WP Minute, your favorite 5-minutes of WordPress news every week.

106 епізодів

The WP Minute+

updated 7 днів тому

Поширити

Головна серій•Feed

For long-form interviews, news, and commentary about the WordPress ecosystem. This is the companion show to The WP Minute, your favorite 5-minutes of WordPress news every week.

106 епізодів

#Entrepreneur #Business #News #Tech News #Matt Medeiros

Усі епізоди

The WP Minute+

1
Managing WordPress Agency Projects 37:59

7 днів тому37:59

37:59

In this episode of The WP Minute+ Podcast, Kurt and Toby look at the practical and emotional challenges of managing WordPress agency projects. From sales pitfalls to client relationship dynamics and infrastructure transitions, the conversation is packed with firsthand lessons and agency wisdom. Toby kicks off the discussion with a cautionary tale about losing a major deal due to poor energy and overexposure to meetings, a common struggle in client-driven work. Kurt emphasizes the importance of emotional readiness and shares his go-to mantra: focus on the relationship, and the transaction will follow. They discuss strategies for rescheduling meetings professionally when you’re not at your best and the dangers of showing up unprepared. They also reflect on project management as the core skill of running a successful agency, noting that it often matters more than technical skills. They explore “the messy middle” of projects, sharing techniques for refocusing clients during chaotic phases. Kurt values minimal viable products and clear deliverables, while Toby relates these lessons to both web work and personal projects. Finally, they discuss when to let go of problematic clients or outdated tech stacks. Whether it’s walking away from HostGator or reconsidering tools like Divi or ManageWP, both hosts agree: trust your gut, set boundaries, and don’t let short-term financial needs sabotage long-term growth. Takeaways: Rescheduling a meeting when unprepared is better than pushing through and blowing the opportunity. Project management is often the most valuable agency skill, especially in larger contracts. In big projects, refocus clients by reiterating core business goals and pushing toward MVPs. Listen to your instincts when deciding whether to keep a client or tool, and don’t ignore red flags. Website migrations and infrastructure shifts should be carefully planned, ideally with internal expertise. Clients rarely care about minor aesthetic tweaks; they want results and functionality. Important Links: Kurt’s Agency: Mañana No Mas Toby’s Agency: The Mighty Mo! Follow Kurt & Toby: LinkedIn: Kurt | Toby The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★…

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The FAIR Package Manager for WordPress 56:19

14 днів тому56:19

56:19

In this episode of The WP Minute+ , I sit down with Carrie Dils and Karim Marucchi to talk through FAIR—short for Federated and Independent Repositories—a new package management project launched under the Linux Foundation. If you're in the WordPress space and wondering what FAIR is, why it matters, and how it might change the plugin and theme ecosystem, this is the episode for you. Carrie, one of FAIR’s elected co-chairs, walks us through the technical architecture and vision for FAIR, including how it aims to bring more resilience and transparency to how plugins and themes are distributed. Karim adds broader context from his enterprise experience, making the case for why redundancy and federation are vital for WordPress's future. We touch on the practical details of how FAIR works today—including Fastly nodes, AspirePress, and the .3 plugin release—while looking ahead at governance, funding, and how the Linux Foundation structures this initiative. Of course, I have some tough questions: How will FAIR balance governance with innovation? Will it become “just another bureaucracy”? How do we avoid turning this into a divisive issue—FAIR vs. .org? We talk about those tensions and the team's intention for FAIR to extend WordPress, not split it. There’s also a good reality check on how plugin moderation, security scanning, and transparency are being improved through this effort. Whether you're running an agency, building WordPress products, or just care about where the ecosystem is heading, this episode gives you a grounded view of what FAIR is—and what it isn’t. Great Takeaways & Quotes: "This isn’t a fork. This is a failover." — Karim Marucchi "FAIR isn't just about today’s plugin distribution problems—it’s about creating a foundation for the next 20 years of WordPress." "We’re building a system where plugin trust, provenance, and availability don’t rely on a single choke point." "Yes, FAIR is about stability, but it’s also about discoverability—for both users and developers." — Carrie Dils "We’re not trying to replace .org—we’ve invited .org to join the federation." "Even though you don’t see a difference when you update a plugin, that’s the point. FAIR is meant to be invisible until you need it." Important URLs Mentioned: FAIR Project GitHub (via fair.pm) Linux Foundation announcement on FAIR AspirePress ★ Support this podcast ★…

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What’s Disappearing from WordPress? 43:40

21 день тому43:40

43:40

In this episode of The WP Minute+, Kurt and Toby explore the shifting landscape of WordPress, sparked by Toby’s visit to a no-code meetup in Minneapolis. They discuss the rise of non-technical entrepreneurs building functional businesses with no-code tools and how that approach compares to the traditional WordPress ethos of craftsmanship, responsibility, and long-term support. They reflect on the decline of accountability in some corners of tech, where lifetime deals and fast-money SaaS platforms are more about hype than sustainability. They also explore how AI is reshaping development, from creating unmaintainable codebases to confusing newer users into thinking AI can replace skilled developers. This naturally leads to the question: Are live WordPress meetups and local communities losing relevance in a world where new tech communities are buzzing with energy? Kurt and Toby share personal anecdotes and weigh the pros and cons of continuing traditional meetups versus embracing newer, more generalist tech conversations. Rounding out the discussion, they touch on sales strategies, LinkedIn lead generation, and their experiences with marketing processes that move the needle, versus those that make noise. Key Takeaways No-code tools are enabling business owners to skip traditional coding, but often at the cost of long-term stability. WordPress’s commitment to backward compatibility and responsibility contrasts sharply with fly-by-night SaaS products. AI-generated code can lead to maintenance nightmares. Human expertise is still irreplaceable. Local WordPress meetups may be fading, but the need for authentic community and knowledge-sharing persists. Sales and marketing processes like LinkedIn automation can yield real leads, but need refinement and balance. Speaking gigs, courses, and books remain valuable tools for agency owners to build authority and generate leads. Important Links: Kurt’s Agency: Mañana No Mas Toby’s Agency: The Mighty Mo! Follow Kurt & Toby: LinkedIn: Kurt | Toby The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★…

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When 'Easy' WordPress Gets Tough for Clients 37:41

28 днів тому37:41

37:41

In this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Kurt and Toby dive into the common misconception that WordPress (and websites in general) should be “easy.” They share stories about custom-coded nightmares, misunderstood AI-generated solutions, and the tricky line between client expectations and developer realities. The conversation touches on the perils of overpromising simplicity in web development and the challenges freelancers face when clients hand them projects that were “supposed to be easy,” often involving ChatGPT or drag-and-drop builders like Elementor. Kurt also shares his eye-opening experience speaking to high school students about WordPress and running an agency. Surprisingly, most students had never heard of WordPress or open-source, revealing a gap in technical and entrepreneurial education. The episode concludes with a candid discussion on freelancing versus employment, benefits myths, impostor syndrome, and the emotional leap required to run a digital agency. Key Takeaways: Many clients mistake ease-of-use tools (like Elementor or AI) for simplicity in execution. AI-generated code often introduces unexpected complexity and risks. Freelancers should diplomatically explain scope, staging, and testing needs, especially for “quick” fixes. Young people are alarmingly unfamiliar with WordPress and open source, despite growing interest in web development. Running a WordPress agency is accessible, but requires an entrepreneurial mindset, not just technical skills. Freelancers and consultants should confidently share their work and availability. Your visibility is key to opportunity. Financial freedom and geographic flexibility can be drastically improved by relocating or adjusting business models. Important Links: Kurt’s Agency: Mañana No Mas Toby’s Agency: The Mighty Mo! Follow Kurt & Toby: LinkedIn: Kurt | Toby ★ Support this podcast ★…

The WP Minute+

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Mary Hubbard & Matt Mullenweg WordCamp EU 2025 Fireside Chat 1:13:51

30 днів тому1:13:51

1:13:51

This is the recording between Matt Mullenweg and Mary Hubbard on stage at WordCamp Europe 2025. They covered everything from regulation in the EU, the FAIR package manager announcement , and new education pathways, to what’s next for WordPress core and the ecosystem. The session started with Mary interviewing Matt, followed by a live Q&A with the audience, tackling concerns from longtime contributors, organizers, and first-time attendees alike. Matt opened with thoughts on the European regulatory landscape, pointing out both the good intentions and friction caused by cookie consent banners and compliance rules. He emphasized WordPress’ alignment with other open-source CMS projects like Drupal and Joomla, and the potential for advocacy through EU-based hosting companies. The topic of establishing a legal presence for the WordPress Foundation in the EU came up—an idea that’s being considered but seen as too complex to act on right now. The FAIR project announcement got a cautious but open-minded response from Matt. While he acknowledged the potential of a federated repository for plugins and themes, he highlighted significant concerns around trust, rollout coordination, and analytics. He stressed the importance of plugin safety, org infrastructure, and recent advances in automated vulnerability scanning. Then came a rapid-fire Q&A: contributors asked about AI in WordPress, the sustainability team’s future, WooCommerce’s branding against Shopify, Campus Connect’s expansion, funding WordCamps in underrepresented regions, and even the need to modernize internal tools like CampTix. A big highlight was the 150-hour university credit pilot launching in Pisa this month—an exciting new way to bring student contributors into the project at scale. Have a listen to the whole audio episode while you're on the go! ★ Support this podcast ★…

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Blueprints, Burnout, and Better Clients 45:23

5 weeks тому45:23

45:23

In this insightful episode of The WP Minute+, Kurt and Toby dive deep into the business mechanics behind running a WordPress-based web agency. They explore the power of blueprints : predefined, productized service packages to streamline work, deliver consistent results, and increase profitability. Rather than reinventing the wheel for every client, creating reusable setups lets agencies charge more for less effort while offering high-value, fast-launch solutions. They also confront the reality of burnout and the importance of creating systems that minimize stress while maximizing effectiveness. The conversation shifts into the freelancer-to-agency mindset transformation, stressing the need to move beyond hourly billing and toward value-based pricing. Kurt and Toby emphasize that many freelancers undervalue their work by associating speed with cheaper rates, when in fact, expertise should warrant higher pricing. The guys also discuss client management, feature creep, and sales strategy . They argue that most clients are less concerned with WordPress release schedules than developers assume, and that focusing on sales and client relationships is more crucial than chasing the latest features or trends. They also highlight the importance of saying “no” to misguided client ideas and protecting your energy and time as an agency owner or freelancer. Key Takeaways Productizing services through blueprints leads to faster delivery and higher perceived value. Burnout is real , and managing it requires delegation, focusing on strengths, and structured schedules. Value-based pricing beats hourly billing; charging more for faster, higher-quality outcomes is fair and smart. Freelancers transitioning to agency owners must start thinking about scale, margins, and team delegation. Client success starts with responsiveness . Answering emails and calls quickly can lead to upsell opportunities and long-term relationships. Sales and marketing should consume a significant portion of your weekly workload to maintain a healthy pipeline. Important Links: Kurt’s Agency: Mañana No Mas Toby’s Agency: The Mighty Mo! Follow Kurt & Toby: LinkedIn: Kurt | Toby The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★…

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Emotionally Unemployable: Agency Life with Kurt and Toby 46:13

6 weeks тому46:13

46:13

In this candid and wide-ranging episode, Kurt von Ahnen and Toby Cryns reflect on the unique ups and downs of running a small WordPress agency. From their early days coding in HTML and building Flash websites to managing client rosters, teams, and productized services, the hosts explore the joys and hard-won lessons of agency life. One major theme: the freedom (and chaos) of living and working on their own terms. Both hosts share what makes them “emotionally unemployable,” emphasizing how autonomy, community involvement, and passion-driven work keep them committed to their businesses rather than traditional employment. The conversation also covers important topics like pricing services, navigating global competition, managing clients and contractors, and building credibility through niche expertise and community engagement. Whether it’s “firing” the bottom third of clients each year or offering templated websites to local food trucks, Kurt and Toby share actionable strategies and hilarious stories from the trenches. Key Takeaways: Letting go of low-value clients can lead to business growth and improved margins. Overseas freelancers often undercut U.S. rates, creating tension in hiring decisions. Being part of your local community (through events, speaking, and partnerships) can naturally build trust and attract clients. Effective labor rate (ELR) is a key KPI to track project profitability. Productized services (like $1500 templated websites + $79/month maintenance) offer sustainable income for smaller clients. Sales success often hinges on personal connections and industry niche familiarity. The path to long-term agency survival is through adaptability and knowing your worth. Important Links: Kurt’s Agency: Mañana No Mas Toby’s Agency: The Mighty Mo! Follow Kurt & Toby: LinkedIn: Kurt | Toby The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★…

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Freemius: Growing Beyond WordPress 46:28

7 weeks тому46:28

46:28

In this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt welcomes Vova Feldman, the founder and CEO of Freemius, to discuss how the company is expanding beyond its roots in the WordPress ecosystem. Vova shares how Freemius has evolved over the past few years, from supporting WordPress plugin and theme developers to rebranding as a full-service sales and monetization platform for all software makers, including SaaS and apps. The shift is driven by a desire to simplify the sales process and empower developers with a complete solution that includes licensing, billing, marketing automation, and merchant-of-record services. Vova dives into the value Freemius provides not just technically, but strategically, guiding makers through crucial business stages like pricing, packaging, and growth. He explains how AI and the rise of low-code tools empower a new wave of non-technical founders. He describes how Freemius is positioning itself to support these entrepreneurs with the infrastructure they need to go to market quickly. Vova also discusses the ongoing challenge of educating users about the benefits of a merchant of record model and how Freemius plans to integrate AI to offer smarter insights and automate decision-making for software businesses. Key Takeaways: Freemius has expanded from WordPress into the broader SaaS and software ecosystem. The platform offers end-to-end infrastructure for software sales, including licensing, marketing tools, and merchant-of-record services. Education and support are central to Freemius’ growth strategy, though they are working to scale it. Many WordPress developers hesitate due to pricing concerns, but the added features and services provide significant ROI. AI is accelerating software creation, and Freemius is preparing for a future where non-developers launch apps with the help of no-code tools and AI. Freemius plans to enhance its data analytics and reporting through AI to deliver business insights directly within the platform. Important Links: The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe Freemius : https://freemius.com/ Plugin.fm Podcast: https://plugin.fm/ ★ Support this podcast ★…

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Reinventing Himself From Agency Owner to Productized Service 41:33

8 weeks тому41:33

41:33

In this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt is joined by John Doherty, a seasoned entrepreneur who transitioned from running the SEO lead-generation agency Credo to launching and scaling a productized editing and content service, EditorNinja. John reflects on how burnout, shifting business economics, and a desire for more scalable operations led him to sell his agency and pursue a new venture focused on streamlined, high-volume content editing. The conversation covers defining a productized service, navigating burnout, and embracing AI as a tool rather than a threat. John shares valuable lessons about aligning business models with personal goals, setting boundaries in client relationships, and strategically focusing on higher-value clients. EditorNinja, with its hybrid approach to human and AI-powered content production and editing, is positioned at the intersection of automation and quality. John believes it’s a key in the age of AI-saturated content. Key Takeaways From Burnout to Breakthrough: John launched EditorNinja after hitting a plateau with his previous agency, Credo. Selling Credo allowed him to refocus on work aligned with his goals and energy. What is EditorNinja? A content editing and writing service focused on helping content-heavy businesses scale. Offers human and AI-generated content, with a strong human editing layer. Positioned between freelancers and in-house editorial teams. Defining Productized Services: Productization is about how services are delivered, not just pricing. Even “productized” businesses can accommodate custom, high-value deals with the right systems. AI and Content Creation: AI generates 70–80% of the content EditorNinja edits. Human editing is essential for clarity, tone, and brand alignment. AI hasn’t replaced writing, but has shifted where value is created. Targeting the Right Clients: EditorNinja focuses on businesses with $2+ million in revenue with dedicated content teams. Smaller companies often lack the consistency, budget, or infrastructure to sustain content programs. Strategic onboarding and custom quoting are crucial for long-term fit. Important Links The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe Visit the EditorNinja website: https://editorninja.com/ Follow EditorNinja on YouTube for agency and content tips: https://www.youtube.com/@EditorNinja Connect with John Doherty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfdoherty/ ★ Support this podcast ★…

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An Inside Look at StellarSites 23:50

9 weeks тому23:50

23:50

In this episode of the WP Minute+, Matt sits down with Matt Cromwell to discuss the newly launched StellarSites, a major initiative from StellarWP that repositions the brand as a direct-to-customer platform provider. Designed to compete with modern website builders while preserving the flexibility of WordPress, StellarSites bundles the best of StellarWP’s tools, including Kadence WP, SolidWP, GiveWP, LearnDash, The Events Calendar, and more. The goal is a streamlined, vertical-focused site builder for fundraising, eCommerce, LMS, and event websites. Matt Cromwell explains how StellarSites uses Kadence AI to guide users through a visual site-building experience before they sign up, smoothing over the typical complexity of WordPress onboarding. The result is a WordPress site tailored to user needs, with key plugins pre-installed, licensed, and managed via Solid Central. While aimed at DIY users, StellarSites is also a compelling option for freelancers and agencies looking to speed up delivery and reduce friction in small-budget projects. Key Takeaways What is StellarSites? A new bundled site-building product from StellarWP with vertical-specific starter sites. Supports fundraising, LMS, event, and eCommerce sites, powered by Kadence and SolidWP. Starts at $19/month and includes full plugin licensing with no hidden fees. AI Onboarding & Experience: Leverages Kadence AI to visually build a site before purchase. Not marketed as an “AI builder” but as a tool to enhance onboarding and UX. Offers users a strong head start while preserving WordPress flexibility. Agency & Freelancer Appeal: Supports multi-site management through Solid Central. Ideal for agencies with lower-budget clients or rapid deployment needs. Encourages hybrid models: AI gets you 80% there, a freelancer helps finish it. Tech & Infrastructure: Built on the Nexcess infrastructure with performance scaling and visual update rollback tools. Fully open-source and portable – users can migrate away if needed. WordPress Ecosystem Reflections: Cromwell welcomes slower core updates and more incremental improvements. Believes AI will empower users and consultants rather than fully automate web development. Important Links The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe Learn more about Stellar Sites: stellarwp.com Connect with Matt Cromwell: Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/learnwithmattc Website: mattcromwell.com ★ Support this podcast ★…

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Evolution of a WordPress Agency 46:54

10 weeks тому46:54

46:54

In this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt speaks with Ross Johnson, founder of 3.7 Designs, about what it’s like to run a WordPress agency for nearly 20 years. Ross shares the lessons learned from starting his agency in the early 2000s, evolving from general web design to custom WordPress development, and ultimately shifting toward modern workflows with block-based builders and recurring revenue models. The conversation explores practical agency management topics like the cost of custom development, experimenting with new tools, working with clients of all sizes, and the ongoing debate over what defines a “WordPress professional.” Ross and Matt also discuss the role of version control, the rise of AI in agency workflows, and how to adapt to the changing landscape of customer expectations, marketing strategies, and sustainable pricing models. Key Takeaways Agency Growth and Sustainability: Ross founded 3.7 Designs in the mid-2000s and has adapted through major WordPress and industry changes. Experimentation and reflection are critical to long-term agency growth and process improvement. The shift to retainers and recurring revenue has helped the agency survive economic ups and downs. Custom vs. Page Builder Workflows: Building everything from scratch led to budget overruns and development fatigue. Tools like GenerateBlocks offer efficiency without sacrificing flexibility. Page builders don’t diminish professionalism – they enhance it with the right strategy. Defining a WordPress Professional: Caring about your craft, clients, and business is key to professionalism. Version control is helpful, but not the only marker of expertise or quality. The community should avoid exclusionary definitions of “real” developers. AI, Marketing, and the Future of Agencies: AI is a valuable assistant, but not yet a full replacement for development or marketing teams. AI can accelerate ideation, design, and content repurposing across multiple channels. Agencies that lean into human connection and high-touch service will differentiate themselves. Important Links The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe Visit 3.7 Designs: https://3.7designs.co Connect with Ross Johnson on LinkedIn ★ Support this podcast ★…

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Leading Through Change and Conflict 27:40

11 weeks тому27:40

27:40

In this powerful WP Minute+ episode, Matt hosts Angela Jin, a seasoned WordPress community leader and now a leadership coach, to discuss how business owners and freelancers can lead through times of change and conflict. Drawing from her years at Automattic and her current work in leadership development, Angela shares why conflict and change are not only inevitable but also essential forces that shape outstanding leadership. Angela explores key frameworks and mindsets leaders can adopt to navigate today’s chaotic world, including “stretch collaboration,” embracing experimentation over control, and leading with awareness and empathy. Whether you’re dealing with organizational uncertainty, WordPress community tensions, or high-stakes business shifts, Angela offers a calming and actionable roadmap for showing up with clarity, purpose, and humanity. Note: Angela’s presentation was part of an exclusive webinar for members of The WP Minute. Sign up today to access more top-notch content! Key Takeaways Change is Inevitable, Conflict is Natural: Leadership begins with accepting that both are part of the journey, not problems to avoid. Great leaders focus first on how they show up internally before addressing external dynamics. Embrace “Stretch Collaboration”: When agreement isn’t possible, progress depends on engaging across differences. Let go of the illusion of control and focus on experimentation and iteration. Three Leadership Shifts to Practice: Connect : Name your priorities and listen to others. Experiment : Act without knowing the outcome – momentum matters. Change : Leadership starts by reflecting on your role in the dynamic. Actionable Reflections for Leaders: In your current challenge, how are you engaging and asserting? What small step can you take today to move forward? What are you willing to change in yourself to shift the situation? Important Links The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe Connect with Angela Jin Twitter/X: https://x.com/angelasjin Website: https://angelasjin.com/ Book a coaching session with Angela: https://calendly.com/angelajincoaching/freecoachingsession ★ Support this podcast ★…

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1
Inside Woo 37:30

12 weeks тому37:30

37:30

In this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt is joined by James Kemp, Core Product Manager at WooCommerce and long-time WordPress entrepreneur, to take a behind-the-scenes look at the WooCommerce ecosystem. James shares his journey from building Magento integrations and utility plugins to founding IconicWP, which was later acquired by StellarWP. Now at WooCommerce, James is focused on improving core product experiences and making WooCommerce more accessible and performant for builders and merchants alike. The discussion covers topics including the challenges WooCommerce faces in onboarding users compared to platforms like Shopify, the importance of streamlining hosting and setup experiences, and how Automattic’s evolving strategy aims to make .com the best possible showcase for WordPress and WooCommerce. James also gives insight into company culture post-acquisition, recent layoffs, and the evolving product roadmap that includes AI integration, performance improvements, and better tooling for developers. Key Takeaways James’ Path to WooCommerce: James started in 2009 building Magento-WordPress integrations. Launched IconicWP to focus on utility-style WooCommerce plugins. Joined WooCommerce after StellarWP acquired Iconic. WooCommerce’s Unique Challenges: Unlike Shopify, Woo requires merchants to handle hosting and technical setup upfront. The user journey is fragmented across plugins, hosts, and tools, making onboarding harder. WooCommerce is working to improve builder tools, site setup flows, and new user experiences. Culture & Strategy at WooCommerce: The Woo team is tightly knit and focused on merchant success, despite industry criticism. Layoffs and restructuring at Automattic have prompted a renewed focus on prioritization. James emphasizes open communication, collaboration, and product-led growth. AI and the Future of Development: AI is heavily encouraged at Woo and Automattic for experimentation and productivity. James uses AI daily for research, brainstorming, and development prototyping. A new AI initiative at Woo, led by James Page, explores ways to integrate smarter workflows. Looking Ahead for Agencies & Freelancers: Builder tools, performance, import/export features, and compatibility improvements are coming. WooCommerce remains highly flexible and ideal for custom and complex client solutions. The Playground and blueprint initiatives could transform how users experience WooCommerce. Important Links The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe Visit WooCommerce: woocommerce.com WooCommerce Developer Hub: developer.woocommerce.com Connect with James Kemp on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/jamesckemp ★ Support this podcast ★…

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1
Two Decades Running A WordPress Agency 47:22

13 weeks тому47:22

47:22

On this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt chats with Toby Cryns, founder of Minneapolis-based agency The Mighty Mo!, about what it’s like to run a WordPress agency for 20 years. From building sites in Flash before pivoting to WordPress after Steve Jobs’ infamous “Flash is dead” moment, Toby reflects on the evolution of the web industry, the rise of page builders, and the growing influence of AI on development and client expectations. Toby shares his journey of overcoming fear around AI, his experiments with ChatGPT and Copilot, and how he’s using these tools to develop a WordPress-based project management app. He discusses how the small business and nonprofit web design market is shifting, the impact of DIY platforms like Wix and Squarespace, and the growing divide between clients who want $300 websites and those who need reliable long-term partners. Through honest anecdotes and hard-earned lessons, Toby explores pricing strategies, client relationships, project management, and the power of sticking with WordPress – even amid uncertainty in the ecosystem. Key Takeaways AI and WordPress Development: AI is useful as a junior-level coding assistant but still requires deep domain knowledge. Tools like ChatGPT and Copilot have saved Toby hundreds of hours on plugin development. AI won’t replace agencies but it will change workflows and create new opportunities. Adapting to Market Shifts: The entry-level web market is increasingly lost to AI and DIY tools. High-end clients may be exploring prototyping internally before approaching agencies. Adaptation is key: agencies that don’t evolve risk becoming obsolete. Running a Sustainable WordPress Agency: Project managers and account managers are game changers for scaling without burnout. WordPress plugins like Beaver Builder and services like ManageWP streamline delivery and maintenance. Raising prices (even a little) can be a healthy, overdue adjustment. Community and the Future of WordPress: Despite recent governance controversies, Toby remains hopeful about the WordPress community. The community is WordPress’ greatest asset – leaders must help rebuild trust and direction. Gutenberg may yet become the publishing backbone of the modern web. Important Links The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe Visit Toby’s Agency: https://themightymo.com/ Connect with Toby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobycryns ★ Support this podcast ★…

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Marketing Agencies Adjusting in 2025 45:17

14 weeks тому45:17