The WP Minute+

Matt Medeiros

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. read less
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Episodes

Crossroads of WordPress
6d ago
Crossroads of WordPress
In this thought-provoking podcast, Matt and Mark dive into the current state of WordPress, discussing its target audience, marketing strategies, and potential challenges that lie ahead. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, offering insights into the future of the popular content management system.Key questions and topics discussed:Who is WordPress primarily built for - DIYers or professional developers?How can WordPress better understand and cater to its end users?The impact of the Gutenberg editor on WordPress' user experience and market position.The role of Automattic and wordpress.com in shaping the future of WordPress.The debate between using free vs. premium WordPress plugins and themes.WordPress' position in the market compared to competitors like Wix and Squarespace.The potential impact of AI on website building and the WordPress ecosystem.The importance of the WordPress community and how it can continue to thrive.The challenges of balancing the needs of different user groups within the WordPress ecosystem.The future of WordPress pricing and the sustainability of the open-source model.Throughout the conversation, Matt and Mark explore various scenarios and possibilities for WordPress' evolution, considering factors such as open-source development, commercialization, and the role of key players like Automattic. They also touch upon the importance of understanding and catering to the needs of different user groups, from hobbyists to professional agencies.While no definitive answers are reached, the discussion highlights the complex nature of the WordPress ecosystem and the challenges that lie ahead as it continues to adapt and evolve in a rapidly changing digital landscape.Follow MattFollow The WP MinuteFollow Mark ★ Support this podcast ★
The WordPress Theme Market is Heating Up
Apr 29 2024
The WordPress Theme Market is Heating Up
In this episode of the WP Minute+, Matt Medeiros interviews Rafal Tomal, co-creator of the new Rockbase WordPress theme. Tomal, a renowned designer in the WordPress community, discusses his journey from working at Copyblogger and StudioPress to founding his own agency and eventually creating Rockbase with his partner, Chris Hufnagel.Tomal shares his experiences working with clients, noting that the industry has evolved to better understand the distinctions between design and development. He highlights the importance of providing a complete service to clients, rather than just delivering a final product.The conversation also touches on the rise of AI tools and their impact on the WordPress ecosystem. Tomal believes that while these tools are valuable for smaller websites and businesses just starting out, there will always be a need for custom design and development services as companies grow and require more advanced functionality.Tomal explains the concept behind Rockbase's "playbooks," which are designed to provide users with a complete mini-website rather than just a child theme. He also shares his hopes for the future of the WordPress editor, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and user experience improvements without overloading the core with unnecessary features.Key Takeaways:The WordPress industry has matured, with clients better understanding the distinct roles of design and development.Providing a complete service, including communication and guidance, is crucial for client satisfaction.AI tools and advanced WordPress themes are valuable for small businesses, but custom design and development remain essential for growth.Rockbase's "playbooks" offer users a complete mini-website solution, going beyond simple child themes.The WordPress editor should focus on simplicity and user experience improvements while avoiding feature bloat.Important URLs Mentioned:Rockbase: https://rockbase.co/Rafal Tomal's previous interview on the Matt Report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5MhogzU0Y4 ★ Support this podcast ★
Bluehost Unveils Cloud Hosting Built for WordPress Professionals
Apr 15 2024
Bluehost Unveils Cloud Hosting Built for WordPress Professionals
In a recent interview on the WP Minute+ podcast, host Matt Medeiros sat down with Chris Vano, Senior Director of Product Management at Bluehost, to discuss the company's latest offering: Bluehost Cloud, a WordPress hosting solution powered by WP Cloud. Vano shared insights into the development process and key features of this new product, which targets agencies, freelancers, and professionals.Vano emphasized the importance of customer feedback in shaping the Bluehost Cloud offering, revealing that the company conducted interviews with agencies and professionals to understand their specific needs and pain points. This research led to the decision to partner with Automattic, leveraging their proven WP Cloud platform to deliver a high-performance, WordPress-optimized hosting solution.Key features of Bluehost Cloud include dedicated resources for each site, scalability, a global CDN, and a choice of data center locations with automatic failover. The solution also boasts a 100% guaranteed network uptime, backed by a promise to refund customers if they experience downtime. Additionally, Bluehost Cloud incorporates Jetpack features such as backups and malware scanning at no extra cost.Vano also discussed the role of Bluehost's core contributor team in optimizing the Cloud solution and the company's plans to expand the offering to cater to enterprise customers in the future. The product launch is supported by a dedicated WordPress expert support team, setting it apart from competitors in the market.Episode Takeaways:- Bluehost Cloud is a WordPress hosting solution powered by WP Cloud, targeting agencies, freelancers, and professionals.- Customer feedback played a crucial role in shaping the product's features and offerings.- The solution offers dedicated resources, scalability, a global CDN, and multiple data center locations with automatic failover.- Bluehost Cloud guarantees 100% network uptime and includes Jetpack features like backups and malware scanning.- The company plans to expand the offering to cater to enterprise customers in the future.- A dedicated WordPress expert support team is available to assist Bluehost Cloud customers.Important Links:- Bluehost Cloud landing page: https://bluehost.com/hosting/cloud- Webinar recording with Chris Vano and Devin Sears (to be added to show notes)- Matt Medeiros' interview with Jesse Friedman about WP Cloud (to be added to show notes)- Chris Vano's Twitter profile: https://twitter.com/tallkidzdad ★ Support this podcast ★
A Free WordPress Install in Your Browser
Apr 8 2024
A Free WordPress Install in Your Browser
Matt Medeiros, host of the WP Minute+ podcast, recently had an engaging conversation with Adam Zielinski, the creator of WordPress Playground, a revolutionary tool that allows users to run WordPress entirely in their browser without the need for a server or hosting environment. The discussion delved into the technical aspects, potential use cases, and future prospects of WordPress Playground.The conversation highlights the significant potential of WordPress Playground in shaping the future of WordPress development, education, and user experience. As the tool continues to evolve and gain traction within the community, it may well become an essential resource for WordPress professionals and enthusiasts alike.Key points from the conversation:1. WordPress Playground is a browser-based tool that enables users to run a fully functional WordPress instance without the need for a server or hosting environment. It operates using static files and can even function offline once loaded.2. The tool is designed to make WordPress more accessible and to streamline the learning and development process. It allows users to experiment with themes, plugins, and code without the hassle of setting up a local development environment.3. Adam Zielinski envisions a future where WordPress Playground could synchronize data with actual WordPress instances, enabling seamless staging and deployment workflows. He also foresees the possibility of running WordPress on edge servers and exchanging data between instances in real-time.4. WordPress Playground offers a range of features, including the ability to switch between different PHP and WordPress versions, import and export content from GitHub, and share instances through pull requests.5. The tool has the potential to revolutionize WordPress education by providing interactive examples and hands-on learning experiences directly within the browser.6. Adam Zielinski emphasizes the importance of making WordPress more accessible and user-friendly for newcomers, especially in light of the increasing competition from other website builders and CMS platforms.Important links mentioned:- WordPress Playground: https://playground.wordpress.net- WordPress Playground community space: https://wordpress.org/playground- Adam Zielinski's Twitter: https://twitter.com/adamzielin- WordPress Playground GitHub repository: https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-playground ★ Support this podcast ★
A New Generation of the WordPress Community
Mar 25 2024
A New Generation of the WordPress Community
In this episode of WP Minute+, Matt Medeiros sits down with Mark Szymanski, the owner of FindIT Tech Agency, to discuss Mark’s journey into the WordPress space, his experience with page builders like Elementor and Bricks, and his thoughts on the future of WordPress.Mark shares his background, starting his agency in 2019 and diving into the world of WordPress. He discusses his early experiences with themes and page builders, eventually settling on Elementor before discovering Bricks.The conversation then shifts to the WordPress community and the challenges of catering to such a diverse group of users with varying needs and objectives. Matt and Mark discuss the importance of getting involved in the community, attending WordCamps, and contributing to the platform’s development.They also touch on the sometimes contentious nature of page builder communities and the importance of focusing on providing value to clients, regardless of the tools used.Throughout the episode, Mark offers his unique perspective as a relative newcomer to the WordPress space, while Matt provides insights from his years of experience in the community.Key Takeaways:The WordPress community is diverse, with users ranging from DIYers to large agencies, each with their own unique needs and goals.Getting involved in the WordPress community through WordCamps and contributing to the platform’s development can help shape the future of WordPress.Page builder communities can sometimes become contentious, but the focus should always be on providing value to clients.As a WordPress professional, it’s essential to care about the customer and the product first, rather than just chasing quick profits.Important Links:Mark Szymanski’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@markjszymanskiMark Szymanski’s Website: https://markjosephszymanski.com/FindIT Tech Agency ★ Support this podcast ★
AI's Next Target: WordPress Themes
Mar 12 2024
AI's Next Target: WordPress Themes
In this episode of the WP Minute+ podcast, host Matt Medeiros sits down with Ben Ritner, the creator of the popular Kadence WordPress theme. Ben shares his journey from building websites for clients to creating the Virtue theme, which gained over 300,000 active installs at its peak. He discusses the evolution of the Kadence brand, which has been around for 10 years, and the launch of the Kadence theme four years ago as a Gutenberg-ready solution.Ben and Matt delve into the challenges faced by theme developers when adhering to WordPress.org guidelines while trying to meet user demands. They explore the idea of allowing users to choose their site-building foundation, whether it be core WordPress or a third-party solution like Kadence or Elementor, to simplify the onboarding process and improve user experience.The conversation also touches on the role of hosting companies in providing streamlined WordPress experiences and the difficulties in onboarding non-WordPress users. Ben shares his thoughts on the Kadence ecosystem, which includes a range of plugins focused on front-end performance, design, and marketing. He also discusses the integration of AI into Kadence products as an assistant to help users create content more efficiently.Matt and Ben explore the topic of AI in the WordPress space, discussing the concept of AI credit fatigue and the importance of trust in centralized AI platforms. They also touch on the potential of open-source AI models and their integration into WordPress products.Key Takeaways:The Kadence brand has evolved over the past decade, with the Kadence theme launched four years ago as a Gutenberg-ready solution.Theme developers face challenges in adhering to WordPress.org guidelines while meeting user demands for more control over their site-building experience.Hosting companies have attempted to provide streamlined WordPress experiences, but onboarding non-WordPress users remains a challenge.The Kadence ecosystem focuses on front-end performance, design, and marketing, with AI integration aimed at assisting users in creating content more efficiently.Trust in centralized AI platforms and the potential of open-source AI models are important considerations in the WordPress space.Important Links:Kadence WP: https://www.kadencewp.com/Ben Ritner https://twitter.com/BenjaminRitner ★ Support this podcast ★
Marc Benzakein: WordPress Comeback Journey
Feb 26 2024
Marc Benzakein: WordPress Comeback Journey
This episode of The WP Minute+ podcast features host Matt Medeiros in conversation with guest Marc Benzakein.Marc is currently involved with two WordPress-related businesses – MainWP, a self-hosted WordPress site management plugin, and Site District, a managed WordPress hosting company.Matt opens the show recapping his previous interview with Marc on The Matt Report podcast, where they discussed Marc’s former business ServerPress which has now shut down. Marc shares what he has been up to since closing ServerPress, including taking a 6 month sabbatical away from WordPress, before getting involved again working with smaller bootstrapped companies in the WordPress space.Topics Discussed:The high sponsorship costs for events like WordCamp make things difficult for small companies in the WordPress ecosystem. Marc and Matt debate whether the platform can sustain if sponsors pull out.They discuss the necessary move towards block editors and full site editing for WordPress to stay competitive, even though some developers dislike it. The focus needs to be ease of use over speed.Marc highlights the existential threat of keeping websites relevant when social platforms like Facebook offer quicker user engagement. All of WordPress needs to address this issue.The dominance of big tech platforms and algorithms threatens the open web, as most content is now filtered through them rather than accessed directly. Podcasting faces similar challenges.Key Takeaways:Opportunities for WordPress pros with strong personal brands to work with multiple niche companies rather than one big corporate roleNeed to make WordPress site building competitive with social platforms for ease of useAll of WordPress needs to band together to demonstrate the benefits of owning your data with a website ★ Support this podcast ★
WordPress vs. The World: An Interview with Scalemath CEO Alex Panagis
Jan 23 2024
WordPress vs. The World: An Interview with Scalemath CEO Alex Panagis
I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Alex Panagis, CEO of digital growth agency Scalemath, on my podcast The WP Minute+. As a leader in the WordPress space with deep roots in the ecosystem, Alex had plenty of insightful perspectives to share.A big topic we dug into was WordPress vs. closed platforms like Webflow. As you might expect, Alex is firmly in the open source WordPress camp. He sees the flexibility of WordPress as superior for most uses, allowing users to control more of their site without getting locked into a proprietary ecosystem.That said, Alex doesn’t believe Webflow is necessarily bad if it enables someone to build a better site than they could with WordPress. The choice comes down to what works best for each user and their goals. The concern is more about avoiding vendor lock-in down the road.We also discussed the impact of AI on digital marketing and content creation. While useful in certain applications, Alex believes AI raises the bar in terms of the quality and originality needed from human creators and strategists. Essentially, it forces everyone to up their game, which is ultimately a good thing.Several other highlights that WordPress professionals may find interesting:How Scalemath builds deep, long-term partnerships vs. the typical agency/client relationshipThe importance of product development in scaling a services agencyWhy most smaller WordPress firms don’t make economic sense for an agency to work withAlex’s take on Basecamp’s upcoming Slack competitor and “pay once” software modelIt was a wide-ranging and insightful chat with Alex!Chapter Markers[00:00:00] Introduction[00:02:00] Alex’s background and Scalemath[00:05:00] Working with clients and pricing[00:10:00] Ideal client criteria[00:15:00] Building the Scalemath brand[00:19:00] Pricing and value[00:25:00] Open source vs closed source CMS[00:30:00] SaaS pricing models[00:35:00] Basecamp’s new “pay once” model[00:37:00] The impact of AI[00:42:00] Disclosing AI written content ★ Support this podcast ★
Jetpack Creator and the Future of the WordPress Creator Space
Jan 16 2024
Jetpack Creator and the Future of the WordPress Creator Space
The concept of being an online “creator” has exploded in popularity over the last decade. Spurred by platforms like YouTube and Substack, millions of people now aspire to build audiences around their content and make it a business. However, sustainably monetizing content and turning casual hobbyists into full-time creators is easier said than done.I know better than anyone…In an attempt to consolidate the creator toolset, Automattic recently launched a packaged offering called Jetpack Creator. For $119.40 the first year, it bundles relevant parts of Jetpack into an all-in-one product targeting creators. To learn more, I spoke with one of the leads behind Jetpack Creator – Mike Stott.His startup produced a simple CRM plugin for small businesses called Zero BS CRM which was eventually acquired by Automattic. After being folded into Jetpack’s offerings, Mike now oversees product direction for various components like Jetpack CRM and the new Creator package.We had an insightful discussion on the goals, competition, and differentiation of Jetpack Creator compared to other options creators have available. We also debated the level of effort required for creators to successfully monetize content through WordPress, even with streamlined offerings available on the market.Key Takeaways:Jetpack Creator bundles existing Jetpack features at a discounted price, focusing on blocks, patterns, and creator networkingThe CRM feature in Jetpack emerged from Mike’s previous startup, with a goal of simple functionality for small businessesCreators need consistent content output to build an audience; Jetpack aims to streamline publishing but won’t replace that effortMonetization through WordAds, Stripe payments, and other tools can come later as traffic and subscriptions growThere is still fragmentation across WordPress products for creators; opportunities exist for more tailored user experiences3 Reasons to Listen:Learn how Jetpack Creator aims to compete with platforms like Substack and Ghost for creatorsUnderstand Mike’s vision for unifying WordPress creator solutionsGet insight into the origin story of Jetpack CRM coming from Mike’s startupChapters:0:01 Intro0:35 Mike’s background with Zero BS CRM1:52 Bundling existing features in Jetpack Creator3:29 Competing with other creator platforms5:16 Making money from creator content in WordPress7:21 The challenge of consistent content creation9:14 Unifying WordPress products for creators11:34 Who is the Jetpack Creator customer?13:52 Impact on the WordPress ecosystem16:31 Tools for repurposing and amplifying content19:14 Unlocking WordPress.com features for self-hosted sites21:29 Defining what a “creator” is25:54 The difficulty of creator sustainability27:49 Ad revenue challenges on platforms like YouTube30:25 Approaching content creation as a business32:16 Additional ways to share and monetize content34:09 Cryptocurrency payment options36:06 Wrapping up ★ Support this podcast ★
Taking on a $40 Billion Dollar Competitor
Jan 10 2024
Taking on a $40 Billion Dollar Competitor
I recently had an insightful discussion with Rytis Lauris, co-founder and CEO of the email marketing platform Omnisend, on the WP Minute+.Even after nearly 10 years in business, Rytis described Omnisend as still being in "startup mode." He credits staying bootstrapped with helping maintain their agility to pivot based on customer feedback, rather than getting bogged down in bureaucracy like many older companies.Omnisend is a Pillar Sponsor of the WP Minute. Part of the sponsorship agreement is to host an interview like this, in an effort to have a candid conversation about their company. We covered a wide range of topics relevant to any WordPress Professional, from competition to company culture to leveraging new technologies like AI. Here are 5 of my key takeaways from our conversation:Laser focus on a niche is critical - By specifically targeting ecommerce merchants early on, Omnisend set itself apart from more generic marketing platforms. Really understanding customer pain points lets you build solutions tailored to their needs.Community delivers long-term stability - Rytis believes platforms like WordPress have an advantage over solitary gatekeepers like Shopify thanks to open source's distributed model where no one entity controls the ecosystem.Go where the customers are - Though initially focused on Shopify, Omnisend expanded into WooCommerce after seeing impressive organic traction there. Value creation trumps personal preferences.Startup mindset stems from leadership - Maintaining ambition and efficiency despite company maturity comes from the top. Rytis still drives Omnisend's vision decade later.AI should enhance abilities, not replace jobs - Omnisend judiciously uses AI to help humans be more productive. But Rytis believes strategic thinking still requires human creativity and intuition.Beyond the key insights, here are 5 reasons why you should tune into our conversation:We have 20+ years combined building digital companies so share informed perspectives on the industry.Gain insider knowledge of the WordPress vs Shopify ecosystems from someone operating within both.Learn how to scale your startup without sacrificing agility or customer centricity.Hear a thoughtful approach to leveraging promising innovations like AI without going overboard.Enjoy an insightful dialogue with the candid yet focused Rytis Lauris about business and personal growth.I thoroughly enjoyed my talk with Rytis - his uniq ★ Support this podcast ★
How WordPress podcasts have changed over a decade
Dec 5 2023
How WordPress podcasts have changed over a decade
From the early days of WordPress Media to the high-stakes game of balancing life, work, and passion; journey with us into the world of two WordPress veterans. Join Matt and Dustin as they reminisce about their beginnings, discuss the ever-evolving landscape of WordPress, and share insights about maintaining successful long-term projects. So buckle in, it’s time to dive deep into the riveting realm of WordPress.Matt asks Dustin about his consistent content contributions to the WordPress community and the non-monetary benefits he derives from it. They delve into the challenges of balancing content production with a full-time job, family responsibilities, and other life events. Dustin discusses his aspiration to monetize his YouTube channel to generate enough income to upgrade his personal Apple devices. He explores the idea of sponsorships and generating income indirectly by optimizing his wife’s online businesses.They also talk about the struggles of dealing with website management, as exemplified by Dustin's pain points in transferring their data from Sensei to LearnDash. Matt also commends Dustin for his maintenance of the Website Engineer brand and its informative value to the WordPress users. Toward the end, they soothe their creator challenges by reminiscing about the joy of being recognized and how they're influencing others because of what they do.Here are some key links they referenced:Your Website Engineer podcast: yourwebsiteengineer.comDustin’s YouTube: youtube.com/yourwebsiteengineerThree key takeaways:Consistency is crucial in content creation, whether it's a podcast, a YouTube channel, or a blog. You cultivate credibility and a dedicated audience over time.Monetizing content creation is possible, but it requires strategy, persistence, and sometimes, disruptive thinking. Connections and sponsorship can be avenues for income generation.Keeping up with the evolving nature of content creation tools and platforms is important, even if transitioning between them poses challenges. ★ Support this podcast ★