Time for a little backstory as ‘The WP Weekly’ has reached the cool milestone of 50 issues. A lot of new stuff got my attention; hence this issue is loaded with: a new block templates kit, Woo specific CRM solution, online tools for better WP Dashboard and code snippets management, new acquisitions (of course).
Visual Composer is an intuitive drag & drop WordPress website builder that helps you create any professional design quickly for yourself or your clients.
Restrict Content Pro is a super simple plugin to create a premium content membership website on WordPress to generate recurring revenue.
Fluent CRM with 8000+ active installs is the easiest way to set up email marketing, funnels, and automated sequenced emails on WordPress.
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Check 3 lucky winners of the Dark Mode Plugin giveaway contest.
What’s Buzzing in WordPress 💖
- Design Stash… Mike Oliver has launched a very neat block templates kit that you can use to wireframe or jumpstart your next WordPress website project. While Tutor LMS users can now use their new and free Tutor Starter WordPress theme for courses that come with a unified design system and pre-built layouts.
- New Launches… WPengine has launched Smart plugin manager for timely and error-free plugin updates for websites on their platform. Revealing as the ultimate WordPress CRM, the WooFunnels team has launched Autonami 2.0 – a WooCommerce-Centric CRM in the market already dominated FluentCRM and GroundHogg solutions.
- New Online Services… for WordPress users like WPCodeBox that store your code snippets in the cloud and makes them available in any WordPress website dashboard. Also, noticed this new tool Orbitype on Appsumo that is an external online dashboard for your WordPress website, WooCommerce, Google Search Console, email account – all in one place for a quick view and decision making?
Extended WordPress Buzz 🔥
- WP Acquisitions… Matt Mullenweg shared about the new Automattic acquisition, Day One App for private blogging and journaling. The team at Extendify has acquired EditorsKit plugin, one of the first few plugins to extend blocks. Since buying and selling WordPress businesses is hot these days, the upcoming WP Broker acquisition marketplace by Christopher Hughes should be interesting.
- Good Vibes Acquisition… one of my most used tool for capturing leads (even on this website), ConvertBox has been acquired by ThriveCart and the new team is already kicking things with new features including the ability to share your ConvertBoxes. Like I shared the multi-step ConvertBox I use on this website for contests.
- Blocks Life… unlike other blocks add-ons, Genesis Custom Blocks allows you to be more geeky with the ability to package custom block with all of its templates as a plugin. The free Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg (UAG) has been updated for faster loading, less code, and more optimized page loading.
- Blocks More… Chris Lema highlighted the goodness of Gutenberg for writing content. I feel Gutenberg is excellent for post content and simple websites but for complex websites, it still needs more jumps. While Lesley from Newsletter Glue plugin teased cool block patterns for newsletter header and footer designs.
- WordPress Security… WPScan shared about a new ebook for free ‘How to: Find WordPress Plugin Vulnerabilities’, a useful read for sure. Also, check simple reasons to understand, why you should not use nulled WordPress themes and plugins.
Quick Bits 👍
- 10 fancy Instagram Feed Templates added in Spotlight plugin.
- Brand new Max Addons for Bricks users by BloomPixel team.
- The preview of blocks editor in the upcoming WordPress 5.8.
- Beta 2 of WordPress 5.8 is now available for your testing.
- Jeff Chandler, WPTavern creator is back active at WP Mainline.
- WebDevStudios is now one of 13 WP VIP Gold Agency Partners.
- GoDaddy with new payments platform for WooCommerce sites.
[@50] The Story of ‘The WP Weekly’ 🌟 🌟 🌟
I have created many side projects in the past and ‘The WPWeekly’ was one of two side projects I started in 2020. At the start, I committed myself to do 50 issues (almost a year), and then review things. Well, it’s review time and this has been a super amazing journey so far. Many thanks for being a dedicated reader, and supporter – you all make this possible! Please, share your feedback here!
I was fortunate to connect with so many new WordPress people and companies. As an added bonus, this project is now financially viable, thanks to community sponsorship from cool WordPress companies (of course, there is a space for more). Here is my commitment for the next 50 issues and review things at issue #100!
