WP Weekly 161 – Cool Stuff

A lot of cool stuff from the WordPress world to track this week – like CSScrafter, SurelyWP addons, Performant Translations plugin. Also, focus on learning to make block columns fully responsive and exploring block variations.

❤️ The WP Awards 2023 the Nominations phase will close in 2 weeks to submit a nomination for your WordPress product or service. Thanks to InMotion Hosting, 20i Hosting, Pressable, Unlimited WP, Meta Box, and Slim SEO for the support.

Get first-hand tips and insights on the new Core Web Vitals metric – Interaction to Next Paint (INP). Sign up for the workshop and learn how to pass the responsiveness metric with experts from Google and NitroPack.

Pressidium® free trial is the perfect way to experience our advanced WordPress hosting features and support. Try it now and take your website to new heights!

Breakdance is a new website builder for WordPress – refreshingly simple and remarkably powerful with advanced dynamic data capabilities.

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What’s Buzzing in WordPress 💖

  • New Cool Stuff… Gobinda Tarafdar has launched the CSS Crafter project featuring ready to use CSS effects made for the block editor users. Also, Taylor Drayson has created GeneratePress colour generator tool that enables the export of color palettes from tools like Figma, Coolors and import them into the GeneratePress theme.
  • New Releases… Nelson Miller has launched the SurelyWP project featuring addons for the SureCart; as of now features two addons: User Switching and Wishlist. Also, the WordPress Performance Team has released the Performant Translations plugin that makes the website load faster with the implementation of a new approach to handling translation files in WordPress.
  • Product Updates… Breakdance 1.5v update allows static and alternating content in the post loop builder along with god mode that allows any custom field data type output. Also, Tutor LMS 2.2.4v has added a new option to restrict students from completing video lessons until finishing a certain length and also the ability to hide video branding (YouTube) in Tutor LMS Player.

Extended WordPress Buzz 🔥

  1. Plugin Updates… Brian Jackson shared preview of Perfmatters 2.1.5v that adds a new AJAX backend/UI to save data and perform plugin actions that do not require page reloads. Also, the team at 10up has updated the Safe SVG plugin 2.2.0v with the new settings that give the ability to select which user roles can upload SVG files.
  2. More Updates… the Hestia Theme from Themeisle has been updated 3.1.0v with new page patterns and Header customization options like display menu On mobile, customize cart icon, and transparent Header support for other pages. Also, Henrik Liebel has updated the BlockStudio 5.2.0v now with the ability to edit your blocks directly from Gutenberg and see changes in the real time.
  3. Let’s Learn… check this in-depth tutorial by Nick Diego to learn block variations and how you can use them in your workflows. Also, Anton Plauche has published a detailed tutorial for responsive design implementation by extending the core columns block.
  4. Core Updates… WordPress 6.3.1 maintenance release update is now available with 4 bug fixes in Core and 6 bug fixes for the block editor. While Steve Burge shared the preview of the upcoming new design for WooCommerce products.

Quick Bits 👍

Updates: Web Hosting and WordPress

Rocket .net hosting has officially joined the Five for the Future program for contribution to the WordPress core and sponsoring WordCamps. Also, with Google Cloud C2 and Accelerated Plugins, Elementor Hosting update is promising enhanced load times of up to 190% and an optimized user experience.

Sujay Pawar shared the biggest frustrations with using WordPress for building websites – what do you think? Also, Mike Demo at Pagely wrote about the exciting WordPress trends to look forward to in the year 2024.

InMotion hosting provides fast and reliable website hosting for businesses of any size. Trust your website to the web hosting experts at InMotion Hosting.

20i Managed WordPress Hosting is the first WordPress Hosting platform you’ll love, and the last you’ll ever need.

Elementor is one platform with unlimited web creations: From landing pages and eCommerce stores to full-blown websites – build it all with Elementor.

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💖 The WP Awards 2026

Nominations ends this week, Submit Nomination of own or your favorite WordPress products or services.

Upcoming Events 💬

Flagship WordCamps
April 09 - 11, 2027: WordCamp Asia 2027, Penang, Malaysia.
May 27 - 29, 2027: WordCamp Europe 2027, Málaga, Spain.
Not yet announced: WordCamp US 2027.

Offline Events for WordPress
October 16, 2026: WP Suomi 2026, for Nordic WP enthusiasts, Oulu, Finland.
October 27, 2026: PressConf EU 2026, in Barcelona, Spain.
November 11, 2026: CloudFest Americas, in Miami, Florida, USA.

Upcoming WordCamps
September 18, 2026: WordCamp Belgrade 2026, Belgrade, Serbia.
September 18, 2026: WordCamp Bretagne 2026, Rennes, Brittany, France.
October 03, 2026: WordCamp Rajasthan 2026, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
November 05, 2026: WordCamp Canada 2026, Vancouver, Canada.
November 12, 2026: WordCamp Netherlands 2026, Netherlands.
November 13, 2026: WordCamp Pisa 2026, Pisa, Italy.

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