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On this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Matt Medeiros hosts a panel discussion of WordPress predictions for 2026. Panelists Raquel Manriquez, Kurt Von Ahnen, and Eric Karkovack cover topics such as the restructuring of WordCamps, the rise of plugin suites, the impact of AI in hosting, and the future of community events. They also examine the implications of ongoing legal battles and share rapid-fire predictions, highlighting the evolving landscape of WordPress and its community.

Takeaways:

• A restructuring of WordCamps might take hold in 2026.
• The community is seeing a push for more alternative WordPress events.
• AI will play a significant role in differentiating hosting companies.
• The rise of plugin suites may lead to agency dynamics changing.
• Legal battles may impact the direction of WordPress and its branding.
• The importance of community and user experience in WordPress is emphasized.
• AI could lead to a major shift in how users interact with WordPress.
• The panel expresses mixed feelings about the future of Facebook and OpenAI.
• The need for a cohesive community approach to WordPress is highlighted.

Important Links:

• Connect with our panelists on LinkedIn:
  Matt | Raquel | Kurt | Eric
• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminute
Become a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/support

On this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Eric Karkovack speaks with freelance web designer Cami McNamara. Cami discusses her journey into web design, the importance of client relationships, and how to adapt to changes in the industry. She also shares insights from her newsletter, Web Designer Habits, and discusses effective business practices, self-care routines, and the significance of communication with clients. Cami emphasizes the value of personal connections in freelancing and offers practical tips for managing a web design business.

Takeaways:

• Cami aims to be a hero for her clients.
• Her journey into web design began with a desire to create a website for sharing pictures of her child.
• She has maintained a strong client base even during downturns.
• Cami offers care plan services and manages over 200 websites.
• Fostering personal relationships with clients is key to retaining them.
• AI tools have positively impacted Cami’s business operations.
• Cami emphasizes the importance of small habits for productivity.
• Annual payment plans make bookkeeping more efficient for freelancers.
• Self-care practices like daily walks help manage stress.
• Offering free strategy sessions can lead to new projects.

Important Links:

• WebCami
• Web Designer Habits
• Connect with Cami: Bluesky | LinkedIn
• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminute
Become a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/support

On this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Eric Karkovack welcomes Brad Williams, co-founder of Web Dev Studios. Brad details his journey in the WordPress community, the evolution of web development, and the impact of AI on agency life. They discuss the importance of adapting to new technologies, the development of plugins like Theme Switcher Pro, and how agencies can leverage AI tools to enhance efficiency and client satisfaction. Brad shares insights on navigating client expectations and the future of AI in web development, emphasizing the need for agencies to stay ahead of the curve and continuously innovate.

Takeaways:

• Brad Williams reflects on nearly 18 years of running Web Dev Studios.
• Theme Switcher Pro allows for multiple themes on a single WordPress site.
• AI tools are essential for improving efficiency in web development.
• Clients are increasingly interested in AI capabilities for their websites.
• Accessibility automation through AI can enhance website compliance.
• The evolution of WordPress has transformed how agencies operate.
• Understanding client pain points is crucial for agency success.
• AI should be viewed as a helper, not a replacement for developers.
• Continuous learning and adaptation are key in the tech industry.

Important Links:

• Web Dev Studios
• Theme Switcher Pro
• Connect with Brad Williams:
  Bluesky | LinkedIn | Twitter/X
• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminute
Become a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/support

On this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Eric Karkovack speaks with Rodolfo Melogli, the founder of Business Bloomer and organizer of the Checkout Summit. Rodolfo discussed the need for in-person WooCommerce conferences and shared his successful blogging journey. He also shared insights on the evolution of WooCommerce, its competition, and the vision behind the Checkout Summit. He emphasized the significance of networking and personal connections in the e-commerce space.

Takeaways:

• Rodolfo’s journey into WooCommerce began unexpectedly after a career shift.
• Business Bloomer has been a vital resource for WooCommerce customization.
• Rodolfo has been advocating for in-person WooCommerce conferences for years.
• The Checkout Summit aims to foster real-life connections among WooCommerce enthusiasts.
• The event will focus on a small, intimate setting to encourage networking.
• Rodolfo believes in the flexibility and potential of WooCommerce compared to competitors.
• Rodolfo aims to create a relaxed atmosphere for speakers and attendees alike.
• The event is scheduled to take place on April 23-24, 2026, in Palermo, Sicily.

Important Links:

• Checkout Summit
• Business Bloomer
• Connect with Rodolfo Melogli:
  LinkedIn | Twitter/X
• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminute
Become a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/support

On this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Eric is joined by Devin Walker, the new head of Jetpack. They discuss his transition from GiveWP to Jetpack, the acquisition process by Liquid Web, and his vision for Jetpack’s future. Devin shares insights on the challenges faced at Liquid Web, the importance of user experience, and the need for community engagement. He emphasizes the potential of AI in enhancing Jetpack’s onboarding process and the importance of gathering user feedback to drive product improvements.

Takeaways:

• Devin Walker transitioned from GiveWP to Jetpack, bringing valuable experience with him.
• GiveWP’s acquisition by Liquid Web was thorough and focused on team welfare.
• Jetpack aims to redefine its value proposition in the WordPress ecosystem.
• User experience and onboarding are critical for Jetpack’s success.
• Community engagement will be a priority for Devin at Jetpack.
• AI integration is seen as a game changer for user onboarding.
• Devin plans to reach out to users to learn their needs.
• The future of Jetpack includes enhancing its product offerings and user experience.
• Devin aims to build a 10x product for Jetpack.
• Transparency in user feedback and product updates is essential.

Important Links:

• Jetpack
• Devin Walker’s Website | A New Chapter: Joining Automattic to Lead Jetpack
• Connect with Devin: LinkedIn | Twitter/X
• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminute
Become a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/support

On this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Eric Karkovack chats with Danny van Kooten, creator of popular WordPress plugins Mailchimp for WordPress (MC4WP) and Koko Analytics. Danny shares his unique journey into plugin development, which began during a hospital stay for appendicitis. He discusses the evolution of Koko Analytics, its focus on simplicity and user experience, and the strategic decision to build on the WordPress platform. They also examine the challenges of competing with Google, the importance of user feedback in product development, and why AI may not be a fit for every plugin.

Takeaways:

• Danny’s journey into plugin development began during a hospital stay.
• Koko Analytics was created to simplify analytics for WordPress users.
• Koko Analytics aims to provide essential data without complexity.
• User feedback drives most of Koko’s development decisions.
• Danny prefers direct communication with users over AI interactions.
• Future updates will include advanced tracking features.
• Privacy-friendly analytics is a priority for Koko Analytics.

Important Links:

• Danny van Kooten’s website
• Koko Analytics
• Mailchimp for WordPress (MC4WP)
• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminute
Become a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/support

On this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Matt Medeiros chats with Roger Williams, Partnerships and Community Manager at Kinsta. They discuss the importance of hosting education for WordPress users and the nuances of service-level agreements (SLAs) in hosting. They also examine the significance of building strong client relationships through transparent hosting choices and the evolving role of AI in web development and SEO. The conversation also touches on Kinsta’s recent updates and the future of hosting and AI tools.

Takeaways:

• Hosting education is crucial for WordPress users.
• SLAs are important to understand when choosing a host.
• AI tools enhance productivity but do not replace fundamental skills.
• The hosting environment is foundational to website performance.
• Transparency in hosting costs fosters better client relationships.
• Events like CloudFest provide valuable networking opportunities.
• Kinsta focuses on support and education for its users.
• The move to bandwidth-based pricing can alleviate frustrations with bot traffic.
• AI is reshaping how we approach web development and SEO.

Important Links:

• Kinsta
• Connect with Roger Williams on LinkedIn
• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe

Thanks Pressable for supporting the show! Get your special hosting deal at https://pressable.com/wpminute
Become a WP Minute Supporter & Slack member at https://thewpminute.com/support

On this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Matt Medeiros interviews Zach Stepek, Director of Partner Programs at BigScoots. They discuss the importance of transparency in agency partnerships, the definition of true partnership in hosting, and the ideal customer for BigScoots. They explore the infrastructure capabilities of BigScoots, the transition to enterprise-level hosting, and the associated costs of hosting e-commerce websites. The conversation also touches on the value of open-source solutions and the sales process for enterprises.

Editor’s note: BigScoots is a Foundation+ sponsor of The WP Minute

Takeaways:

• Transparency with customers is crucial for agency partnerships.
• BigScoots offers a true partnership program, not just vendor services.
• The company has a high net promoter score, indicating excellent customer satisfaction.
• BigScoots can deploy custom hardware solutions for clients.
• Growth in agency business often requires taking risks.
• Hosting costs can vary significantly based on business needs.
• Open source solutions provide more control and ownership for businesses.
• The enterprise sales process is complex and requires strategic navigation.
• BigScoots is actively participating in various industry events to connect with partners.

Important Links:

• BigScoots
• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe