Google is preparing to introduce a new ranking signal for Search, based on page experience as measured by Core Web Vitals metrics. This includes factors like page speed, responsiveness, and the stability of content as it loads. The upcoming update will combine these signals with previously announced UX-related signals for mobile-friendliness, safe browsing, HTTPS security, and intrusive interstitials. Google is …
How to Increase Website Traffic: Direct, Search, Referral, and Social
If you don’t know where your visitors are coming from, how do you know where to focus your marketing efforts? Understanding your website traffic sources is the first step to increasing your website traffic. Website traffic metrics can clue you in on how well your site is doing and how many people it is reaching. Google Analytics is a popular …
New Carbon Offset Plugin Aims to Make WordPress Sites More Eco-Friendly
photo credit: Valeriy Poltorak As developers and internet users become increasingly aware of the CO2 footprint of their data usage, renewed interest in carbon offsetting programs has cropped up in recent years. These programs allow individuals and organizations to “offset” their carbon dioxide emissions by funding environmental endeavors, which range from planting trees to clean energy projects, with lots of …
Happy 17th, WordPress
Seventeen. It is almost a lost year between sweet 16 and the adulthood that comes along with 18. For many, 17 is a rebellious age when they feel like they have already reached grown-up status but still have some hard lessons to learn, some growing to do. The past year of WordPress’s life has felt much the same. Our community …
White Labeling WordPress With Branda Just Got a Lot More Free!
White labeling the back-end of your site isn’t as essential as, say, improving your SEO or ensuring your site is well protected. But, if there was a way to do it without spending a cent, then you would, right?? Of course you would! You’d better read on… Think of customizing your WordPress back-end like paying someone to organize your closet. …
WordCamp Europe 2020 Announces Schedule, Plans to Debut Networking Rooms and Virtual Sponsor Booths
The 8th annual WordCamp Europe is only 9 days away and organizers have just announced the schedule. Friday and Saturday sessions are split into two tracks that will run 30-minute talks simultaneously. Each talk is followed by a 10-minute Q&A. The schedule also mixes in a few 10-minute lightning talks, with 15-minute breaks every hour. The WordCamp will feature a …
7 Places to Find a Good WordPress Developer or Designer
You have some spectacular ideas for your WordPress site that needs fixing, but you’re not a coder. So, you need the services of a professional WordPress developer or designer. But where to begin? There’s an entire World Wide Web vying for your attention with what seems like an endless supply of developers and designers raising their hands saying, “Pick me! …
9 Top Free WordPress Author Bio Box Plugins
Drawing attention to the author or authors on your site may be a key piece of your overall strategy. Perhaps you’re trying to establish a more personal tone. Perhaps you’re trying to build a reputation. Perhaps you’re trying to attract quality contributors. These are but a few potential reasons why you might want to make sure your readers connect the …
Local Brings Back Support for Apache and Site Cloning
Flywheel’s Local development app has received several major updates during the past month. The most recent release brings back support for Apache as a web server choice (version 5.5.1), in response to user feedback. This was the most highly requested feature on the app’s community voting board. Although nginx is the leader in web server market share for the top …
Should WordPress Provide an API for Third-Party Editors?
Imagine a future where you log into your website’s admin. You head over to the editor. This particular editor has all the tools and features in place that make you more efficient at producing whatever content you put out for the world to see. You immediately start tapping keys or dragging your mouse around the screen, satisfied with what the …