Development

Progressive web apps are the hot new trend online. Everyone’s making one for their business, and to hear many people tell it, you should be too. But what exactly are these mini-apps and how can your company make use of them? Are they really the best way to draw in new visitors? PWAs have almost all the functionality of a typical downloadable app. But the big difference is that they’re accessible in your browser rather than having to be downloaded and run on a device. This has huge implications for you and your visitors, and that’s why everyone loves them. […]

The WordPress Representational State Transfer (REST) Application Programming Interface (API) opened up a world of possibilities for website owners and developers. However, sometimes you may need to work with content and services that REST doesn’t support out of the box. Fortunately, it is possible to extend this powerful API with a custom REST endpoint. By defining your own endpoints, you can get WordPress chatting to practically any application or service, including your own bespoke mobile applications.  In this post, we’ll discuss why you may want to create a custom endpoint for the WordPress REST API, and then show you how. Let’s […]

Headless WordPress gives you greater control over your content and the freedom to build a completely custom front end. However, the process of configuring and designing this presentation layer isn’t always easy.  That’s where having a solid development framework comes into play. A framework such as Next.js can help you create a beautiful, high-performing front end for your WordPress content, even if you have no previous web development experience.  In this article, we’ll introduce you to headless WordPress, and then explain what the Next.js framework is and its benefits. We’ll also show you how to use Next.js to run WordPress […]

As a developer – and especially if you’re a beginner – you’re likely familiar with how time-consuming and challenging compiling code can be. Although there are many editors and tools available that can help streamline your workflow and productivity, deciding which one to use can be tricky. However, one of the most essential and helpful products to take advantage of is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). This type of tool can make it easier to prevent problems and can even speed up your coding projects. If you work with WordPress, you’ll likely want to look specifically for a PHP IDE. […]

Is managed WordPress hosting worth it? That’s likely a question on your mind when comparing prices of different hosting options for your site. First, what is managed hosting? In short, it means you’re handing your web server over to the company. They’ll take care of the setup, maintenance, and any errors that arise. Many managed hosts take a more hands-on approach as well, giving you direct support and optimizations on your website when needed. Meanwhile, unmanaged hosting is more like renting out a space. You’re more free to do as you like, but the setup and maintenance of all but […]

Do the benefits of managed WordPress hosting outweigh the costs? That’s one of the main questions anyone who is contemplating hosting their site with a managed provider will ask themselves. After all, theoretically, you can do everything that managed hosting providers offer yourself. So, is it worth paying for the extra service? To answer this question, in this post, we will go over the benefits that a managed WordPress hosting provider offers and how they make your life easier. In the end, we want you to be able to make an objective decision whether a managed provider is the right […]

The WordPress Block Editor (“Gutenberg”) provides a wide range of built-in blocks, but one size doesn’t always fit all. Out-of-the-box, Gutenberg may not have everything you need to build a beautiful block-based website. Fortunately, there are ways to expand on Gutenberg’s built-in library. By using a plugin such as Genesis Custom Blocks, you can build your very own elements using the familiar WordPress editor. This might include a related products block that you can use outside of WooCommerce’s regular product pages, or a coupon block that only appears to logged-in customers.  In this article, we’ll discuss why so many website […]

When first setting up a website, figuring out the appropriate type of hosting for your needs can be a struggle. There are many types available ranging from shared hosting to dedicated servers. But what we’re going to focus on here today are two choices that most WordPress users will face. The decision between shared hosting vs managed WordPress hosting.  This article will focus on the features managed WordPress hosting and shared hosting offer, their pros and cons, and how to make a decision as to which is right for your situation.  But first, some definitions.  What is Managed WordPress Hosting? […]

Headless WordPress is becoming increasingly popular with developers who want greater control over their content. However, at some point you’ll need to create a front end for your headless Content Management System (CMS). Thankfully, there are tools that can take a lot of the complexity out of building a custom front end. With the recent release of the Gatsby Source WordPress integration, it’s now easier to pair this popular static site generator with your headless CMS and build a beautiful public face for your content. In this article, we’ll explore what Gatsby is, and what the new integration means for […]

Most websites are spread across multiple pages. However, one-size doesn’t always fit all, and sometimes it can be beneficial to limit your content to a single page. One page websites take a less-is-more approach to web design, and now you can create them with ease using the Blank Canvas theme. Sticking with a streamlined, minimalist layout can enable you to establish your online presence, fast. In this article, we’ll explore why you might want to launch a one page website. We’ll then show you how to create the ultimate lightweight website using WordPress’ Blank Canvas theme. Let’s get started! An […]