December 3, 2024 — Discover the benefits of managing multiple WordPress plugins in a single repository, allowing for streamlined code management, reduced overhead, and simplified updates across projects.

By hosting all of our WordPress plugins in a single repository, the overhead of managing their codebase is greatly reduced, allowing us to work faster and better. Code across the plugins can be reused with ease, updates involving multiple plugins can be stored with a single commit, and dependency hell is avoided, among others.

If we have only one plugin, using this paradigm can also offer benefits, such as allowing us to customize the plugin for different clients, create extensions for the plugin, and help manage the modules and internal dependencies by the plugin.

This talk will show you how to setup your repo in GitHub, what tools and libraries are needed, and how to structure the code in the plugin, to start hosting and managing all your plugins together.

Whether you have an agency creating and customizing plugins for clients, are a solo developer venturing into launching a commercial plugin, or work for a big company offering plugins used by millions of users, this paradigm can be useful to you.

Presentation Slides »

December 3, 2024 — Discover how to convert WordPress sites into native mobile apps using no-code tools, drag-and-drop plugins, and other innovative solutions to enhance user engagement and expand business opportunities.

We will explore the transformative process of converting WordPress sites into native mobile apps, a development technique that opens a new frontier for user engagement and business expansion.

In this discussion, we will examine a spectrum of tools designed to facilitate this transition. We will give an objective overview of several leading innovative no-code solutions, drag-and-drop plugins to develop mobile apps without a single line of code.

At the moment there are quite a few tools available and each has unique features and integration capabilities, from simple intuitive user interfaces to advanced customization options connecting with popular WordPress plugins and beyond.

The session will provide a comparative analysis of these tools, discussing their functionalities, ease of use, and how they integrate with the WordPress ecosystem. This balanced approach will help participants understand the strengths and limitations of each option, assisting them in choosing the right tool that aligns with their specific development needs and business strategies.

By showcasing different approaches to mobile app development from WordPress platforms, attendees will gain valuable insights into how to enhance their digital presence effectively and make well-informed decisions about which technologies best fit their requirements.

Presentation Slides »

December 3, 2024 — Learn the basics of creating your first WordPress plugin, exploring development from simple projects to complex plugins, and uncovering monetization strategies and benefits for both developers and businesses.

Building a plugin allows you to grow your dev and non-dev skills and diversify your portofolio. It’s also a way to give back to the community, and when the circumstances are right, can also be a potential source of income and allow you to break away from the limits of selling your service/time as a freelancer, an employee or even an agency.

In this talk, you can learn the basics of how to create your first plugin(s), from something simple to something more complex, with concrete examples from plugins I’ve built. You can also learn about some of the monetization options available.

Presentation Slides »

December 3, 2024 — Understand how exceptional customer support can sustain and grow a WordPress business by enhancing customer satisfaction, improving retention, and distinguishing your company in a competitive market.

In the competitive world of WordPress businesses, providing exceptional support is not just a nice-to-have but a crucial factor for sustaining and growing your company. In this talk, we will explore how transitioning from good to great support can significantly enhance customer satisfaction, boost retention rates, and set your business apart from the competition.

We will delve into the key components of exceptional support, including timeliness, personalisation, and proactive problem-solving. You will learn practical strategies for building and training a top-notch support team, implementing efficient support processes, and measuring success through key performance metrics.

Through real-world case studies and actionable insights, this session will equip you with the tools and knowledge to elevate your support services, ensuring they contribute effectively to your business’s long-term success.

Presentation Slides »

December 3, 2024 — Learn how to integrate WordPress with external platforms like Flutter or Next.js, creating seamless mobile applications and enhancing project capabilities with a headless CMS approach.

Sharing insights on how to integrate WordPress with other platforms like Flutter or Next.js to develop mobile apps or meet other project requirements.

Presentation Slides »

December 3, 2024 — Learn essential security practices every WordPress developer must implement to protect websites, safeguard client data, and ensure long-term website integrity against common vulnerabilities.

Essential security practices every WordPress developer should implement to protect client data and ensure website integrity.

Presentation Slides »

December 3, 2024 — Explore how AI assists novice WordPress developers in writing and integrating APIs, covering both frontend API calls using JavaScript and backend development with PHP through a case study approach.

In the session, we’ll explore how AI can help a novice WordPress developer in writing an API for a WordPress website, using my website development journey as a case study. It will cover both calling API from the frontend using JavaScript and the coding of the service using PHP.

Presentation Slides »

December 3, 2024 — Dive into how AI revolutionizes WordPress design, allowing designers to streamline processes, impress clients with real-time adjustments, and reclaim personal time by reducing design workload and client revisions.

Presentation Slides »

December 2, 2024 — The Johannesburg WordPress community concluded its 2024 Meetup® series on a high note this past Saturday, with an engaging session on SEO optimisation led by digital marketing expert Ray Mtawarira at the Chemuniqué Boardroom in Lanseria.

November 30, 2024 — Introduction to WP-CLI:
Explain what WP-CLI is (WordPress Command Line Interface).
Highlight its importance and benefits for managing WordPress websites efficiently.

Setting Up WP-CLI:
Guide the audience on how to install WP-CLI in their local environment.
Explain the requirements and compatibility with different operating systems.
Show the steps for installing and configuring WP-CLI.

Basic Commands:
Introduce essential commands to interact with WordPress via the command line.
Demonstrate commands for managing plugins, themes, and core updates.
Show how to create, delete, and manage WordPress posts, pages, and users.
Explain how to perform database operations using WP-CLI.

Theme and Plugin Management:
Discuss the commands for installing, activating, and deactivating themes and plugins.
Show how to search and install themes and plugins directly from the command line.
Explain how to update and delete themes and plugins using WP-CLI.

Customization and Scripting:
Discuss the ability to create custom scripts and automate repetitive tasks with WP-CLI.
Introduce the concept of bash scripting and demonstrate simple script examples.
Explain how to chain multiple WP-CLI commands together to perform complex tasks.

Tips and Tricks:
Share useful tips and tricks to enhance productivity with WP-CLI.
Show shortcuts and command options for faster execution.
Mention community-developed packages and plugins that extend WP-CLI’s functionality.

Resources and Further Learning:
Provide references to official WP-CLI documentation, tutorials, and guides.
Recommend additional resources such as books, blogs, and video tutorials.
Encourage participation in the WP-CLI community and forums for support and knowledge sharing.