Within WordPress

In this episode of Within WordPress, I sit down with Rodolfo Melogli to talk about his path from growing Business Bloomer into one of the best-known WooCommerce resources to now launching Checkout Summit, a dedicated in-person WooCommerce conference in Palermo, Sicily, on April 23–24, 2026 After years without a WooCommerce-focused event since WooConf 2017, Checkout Summit feels like a big moment. Rodolfo explains why now is the right time, how AI has changed content-led growth, and why he is betting on something far more human: personal brand, real relationships, and community. We dig into the thinking behind the event, from its intentionally small size of just 150 attendees to the 12 carefully selected WooCommerce talks, practical breakout sessions, and all-inclusive format designed to keep people together and conversations flowing. The goal is simple: less conference chaos, more meaningful connections, better conversations, and real business outcomes. If you care about WooCommerce, events, community, and where growth is heading next, this episode is for you. There are still some tickets left at checkoutsummit.com. 00:00 Podcast Welcome Guest00:54 WooCommerce Origins 201101:42 Choosing Ecommerce Platforms02:50 From Rome To Ireland04:05 Life In Sicily Food Heat06:12 Roman Identity Accents07:37 International Clients Only11:14 Italy Business Reality14:57 WooCommerce Fork Story15:55 Why WooCommerce Clicked18:24 Blog Snippets Take Off20:08 AI Changes Content Game22:50 Viral Tech Fix Post24:07 Why Sicily Summit25:28 WooCommerce Events Gap27:05 Small Conference Vibe32:35 Building In Public36:39 Unique Event Format43:00 Tickets And Timing45:01 Speaker Selection Strategy49:21 Wrap Up And Links Chapters (00:00:00) - WooCommerce Guru(00:02:49) - Wonders of the World(00:06:11) - Do Italians Have A Roman Accent?(00:07:37) - Is it time to start doing business locally in Sicily?(00:13:43) - WooCommerce vs. Woocommerce: How Did You Choose(00:20:39) - How to Make a Living on WordPress for 12 Years(00:23:52) - WooCommerce: Bringing Human Connections back(00:33:15) - Posting on Medium(00:35:23) - Ideas for a Word Camp(00:36:11) - What's the Conference's PRIDE?(00:43:13) - Tickets still available for the Summer Games(00:45:01) - WooCommerce Conference

In this episode of Within WordPress, I talk with Jason “JK” Konen of WP Engine about Newsroom, a WordPress-based publishing platform built for large editorial teams. We explore what makes high-volume newsrooms different from typical blogs, where WordPress workflows start to break down at scale, and how Newsroom aims to solve those problems. JK explains how the platform gives different team members, from editors to SEO specialists to media teams, the tools they need without forcing everyone into the same interface. We also talk about collaboration, publishing guardrails, and the role of checklists in helping teams meet editorial and accessibility requirements before anything goes live. That includes practical AI-assisted features, such as helping generate alt text, with a focus on supporting workflows rather than replacing journalism. JK shares how Newsroom grew out of work with UK agency Big Bite in late 2023, and why WP Engine sees it as a way to help publishers move away from patched-together processes and toward a more structured, scalable editorial workflow. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:06 Jason’s Tech Journey 03:28 What Is Newsroom 06:32 Why Build This Suite 09:58 Who It’s For 11:45 Agency Pain and Foundation 14:36 Role Based Interfaces 22:37 Workflow Guardrails 25:50 AI Assist Not Replace 29:19 What’s Next With AI 32:17 AI and Content Data 37:58 Daily Topic Suggestions 42:01 Experiment Fast Mindset 42:31 Beyond Generative AI 43:07 AI Imagery Feels Off 45:26 Visual Aids With Napkin 46:37 AI Wild West Phase 49:28 Rethinking Publishing Strategy 50:54 Newsroom Feature Highlights 52:57 Collaboration Mode Philosophy 56:11 How To Get A Demo 59:18 Meet Jason Conan 01:01:40 What Newsroom Solves 01:08:41 Building For Enterprise Teams 15:32 Role Based Interfaces 18:09 SEO As Separate Job 21:38 Workflow Guardrails 01:20:59 SEO Checklist Wins 01:23:03 Accessibility Before Publish 01:24:01 Building With AI 01:28:13 Agentic Search Future 01:30:38 Data Driven Suggestions 01:36:09 Daily Topic Briefings 01:41:46 Practical AI Uses 01:48:20 Newsroom Feature Highlights 01:51:42 Collaboration When Needed 01:54:23 Get a Demo 01:55:04 Closing Thoughts Chapters (00:00:00) - Within WordPress(00:00:55) - Meet WP Engine's Product Manager Jason Conan(00:03:31) - Newsroom: A Collection of Things for Publishers(00:10:12) - Looking for large-scale content teams in WordPress(00:15:32) - How to Manage a Newsroom with SEO, Editing and News(00:17:57) - How to Collaborate in a Content Production Organization(00:25:50) - In the Elevator With AI in Newsroom(00:29:19) - What would be the proudest thing you've built in there?(00:37:59) - Grok: Now's the Time to Innovate(00:44:47) - Canva's AI-powered Images(00:50:08) - Top Five Features of WP Newsroom(00:55:32) - How WPEngine can help your newsroom

In this episode of Within WordPress, we sit down with Carole (CloudFest) and Mark Weisbord (CEO of Greyd) to explain what is changing at CloudFest this year, and why it matters for agencies and WordPress businesses. The headline is the launch of the WordPress Business and Agency Summit on the Monday before the main CloudFest event. We position it as a connector between the CloudFest Hackathon and the main CloudFest conference, and as a deliberate step toward giving agencies and WordPress businesses a more relevant, more pragmatic, more commercially useful program than the traditional “WordPress Day” format. We unpack the difference between WordCamps and CloudFest. WordCamps remain community-first, volunteer-driven, and primarily focused on education and connection inside the WordPress community. CloudFest is a for-profit, cloud and hosting industry conference with a very different scale, structure, and mission, and it can build a dedicated business-focused layer around WordPress without trying to turn WordCamps into something they were never designed to be. This year’s Summit expands the former WP Day into a full-day, two-track program, adds an exhibition area, and targets roughly 800 attendees in a more intimate setting inside a much larger 10,000+ person event. From Mark’s perspective, if we want growth and new partnerships, we need to attract agencies outside the WordPress community, and we need content that connects to direct business impact. That means talks about sales, pricing, go-to-market, agency operations, maintenance revenue, and what it really takes to move from agency work into becoming a product company. We also talk about the CloudFest Hackathon as a uniquely valuable environment for multi-day collaboration and deeper conversations that rarely happen at faster-paced conferences. Carole connects that to a broader goal: cross-CMS collaboration and strengthening the open web, so we do not end up with a future where a handful of platforms dictate where and how people can publish. We close with practical attendance advice, a reality check that the Hackathon is already fully booked, and the key dates for the Summit and the main CloudFest event. 00:00 – Cold open: editing workflow and “wave” marker for cuts00:01 – Welcome and setup: two guests, and why this episode is different00:02 – Carole: WordPress community background and CloudFest involvement00:03 – What CloudFest is: scale, audience, and Europa-Park as the venue00:04 – “Everything is different this year”: why we are doing this episode00:05 – The new WordPress Business and Agency Summit: where it fits in the week00:06 – Mark Weisbord (Greyd): the missing business layer in WordPress events00:07 – From “WP Day” to a bigger Summit: what changes operationally00:08 – Two tracks, full day, and a dedicated exhibition area00:09 – Why this format matters: connecting agencies, partners, and real-world solutions00:11 – WordCamps vs CloudFest: why they serve different purposes00:12 – Sponsor reality: ROI pressure, leads, and reaching agencies outside the bubble00:13 – Content shift: business impact over general tech presentations00:14 – WordCamps still matter, but they are not the vehicle for everything00:16 – Biggest change: bring in agencies outside WordPress, plus an entertainment factor00:18 – CloudFest vibe: opening party, Lords of the Uptime, and the venue experience00:23 – Practical advice: stay multiple nights for Summit welcome + opening party00:25 – Hackathon value: multi-day conversations and real collaboration time00:28 – Hackathon evolution: cross-CMS collaboration and protecting the open web00:33 – Why agencies benefit: broader ecosystem exposure than a WordCamp context00:36 – What the Summit covers: sales, pricing, playbooks, productizing, maintenance00:40 – How Summit pillars extend into t... Chapters (00:00:00) - Within WordPress: A Special Episode(00:01:22) - A Word about Cloud Fest(00:04:25) - Building the Business Side of WordCamp(00:10:08) - Cloudfest: The Business of WordCamp(00:17:22) - Entertainment at Cloud Fest 2018(00:24:22) - Bill Gates at the Hackathon(00:34:38) - Wonders of the Web: Business and Topics(00:38:10) - Cloudfest 2020: A day for agencies?(00:41:10) - Wonders of the Web: Education and Business(00:44:31) - WordCamp Europe: A 10,000-Person Event(00:47:33) - Cloud Fest 2018: The Hackathon(00:50:29) - Cloudflare

Welcome to 'Within WordPress,' where we dive deep with special guest Jono Alderson. Join us as Jono shares his fascinating journey from a bedroom web developer to a leading figure in the WordPress community. He talks about the early days of technical SEO, the frustrations with homegrown CMS, and why WordPress became his tool of choice. We discuss the current landscape of the web, the rise of JavaScript frameworks, and the role AI can play in optimizing websites. Jono also gives insights into his work with Yoast, the challenges of implementing good web standards, and why he believes sites built with JavaScript alone often fall short. Tune in for an engaging conversation full of insights and practical advice for WordPress developers and enthusiasts.

In this episode, we dive into the world of WordPress with Elliott Richmond, a seasoned web developer who has been crafting websites for over 20 years. Elliot discusses his journey, from becoming a developer to running his software company with his wife, Rachel. We also explore his passion for teaching WordPress through YouTube and how he balances it with his unique side hustle: running a pizza delivery business. Learn how Elliot marries his coding skills with entrepreneurship and community engagement, offering a comprehensive view of his multifaceted career. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:38 Elliot's Background and Experience02:52 YouTube and Teaching WordPress05:17 Balancing Creativity and Technical Skills13:50 AI in Development and Content Creation27:14 The Impact of Technology on Social Interactions28:16 Balancing Work and Personal Life28:43 The Evolution of a Software Business31:10 Challenges and Benefits of Full Site Editing40:18 The Pizza Business Journey43:46 Mediterranean Influences and Culinary Passion48:12 Licensing and Expanding the Pizza Business53:28 Conclusion and Future Plans Chapters (00:00:00) - Within WordPress: Elliot Richmond's Story(00:02:53) - Teaching WordPress on YouTube(00:07:03) - Mr. Beast on His Videos(00:12:50) - The Challenges of Building a Computer(00:13:08) - How Do You Explain Yourself in a Video?(00:21:26) - Side Project: Playing with AI in WordPress(00:28:15) - Married professionals: The types of jobs that they do(00:31:11) - Full-Site Editing in WordPress(00:40:18) - How I Went From Being a Website Creator to a Pizza Baker(00:47:11) - "It's not for me"(00:48:15) - How to start a pizza business with a side hustle(00:49:37) - Pizza Business

Join us as we delve into the importance of web accessibility with Amber, the CEO of Equalize Digital. Discover her journey, the significance of accessibility in web development, common assistive technologies, and the current state of accessibility in WordPress websites. Amber also shares insights from their annual page builder accessibility report, the role of education in improving digital accessibility, and how developers can integrate accessibility into their tools. This episode is a must-watch for anyone looking to make their websites more accessible and inclusive.

We talk about a video Imran recently did about there being a WordPress Echo chamber. Plus we talk Content Creation, and AI with YouTuber Imran from Web Squadron In this episode of 'Within WordPress,' we also chat with Imran from Web Squadron about his journey from the NHS to full-time web design and YouTube content creation. We delve into the nuances of maintaining a balanced approach to WordPress content, the significance of AI in web development, and the challenges and opportunities of community events. Join us for an insightful conversation on embracing diversity within the WordPress ecosystem and staying ahead of the curve with innovative solutions. Chapters (00:00:00) - Within WordPress: Imran from Web Squadron(00:01:04) - How to start a YouTube channel(00:02:53) - Content creation and the WordPress market(00:11:34) - When did you first get online?(00:13:16) - Wonders of WordPress: Elementor 2.8 & More(00:20:40) - The role of AI in the WordPress world(00:27:21) - Robots Will Replace Humans in the Workforce(00:31:55) - I responded to a guest's email(00:35:49) - Robyn on Diversity and Echo Chambers in WordPress(00:42:11) - What is the problem with WordPress events?(00:44:23) - Wonders of the WordCamp echo chamber(00:48:07) - Wonders of the Web: The UK(00:53:24) - If you go to WordCamp, you'll get a lot out(01:00:54) - Wonders of the WordCamp(01:04:07) - In the Elevator With Oprah

In this episode of Within WordPress, we delve into the world of web hosting reviews with Kevin Ohashi, founder of Review Signal, a prominent web hosting review site. Kevin shares insights into his rigorous benchmarking process for top WordPress hosts and explains how his tests work, including their evolution and specific methodologies. We explore the impact of open-source tools like K6, the challenges of maintaining an unbiased reviewing platform in an affiliate-driven industry, and the story behind Kevin's unexpected venture into running portugal.com. This episode is a must-watch for WordPress developers, tech enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the inner workings of reliable web hosting reviews. Chapters (00:00:00) - Kevin Ohashi on WordPress Hosting Benchmarks(00:05:48) - WP Performance Benchmarks(00:13:04) - Cloudflare vs. CDN: Is It Better?(00:20:27) - Review Signal: WP Hosting Benchmarks(00:29:18) - How to Clean Up Tech Review Communities(00:34:36) - Will Businesses Use AI in the Future?(00:38:59) - How I managed to buy a country's domain(00:44:15) - How to Test your Website: The Lodestorm Stress Test(00:51:34) - K6 Cloud: The Open Source Load Test Platform(00:56:26) - Load Testing: Open Source vs. Closed Source(01:02:25) - How to Review Hosting Companies

Welcome to this episode of 'Within WordPress' featuring Matt Cromwell, co-founder of Give WP and senior director of customer experience at Stellar WP. Join us as we explore Matt's journey in WordPress, his various roles, and his highly insightful views on product ownership and AI implementation. Matt discusses his podcast, WP Product Talk, the insights it brings to WordPress product owners, and a special upcoming presentation at WordCamp US. Dive into an engaging discussion on the implications of AI on performance, security, and the future of WordPress. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation! Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome to Within WordPress: Matt Cromwell(00:01:23) - WSJD Live: Talking About AI on WP Product Talk(00:02:46) - Pushing the Product Talk at WordCamp US(00:12:44) - Bradley at WordCamp Europe(00:14:37) - WP Product Talk(00:24:29) - Bill Gates at the Product Owners(00:25:39) - Wonders of WordPress: The Future of AI(00:30:15) - All the Issues With Snippets Plugins(00:41:35) - WordPress.ai: The Future of AI(00:51:34) - Top Tech Companies: We Can't Keep Up With AI

In this episode, we are joined by Juan Hernando, who shares his extensive experience in the WordPress community. We explore Juan's journey from a front-end web developer to his current role in community engagement at Weglot and as a program manager on the global community team at WordPress.org as well as his involvement with WordCamp Europe. Juan discusses the challenges and rewards of transitioning from client work to focusing on community and events, highlighting the importance of localization and translation in today's fast-paced digital landscape. He also provides insights into how Weglot leverages AI to enhance website translations and maintains the authentic tone of content across different languages. This episode is a deep dive into the complexities and intricacies of managing large-scale WordPress events and the crucial role of sponsorships in sustaining community contributions. Tune in to learn more about the evolving trends in WordPress and the pivotal role of community and collaboration in driving innovation.

Join us in this engaging episode as we welcome Mark Westguard, founder of WS Form, a powerful WordPress form plugin. Mark takes us through his journey from running an agency since 1996 to transitioning into product development with WS Form. He shares insights on the plugin’s evolution over the past seven years, highlighting its unique features, challenges faced, and the importance of customer feedback in driving innovation. Discover how WS Form stands out in a saturated market, the role of AI in web development, and strategies for effective support and community building. Whether you're a developer, a WordPress enthusiast, or someone interested in the dynamic world of web solutions, this conversation offers invaluable perspectives. Chapters (00:00:00) - First time WordPress Proposer: Mark Wisgaard(00:03:05) - Building a WordPress plugin in the future(00:09:35) - Pushing the AI button in Web Development(00:13:37) - How to Write a Scriptable Landing Page With the AI(00:16:39) - WSForm: Growing the Business With Forms(00:24:22) - In the Elevator With WordPress: How To Reach Critical Mass(00:28:57) - The challenge of reaching the WordPress community(00:33:07) - How to start a support email campaign on Zendesk(00:38:15) - One of the things I need to do is write more content(00:42:23) - Formula 4.1: Adding Value to the Community(00:44:33) - How to Build an Integration Suite?(00:46:32) - WSForm: The Big Things to Add(00:52:11) - Are Cars Too Complicated For People's Eyes?(00:55:08) - Marketing on 'The WS'

Join us in this insightful episode of 'Within WordPress' as we welcome back Raquel for the second time. We delve deep into her experience organizing the inspiring PressConf event, which featured two conference days and unique activities like a VIP day and a gathering day. Raquel shares her personal journey, the challenges, and the uplifting moments of the event. She also provides insights into the selection process for speakers, emphasizing vulnerability, human connection, and future tech in WordPress. Don't miss out on hearing what made this conference one of the most challenging yet rewarding for both organizers and attendees. Whether you're a seasoned WordPress veteran or new to the community, there's something valuable in this episode for everyone. Chapters (00:00:00) - Within WordPress: Press Conf 2013(00:02:46) - May is a month of rest and redemption for me(00:05:20) - Witchcraft at press conf 2018(00:08:34) - WordCamp 2017: A Social Event(00:11:30) - Wonders of the World: Attendees(00:12:57) - What Would You Do If You Were Organizing a TLDr(00:14:19) - The Asean Conference(00:20:22) - A message about the environment(00:22:54) - Bill Maher on Being This Nervous(00:23:53) - Wonders of the World Conference(00:25:01) - The Business of WordPress Conference(00:30:06) - The Next edition of Conference(00:35:44) - What kind of topics should we discuss at WordCamp?(00:40:23) - The Conference Schedule(00:44:35) - Press Conf 2017: A Younger Perspective(00:49:13) - The TED Talk: Questions(00:50:31) - CloudConf: Next Event Announced(00:52:32) - WORD Camp 2017: A Year of Reflection(00:56:46) - Thank You For Appearing On The Podcast