Within WordPress

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 cuts
00:01 – Welcome and setup: two guests, and why this episode is different
00:02 – Carole: WordPress community background and CloudFest involvement
00:03 – What CloudFest is: scale, audience, and Europa-Park as the venue
00:04 – “Everything is different this year”: why we are doing this episode
00:05 – The new WordPress Business and Agency Summit: where it fits in the week
00:06 – Mark Weisbord (Greyd): the missing business layer in WordPress events
00:07 – From “WP Day” to a bigger Summit: what changes operationally
00:08 – Two tracks, full day, and a dedicated exhibition area
00:09 – Why this format matters: connecting agencies, partners, and real-world solutions
00:11 – WordCamps vs CloudFest: why they serve different purposes
00:12 – Sponsor reality: ROI pressure, leads, and reaching agencies outside the bubble
00:13 – Content shift: business impact over general tech presentations
00:14 – WordCamps still matter, but they are not the vehicle for everything
00:16 – Biggest change: bring in agencies outside WordPress, plus an entertainment factor
00:18 – CloudFest vibe: opening party, Lords of the Uptime, and the venue experience
00:23 – Practical advice: stay multiple nights for Summit welcome + opening party
00:25 – Hackathon value: multi-day conversations and real collaboration time
00:28 – Hackathon evolution: cross-CMS collaboration and protecting the open web
00:33 – Why agencies benefit: broader ecosystem exposure than a WordCamp context
00:36 – What the Summit covers: sales, pricing, playbooks, productizing, maintenance
00:40 – 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 Welcome
00:38 Elliot's Background and Experience
02:52 YouTube and Teaching WordPress
05:17 Balancing Creativity and Technical Skills
13:50 AI in Development and Content Creation
27:14 The Impact of Technology on Social Interactions
28:16 Balancing Work and Personal Life
28:43 The Evolution of a Software Business
31:10 Challenges and Benefits of Full Site Editing
40:18 The Pizza Business Journey
43:46 Mediterranean Influences and Culinary Passion
48:12 Licensing and Expanding the Pizza Business
53:28 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