Lose Your Head! Reimagining WordPress’s Role in Content Presentation

Since the introduction of the REST API, developers have been seeking ways to leverage the benefits of WordPress for content creation, while offering new options for presenting that information on the client side. Native mobile apps, JavaScript front-ends, static sites – the possibilities are endless.

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits and limitations of going “headless” with WordPress, find out what the hype is about, and determine whether this approach is something that could benefit you or your clients.

Who Needs Themes When You have Blocksets

Groups of gutenberg blocks, “blocksets”, are the future of WordPress design AND content. They’ll be more flexible, and more portable. Instead of downloading, installing, and customizing a theme, you install a complete site where each page is a tailored collection of blocksets, complete with the content appropriate for your industry or purpose. Page level theming will become a real possibility. Meaning that instead of Lorem Ipsum, you’ll get the imagery and copy you need to have a mostly ready site.

Blocksets will be exchanged in public forums, and will be packaged and sold. If you like a page on someone’s site, for the first time you’ll be able to ask, “hey, can I get a json file for that page.”

We have a little ways to go before this is feasible, but we’re getting close. I’ll demo how blocksets work and why they are superior to themes. Then we’ll discuss some ways the WordPress community can get the ball rolling.

Level Up Your Analytics

You’ve identified your actionable KPIs. You’ve segmented your audience. Your monthly reports give the client (or internal team) the data they want. What else is there?

Let’s discuss:

  • Using Google Tag Manager to add event tracking and to simplify management of multiple sites
  • Getting WooCommerce data into your reports
  • Incorporating non-GA data into shiny Google Data Studio reports

How to Write Content That Connects With Website Visitors & Search Engines

As WordPress designers and developers, you know how to create websites that look great and function well. But what about the content that goes into those sites?

Google prefers quality over quantity when it comes to copy. But what makes for quality website copy? I can tell you what it isn’t—it isn’t keyword-stuffed content that sounds like it was written by a robot. Instead, quality content addresses your ideal customers’ real concerns, written in an authentic voice—your voice.

People crave connection over advertising. It’s time to learn how to write authentically by first focusing on your reader and then—only then—thinking about SEO. Gain the tips and insights you need to revamp your content marketing efforts for your company and your customers.

You’ll walk away from this session with several items you can implement on your own site and share with your customers, including:

  • Why it’s important to create real connections with your audience
  • How to write copy that sounds like you and resonates with your audience
  • How to incorporate SEO without sacrificing your humanity

Key Takeaways: Your site’s design and development are bar none. But what about your content? Learn how to craft authentically written, conversion-focused website copy that puts your audience first and SEO second.

Practical SEO for WordPress Bloggers

Learning SEO for blogging might be like pulling a loose tooth – you don’t want to, but you have to. This talk is all about basic and practical SEO tips for WordPress Bloggers.

This is designed to give you SEO tips you should be using as a blogger, and not giving you tips that will make your brain do its own version of a 404 error. This talk is geared toward beginning bloggers, or content creators, or if you’ve been struggling in this area, and need a more solid foundation.

WordCamp Minneapolis / St. Paul MN is over. Check out the next edition!