The WP Minute+

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In this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt sits down with Mario Peshev, founder of DevriX, to discuss how marketing agencies must adapt to industry shifts in 2025. Mario shares insights from running a high-level WordPress consultancy, working with enterprise clients, and navigating the rapidly changing landscape of digital marketing, SEO, and AI. He shared his agency’s transition from general web development to specializing in complex, high-traffic websites and B2B SaaS, all while balancing the demands of an evolving tech ecosystem.

The discussion covers the impact of AI on marketing, the diminishing effectiveness of SEO, and how agencies should focus on strategic partnerships with platforms like HubSpot and Salesforce. Mario also shares his perspective on the current turbulence in the WordPress ecosystem, how agencies can stay competitive, and why embracing AI as an operational tool rather than a replacement for human creativity is crucial.

Key Takeaways

WordPress & Agency Growth:

• Agencies must specialize to remain competitive – generalist approaches are becoming less sustainable.
• WordPress remains a core tool for enterprises, but clients are increasingly exploring alternative platforms like Webflow.
• Transitioning to consultancy-based models can provide stability in uncertain markets.

AI’s Impact on Marketing & Web Development:

• AI enables faster prototyping but does not eliminate the need for experienced developers.
• AI-generated content is becoming oversaturated, requiring businesses to differentiate through authenticity and human insight.
• Marketing agencies should focus on AI-assisted operations while maintaining human-driven creativity.

SEO & Digital Marketing in 2025:

• SEO has become highly volatile, with algorithm changes reducing its reliability as a primary acquisition channel.
• Agencies should diversify their marketing strategies beyond just organic search.
• Strategic partnerships with platforms like HubSpot, Salesforce, and AWS can provide sustainable business growth.

Navigating WordPress Industry Changes:

• Ongoing debates around WordPress governance and Automatic’s influence create uncertainty in the community.
• Despite industry shifts, WordPress remains a powerful publishing platform with a strong ecosystem.
• Agencies must balance their reliance on WordPress while exploring other viable business models.

Important Links

• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe
• Connect with Mario Peshev
  Twitter/X: https://x.com/no_fear_inc
  Website: https://mariopeshev.com/
• DevriX: https://devrix.com/

Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group.

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. 

In this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt is joined by Nathan Wrigley to discuss the evolving landscape of WordPress and the broader tech industry. The conversation touches on AI’s impact on development, the changing nature of podcasting, and how WordPress professionals must adapt to the rapid technological shifts. Nathan shares his experiences with AI tools, revealing his initial struggles and skepticism, while Matt describes his journey into AI-powered development, highlighting tools like ChatGPT, Bolt, and Repl.it.

They also explore AI’s philosophical and ethical implications, from its role in replacing repetitive coding tasks to the possibility of AI-driven software development reducing the need for traditional app stores. They also discuss how AI may empower individuals while simultaneously challenging the business models that many rely on. Matt and Nathan agree that while AI is reshaping the industry, understanding and integrating these technologies is essential for WordPress professionals looking to stay ahead in 2025 and beyond.

Key Takeaways

AI’s Impact on WordPress Development:

• AI is enabling faster prototyping but still struggles with consistency.
• WordPress professionals must learn to integrate AI tools into workflows to stay competitive.
• AI could eventually reduce the reliance on traditional app stores by allowing users to generate custom software on demand.

The Role of WordPress in a Changing Landscape:

• AI-driven development raises questions about the future demand for traditional web developers.
• WordPress remains a powerful tool for structured content management, but professionals must find new ways to add value.
• The rise of headless WordPress, AI-assisted content generation, and improved automation will shape the platform’s future.

Podcasting & Content Creation in 2025:

• The industry is shifting toward video-based podcasting, but audio still has a strong presence.
• Storytelling remains crucial to engaging content through AI-driven tools or traditional methods.
• Creators must be adaptable as platforms and audience behaviors evolve.

The Future of AI & Ethical Concerns:

• AI’s development speed is outpacing regulatory and ethical considerations.
• The sustainability of AI models and their economic impact remains uncertain.
• The next few years will determine whether AI continues to be venture-capital-driven or finds a stable commercial model.

Important Links

• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe
• Connect with Nathan Wrigley
  Twitter/X: https://x.com/nathanwrigley
  Website: https://nathanwrigley.com/
• WP Builds Podcast: https://wpbuilds.com/

Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group.

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. 

In this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt welcomes Robert DeVore, a seasoned WordPress developer and entrepreneur, to discuss how open source changed his life. Robert shares his journey from launching a cannabis-related WordPress plugin in 2015 to rapidly developing AI-powered tools for the WordPress ecosystem today. He reflects on the challenges he faced in the cannabis industry, particularly being “debanked,” which ultimately pushed him to explore new opportunities in tech.

Robert dives into his current projects, including Plugin Pal, an AI-powered WordPress plugin generator that helps developers quickly create and customize plugins. He and Matt also explore the broader impact of AI on development, the sustainability of WordPress in an evolving landscape, and the importance of continuing to innovate within open source. Throughout the conversation, Robert emphasizes how WordPress and open source provided him with a career path that transformed his life and enabled him to give back to the community.

Key Takeaways

Robert’s Journey in WordPress & Open Source:

• Robert initially built a cannabis-related plugin but faced financial barriers due to industry regulations.
• He learned valuable lessons about business constraints and industry challenges.
• Pivoted to AI and rapid product development, releasing multiple WordPress tools.

AI’s Role in WordPress Development:

• AI enables faster development, but human oversight is still crucial.
• Tools like Plugin Pal generate structured, modern WordPress plugins.
• AI is not replacing developers but augmenting their workflow for efficiency.

Challenges & Opportunities for WordPress:

• WordPress remains a powerful platform for new developers and business owners.
• Competing with newer, AI-driven platforms requires emphasizing the flexibility of open-source solutions.
• Governance and leadership concerns in WordPress are ongoing but shouldn’t deter innovation.

Building a Business with Multiple Products:

• Robert embraces a diversified product approach rather than focusing on a single flagship plugin.
• Rapid product development allows him to test ideas and iterate based on user feedback.
• Twitter/X plays a key role in his marketing and community engagement.

Important Links

• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe
• Connect with Robert DeVore
  Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/DevioRobert
  Website: https://robertdevore.com/
• Plugin Pal: https://pluginpal.app/

Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group.

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. 

In this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt sits down with Steve Burge, founder of PublishPress, to discuss why publishers choose WordPress despite growing competition and shifting industry trends. Steve shares his journey from teaching and writing books to building and managing a suite of WordPress plugins focused on content management. His experience with government agencies, universities, and major publishers has shaped his approach to developing tools that enhance WordPress for organizations that require structured publishing workflows.

The conversation touches on the strengths of WordPress as an open-source publishing platform, the challenges posed by competing tools like Substack and Ghost, and the ongoing debates around the future of WordPress. Steve also sheds light on the role of Newspack, the impact of AI in publishing, and the need for greater clarity and governance within the WordPress ecosystem.

Matt and Steve discuss the evolving landscape of web development, how agencies and publishers should navigate the changes, and what the future holds for WordPress as both a publishing and website-building tool.

Key Takeaways

WordPress & The Publishing Industry

• WordPress remains dominant for publishers, universities, and government organizations that require structured editorial workflows.
• Platforms like Newspack, Paywall Project, and LEDE are pushing innovation in WordPress-based publishing.
• The rise of Substack, Beehive, and other newsletter platforms is pulling smaller publishers away from WordPress.

Steve’s Journey from Training to Plugins

• Steve transitioned from in-person and online training to building WordPress plugins.
• PublishPress originated from the need for editorial workflows in WordPress, inspired by Drupal’s access control features.
• Acquired and improved various plugins, including MetaSlider and Co-Authors Plus.

Challenges & The Future of WordPress

• The WordPress ecosystem is facing fragmentation and governance concerns.
• AI and closed-source platforms like Webflow are attracting younger developers who might otherwise choose WordPress.
• Open-source principles remain crucial, but WordPress needs better governance and clearer commercial guidelines to thrive.

Is WordPress a Website Builder or a Publishing Tool?

• The dual focus on Gutenberg as both a website builder and publishing tool creates challenges.
• Some argue WordPress should specialize in publishing, leaving website-building to third-party tools like Elementor and Bricks.
• The community remains divided on whether WordPress should prioritize content creators or developers.

Important Links

• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe
• Connect with Steve Burge
  Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/steveburge.com
  Twitter/X: https://x.com/SteveJBurge
  Website: https://steveburge.com/
• PublishPress: https://publishpress.com/

Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group.

Say thanks and learn more about our podcast sponsor Omnisend. 

In this episode of the WP Minute+ Podcast, Matt welcomes Nat Miletic, founder of Clio Websites, to discuss the challenges and strategies for scaling a WordPress agency in 2025. Nat shares insights into the evolution of WordPress development, the role of AI in agency workflows, and how agencies can adapt to a rapidly changing digital landscape. He emphasizes the importance of standardizing workflows, focusing on client relationships, and leveraging AI to streamline operations while maintaining the human touch.

The conversation also covers the ongoing debate around page builders vs. custom development, why clients are drawn to platforms like Webflow, and how agency owners can differentiate themselves in a crowded market. Nat highlights the need for agencies to specialize, build efficient processes, and offer value beyond just website development. He also shares his experience growing Clio Websites from a solo venture to a thriving agency, including his hiring strategy and project management approach.

Key Takeaways

WordPress Agency Challenges & Growth:

• WordPress remains a powerful CMS, but fragmentation in tools and workflows can be overwhelming.
• Specializing in a particular stack (like Elementor or Bricks) helps streamline development and improve efficiency.
• Scaling requires hiring the right people and removing bottlenecks in workflow management.

AI & Automation in Web Development:

• AI is a valuable tool for SEO, content creation, and code assistance, but it won’t replace human creativity.
• Agencies should embrace AI to optimize processes, but client relationships remain a key differentiator.
• Future pricing models may factor in AI usage, with clients choosing between human-led and AI-assisted development.

Competing with DIY Platforms & Other CMSs:

• Platforms like Webflow and Wix appeal to clients due to their branding and perceived simplicity.
• Education is key—agencies must communicate the long-term benefits of WordPress over closed ecosystems.
• Many businesses prefer expert-built solutions rather than relying on DIY website builders.

Scaling a WordPress Agency:

• The key to agency growth is hiring strategically and standardizing processes.
• Transparent pricing and client pre-qualification save time and lead to better-fit projects.
• Implement clear project management structures and defined SOPs (standard operating procedures) to improve workflow efficiency.

Important Links

• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe
• Connect with Nat Miletic:
  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natmiletic
  Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/NatMiletic
• Clio Websites: https://cliowebsites.com/

Support us for as little as $5 to join our members-only Slack group.