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Running WP in debug mode

Chad Butler · Feb 23, 2018 ·

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When running a WordPress site, it’s important to understand how PHP’s error messaging works. Even if you are not a developer yourself, you need to know how to properly set up and run a site and how to know what’s important for messaging so that you can get the correct information back to developers. This article will cover the basics of PHP’s error messaging and WP’s debug mode.

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Handling form layout when using a builder plugin

Chad Butler · Jan 31, 2018 ·

Builder plugins (and themes that use them) such as SiteOrigin, Elegant Builder, Divi, and others, have become more popular.

Without beating a topic that has already been beat to death in the WordPress developer community, let me just say that my position on it is conflicted.

First, I generally agree with the assessment provided by Pippin Williamson:

Builders provide a poor user experience and cause significant compatibility problems for other plugins.

The other big issue is that their use violates a primary reason for using a CMS in the first place – separating content from design. Using a builder embeds design elements into the content which is a major design flaw from a CMS site management perspective.

On the other hand, I also agree with Chris Lema – builders exist because there is a market demand for them:

Why do people want WordPress Page Builders?
Simple. They offer customers a solution for personalization that mass-produced themes can’t offer, while at a lower price than working with a professional web developer and web designer.

A bigger problem than simple compatibility however, is that there is simply no industry standardization. In the WP development community, most successful plugin developers work with WP’s core standards. That makes it easier for everyone because if something isn’t initially compatible, a couple of adjustments with filter/action hooks and you’re dovetailing seamlessly.

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Restrict Registration to MailChimp List Subscribers

Chad Butler · Jan 17, 2018 ·

Generally, the WP-Members MailChimp extension is used to subscribe users to your list when they register. But using the extension’s API, it can also be used to restrict site registration to users who are subscribed an existing MailChimp list.

This process requires the WP-Members MailChimp Integration extension.

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Updates at RocketGeek.com

Chad Butler · Nov 6, 2017 ·

With the end of 2017 fast approaching, there is a lot on the horizon for RocketGeek.com.

The past 5 years have been good ones and this fledgling support site for a small WordPress plugin has grown to support thousands of users and has launched some new products. With that growth has come a need to expand.

During the final two months of this year, you’ll begin to see new things from the site. Here’s an overview of what is coming. Continue Reading →

Adding MailChimp Interest Groups

Chad Butler · Oct 24, 2017 ·

The MailChimp extension will be adding support for Interests (also known as Interest Groups) in a future version. Until that is added, there is a way you can utilize Interests now with a little bit of custom code added to your theme’s functions.php file. Continue Reading →