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The New Stuff

The official beta release of WordPress 4.8 will be here today, May12, 2017, anytime! This means we won’t be able to add any new features until the final release of WordPress 4.8. However, we are excited to tell you that the final version of WordPress 4.8 will be here around June 8, 2017, as per the release schedule. This will be the first major release from WordPress this year.


Now, you have a reason to smile. The text widget in WordPress 4.8 is coming with a simple visual and text editor. Now adding links, emphasizing i.e. making text bold or italic, or creating lists can be done easily without having to write any HTML code.

Our WordPress specialists are eager to share the new features they have explored in the beta version using the WordPress Beta Tester plugin.

Visual editor in text widget

WordPress, by default, comes with a plain text widget with a simple text box which lets you add text and HTML code. If you are not conversant with HTML then you would definitely find it difficult to add links or use basic formatting.

Image widget

The current version of WordPress lets you display an image in sidebar only if you use a plugin or write HTML. This will change in WordPress 4.8 as a new image widget will be introduced.
This will enable you to easily add images to WordPress sidebar by uploading an image right from the widget or from the WordPress media library.


Once click on the “select image” button, the WordPress media uploader popup will open where you can upload or select an image. You will be able to see a preview of the image, once it is inserted, in the widget area.

Video widget

WordPress 4.8 will also introduce a video widget similar to the image widget mentioned above. It will allow you to easily upload video in the WordPress sidebar or display video from YouTube, vimeo or any other video hosting provider for that matter.


Our WordPress specialists recommend that you should always use a video hosting provider like Youtube or vimeo instead of uploading videos to your WordPress site. This is because uploading a video on your site would cost you bandwidth and you would also miss the video quality optimization that these hosting sites do for better web experience. Moreover, it is easy to share embedded videos.

You can just click on the “Select Video” button as shown in the screenshot above and then click on “Insert from URL” link. 



Then paste the URL of the video you want to embed and click on the “Add to widget” button. The media uploader popup will vanish and you will see a thumbnail preview of your video inside the widget, as shown in the screenshot.

News and events dashboard widget

Your current WordPress news widget which only updates you about WordPress news will be replaced by a new news and events dashboard widget in WordPress 4.8. This will also appear on your WordPress dashboard page. However, it will not only contain information about WordPress news but also about WordPress events near your location (see screenshot below).

    
In case, there are multiple users on your site then this widget will show them events based on their location. The user’s location will be automatically detected by sending their timezone, locale, and IP address to api.wordpress.org. However, you can manually edit the location to view events from any other location.

Are you ready?

You must be eagerly waiting for this major WordPress release of 2017. Which aforementioned features you find fascinating? Being an OutsourcingWordPress Development agency based in India, we would love to hear from you!
 

WordPress Specialists Reveal What to Expect in WordPress 4.8

The official beta release of WordPress 4.8 will be here today, May12, 2017, anytime! This means we won’t be able to add any new features until the final release of WordPress 4.8. However, we are excited to tell you that the final version of WordPress 4.8 will be here around June 8, 2017, as per the release schedule. This will be the first major release from WordPress this year.


Now, you have a reason to smile. The text widget in WordPress 4.8 is coming with a simple visual and text editor. Now adding links, emphasizing i.e. making text bold or italic, or creating lists can be done easily without having to write any HTML code.

Our WordPress specialists are eager to share the new features they have explored in the beta version using the WordPress Beta Tester plugin.

Visual editor in text widget

WordPress, by default, comes with a plain text widget with a simple text box which lets you add text and HTML code. If you are not conversant with HTML then you would definitely find it difficult to add links or use basic formatting.

Image widget

The current version of WordPress lets you display an image in sidebar only if you use a plugin or write HTML. This will change in WordPress 4.8 as a new image widget will be introduced.
This will enable you to easily add images to WordPress sidebar by uploading an image right from the widget or from the WordPress media library.


Once click on the “select image” button, the WordPress media uploader popup will open where you can upload or select an image. You will be able to see a preview of the image, once it is inserted, in the widget area.

Video widget

WordPress 4.8 will also introduce a video widget similar to the image widget mentioned above. It will allow you to easily upload video in the WordPress sidebar or display video from YouTube, vimeo or any other video hosting provider for that matter.


Our WordPress specialists recommend that you should always use a video hosting provider like Youtube or vimeo instead of uploading videos to your WordPress site. This is because uploading a video on your site would cost you bandwidth and you would also miss the video quality optimization that these hosting sites do for better web experience. Moreover, it is easy to share embedded videos.

You can just click on the “Select Video” button as shown in the screenshot above and then click on “Insert from URL” link. 



Then paste the URL of the video you want to embed and click on the “Add to widget” button. The media uploader popup will vanish and you will see a thumbnail preview of your video inside the widget, as shown in the screenshot.

News and events dashboard widget

Your current WordPress news widget which only updates you about WordPress news will be replaced by a new news and events dashboard widget in WordPress 4.8. This will also appear on your WordPress dashboard page. However, it will not only contain information about WordPress news but also about WordPress events near your location (see screenshot below).

    
In case, there are multiple users on your site then this widget will show them events based on their location. The user’s location will be automatically detected by sending their timezone, locale, and IP address to api.wordpress.org. However, you can manually edit the location to view events from any other location.

Are you ready?

You must be eagerly waiting for this major WordPress release of 2017. Which aforementioned features you find fascinating? Being an OutsourcingWordPress Development agency based in India, we would love to hear from you!
 



6 Post-Hack Recovery Tips from WordPress Development Experts

Finding your website being hacked is the last thing that you would ever want to discover! But what would you do if you ever find out that it has been hacked? Feel angry, violated or traumatized? How much ever may you feel devastated, you would need to put your emotions aside and save your site by acting fast! Here are some tips from WordPress specialists to restore your WordPress site after the hack:

1. Reach out to your host for help
Turning to your host for help is the obvious thing that you must do first because they must contain infections on their servers, if any. Also, they may help you to swiftly revert to a clean backup and also provide you with useful information.

2. Hire a professional
This is time to reach out to a professional for help! In case, you feel it might turn out to be an expensive affair then you can better contact an outsourcing WordPressdevelopment agency. You would not only get professional expertise at a reasonable price but you can focus on your core business areas while your website recovers.

Recommended read :  6 Common WordPress Development Blunders You Must Avoid

3. Scan the site
Ask your WordPress expert from the hired agency to scan the site for malware, date stamps and recently modified files. Thus, they can remove infection from your site.

4. Check server logs for clues
Your developer may come across the file that needs to be deleted by combing the server’s Error logs to figure out, if and how, any vulnerability was exploited.

5. Replace WordPress core files
If you find out that your content was infected by malware, tell your WordPress Developer to find a recent backup of your wp_content folder and replace them. Also if they want to avoid the tedious process of cleaning files individually, then let them replace the WordPress core files in wp_admin and wp_includes via your Cpanel.

6. Get your SALTs changed
Secret authentication keys that reside in your wp_config.php file that takes care of the encryption of login information for your WordPress cookies are called salts. Although they can be changed any time, it is ideal to go to WordPress.org after a hack and generate new salts.

Finally!
A professional and experienced WordPress specialist would take care of everything that needs to be done in order to restore your WordPress site. Did you ever face any cybersecurity issue with your WordPress site? Please share your experience and do let us know how you tackled the situation.

6 Post-Hack Recovery Tips from WordPress Development Experts


6 Post-Hack Recovery Tips from WordPress Development Experts

Finding your website being hacked is the last thing that you would ever want to discover! But what would you do if you ever find out that it has been hacked? Feel angry, violated or traumatized? How much ever may you feel devastated, you would need to put your emotions aside and save your site by acting fast! Here are some tips from WordPress specialists to restore your WordPress site after the hack:

1. Reach out to your host for help
Turning to your host for help is the obvious thing that you must do first because they must contain infections on their servers, if any. Also, they may help you to swiftly revert to a clean backup and also provide you with useful information.

2. Hire a professional
This is time to reach out to a professional for help! In case, you feel it might turn out to be an expensive affair then you can better contact an outsourcing WordPressdevelopment agency. You would not only get professional expertise at a reasonable price but you can focus on your core business areas while your website recovers.

Recommended read :  6 Common WordPress Development Blunders You Must Avoid

3. Scan the site
Ask your WordPress expert from the hired agency to scan the site for malware, date stamps and recently modified files. Thus, they can remove infection from your site.

4. Check server logs for clues
Your developer may come across the file that needs to be deleted by combing the server’s Error logs to figure out, if and how, any vulnerability was exploited.

5. Replace WordPress core files
If you find out that your content was infected by malware, tell your WordPress Developer to find a recent backup of your wp_content folder and replace them. Also if they want to avoid the tedious process of cleaning files individually, then let them replace the WordPress core files in wp_admin and wp_includes via your Cpanel.

6. Get your SALTs changed
Secret authentication keys that reside in your wp_config.php file that takes care of the encryption of login information for your WordPress cookies are called salts. Although they can be changed any time, it is ideal to go to WordPress.org after a hack and generate new salts.

Finally!
A professional and experienced WordPress specialist would take care of everything that needs to be done in order to restore your WordPress site. Did you ever face any cybersecurity issue with your WordPress site? Please share your experience and do let us know how you tackled the situation.


Estimated Read Time: 02 minutes


Your website reflects your credibility and if you are having a substandard one, you are putting your business at high risk. Today’s tech savvy consumers search the web before making a purchase and your dull website would lose the chance to impress them and turn away potential business. Remember the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” First impressions are mostly design related. We do not mean to undermine the value of quality content but it is a bitter fact that even the best of content embedded in poor design is rendered futile. Therefore, to establish credibility as a business, take the following steps:

Research and Analyze your Competition


Understanding what is working for your competitors’ website is very crucial in making your website highly attractive for your target audience. You need not copy your competitors’ design or style but need to bring your website to that level first by including the missing elements. Talk with your web development specialist to create a differentiation by integrating some advanced technology in your website based on the latest industry trends, and stay a step ahead of your competition by being an early adopter.

Use Analytics Data to Set KPIs

Keep constant watch on your analytics tool and analyze the data to get some useful insights. Set some key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure your success after revamping your website. Note down the existing data from the analytics tool and set goals which you would want the redesigned website to achieve. Moreover, you can even analyze the behaviour of your visitors by studying their point of exit, etc.

Opt for Outsourcing Web Design and Development

Why are we recommending you to choose an outsourcing web development agency? This is because it would not only be cost-effective but you would also get access to the most advanced knowledge and technology in prevalent in the web development industry. You would be able to gain and maintain a competitive advantage by keeping pace with cutting edge technology. Also make sure that there is branding consistency across all the pages in your website and your redesigned website is connecting well with your target niche.

How to Spice Up your Boring Website?


Estimated Read Time: 02 minutes


Your website reflects your credibility and if you are having a substandard one, you are putting your business at high risk. Today’s tech savvy consumers search the web before making a purchase and your dull website would lose the chance to impress them and turn away potential business. Remember the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” First impressions are mostly design related. We do not mean to undermine the value of quality content but it is a bitter fact that even the best of content embedded in poor design is rendered futile. Therefore, to establish credibility as a business, take the following steps:

Research and Analyze your Competition


Understanding what is working for your competitors’ website is very crucial in making your website highly attractive for your target audience. You need not copy your competitors’ design or style but need to bring your website to that level first by including the missing elements. Talk with your web development specialist to create a differentiation by integrating some advanced technology in your website based on the latest industry trends, and stay a step ahead of your competition by being an early adopter.

Use Analytics Data to Set KPIs

Keep constant watch on your analytics tool and analyze the data to get some useful insights. Set some key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure your success after revamping your website. Note down the existing data from the analytics tool and set goals which you would want the redesigned website to achieve. Moreover, you can even analyze the behaviour of your visitors by studying their point of exit, etc.

Opt for Outsourcing Web Design and Development

Why are we recommending you to choose an outsourcing web development agency? This is because it would not only be cost-effective but you would also get access to the most advanced knowledge and technology in prevalent in the web development industry. You would be able to gain and maintain a competitive advantage by keeping pace with cutting edge technology. Also make sure that there is branding consistency across all the pages in your website and your redesigned website is connecting well with your target niche.

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