News

Did you catch the Genesis webinar with Bill Erickson? 

If you missed it, no problem, you can catch the replay now!

What you’ll learn:

• What the Genesis Framework is (and is not)
• Examples of great sites built on Genesis
• Technical benefits of using Genesis
• How to build a Genesis theme
• Common customizations
• Future development with Gutenberg
• Review or restructure your PPC campaigns
• Q&A

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

Good news – Genesis 2.7.1 has been released …

… and there has never been a better time to try it.

Right now we are running a discount of 20% off all our themes for new customers!

Changes in Genesis 2.7.1

In addition to the typical bug fixes and performance enhancements, Genesis 2.7 is focused on updating some key architectural components and is aimed at modernizing the codebase to prepare for some exciting future updates.

1. Preparing for WordPress 5.0 and Gutenberg

WordPress 5.0 is just around the corner, and we want to make sure your site is prepared!

Although Genesis 2.7.1 does not include any features that directly rely on WordPress 5.0 or the Gutenberg editor, we have spent a great deal of time preparing the Genesis code structure for new features that definitely will integrate with WordPress 5.0.

2. PHP 5.3

Genesis 2.7.1 requires PHP version 5.3 or greater in order to function properly.

Why?

Because we’re trying to be good internet citizens! And though we can’t jump immediately to requiring PHP 7.2, we are beginning to slowly increase our minimum requirements in Genesis, to encourage users to upgrade outdated PHP versions, as well as give ourselves the ability to create cool new features that rely on the more modern tools available only in more modern versions of PHP.

3. More Modern Architecture

Genesis is nearly a decade old! Which means that it uses some coding methods that could use a modern refresh.

We may not be able to modernize the entire codebase in one release, but we can make it better and better each time we release an update. And that’s exactly what we did in Genesis 2.7.1.

We began moving code to classes where appropriate, and are moving more and more of the default Genesis behavior toward easy to read configuration files.

We think this is a worthy investment in the long-term quality and maintainability of the Genesis Framework, clearing the way for newer experiences and better products in the Genesis ecosystem.

Get All the Details

We keep a detailed changelog for each release. The changelog for Genesis 2.7.1 can be found here.

Until the end of November 2018 we are offering new customers 20% off all themes in the StudioPress marketplace.

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

Good news – Genesis 2.7 has been released …

… and there has never been a better time to try it.

Right now we are running a discount of 20% off all our themes for new customers!

Changes in Genesis 2.7

In addition to the typical bug fixes and performance enhancements, Genesis 2.7 is focused on updating some key architectural components and is aimed at modernizing the codebase to prepare for some exciting future updates.

1. Preparing for WordPress 5.0 and Gutenberg

WordPress 5.0 is just around the corner, and we want to make sure your site is prepared!

Although Genesis 2.7 does not include any features that directly rely on WordPress 5.0 or the Gutenberg editor, we have spent a great deal of time preparing the Genesis code structure for new features that definitely will integrate with WordPress 5.0.

2. PHP 5.3

Genesis 2.7 requires PHP version 5.3 or greater in order to function properly.

Why?

Because we’re trying to be good internet citizens! And though we can’t jump immediately to requiring PHP 7.2, we are beginning to slowly increase our minimum requirements in Genesis, to encourage users to upgrade outdated PHP versions, as well as give ourselves the ability to create cool new features that rely on the more modern tools available only in more modern versions of PHP.

3. More Modern Architecture

Genesis is nearly a decade old! Which means that it uses some coding methods that could use a modern refresh.

We may not be able to modernize the entire codebase in one release, but we can make it better and better each time we release an update. And that’s exactly what we did in Genesis 2.7.

We began moving code to classes where appropriate, and are moving more and more of the default Genesis behavior toward easy to read configuration files.

We think this is a worthy investment in the long-term quality and maintainability of the Genesis Framework, clearing the way for newer experiences and better products in the Genesis ecosystem.

Get All the Details

We keep a detailed changelog for each release. The changelog for Genesis 2.7 can be found here.

Until the end of November 2018 we are offering new customers 20% off all themes in the StudioPress marketplace.

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

The Genesis Framework is the most popular framework for building beautiful, future-proof themes for WordPress. While developers have long relied on it to make their jobs easier, digital marketers have been using Genesis for just as long to generate success in the digital experiences they build.

Going back to the early days of Genesis, the theme framework was one of the earliest to incorporate digital marketing and SEO tools that helped fill some of the gaps left by WordPress itself (e.g. meta title/descriptions). With the combination of these digital marketing tools and the frameworkÔÇÖs ability to make great-looking, professional themes, Genesis quickly became a favorite of digital marketers building valuable experiences with WordPress.

When WP Engine acquired StudioPress in June 2018, we noted at the time that we planned on investing in Genesis to help the framework evolve and continue to serve the community that relies on it. While weÔÇÖve already begun doing that through investment in new theme capabilities and developer talent, as well as the release of new, Gutenberg-ready StudioPress themes, weÔÇÖre now expanding that focus to include a refresh of GenesisÔÇÖ digital marketing capabilities.

That begins with WP Engine employing the services of Greg Boser of Foundation Digital to help define the next generation of digital marketing tools within Genesis. Greg helped shape the first generation of digital marketing tools in Genesis and weÔÇÖre excited for the opportunity to do more for the Genesis community through new features and strategies that will help them grow.

Greg is a longtime mega-influencer in the SEO and digital marketing communities, and many know him from the podcast he used to co-host, SEO Rockstars. He will be conducting a detailed audit of the StudioPress product suite, including Genesis, in order to help the Genesis R&D and product teams determine which features they can add to help bring Genesis into the next evolution of digital marketing and WordPress.

Finally, the StudioPress product team is conducting one-on-one interviews with digital marketers who use WordPress and Genesis from around the community. We want to hear from them directly about the pain points theyÔÇÖre encountering, what their priorities are, and the ways we can help set them up for future success. WeÔÇÖll continue making tweaks to Genesis and the StudioPress themes based on the information we glean from these interviews.

WeÔÇÖre taking these steps because we are absolutely committed to helping our customers win with growth, weÔÇÖre committed to helping them get more exposure for their site, and do well with things like SEO. WeÔÇÖll also continue looking for new opportunities to help customers perform well in other digital marketing channels as well.

Stay tuned for more details as we move forward with this laundry list of opportunities to deliver even more value from the digital marketing feature set within Genesis. WeÔÇÖll continue to provide updates on the WP Engine blog, and as we roll out future improvements to the digital marketing capabilities Genesis has to offer, weÔÇÖll also communicate directly with members of the Genesis and wider digital marketing communities.

Most importantly, WP Engine and StudioPress are committed to helping our customers win online, and by providing them with the best digital marketing tools available, weÔÇÖre taking another step in that direction. ┬á┬á

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

The Genesis Framework is the most popular framework for building beautiful, future-proof themes for WordPress. While developers have long relied on it to make their jobs easier, digital marketers have been using Genesis for just as long to generate success in the digital experiences they build.

Going back to the early days of Genesis, the theme framework was one of the earliest to incorporate digital marketing and SEO tools that helped fill some of the gaps left by WordPress itself (e.g. meta title/descriptions). With the combination of these digital marketing tools and the frameworkÔÇÖs ability to make great-looking, professional themes, Genesis quickly became a favorite of digital marketers building valuable experiences with WordPress.

When WP Engine acquired StudioPress in June 2018, we noted at the time that we planned on investing in Genesis to help the framework evolve and continue to serve the community that relies on it. While weÔÇÖve already begun doing that through investment in new theme capabilities and developer talent, as well as the release of new, Gutenberg-ready StudioPress themes, weÔÇÖre now expanding that focus to include a refresh of GenesisÔÇÖ digital marketing capabilities.

That begins with WP Engine employing the services of Greg Boser of Foundation Digital to help define the next generation of digital marketing tools within Genesis. Greg helped shape the first generation of digital marketing tools in Genesis and weÔÇÖre excited for the opportunity to do more for the Genesis community through new features and strategies that will help them grow.

Greg is a longtime mega-influencer in the SEO and digital marketing communities, and many know him from the podcast he used to co-host, SEO Rockstars. He will be conducting a detailed audit of the StudioPress product suite, including Genesis, in order to help the Genesis R&D and product teams determine which features they can add to help bring Genesis into the next evolution of digital marketing and WordPress.

Finally, the StudioPress product team is conducting one-on-one interviews with digital marketers who use WordPress and Genesis from around the community. We want to hear from them directly about the pain points theyÔÇÖre encountering, what their priorities are, and the ways we can help set them up for future success. WeÔÇÖll continue making tweaks to Genesis and the StudioPress themes based on the information we glean from these interviews.

WeÔÇÖre taking these steps because we are absolutely committed to helping our customers win with growth, weÔÇÖre committed to helping them get more exposure for their site, and do well with things like SEO. WeÔÇÖll also continue looking for new opportunities to help customers perform well in other digital marketing channels as well.

Stay tuned for more details as we move forward with this laundry list of opportunities to deliver even more value from the digital marketing feature set within Genesis. WeÔÇÖll continue to provide updates on the WP Engine blog, and as we roll out future improvements to the digital marketing capabilities Genesis has to offer, weÔÇÖll also communicate directly with members of the Genesis and wider digital marketing communities.

Most importantly, WP Engine and StudioPress are committed to helping our customers win online, and by providing them with the best digital marketing tools available, weÔÇÖre taking another step in that direction. ┬á┬á

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

We are thrilled to announce the brand new Genesis 2.7 beta!

In addition to the typical bug fixes and performance enhancements, Genesis 2.7 is focused on updating some key architectural components and is aimed at modernizing the codebase to prepare for some exciting future updates.

Changes in Genesis 2.7

1. Preparing for WordPress 5.0 and Gutenberg

WordPress 5.0 is just around the corner, and we want to make sure your site is prepared!

Although Genesis 2.7 does not include any features that directly rely on WordPress 5.0 or the Gutenberg editor, we have spent a great deal of time preparing the Genesis code structure for new features that definitely will integrate with WordPress 5.0.

2. PHP 5.3

Genesis 2.7 requires PHP version 5.3 or greater in order to function properly.

Why?

Because we’re trying to be good internet citizens! And though we can’t jump immediately to requiring PHP 7.2, we are beginning to slowly increase our minimum requirements in Genesis, to encourage users to upgrade outdated PHP versions, as well as give ourselves the ability to create cool new features that rely on the more modern tools available only in more modern versions of PHP.

3. More Modern Architecture

Genesis is nearly a decade old! Which means that it uses some coding methods that could use a modern refresh.

We may not be able to modernize the entire codebase in one release, but we can make it better and better each time we release an update. And that’s exactly what we did in Genesis 2.7.

We began moving code to classes where appropriate, and are moving more and more of the default Genesis behavior toward easy to read configuration files.

We think this is a worthy investment in the long-term quality and maintainability of the Genesis Framework, clearing the way for newer experiences and better products in the Genesis ecosystem.

Get All the Details

We keep a detailed changelog for each release. The changelog for Genesis 2.7 can be found here.

Try it out!

We hope youÔÇÖll download the┬áGenesis Beta Tester┬áplugin and help out the Genesis community by testing Genesis 2.7 Beta, then reporting any issues you might come across.

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

We are thrilled to announce the brand new Genesis 2.7 beta!

In addition to the typical bug fixes and performance enhancements, Genesis 2.7 is focused on updating some key architectural components and is aimed at modernizing the codebase to prepare for some exciting future updates.

Changes in Genesis 2.7

1. Preparing for WordPress 5.0 and Gutenberg

WordPress 5.0 is just around the corner, and we want to make sure your site is prepared!

Although Genesis 2.7 does not include any features that directly rely on WordPress 5.0 or the Gutenberg editor, we have spent a great deal of time preparing the Genesis code structure for new features that definitely will integrate with WordPress 5.0.

2. PHP 5.3

Genesis 2.7 requires PHP version 5.3 or greater in order to function properly.

Why?

Because we’re trying to be good internet citizens! And though we can’t jump immediately to requiring PHP 7.2, we are beginning to slowly increase our minimum requirements in Genesis, to encourage users to upgrade outdated PHP versions, as well as give ourselves the ability to create cool new features that rely on the more modern tools available only in more modern versions of PHP.

3. More Modern Architecture

Genesis is nearly a decade old! Which means that it uses some coding methods that could use a modern refresh.

We may not be able to modernize the entire codebase in one release, but we can make it better and better each time we release an update. And that’s exactly what we did in Genesis 2.7.

We began moving code to classes where appropriate, and are moving more and more of the default Genesis behavior toward easy to read configuration files.

We think this is a worthy investment in the long-term quality and maintainability of the Genesis Framework, clearing the way for newer experiences and better products in the Genesis ecosystem.

Get All the Details

We keep a detailed changelog for each release. The changelog for Genesis 2.7 can be found here.

Try it out!

We hope youÔÇÖll download the┬áGenesis Beta Tester┬áplugin and help out the Genesis community by testing Genesis 2.7 Beta, then reporting any issues you might come across.

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

In this second episode of season 2, Brian and Chris explain why they are so excited about the new WordPress editor (Gutenberg), and how this will help publishers, bloggers, marketers, and readers get more out of WordPress.

Play the episode now or subscribe via iTunes

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

In this second episode of season 2, Brian and Chris explain why they are so excited about the new WordPress editor (Gutenberg), and how this will help publishers, bloggers, marketers, and readers get more out of WordPress.

Play the episode now or subscribe via iTunes

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.

As the development of Gutenberg continues, our team at StudioPress is following along closely. While there is a roadmap for its release, we are still somewhat watching from the sidelines.

Until it is merged into Core and WordPress 5.0 is released, we are approaching everything around Gutenberg as experimental. There are simply too many ongoing changes and iterations still happening.

However, there is a lot to like about the direction of Gutenberg, and there are plenty of things that I have seen which get me excited.

Content Boxes

One of those things is the ability to create content boxes. Previously, this could be accomplished with HTML and CSSÔÇöby adding a class to a paragraph, or wrapping text inside a div.

The problem with this, however, is that many folks use the visual editor and have no idea what HTML or CSS is.

With the Gutenberg editor for WordPress, this process has become much easier, and can literally be accomplished in secondsÔÇöwithout any code.

Developers can now add a custom theme color palette to publishing experience, and with those, create content boxes like these below.

Content Box Examples

This is a sample paragraph text with a colored background. You can use this to feature content, highlight something important, or provide a call-to-action.

This is a sample paragraph text with a colored background. You can use this to feature content, highlight something important, or provide a call-to-action.

This is a sample paragraph text with a colored background. You can use this to feature content, highlight something important, or provide a call-to-action.

Creating Content Boxes

To create a content box using the Gutenberg editor for WordPress is quite simple. All you need to do is write a paragraph and assign a background and text color to it.

HereÔÇÖs a screenshot to show what that looks like:

Genesis and Block Options

We have exciting news! The newly expanded Genesis engineering team is currently working on the integration of Gutenberg functions directly into Genesis.

The idea is for Genesis to do the heavy lifting of code, while supplying a config system in the child themes to handle the data. While the instructions in this post are a manual way of adding color pallets to Gutenberg blocks, weÔÇÖll be releasing features in Genesis that make this much easier.

This would allow us to ship themes with pre-configured options that are easy to customize and extend further, while allowing you to control block options in your own custom child themes!

Additional Resources

Below is a list of resources that will help you understand building and styling themes with better integration for the Gutenberg editor:

• Styling Themes for Gutenberg ÔÇö ThemeShaper
• Gutenberg Theme Support ÔÇö WordPress.org
• Gutenberg, or the Ship of Theseus ÔÇö Matias Ventura
• Getting your theme ready for Gutenberg ÔÇö Bill Erickson
• How to add WordPress Theme Styles to Gutenberg ÔÇö Rich Tabor

Note: We invite you to download the Genesis Sample theme as we have added some basic Gutenberg compatibility. Feel free to report any bugs you might find in the GitHub repository.

This blog was originally posted on Studiopress.com This post is in no way associated with Kembel.ca. For more posts by this author, please click here.