January 2025

Step-by-Step Guide to Displaying WordPress Custom Meta Values

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TLDR: WordPress's get_post_meta retrieves metadata from the wp_postmeta table, allowing dynamic content management. Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) enhances custom field handling with tools like get_field, streamlining workflows. Effective metadata usage is crucial for project scalability, balancing functionality and efficiency. Understanding native functions versus ACF aids in optimal custom field management, crucial for WordPress development.

https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/blog/wordpress-get-post-meta/

How to Collect Emails From Website Visitors (for Email Marketing)

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Email marketing, though less glamorized than social media, is crucial for directly engaging audiences. Key steps to succeed include building an email subscriber list, ensuring user consent, and complying with legal regulations like GDPR and CAN-SPAM. Essential tools include a dedicated website, compelling lead magnets, simple email capture forms, and effective marketing strategies such as quizzes, contests, and webinars. Optimizing these efforts involves clear value propositions, urgency, social proof, and minimizing friction in signup processes. Ultimately, it offers high ROI and helps maintain lasting customer relationships.

https://akismet.com/blog/how-to-collect-emails/

How to Add a Favicon to Your WordPress Site (3 Easy Methods)

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Favicons are small icons essential for website branding and identification in browsers. This guide outlines three methods to add/change a favicon in WordPress:

  1. WordPress Settings: Easy, no plugins needed; however, customization is limited.
  2. FTP Upload: Offers control but requires technical knowledge.
  3. cPanel: Direct control via hosting account; also requires access.

Common issues such as favicons not appearing or being blurry can often be fixed by clearing caches or using high-resolution images. Best practices include using simple designs, transparent backgrounds, and appropriate formats (.ico or .png). Key features of favicons encompass enhancing brand recognition and user experience. Jetpack can further streamline WordPress management with added security and performance tools.

https://jetpack.com/blog/wordpress-favicon/

Wordfence Bug Bounty Researchers: Unlock More Earning Potential With New “Refer a Researcher” Program

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Wordfence launches the Refer-A-Researcher Program, allowing current bug bounty researchers to earn commissions by referring new researchers. Participants can earn up to 20% on the first five validated reports from their referrals, with no earning cap. To join, users must meet eligibility criteria, including being an active researcher for over a month and submitting at least 10 valid vulnerabilities. This initiative aims to enhance the WordPress Bug Bounty Program. For more details, participants should check their email or researcher dashboard for eligibility notifications.

https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2025/01/bug-bounty-referral-program/

ACF 6.3.12

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ACF version 6.3.12 released with bug fixes and improved error messages. ACF PRO users can download it from their accounts; free users can update directly. Upcoming ACF 6.4 will introduce new features and major code refactors. Changelog includes enhanced error messages, fix for duplicated blocks, and improved complex field types in React StrictMode. More info available on ACF's website.

https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/blog/acf-6-3-12/

What Is PHAR Deserialization? The Exploit Every PHP Developer Should Know

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PHP developers must recognize and protect against vulnerabilities like PHAR deserialization, which can compromise applications. PHAR files bundle PHP scripts into single files for easier management but can be exploited if manipulated. Serialization converts data for storage, while deserialization reconstructs it, presenting risks if attackers modify data to execute harmful code. This is especially concerning in WordPress, where insecure PHAR files can lead to data breaches and unauthorized access. To mitigate risks, developers should conduct vulnerability scans, validate inputs, use secure libraries, adjust PHP settings, and maintain updated software. Security plugins like Jetpack can provide comprehensive protection against such threats.

https://jetpack.com/blog/php-phar-deserialization/

Introducing the New Advanced Loop Builder!

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Spectra Pro introduces the Advanced Loop Builder, enhancing query loops with superior flexibility, customization, instant search, powerful filters, and Ajax pagination. Ideal for content creators and eCommerce websites, it simplifies content display, improves user engagement, and offers extensive customization options. The builder is user-friendly and built into Spectra, requiring no additional plugins. Users can easily customize layouts, search functions, and filter criteria. This update significantly enhances the previous version, making it an essential upgrade for creating dynamic, engaging content displays.

https://wpspectra.com/announcements/advanced-loop-builder/

WordPress and Web Servers

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WordPress functions as a web application on web servers, primarily using the LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP). Web servers serve web pages and utilize software like Apache or Nginx to handle requests. Configuration allows multiple sites on one server through virtual hosts (Apache) or server blocks (Nginx). Upon user requests, PHP processes data, often fetching from a MySQL database, and returns HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to the user's browser for display.

https://learn.wordpress.org/lesson/wordpress-and-web-servers/

Why Is WordPress Slow? Learn How to Fix It With Our 11 Expert Tips

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WordPress sites can be slow due to multiple issues such as outdated software, lack of caching, large images, unoptimized databases, and slow hosting. Slow loading times negatively affect user experience and search rankings. To improve speed, update your website, use caching and a CDN, optimize images, regularly clean the database, limit HTTP requests, manage plugins efficiently, schedule tasks wisely, and ensure your hosting is reliable. If needed, consider professional optimization services.

https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/why-is-wordpress-slow-and-how-can-you-fix-it/

Newsletter Glue

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Newsletter Glue: WordPress plugin for creating newsletters efficiently. Streamlines workflows by automating tasks like link generation and integrates newsletters with website content for increased traffic and subscriptions. Designed for media companies, improves design and production speed. Connects with existing email service providers without migration. Offers hands-on demos and support.

https://newsletterglue.com/

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