It’s time for my annual look at the year ahead. This satirical report is chock-full of useless facts and mindless predictions. That makes it just as good as any year-ahead article on the internet.

How do I do it? Like most internet companies, I use a proprietary algorithm. I prefer to keep it a secret. But it involves looking at the past and employing an overactive imagination. It can be yours for a small fee, by the way.

So, what does 2024 have in store for us? Here are some things that absolutely will (or probably won’t) happen.

WordPress.com to Offer Tweet Rebuttals

2023 was an eventful year for WordPress – and not all of it was positive. Then again, a little #WPDrama is a fine spectator sport.

The divide between co-founder Matt Mullenweg’s commercial venture (Automattic) and the open-source project once again raised some eyebrows. The (supposed) problem? Automattic’s WordPress.com replicated plugin listings from the WordPress.org repository on its site.

Plugin developers expressed concern that the commercial site’s listings showed up first in search results. Mullenweg was personally called out regarding the issue. The criticism was harsh and accusatory.

He responded aggressively – even banning a member of the open-source project’s marketing team on Twitter/X.

Right or wrong, these events got the WordPress community talking. The level of discourse was palpable.

It also got my predictive senses tingling. There must be a way to capitalize on this phenomenon – right?

Mullenweg responded to many critics – but certainly not all. Were you left out? Don’t worry! You’ll have a chance to get in on the action.

WordPress.com will soon unveil its “I Beg Your Pardon?” service. For a $20 fee, Mullenweg will personally respond to a critical tweet of your choice.

No worries if you’re short on cash. A free version from WordPress.org will get you an automated response from a bot.

Happy to take your listing down and redirect to another plugin page, which do you recommend as a good alternative?

— Matt Mullenweg (@photomatt) September 13, 2023

Apple Will Thrill Fans with AI

Rumors abound that Apple is working on an artificial intelligence platform. How might it work? What are its capabilities? I have a few predictions.

A Stiff Barrier to Entry

Apple loves to sell us premium products. And they also enjoy exercising tight control of them. Don’t expect their AI offering to be any different.

Thus, their platform will only be available to those using Apple devices. But that’s not all. Adding Apple’s AI to your workflow will also require a proprietary cable. No, not the one you already have.

We’re talking about a completely new connector type. The good news is that it’s currently hidden on your device. It will reveal itself upon sensing the cable’s presence.

The bad news? The dongle costs $500. And customers will have to wait at least six months for delivery. As usual, a large number of preorders will be the culprit.

An AI Powered Website Testing Suite

Web designers will be thrilled to see Apple’s AI testing suite. Enter your URL and watch the magic happen.

The tool emulates multiple devices. For example, you can troubleshoot your client’s buggy site on their 8-year-old Android phone. Or figure out why your responsive styles aren’t working on a brand of tablet no one has heard of.

You can also test your sites on classic Apple devices. How would an Apple IIe render your home page? What about a Newton handheld? You’re a dongle away from finding out.

It Will Be a Roller-Coaster Year for Elon Musk

Perhaps you don’t need a crystal ball to predict some things. Elon Musk and chaos are the perfect couple (sorry, Grimes). It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

I believe Mr. Musk will have a busy year. Seriously, there will be something wild happening every day. Here are just a few examples:

• Musk will reveal (unprompted) that he ingested dozens of “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” cartridges. You know, the ones that Atari buried back in the 1980s. He may still have a stash in his basement.
• Musk will invent an implantable microchip that allows chickens to speak. Ironically, he’ll call it “Twitter“.
• What about the service formerly known as Twitter? Musk hasn’t forgotten about it. He’ll continue to reinstate banned accounts. Next up: Napolean. Watch out for a rant hundreds of years in the making.
• We hear the Tesla Cybertruck will finally start deliveries in 2024. What’s the catch? It only includes models that come equipped with a Musk-approved flamethrower.
• Tesla’s Autopilot feature is having issues. Musk will replace it with an “Autonag” option. A virtual Elon will criticize your driving skills and shout them through the car’s audio system. Transport will never be the same.

Best Wishes for 2024!

Yes, the predictions above are silly. But they underscore that we’re in a time of change. AI is disrupting our industry. The tools we use are evolving. Somehow, we’ll need to adapt. For instance, I may have ChatGPT write this article for me next year.

None of this will be easy. Web designers have weathered plenty of shifts, though. I’m still here – and so are you!

So, take a deep breath. Find something to laugh about. And do your best to make 2024 a great year.

The post The Grumpy Designer’s Guide to 2024 appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

For WordPress-powered websites, incorporating these functionalities is a seamless process. Thanks to an array of plugins, achieving comprehensive social media integration is both straightforward and efficient. These plugins extend beyond the ordinary share buttons, providing a holistic solution.

In this article, we explore a collection of exceptional free WordPress plugins that encompass the spectrum of social media integration. From advanced sharing automation to fostering a sense of community through social login and comments, these plugins enrich the user experience while effortlessly aligning with your website’s goals.

Dive into the world of streamlined social integration, where your WordPress site becomes a dynamic hub of digital interaction.

The post 8 Powerful Plugins for Integrating Social Media into WordPress appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

There are always interesting people to talk to – regardless of subject. It’s a place where I could talk about web design. But also a spot to follow my favorite sports teams. Or discuss new music.

The platform has offered a great place to connect professionally and personally. And it also provided portability. Embedded tweets and timelines were easy to implement. They facilitated the growth of one’s network.

But my heart has been weary ever since Elon Musk announced his intention to buy Twitter. And his post-acquisition actions haven’t helped. If anything, they’ve confirmed my fears.

I’m not the only concerned citizen. Other users have left the platform for the likes of Mastodon and Threads. I created accounts on those services – but haven’t used them.

I’ve stuck with Twitter – even through the awkward rebrand. But what about the many niche web design communities? Will they survive the turmoil?

Why Twitter and Web Design Go Together

Twitter has never had the mass appeal of Facebook. But its no-nonsense UI made it easier to connect with others. Users could quickly find and participate in niche communities.

That has certainly been the case for web designers. Twitter has been a great place to discover new tools. And there is no shortage of learning content. It has served our industry well.

What happens if the platform fizzles out? Niche communities can still exist on the web. And they can tie in with Fediverse-based services like Mastodon. But it’s still a more scattered landscape.

The beauty of Twitter is that all of your interests can live in one place. It can be overwhelming at times. But it brings people and content together in a unique manner.

More than any other platform, Twitter has been an online space for web designers. I hope we can keep it that way.

More than Just the Name Has Changed

I’m going to ignore the political discourse of Musk. That’s another post for another publication. However, I will focus on changes to Twitter. Particularly ones that I feel have been negative.

X Marks the What?

Elon Musk has a fascination with the letter X. I can’t pretend to understand him (I’ve always been partial to Y for some reason). But I digress.

As if this weren’t strange enough, the rebrand has drawn the ire of designers. Embedded tweets (if we’re still calling them that) now have the “X” logo on the upper right. It seems to indicate that a user can close the window. And no, it doesn’t work.

I can’t say if any of this makes business sense. But degrading the user experience (UX) isn’t productive. The design community may get a laugh out of the changes. But it doesn’t sit well in the long term.

And web designers may be stuck swapping out social sharing logos on the sites we manage. It’s not a way to ingratiate yourself with design pros.

So embedded tweets now have the "X" logo on the upper right. Looks like you're supposed to click and close it. pic.twitter.com/tiYkI38DiL

— Eric Karkovack (@karks88) July 30, 2023

Self-Inflicted API Woes

Auto publishing to Twitter has long been a popular feature. WordPress users could write a piece of content and send it directly to Twitter via an API. It no longer works, thanks to API monetization efforts.

But that’s not the only self-inflicted wound. Embedded tweets also stopped working for a time. It was a move to battle content scraping. The functionality eventually came back.

Embedded timelines have also been rendered useless. They stopped working around the same time as embedded tweets. Calls to repair them have gone unanswered as of this writing. But some feeds have inexplicably come back to life.

Monetization is understandable. Stripping core functionality is unacceptable. It’s also a turnoff to those of us who serve clients. The platform will become more trouble than it is worth. If it hasn’t already crossed that threshold, that is.

All Manner of Annoyances

Twitter’s stability has also become a fiasco. Significant staff cuts may be to blame.

Recent months have seen numerous incidents. That includes users receiving messages that they’ve reached their tweet limit.

The service has been unusable at times. Users can’t rely on the platform. Thus, they’re unlikely to use it for anything important.

Why Have Users Stayed?

With all the uncertainty, it’s fair to wonder why anyone has continued to use Twitter. Web designers are a particularly curious case. I’ll include myself in that group.

The changes to the platform have undoubtedly irked web professionals. Advocates of the open web and accessibility have complained loudly. Yet members don’t appear to be leaving in droves.

I have noticed that some in the web design community have left. But most acquaintances have stayed. Why?

I can only speak for myself. But the idea of starting from scratch on another platform isn’t attractive. I’ve spent years connecting with people. Attempting to recreate that community elsewhere seems arduous.

In other words, I’ve been too lazy to move. Perhaps it’s due to my age. But I suspect there’s more to the story.

Leaving Twitter also means giving in to Musk. It seems that he wants to push certain users out the door. That’s the antithesis of other social networks. Then again, Musk is the antithesis of most business leaders. For me, staying is perhaps a small act of defiance. Why should I be the one to leave?

Musk may get bored and sell to a more amenable party. Here’s hoping that I’m more patient than he is.

The post Twitter/X Is Doing Its Best to Chase Away Web Designers appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

By using recognizable social media icons, you can make it easier to be found and followed on social media. Additionally, a consistent and professional icon design can improve the visual design of your UI.

There are many options for free social media icon sets. They come in various styles, sizes, colors, and formats, so you will need to pick the set that best fits the specific needs of your project.

In this collection, we have thirty professionally designed free social media icon sets to help narrow your search. They all include the icons and logos of all the major social media services – and some of the lesser-known – and come in various popular formats (icon fonts, Figma, Adobe XD, PSD, AI, EPS, Sketch, PNG, and SVG).

The post 30 Free Social Media Icon Sets for UI Designers appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

However, creating social media content from scratch can be time-consuming. This is where pre-designed social media kits and templates can save you time and effort. By using templates, you can easily customize them with your business or personal style to create engaging and cohesive posts that represent your brand. Once you’re done customizing, simply upload them to your preferred social media platforms and start engaging with your audience!

By utilizing pre-designed social media kits and templates, you can streamline your strategy and focus on creating valuable social media content that resonates with your audience. This can help you increase engagement, build trust, and ultimately grow your brand on social media. So why not download these templates and see the results for yourself?

You might also like our collection of free social media icon sets.

The post The 10 Best Social Media Kits & Templates for Photoshop appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Yet, these visual assets have become so common that we sometimes leave creativity out of the equation. And while there’s nothing wrong with using a more conventional look, there’s much to be said for standing out.

That’s why we went on a search for unique social media icon implementations. Ones that feature different takes on layout and even the icons themselves. Then there are those that look a bit more mundane – that is, until you interact with them.

Ready for something different? Then check out our collection that takes social media icons to another level.

Take a Profile by Suzanne Aitchison

City-dwellers will recognize the inspiration behind this UI. Links to various social media profiles look similar to the “take a number” flyers often seen on community bulletin boards and telephone poles. The paper-like look, complete with creases and shadows, make this a can’t-miss feature.

See the Pen
“Take a number” contact list by Suzanne Aitchison

Fancy Box by Mike Young

This example is different in that it requires the user to hover over the element to reveal a set of social media icons. True, it does make for a little more work on the user’s end. But with the right labeling, it could add a bit of fun to a personal portfolio or resume site.

See the Pen
Social Icon Hover Effect by Mike Young

A Simple, Yet Familiar Look by Anton Petrov

These are not your standard social media logos – they’re not logos at all. Still, these simplistic letter icons are intuitive. That’s in part because they use each service’s primary color as a background. Upon hover, they also display the service’s name as part of the “Follow us” headline at the top. CSS and jQuery power this attractive set.

See the Pen
Social media minimal icons by Anton Petrov

Exploding Layers by Nour Ibram

OK, maybe that headline makes you think of some crazy action movie sequence. This example doesn’t go quite that far. But it does offer a beautiful hover effect that brings each icon to life with 3D-colored layers. Perhaps the only tweak would be to have the colors reflect those of the services – but that’s a minor quibble. Otherwise, this one is sure to grab some attention.

See the Pen
Code Challenge 2020 || 3D Social Media Button by Nour Ibram

Peek-a-Boo Profiles by Stefan Göllner

Here we have a set of social icons that are just begging you to interact with them. Each one peeks out just above a flat border and are fully revealed upon hover. It nicely straddles the line between usability and the element of surprise.

See the Pen
Social Media icon reveal with transition by Stefan Göllner

Founder Cards: Collect Them All by Himalaya Singh

Would you like to have a picture of Mark Zuckerberg or Jack Dorsey on your site? No? Well, this is still an attractive way to display social sharing cards. You could always swap out those images for something a little more relevant. Even better is that the cards in this demo link to a YouTube video tutorial. And don’t worry about those social media titans. They likely know everything about your website anyway.

See the Pen
Social Media Share Cards by Himalaya Singh

SVG Rainbow Paradise by Chouaib Belagoun

There’s nothing like a blast of color and slick animation to get a user’s attention. These animated SVG line icons have it all. Each icon features a unique color gradient. From there, a draw-and-fill effect takes place when hovering.

See the Pen
Creative Social Media Icon by Chouaib Belagoun

Etched in Glass by Kevin Miranda

Glass effects and neumorphism offer subtle beauty to any design element. It was only a matter of time before they were applied to social media icons. This pure CSS UI falls more into the former category, with a cool frosted effect. The neon “glow” of each item makes them reminiscent of a set of fancy wall lights.

See the Pen
Glass effect social media buttons with neon glow by Kevin Miranda

Uniquely Social UIs

It’s amazing what some creative use of CSS and JavaScript can do. They can turn some of the most recognizable logos on earth into a new and fun experience. The examples above offer just a few ways to achieve it.

The post 8 CSS & JavaScript Snippets for Creating Social Media Icons appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

In this collection, we’ve gathered some of the best Instagram Story templates that are currently available. They come in various formats, including Photoshop PSD, Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch. With these templates, you won’t have to waste your precious time browsing for the perfect fit.

Whether you’re a social media manager, a business owner, or just an Instagram enthusiast, these templates will help you maintain a consistent and professional look across all your stories. So go ahead, give them a try, and see how much easier your Instagram game becomes!

Figma Instagram Story Templates (Figma Format)

With various layouts, graphics, and text styles, you can customize these Instagram templates to match your personal or brand’s aesthetic and create professional-looking stories in minutes. Whether you’re a social media manager or influencer, these Figma story templates will help you elevate your Instagram presence.

Vana – Free Fashion Social Media Instagram Templates (Photoshop PSD & Sketch App Format)

The Vana template is a stylish template pack for Instagram stories that can be edited in Photoshop and Sketch. Thanks to the minimal design, you can use these templates for any type of post, and you’ll receive eight templates in total.

Instagram Stories Vol. 4 (Photoshop PSD Format – Envato Elements)

If you’re looking for an Instagram story template that features elegant and stylish typography, you should try the Instagram Stories template. The download pack includes nine Photoshop files and features a fresh color scheme.

Tanska – Free Instagram Template Collection (Photoshop PSD Format)

Consider the Tanska templates if you’re promoting a Scandinavian brand or lifestyle. This collection comes with ten unique templates featuring soft color palettes and stylish geometric shapes.

Fallen – Instagram Pack (Photoshop PSD Format – Envato Elements)

The first template on this list comes with an elegant design that would be great for a fashion brand or influencer. The template includes ten Instagram Story templates and ten regular Instagram posts so you can keep everything cohesive.

Free Instagram Story Templates (Photoshop PSD Format)

This free collection of Instagram Story templates features minimal typography and puts the main focus on photography. They are an excellent choice for a fashion, food, or travel brand that wants a creative way to share behind-the-scenes photos.

Glorious Instagram Quotes Stories Pack (Photoshop PSD Format – Envato Elements)

Quotes are one of the most engaging posts on Instagram, so if you’re looking to motivate or inspire your audience, check out this pack. You’ll get access to more than 50 easy-to-edit quote templates – simply replace the quote with your own, customize the colors, and save the design.

Hepburn Free Instagram Templates (Photoshop PSD Format)

A feminine brand or a brand that caters to a female audience would do well with this Instagram template pack. The collection includes nine stylish templates with elegant typography and a soft color palette. You’ll find templates for quotes, regular posts, sales announcements, and more.

Instagram Stories Vol. 3 (Photoshop PSD Format – Envato Elements)

Instagram Stories Vol 3 is a collection of fun and fresh story templates with various designs. You can make use of the templates to promote your sale, special offers, or announce new product launches, as well as share a quote or a behind-the-scenes photo.

Everyday Adventure Free Instagram Templates (Photoshop PSD Format)

The Everyday Adventure Instagram templates collection is a multipurpose set of social media templates that are perfect for promoting travel, lifestyle, fashion, and other types of posts on Instagram. They have a colorful design and modern typography that’s easy to customize.

Free Instagram Stories Template (Adobe Photoshop & Sketch App Format)

Check out this free Instagram Stories template with a trendy design. The template includes a well-organized, layered Photoshop file and features a material color scheme paired with modern typography.

Lush Free Social Media PSD Templates for Instagram (Adobe Photoshop & Sketch App Format)

An elegant set of 24 Instagram Stories template that makes it easy not only to promote your brand and share quick updates but also to announce product launches, sales, and more. The template comes with smart shapes, so it’s easy to replace the demo images and text with your own.

Free Instagram Story Mockup Templates (Photoshop PSD Format)

The free Instagram Story Mockup templates include four editable Photoshop files. All of the files use smart objects, so you can easily add your photos. This template collection features an iPhone mockup, so you easily showcase your app designs.

Instagram Stories Free PSD Template (Photoshop PSD Format)

This minimal template includes several well-organized Photoshop files that are easy to edit. Thanks to a simple design, you can easily incorporate your brand colors and tweak the typography to your brand fonts.

Free Template Instagram (Adobe XD Format)

This free Instagram Story template stands out as it was designed with Adobe XD in an effort to improve the Instagram Stories’ layout. Nonetheless, it’s still a stylish template that you can use to engage your followers and grow your following.

Free Instagram Stories Templates (Photoshop PSD Format)

This free template features two different designs; one for sharing quotes and one that’s perfect for quick announcements and getting your followers to take action. The template features a neutral color palette, but you can easily customize it to your brand’s colors.

How Can You Use Instagram Story Templates?

Instagram Story templates can serve various purposes and offer multiple creative opportunities. Here are some things you can do with Instagram Story templates:

1. Share Personal Updates: Use templates to share updates about your day, travel adventures, personal milestones, or even your current mood. The above templates will include spaces for images, captions, and other elements to help you express yourself.
2. Promote Events or Sales: Businesses and creators can use templates to promote events, sales, product launches, or special offers.
3. Engage Your Audience: Some templates may include interactive features like polls, quizzes, and questions. They can be used to engage your followers, gather opinions, or encourage them to interact with your content.
4. Showcase Products or Services: If you’re a business owner, you can use templates to showcase new products or services.
5. Share Quotes & Inspiration: Templates often include space for quotes or inspirational messages. They can be used to motivate and uplift your audience.
6. Tutorials & How-Tos: Create step-by-step tutorials or how-to guides using templates. This can be particularly useful for sharing tips related to your niche or expertise.
7. Announce Giveaways or Contests: Use the templates to announce and provide information about giveaways, contests, or challenges.
8. Travel Diaries: Share your travel experiences using templates that allow you to organize photos, captions, and maps to show your journey.
9. Share Recommendations: Whether books, movies, places to visit, or products to try, templates can help you curate and share recommendations with your followers.
10. Share Fun Facts or Trivia: Educate and entertain your audience with interesting facts, trivia, or little-known information related to your niche.

Remember that Instagram Story templates can be customized to match your style and branding, making your Stories more visually cohesive and engaging.

Stand Out With Your Instagram Stories

Instagram stories are the perfect tool to keep your followers engaged and interested in your brand. They’re quick, fun, and effective, and they can help you boost your Instagram engagement rate like never before.

With these modern Instagram story templates, you’ll be able to create stories that look professional, polished, and unique without spending hours brainstorming and designing. Plus, you’ll be able to capture your audience’s attention and make a lasting impression on them.

More Social Media Templates & Resources

The post The 10 Best Free Instagram Story Templates appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

The web is finally old enough to see the return of some trends. Brutalist design is a prime example. Web designers spent years building increasingly complex layouts. But many have gone back to the basics in recent times.

I’m wondering if we’ll see the same thing happen with online communities. Years ago, we built niche sites that catered to a specific group. We installed forums (shout out to phpBB), opened our blogs to comments, and tried to stake out a little corner of cyberspace.

Social media changed all of that. Communities began moving to larger, proprietary platforms. The likes of Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit have become places to meet and discuss hot topics.

The move made sense at the time. Access to powerful servers, globalized networks, and providers that handled moderation (to a degree, anyway). Why would we ever go back to the way it was?

Well, recent events have made me long for those good old days. Here’s why I’d like to see a return of niche web communities. That is, with some modern conveniences.

We’re Subject to the Whims of Companies

Everything is great on social media – until it isn’t. Social media companies can change policies (or, ahem, ownership) at any time. And too bad if you don’t like the results. Users have zero control.

Twitter has become the poster child for what can go wrong. The reduction of content moderation staff means slower responses to harmful behavior. Meanwhile, the platform’s user verification policies have been turned on their head.

And Facebook causes its share of headaches as well. Algorithm changes have made it harder to see posts from Groups in your main feed. Plus, I believe that the Groups feature is becoming more cumbersome to use. The service shows what it thinks I want to see. It rarely guesses correctly.

Sadly, users appear to be low on the priority list. Shareholders and overzealous billionaires get top billing. The rest of us are an afterthought.

A web-based niche community can put users first. Stakeholders may not have complete control of the experience. Much depends on the platform being used. But there’s a better chance for stability and sustainability.

Users Don’t Have an Ownership Stake

Let’s say that you’ve decided to leave Twitter. Good for you! But what happens to your tweets?

You can’t simply import them to Mastodon or a similar service. You’ll have to start from scratch. That’s especially painful if you value any of the content or interactions you had.

But open-source tools like WordPress don’t lock you in. You own the content you post. And the site’s data is portable.

This means that you can move to a new host or redesign your website without losing anything. In addition, you’re not reliant on finicky APIs that can go down or start charging money at any time.

How Does a Modern Web Community Look?

There’s a reason why so many people abandoned the idea of web-based communities. Social media was easier. It did much of the dirty work for us. All we had to do was show up and start making connections.

At the same time, building and managing community-based websites was not easy in the 2000s. The tools at our disposal lacked cohesiveness. You could have, say, a website and a forum. But tying them together wasn’t a simple process.

That’s no longer the case. New tools and protocols can solve many of the previous generation’s pain points. With that, here’s how a modern web community could look:

It Runs on a Single Platform

It’s now possible to provide a more unified experience. Membership sites have become mainstream. Several plugins exist that make setup a breeze. You don’t need to invest a lot of money or know how to code.

In addition, other functionality can be added to suit your needs. The community can be open to the public or invite-only. Membership can be monetized or remain free. Content moderation and spam prevention tools are vastly improved.

A single WordPress login is all a user needs. They can use it to access their profile, communicate with other members, and register for events.

WordPress isn’t the only option, of course. There are plenty of platforms for community builders. But it is a natural fit for this type of site. You no longer have to cobble together a collection of unrelated tools.

It Ties in With the Fediverse

What’s the opposite of a corporately-owned platform? A decentralized network of services that can communicate with each other.

That’s what the Fediverse is all about. It encompasses larger services like Mastodon. But individual websites can also join in via the ActivityPub protocol.

Install the ActivityPub WordPress plugin, and you can automatically publish from your site to connected services. It’s like using Twitter’s API to auto-publish. But you’re not limited to that singular walled garden. Your content could go to social networks, websites (via the Friends plugin), or anywhere else that supports the protocol.

Communication is also two-way. So, when someone replies to your post on a federated service, it could also become a comment on your blog.

It sounds complex. But the result is that communities can more easily curate like-minded content. In that way, your community expands beyond your website. People can interact where they are rather than being limited to specific channels.

It Still Uses (But Doesn’t Rely On) Social Media

None of this is to say that social media is dead. It’s still an important way to reach people. But it doesn’t have to serve as a community hub, either.

Instead, these platforms can be used to drive traffic to your website. Posting content to Facebook, Twitter, etc., increases visibility. That can help attract new members.

One positive of this approach is that you’re being self-reliant. You won’t have to depend on social’s APIs or infrastructure. Yes, you’re still beholden to their algorithms. But they’ll have a much smaller impact on your community’s day-to-day operations.

Big social networks can be used as an enhancement rather than a foundation. This allows you to take advantage of what they do best.

The Web Can Benefit Communities

Building a web-based community used to be difficult. The technical challenges of time prevented some groups from reaching their potential.

Meanwhile, the advent of social media brought renewed hope to community wranglers. But the landscape is in a constant state of upheaval. That makes it harder to maintain stability and growth.

Thus, a move back to the web makes sense. Tools like WordPress have grown by leaps and bounds. And they offer more flexibility when it comes to design and functionality.

Is this the wave of the future? We’ll see. But it’s exciting to think about what’s possible. Online communities may find a new home in a familiar place.

The post Could Niche Web Communities Come Back? appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

The argument made sense on some levels. Facebook Pages were free – websites not so much. Why pay for a potentially complex marketing vehicle when there was a simple, no-cost option? This seemed like a particularly good path for small businesses.

As you might have guessed, that optimism faded rather quickly. Facebook started charging for the ability to reach your entire audience. It also became increasingly difficult to stand out in a user’s chaotic social feed.

Now, let’s fast-forward to today. Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter (and subsequent headline-grabbing actions) has caused concern among users. Content moderation has taken a backseat to the billionaire’s vision of what the platform should be. It’s fair to wonder how this will impact the ability to reach and engage with people.

With that in mind, it seems like a good time to reinforce the important role websites play. Here are some reasons why they’re still the best bet for anyone that has a message to share.

A Permanent Home for Your Content

Social media still offers a great way to promote your content. But your content shouldn’t live on Facebook or Twitter. Rather, social postings should point readers toward your website.

Housing exclusive content on social media is a risk. Changes in platform ownership or policies could negatively impact what you’ve built. And if you decide to leave a particular service, how are you going to take everything with you?

Websites serve as a repository for content. That’s precisely what content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress are meant to do.

News, blog posts, and multimedia can be added, edited, or removed at any time. Most social networks don’t make these processes easy. Finding a particular tweet that you failed to bookmark, for example, is like finding a virtual needle in a haystack.

Most importantly, you’ll maintain ownership of your content. This means that you’re not subject to the whims of a third-party service provider. And you can keep it as long as you want.

The Focus Is on You

Users have a notoriously short attention span. Add to that the sheer number of posts in a typical user’s timeline and the popularity of doomscrolling. This makes social media a difficult place to make an impact. All but your most loyal followers will struggle to see your message.

At the very least, a well-made website will take those last two items out of the equation. Getting users to care is still a challenge. But you’ll stand a fighting chance when compared to the algorithm-enhanced free-for-all on the likes of Facebook.

A website can provide visitors with a clear path to action. It gives them space and time to explore content. And it serves as a reference that can be easily accessed later.

You’re not limited by character counts, nor forced to compete with thousands (or hundreds of thousands) of other posts on a feed. For one shining moment, the focus is on you with zero distractions.

It’s an opportunity that most social media platforms can’t offer. Plus, you’re in complete control of the user experience.

Websites Can Live Anywhere

Companies can come and go without a moment’s notice. Others may simply fall out of favor (I see you, MySpace). It’s something that can impact both social media and website providers.

The big difference is that a website offers options. Even if your DIY website tool were to go belly up, you could still rebuild elsewhere. And an open-source CMS gives you the flexibility to host anywhere.

If your social media network of choice went away, you’d likely be left in the cold. Your data may or may not be accessible. And what use would you have for it, anyway? It’s not like you can import your tweets into LinkedIn and keep moving forward.

Plus, if you’re not satisfied with your current site, you can make changes. Hosting, CMS, look, content, and underlying technologies are all fair game. If you have enough budget, virtually every part can be customized to match your needs.

Keep the Roles of Social Media and Websites in Mind

For a brief moment in history, the lines between social media and websites may have become blurred. Some saw the potential of the former to be a primary messaging tool. But as social media has experienced both growth and controversy, the division between the two has become clear.

Sure, many web designers may have understood this concept from the start. But clients aren’t always aware of what makes a website necessary and unique.

They may have been swayed by the thrill of posting content wherever they’ll get the most “likes” and comments. As such, they may not have thought about what happens when a platform goes away or is no longer an attractive option.

If you help clients with their marketing and content strategy, it may be worth having this conversation. Help them to understand what role social media can play in their success. But also look at the associated limitations and risks.

Conversely, there are benefits to using your website as a driver of content. This is a solution that can withstand the test of time – no matter what happens on social media.

The post How Social Media Uncertainty Reinforces the Importance of Websites appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

But rather than wallow in what was, this grumpy designer prefers to look forward. Taking the time to think about what will happen in the next year is a great opportunity – for some lighthearted satire, that is. Making outrageous predictions is both fun and an escape from everyday life. That’s something we can all use.

As with years past, my focus will be on things that matter to web designers. It’s all about the notable tools, people, and technology that keep our industry interesting.

If you’re a newcomer, I should also mention that there will be quite a bit of snark as well. Laughs are the primary goal, after all.

Without further ado, let’s take a peek at what will definitely happen in 2023!

Twitter Introduces Features to Please New Ownership

Twitter has been a great resource for the web design community. It’s been a vehicle for sharing information and connecting with others. Thus, it was no surprise that some members were concerned by Elon Musk’s acquisition of the platform. Would the famously impulsive billionaire be too disruptive?

In a word: Yes. Musk has been the proverbial bull in a crystal shop, laying off employees (only to rehire some shortly thereafter), conducting “code reviews,” and making all manner of odd proclamations.

The bottom line is that Twitter now exists to excite and entertain its new owner. As such, new features will be implemented exclusively for this purpose. 2023 will see a few major releases, including:

Randomly Edited Tweets
While the ability to edit tweets requires a paid Twitter Blue account, free users are in luck. A new algorithm will randomly change “unsatisfactory” tweets to better align with Musk’s worldview.

I know what you’re thinking – it’s a ploy to enforce the new guy’s take on free speech. But this feature goes well beyond mere lobbying efforts. Things can get a bit personal.

For instance, a tweet declaring that sloths are your favorite animal could be edited to match Musk’s fictional preference. Or a photo of you drinking a cup of coffee might be swapped out with a can of Diet Coke.

While it may be a minor inconvenience for users, it does mean that the boss won’t have to read anything the least bit unpleasant. That’s better for everyone.

“Troll Me” Button
The new sheriff in town has decided to cut back on content moderation. Some may see this as a bad thing, but the idea behind this decision is rather altruistic. The goal is to make it even easier to connect with others.

That’s why a new “Troll Me” button will appear on every user’s profile. Click it, and you’ll be presented with a list of pre-approved insults and condemnations. Simply choose the message that suits your needs and be on your merry way!

If beta testing proves successful, watch for the feature to also be added to the Reply options.

*Per Twitter’s new verification system, I’d like to specify that everything above is a parody. No Tesla vehicles were harmed.

New WordPress Plugins Will Adopt the Trends

WordPress has been around long enough that we’ve seen several trends come and go. From the way plugins approach specific functionality to a total rewrite of how themes are built, change is always on the menu.

2023 will be no exception. In fact, plugin developers are going to take things to an entirely new level. Look for the following WordPress plugins to find their way onto the market:

Admin Notifications Pro Extended
It seems like plugins litter the dashboard with notifications a little more each year. Not only are they greater in numbers, but they’re also harder to dismiss. That is if you can dismiss them at all.

Admin Notifications Pro Extended doesn’t want this trend to end. In contrast, it seeks to join in the fun!

The plugin ($29.99 per month for a single-site license) will display random, nonsensical notifications throughout the dashboard. To maintain the element of surprise, some will intentionally break the WordPress block editor – meaning you won’t be able to save that 1,000-word blog post. Such is life.

Level up with the User Experience Add-on ($100 per 500 page views) to make notices appear on the front end as well.

#WPDrama Generator
There’s nothing like a controversial discussion to stir up a little #WPDrama. But what happens during those quiet moments when no one is arguing?

That’s where the new #WPDrama Generator plugin comes in. It features a choose-your-own-adventure interface for creating hot takes, takedowns, and other hijinks. Publish your creation and use the built-in social sharing tool to stir the virtual pot.

If you’ve taken things too far, use the available WP Apology Generator add-on ($50 per use) to craft a mea culpa that’s reviewed by a professional crisis management bot.

Artificial Intelligence Will Be a Web Designer’s Best Friend

Worried that artificial intelligence (AI) will take your job? I very much doubt it, as algorithms can’t fully replace human creativity and sensibility (yet).

If anything, AI will be there to guide web designers where we need it most. It will turn our weaknesses into strengths. But that’s not all.

I predict that sometime in 2023, we’ll see an app that leverages AI to tackle our biggest struggle: dealing with clients.

Among its core features:

• Automatically connects to the client’s website to make the logo bigger;
• Adjusts color contrast ratios to add some “pop” to the look;
• Responds to vague emails by asking for clarification;
• Detects scope creep and lets clients know when a request will cost more money;
• Infiltrates your client’s devices and clears their cache;
• Blocks client access to defunct web browsers;

Now that’s what I call useful technology. If only it could do something about those clients who don’t pay their bills…

Start the New Year with a Laugh

As we prepare for another year, I think it’s important to do so with a sense of humor. Laughter is critical for surviving in chaotic times. That’s as relevant in web design as it is in life.

Hopefully, these predictions help in that quest. By roasting what’s to come, perhaps we can handle the inevitable bumps in the road more easily. If not, at least we can say that we had a few chuckles first.

Here’s to 2023. May you find happiness, success, and something to laugh about!

The post The Grumpy Designer’s 2023 Preview appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.