43% of all websites are made using WordPress, making it the world’s most popular site builder – not surprising given its customisability, lightning-fast hosting speeds, and flexible editing. Granted, it does help if you have a bit of technical knowledge under your belt if you’re going it alone.
But as WordPress continues to grow – at a rate of around 12% per year, no less – so does its tool and plugin capabilities. So if you want to get ahead of the game then it’s worth paying attention to what’s coming hot off the (word) press for 2024.
Ey up, it’s AI
AI is still in its infancy – that much is reflected in the failed WordPress plugins that haven’t really met expectations in recent years. But tides are changing, and as any intelligent technology does, AI is learning from its mistakes.
2024 is set to be huge for chatbots and virtual assistants. Look out for integrations that can answer site visitors’ questions with ease and accuracy, and maybe even a sense of humour! Though don’t be surprised if your bot starts acting like an unruly teen at times, like this now-disabled DPD bot that went off the rails.
The advancements don’t stop there either. Content recommendation, creation, and SEO optimisation tools will help you stand out like a penguin in the Sahara. And with manual tasks automated, you’ll have more free time to focus on other key areas of your business.
Gear up for Gutenberg phase 4
Gutenberg, or the WordPress Block Editor plugin, was originally set up to help users edit posts and pages more easily. The project seeks to reimagine the way people can manage web content, while supercharging the user experience. So far, it’s operated on a four-stage roadmap:
Phase 1
Launched in 2018, enabling easier website editing.
Phase 2
Launched in 2021, enabling greater customisation with site editing, block patterns, block directory, block themes.
Phase 3
Launched in 2022, enhancing collaboration with a more intuitive way to co-author content.
Phase 4
Expected in 2024, a Core implementation transforming multilingual capabilities.
If your website welcomes global traffic, or if you’re planning to break into the international market, Gutenberg phase 4 will be your golden egg. Where previously you would need a clunky translation plugin, Gutenberg, is building advanced multilingual support into WordPress Core. This automatically updates your site’s language depending on location.
This phase will also enhance the co-author collaboration outlined in phase 3, enabling multiple authors to collaborate on website content simultaneously. WordPress versions 6.5, 6.6 and 6.7 are expected in March, July, and November, so keep your eyes peeled.
What else to watch in 2024
We couldn’t possibly summarise all the upcoming WordPress updates in one blog. So, here’s a small handful of plugins on offer to give your website the leg-up it needs…
WooCommerce
A popular ecommerce plugin that will make you want to shout ‘WOO’ when you see the simplicity it brings to managing your online store. Its flexible features include inventory and tax management, secure payments, and shipping integration.
Slider Revolution
Self-proclaimed as ‘more than just a WordPress Slider’, this plugin is guaranteed to add pizazz to your slider game. Its top feature is especially impressive – it enables you to create visual sliders with customer conversion at their core.
Amelia
Tipped as the number one WordPress appointment booking plugin, Amelia empowers service-oriented businesses with an intuitive system. It automates the booking process and streamlines operations with ease.
wpDataTables
There ain’t no table like a wpDataTable – seamlessly distilling complex information without any technical expertise needed. The formats are flexible and data can be integrated from here, there, and everywhere. Your users will love you for it.
Winning WordPress support from Fasthosts
As technology continues to advance at breakneck speed, WordPress’ capabilities are only going to get more impressive. And staying ahead of the curve on what’s around the corner (and already right in front of you) is key to creating a winning user experience.
From super-fast hosting to finding a killer theme, we're here to help you master your WordPress site. Get in touch with our team of experts today to see how we can meet your unique needs.
Give us a call on 0800 0612 153 or message us via live chat. We're happy to help!
