Tips, Tools, and Insights for Your Website

Hello First name / friend,

 

Can you believe that we are in the last quarter for 2026? With the holidays coming soon and another new year I found myself taking some time to look ahead at what's next for my business and the course, Website Foundations.

 

If you've been following the news or spending time online, you've probably heard a lot about AI (artificial intelligence). I've been exploring what it could mean for my business, clients and students. Needless to say there are a lot of opinions and thoughts, so I wrote a blog post to organize my own thoughts and consider how I might adapt my work and teaching for 2027.

 

In this edition, I'm sharing that post, a few website industry updates, a featured plugin, and as always a fun fact. 

 

Whether you're building a new website, improving your current one, or keeping up with web and tech news, I hope you find something useful!

 

PS: Please share this newsletter with others that may be interested in the information, services and educational opportunities.

In this issue of Site Notes:

New on the Blog

“AI and the Future of Websites: My Thoughts"

I've been working in technology for over 40 years, and I've witnessed pretty significant changes over the years. But AI has me thinking differently about the future of my business and the work that I do.

 

Over the past several weeks, I've spent a lot of time researching and trying to make sense of where this may be heading.

 

As a WordPress developer and educator, I am asking myself some important questions and have gather a few of my thoughts into my latest blog post, "AI & the future of websites: My thoughts". 

 

I share a few questions and what I'm thinking in regard to the future of my business and the Website Foundations course. 

Course News

After two successfully released of Website Foundations, I had planned to offer the course this Fall. After much thought I decided to postpone the release and take the time to review the curriculum. 

 

As AI continues to change how websites are created and managed, I want to make sure the course continues to offer practical and relevant guidance. You learn more about why I am reviewing the course in my recent post, “AI and the future…”

 

Don't worry the Website Foundations course isn't going away…It's just evolving. Registration will open in January 2027!

 

Spots will be limited.  Join the waitlist to receive details about the updated course and receive FREE workshop details delivered directly to your inbox.  

Website & Industry News

WordPress version 7.1.3 was released on October 6 and includes several security and bug fixes. To update your website you will need to log into your website and check the WordPress version in your Dashboard. 

Elementor now offers a way to connect to AI assistants (examples ChatGPT, Claude) to your website so they can help create and edit pages directly. Currently, it only supports the newer editor (Elementor 4 and Atomic Elements).

 

Questions? No problem just contact me and I can help you out.  

Featured Plugin: Google Site Kit

Wondering how people find your website and what they do once they arrive?

 

Site Kit is Google's free WordPress plugin that brings information from services such as Google Analytics and Search Console into your WordPress dashboard. Once connected, it shows you how visitors discover your website, which content attracted them, and how your site performs in Google search from the convenience of your WordPress dashboard. 

 

Setup requires connecting the appropriate Google accounts and services. 

FUN fACT

Visit the first ever website on the Web

The worlds first website was created at CERN* by Tim Berners-Lee created in December 1990 and announced publicly in August 1991, which is why 1991 is often given as the launch year. 

 

It was created to help researchers share information. There are no elaborate layouts or fun animations, just text and links. A definite contrast to the websites that we see today.

*CERN is the European organization for Nuclear Research, a scientific research center on the border of Switzerland and France, near Geneva. 

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