The Digital Insider | Category: Technology

8 Best Free Security WordPress Plugins — Speckyboy

Keeping your website secure is a 24/7 job. The right tools help keep watch – even when you can’t. They could be the difference between a hacked site and business as usual.

WordPress security plugins are one part of that equation. Along with quality hosting and users practicing secure habits, a plugin can thwart common attacks. They act as the last line of defense against hackers.

Adding an extra layer of protection is important, as WordPress is a preferred target due to its popularity. Legions of bots are scanning sites, looking for flaws to exploit. A vulnerability in WordPress core, a theme, or a plugin puts you at risk. Custom code that isn’t sanitized is also a major concern.

Thankfully, there is a variety of security plugins available. They cover different niches and use cases. We’ll introduce you to the eight best free options that help lock down your website.

This plugin includes a firewall to prevent malware exploits and brute-force login attempts. However, its comprehensive malware scanner is the real star of the show. The scanner will look inside and outside your WordPress installation to find suspicious code.

Donate to the plugin and receive premium features like a WordPress core file integrity check. It’s worth installing if you suspect your site has been compromised.

Wordfence aims to be a complete security solution for WordPress. The plugin scans for malicious files, detects suspicious user activity, and blocks brute-force login attempts.

It also improves login security with two-factor authentication (2FA) and reCAPTCHA integration. The premium version offers a security audit log, a real-time IP blocklist, and a more robust firewall.

Jetpack has long been a do-it-all plugin suite. Jetpack Protect is a separate plugin for those who only want its security features. It scans your site daily for WordPress, plugin, and theme vulnerabilities.

You’ll also receive brute-force attack protection from botnets and other malicious actors. Upgrade to premium and receive email alerts, one-click malware fixes, and priority support.

The plugin formerly known as “iThemes Security” has plenty to offer in its free version. It protects against brute-force attacks at the local and network levels. Multiple types of 2FA can be added to user accounts, while strong password requirements keep users safer.

The plugin will detect file changes and scan your site for known vulnerabilities. The pro version adds trusted device recognition (to prevent session hijacking), passwordless login, and automated vulnerability patching.

Really Simple Security helps to fill common gaps in WordPress security. First, it ensures your site takes advantage of SSL via 301 redirects from non-HTTPS URLs. It also prevents code execution in your site’s uploads folder, disables the often-hacked XML-RPC feature, and enables 2FA.

You’ll also be notified of any known vulnerabilities. The pro version adds content security policy (CSP) generation, a firewall, and more security customizations.

A single-purpose plugin, Two-Factor adds 2FA to your WordPress website. It supports various methods, including email, Time Based One-Time Passwords (TOTP), and FIDO Universal 2nd Factor (U2F).

TOTP support means you can use it with apps like Google Authenticator. Note that you’ll need to assign 2FA to users individually. This makes it more suited for sites with a small number of users.

Brute force attacks are a problem for virtually every WordPress website. Even small sites can be swarmed by bots attempting to compromise your site. You can use this plugin to mitigate malicious login attempts.

It blocks offending IP addresses and covers all WordPress logins, including WooCommerce and XML-RPC. It’s also compatible with other security plugins. The pro version adds cloud-based IP blocking to the mix.

A safe website starts with securing user accounts. MelaPress Login Security helps by letting you create a custom login security policy. Options include setting a minimum password length, disabling recycled passwords, and forcing a password reset on first login.

You’ll also find brute-force login protection and the ability to limit logins to specific IP addresses. Upgrade to the pro version and gain trusted device recognition, disabling inactive users, and custom user session timeouts.

An Easy Way to Improve WordPress Security

Website security is complicated. It requires several measures to protect against attackers, many controlled by your web host. So, it’s up to us to take extra steps when possible. A WordPress security plugin is an easy way to do so.

The plugins on this list all have different strengths. Some are all-purpose, while others focus on a single aspect of security. Choose the ones that are right for your situation. But beware of combining multiple security plugins – they don’t always play nicely together.

Also, note that a plugin is only part of an overall security strategy. They can help, but won’t make up for an insecure hosting environment.

Now that you know some of the best free security plugins available, take a moment and determine how they fit into your strategy. Stay safe out there!

WordPress Security Plugin FAQs

What Are WordPress Security Plugins?

They are plugins designed to protect your WordPress site from security threats like hacking, malware, and unauthorized access. They add extra layers of security to your site.
Who Should Use WordPress Security Plugins?

Anyone with a WordPress site, from bloggers and small business owners to large organizations, should use security plugins. They’re essential for protecting your website and user data.
Why Are Security Plugins Important for WordPress Sites?

They safeguard your site against various cyber threats. They help prevent data breaches, protect user information, and make your website is safe and trustworthy.
How Do Security Plugins Improve a WordPress Site’s Safety?

They offer features like firewalls, regular security scans, protection against brute force attacks, and alerts for any suspicious activity. Some also help with secure backups.
Can Security Plugins Affect the Performance of My WordPress Site?

While some plugins might slightly affect site speed, most well-designed security plugins are optimized to minimize any impact on your website’s performance.
Should I Use Multiple Security Plugins on My Site?

It’s usually not necessary to use multiple security plugins. One comprehensive, well-rated plugin is often enough to cover most security needs.

More Essential Free WordPress Plugins

30+ Best Lightroom Presets for Stunning Portraits — Speckyboy

The purpose of portrait photography is to capture the unique likeness, character, and personality of an individual or group of people. It involves using various techniques such as lighting, posing, and post-processing to create a visually compelling image.

When it comes to portrait photography, beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but sometimes, it takes some coaxing to show its true nature. And by coaxing, we mean editing. While we have a lot of tech at our disposal (and it has come far), our cameras may not quite capture the essence of the moment and all the little things that make it magical, sometimes, you may need a Lightroom preset to do that for you.

To help you create perfect portraits every time, take a look at the Lightroom presets we have for you here. Many are free, and you’ll get plenty of options for creating authentic and unique moods that your clients and social media followers will love. From Lightroom presets inspired by Instagram effects and sepia tones to presets for bright and colorful portraits, you’ll get plenty to pick from.

Bright and stylish, these Lightroom presets are perfect for professional photographers. Your photos will get a bright, airy, and glossy atmosphere that’s perfect for highlighting the beauty of your subjects. This incredible collection offers 11 Lightroom presets for portrait photography.

30+ Best Lightroom Presets for Stunning Portraits — Speckyboy

You don’t need an analog camera to get stunning results! Give your photos an authentic and vintage feel with Lomography, a collection of 11 Lightroom presets. These beautifully toned Lightroom presets are perfect for professional photoshoots, as well as portfolio and social media photography.

Free to Download

Slumberland is a Lightroom preset that gives a light and airy look to your portrait photos. This preset is especially useful if you have shadowy, dark images that you want to improve. Try it out for fresh summer shots, album cover portraits, or any other creative projects where you want to add a touch of lightness and vibrancy to your photos.

Create diverse and beautiful portraits with these Lightroom presets. You’ll get 14 presets that will help you create flawless and professional results, no matter the lighting. From black and white to minimalist presets, you’ll get plenty of options for the perfect shot!

Free to Download

Contrast Noir is the free preset that challenges the misconception that black and white portraits are dull and uninspiring. By working on contrasts, this preset adds a stylish touch that makes portrait subjects stand out from their backdrops.

Stunning and authentic, Tangerine portrait presets are a fantastic choice. You’ll get 20 portrait presets that play with golden and warm tones and give your photos a matte feel with quick editing in Lightroom or Photoshop. They’re great for professionals and newbies alike!

Free to Download

Cosmic Dancer is a versatile Lightroom preset designed to make colors pop in portrait photography. This preset is perfect for adding a bit of excitement to your flatter images, making them stand out.

Free to Download

If you’re looking for a touch of retro styling for your portraits, look no further than this preset. It delivers exactly what you’re after, with warm, matte tones applied throughout. It is perfect for warming up colors while keeping them soft.

Bring out the right tone in your photos to create a unique feeling with Scarlet Fantasy, a collection of 16 Lightroom presets for portrait photography. You’ll get five toning presets for cold, warm, and sepia tones, as well as 11 preset variations that optimize saturation, contrast, and exposure.

Free to Download

The timeless, brown, and yellow faded sepia tones often found in old and historic photos can now be added to your modern portraits. With this free Lightroom preset, it’s easy to achieve this classic style in just a few clicks.

Perfect for bringing out the natural beauty of your models, these Lightroom presets offer flawless results. You’ll get 60 professional Lightroom presets, so this collection is an excellent addition to your standard editing kit.

Free to Download

Wedding photos are some of the most memorable portraits you’ll ever capture, and they deserve the best possible editing treatment. The Take a Vow preset is tailor-made for wedding shots, helping the happy couple stand out by fading background colors to avoid distractions.

Give your photos a rich and deep atmosphere with Burgundy, a collection of 14 Lightroom presets. These presets bring out the reds in your photos and create a stunning and authentic vintage atmosphere. These Lightroom presets are perfect for portfolio photography and establishing a distinct style!

Free to Download

Are you looking for a bold styling for your portrait photos? The Hopscotch Lightroom preset can deliver just that. Whether you’re looking to create funky, artsy shots or simply need to make the colors pop, Hopscotch offers a range of options to choose from.

If you leveraged natural light for your portrait shots, you’ll love these Lightroom presets! Made with natural lighting in mind, these 30 Lightroom presets give your photos an airy and warm feeling. They’re perfect for professional shoots.

Free to Download

Classy and elegant black and white portraits never go out of style, but shooting in black and white can limit your creative options. With the Limograph Lightroom preset, you can convert your color photos into black and white later and preserve your creative flexibility.

No glitter, but plenty of gold! Aurum is a stunning collection of 14 presets and their variations for portrait photography. They’ll give your photos a warm color boost, no matter the conditions. Aurum presets make every photo beautiful, even if it was shot in a cold studio.

Free to Download

For a black and white portrait preset that emulates the look and feel of film photography, look no further than Shadowze. This Lightroom preset presents photos in a high-contrast yet flat way, without many sharp tones, making it ideal for any subject.

Free to Download

Vintage-styled images can be colorful, stunning works of art that are far from uninteresting. Transform your photos into just that with this free Lightroom preset. It makes full use of yellow and orange tones for a classic, bright look that’s impossible to match with a camera alone.

Add a dash of gold to your standard portrait photography with Yolk, a collection of 31 Lightroom presets. From natural tones that improve professional photoshoots to presets that turn every photo into a masterpiece of fine art, there’s plenty to pick from in this stunning preset collection.

The ultimate bundle for all your portrait photography Lightroom needs! You’ll get 80 presets for rich and moody, vintage black and white, as well as glossy editorial and magazine atmospheres. Add them to your photos for stunning results.

Convey the romantic and cozy atmosphere of autumn with these Lightroom presets. This stunning collection offers 20 Lightroom presets, with effects that vary from soft matte effects to presets with dramatic and deep orange tones. There’s plenty to pick from for your next shoot!

Turn your original shots into works of art with these Instagram-effect Lightroom presets. You’ll get 11 presets that will work on a variety of images, conditions, and lighting environments. You can easily adjust the effects to suit your preferences and create a consistent style.

Save time and get gorgeous, consistent results with these 10 Lightroom presets for portrait photography. These presets offer gentle improvements to your original shots that beautifully convey the unique atmosphere of each moment. You can easily edit the effects to suit your style, and give your original images more depth.

Bright, airy, and glossy, these modern Lightroom presets are fit to appear on the cover of Vogue! You’ll get 30 Lightroom presets that work beautifully for a variety of different shoots, and guarantee stunning results. You can also use them for fashion and wedding photography.

Let your viewers immerse themselves in the nostalgic atmosphere of your photos with Flowerage, a collection of 24 portrait photography Lightroom presets. They adjust the colors to give your original shots a hipster vintage feeling. You can use them for various photos since they offer different brightness and lighting variations.

Mimic the charm of VSCO with these professional portrait Lightroom presets. This collection offers 12 Lightroom presets that will give your standard portrait shots additional depth and moody atmospheres for highly-artistic results. These Lightroom presets are perfect for professional shoots, as well as distinguished portfolio photography.

Give your photos a unique artistic feel with these professional Lightroom presets. These 16 presets offer a film-like look for your photos. The effects range from faded and grainy to soft and smooth. They’re perfect for professional photography.

Diverse and authentic, these Lightroom presets offer excellent options for portrait photography. You’ll get all the must-have filters and effects, from faded matte to soft filters that work on your models’ creamy skin. There are 14 Lightroom presets in this pack, and you’ll love the results!

There’s nothing like black and white to add drama to your photos or showcase the emotions lying underneath. These portrait photography Lightroom presets offer ten black and white filters. From sepia tones to bright filters, you’ll get everything you need to turn your photos into works of art.

Add depth to your photos with Deeptone, a collection of 8 Lightroom presets for portrait photography. They’ll give your photos a moody atmosphere. The presets range from cold greens to neutral and warm tones, so there’s plenty to create a beautiful photo your clients will love.

Flora is a collection of fine-tuned and artistic Lightroom presets, perfect for outdoor portrait photography. You’ll get four preset options, named after the seasons, that work perfectly for creating unique atmospheres and bring the best out of lush, green settings. They work best with natural light!

Retrochrome is a collection of vintage-inspired Lightroom presets perfect for portrait and family photography. It offers beautiful toning for photos by radiating a nostalgic and warm atmosphere. You’ll get 17 retro chrome presets, as well as variations to match your original settings, conditions, and lighting.

It’s time to tell an incredible story with your photos! Use these 11 Lightroom presets if you want to convey a dark fairytale atmosphere. Every preset is editable, so you can customize them to fit your vision (and settings).

If you want to give your portraits a glossy touch, you’ll love these 50 Lightroom presets. You’ll get presets inspired by Kodachrome, Hermes’ red and orange tones, nostalgic filters, and other styles seen in magazines. You can even use them for videos!

Skin Retouching with Presets

The above Lightroom presets offer a range of adjustments to smooth skin texture, improve tone, and reduce blemishes without overdoing it. They simplify the skin retouching process, making it accessible to photographers of all skill levels.

You can achieve natural-looking, flawless skin in your portrait photos with just a few clicks. These presets will save you time and ensure consistent results, allowing your subjects to shine without imperfections.

How to Install Lightroom Presets

Download Presets: Download one of the portrait presets from this page.
Open Lightroom: Launch Lightroom and navigate to the Develop module.
Create Presets Folder: Right-click on an existing preset folder in the left panel and create a new one called Portrait Presets.
Import Presets: Right-click the new folder, select Import, and select the .xmp preset files you downloaded.
Apply Presets: Open a portrait photo, access the Presets panel, and click a portrait preset to apply it.
Adjust as Needed: Fine-tune settings to match the unique characteristics of each portrait.
Batch Edit: Consistently edit multiple portrait images using the same preset.

Perfect Portraits with Lightroom

It’s up to you to pick the perfect preset for your next project(s). At the end of the day, you’ll get stunning results. And no matter the lighting or the conditions, you’ll be able to create the exact scene you originally set out to create.

And once you share your beautiful work with the world – be that in your portfolio or on your social media – you’ll have no problem attracting even more clients who want your magic to themselves.

A Quick Guide to Escaping PHP Data in WordPress — Speckyboy

Adding custom code to your WordPress website is powerful. You can add virtually any type of functionality. That’s great – but it also comes with responsibility.

The output of your code must be secure. Otherwise, a malicious actor could take advantage. For example, they could execute a rogue JavaScript or PHP snippet to spread malware. It puts users at risk and is a mess to clean up.

Thankfully, WordPress provides a way to prevent these sorts of attacks. Escaping data output strips unwanted and unsafe code. In other words, the feature ensures that only safe content will be output. It’s extra peace of mind when building custom themes and plugins.

If you have coding knowledge, escaping PHP data output is relatively simple. However, it’s also an easy step to miss. That’s why improper code sanitization is one of the leading security issues in the WordPress ecosystem.

Let’s change that narrative, one snippet at a time. Here’s a quick guide to escaping PHP data in WordPress. It could save you from a security nightmare or two.

A Way to Control and Safeguard Your Site’s Data

What does data escaping do? Think of it as a filter in a coffeemaker. A filter’s job is to capture the ground-up beans and let the tasty liquid through. Likewise, escaping data filters out potentially dangerous bits of code before it’s rendered in a web browser.

Let’s use a website contact form as an example. Our form might have fields for:

Name
Email Address
Postal Address
Message

Each field has a specific purpose. We assume a user will add their first and last name to the “Name” field, and so on.

But what if they don’t? We can’t guarantee that everyone will behave as expected. Assuming they will is a mistake.

A malicious user or bot could try to add JavaScript to one or more of our fields. That code might be executed on our website. Any number of bad things could happen from there. The code could redirect you to a dangerous site or grab personal information such as passwords or payment details.

Escaping the data collected by our form can prevent such shenanigans. The feature limits what input the fields will accept. It also prevents any disallowed input from being rendered.

Like a coffee filter, data escaping cleans up our output while letting the good stuff flow through.

WordPress Data Escaping Functions

WordPress provides several functions for escaping data. Each is designed to handle different types of content.

For instance, the esc_html() function will remove any HTML from the input. One example would be a user who includes HTML in a page title. This function ensures the code isn’t rendered in the output.

Let’s say an adventurous user places the following in a page title field:

<strong>About Us</strong>

We haven’t escaped the PHP code in our theme:

<h1><?php echo ( $title ); ?></h1>

WordPress won’t remove the extra HTML in this scenario. That could be dangerous!

<h1><strong>About Us</strong></h1>

Now, let’s use esc_html() to strengthen our security:

<h1><?php echo esc_html( $title ); ?></h1>

The function will strip the HTML tags added by the user, leaving only the text:

<h1>About Us</h1>

Perhaps the code in our example is harmless. However, it opens the door to someone with more sinister intentions. Escaping data is a simple step that protects your website and everyone who visits it.

Common Escaping Functions

Let’s take a quick look at a few other escaping functions:

esc_js() – This function is used to sanitize inline JavaScript code. It escapes special characters and prevents XSS attacks.

<a target="_blank" href="#" onclick="alert('<?php echo esc_js( $message ); ?>')">Click me</a>

esc_url() – Sanitizes URLs before output by escaping unsafe characters and validates HTTP/HTTPS protocols. You can also use esc_url_raw() to store URLs in the site’s database.

<a target="_blank" href="<?php echo esc_url( $url ); ?>">Visit our site</a>

wp_kses() – Escapes all non-trusted code while preserving HTML. Alternately, wp_kses_post() preserves code permitted in a post or page.

<?php echo wp_kses($custom_field_content); ?>

The above functions are among the most commonly used by developers. Check out the WordPress documentation for a complete list with code examples.

Where Should You Use Escaping Functions?

Escaping functions should be used anywhere you’re handling user input via code. That might be a theme template or a custom plugin. If you’re using custom fields, their output should also be escaped.

Custom code is the primary focus here. If you’re unsure where to start, the Theme Check and Plugin Check plugins will help you find unescaped output in your code. From there, you can add an escaping function and test the changes.

Note that most native WordPress functions like the_content() or the_title() are escaped by default – you don’t need to do anything further.

What if you find some unescaped output in a third-party theme or plugin? Notify the developer! It could be an oversight on their part. Fixing it will help improve the product’s security.

Escape to a Safer Place

It’s easy to forget to escape output when writing code. Developers who aren’t well-versed in security may not even know about it. Code editor apps won’t alert you to the issue. And WordPress will execute your code regardless.

So, keep this security feature in mind. Add it to a checklist or set a reminder in your project notes. It only takes a few extra seconds to implement. And it might be the difference in whether your site is as secure as possible.

8 Comic-Inspired Snippets Powered by CSS & JavaScript — Speckyboy

Comics have served as an inspiration to many of us. They impact every corner of our culture. Just try going to the movies without at least one comic-based film showing. It seems nearly impossible.

Their style has also crept into web design. We see it in bold colors, outrageous typography, and unique layouts.

Advancements in both CSS and JavaScript allow designers to bring these styles to life. There is no shortage of ways to add comic-inspired flair to your website.

So, how are web designers bringing comic styles online? Let’s check out a few examples of what a combination of code and creativity can do.

Comic Style Text Bubbles – CSS

Created by Josetxu

This snippet demonstrates a classic comic book style. Large, bold text screams on top of colorful backgrounds. CSS Grid is used to line up the various layout pieces. Bonus: click on a word to edit the text. Wow! That was cool.

See the Pen Comic Style Text Bubbles – CSS by Josetxu

Side Scroller Comic Web Template

Created by Terry Scrimsher

Here’s an example that adds movement to the mix. The side-scrolling hero area makes for an attention-grabbing experience. The animated text provides contrast and an element of fun.

See the Pen Side Scroller Web Template by Terry Scrimsher

Comic Book Style CSS UI

Created by Gabriele Corti

This experiment ponders a comic book UI. It’s a small starting point inspired by Spider-Man. However, imagine expanding it to cover every element of a website. That’s a way to stand out from the mere mortals.

See the Pen Comic Book UI by Gabriele Corti

Style Stage Comic Book CSS

Created by Katherine Kato

Let’s go a step further with a comic-inspired UI. This page manages to balance bold styling and legibility. The layout is fun but remains super clean. It shows that “comic” doesn’t have to mean inaccessible.

See the Pen Style Stage – Comic by Katherine Kato

Pure CSS Comic Coder Cat

Created by Annie Bombanie

This humorous bit pokes fun at developers. It also shows some impressive use of CSS. The black-and-white comic takes advantage of clip paths, gradients, and flexbox. The strip is also responsive.

See the Pen Comic Coder Cat – Pure CSS by Annie

Generate Comic-Style Typography

Created by Antoinette Janus

Use this snippet to generate comic-style text. Click into the box and then start typing. You’ll get a classic comic book font on top of a halftone background.

See the Pen Comic Types by Antoinette Janus

Responsive & Accessible Comic Page

Created by Sarah Frisk

It can be a challenge to make an accessible comic strip. The fonts aren’t always legible. And what if you’re using images? This snippet aims to fix these issues. It offers a “CC” mode that provides text descriptions of each panel. The result is an improved user experience.

See the Pen Responsive and Accessible Comic Page by Sarah Frisk

Comic Style Crystal Field

Created by Tibix

It’s easy to admire the groundbreaking illustrations in our favorite comics. This example combines beautiful artwork with the power of code. Click on the presentation to regenerate a new version of this crystal field.

See the Pen Comic Style Crystal Field by Tibix

Adding Some Pop to the Web

Not every website requires a staid corporate look. Comic styles offer an alternative for these sites. You can use this technique to create a fun and memorable UX.

What’s more, you don’t have to go over the top to find success. Even subtle elements of comic design can make a positive impact. Look no further than some of the examples above for proof.

Want to see even more examples of comic styles? Use your superpowers and head on over to our CodePen collection!

20+ Best Free Affinity Designer Brush Sets in 2025 — Speckyboy

Affinity Designer is a popular graphics editor that allows artists and designers to work on vector and raster projects within one application. This makes it perfect for most design and digital art tasks, from logo creation to complex illustrations.

One of the key features that makes Affinity Designer so valuable is its support for brush sets. As most designers will know, having a collection of brushes on hand is crucial for adding depth and texture to your digital artwork.

Brushes allow for the creation of detailed and professional artwork. They can imitate everything from watercolor textures to fine pencil lines, allowing you to bring your creativity to life with precision and flair.

Whether working on a digital painting, designing a character, or creating a logo design, the right brush set can make all the difference in achieving that perfect finish.

Ink & Painting Affinity Brushes

These Affinity Designer brushes bring traditional ink and paint textures to your artwork. They’re ideal for artists looking to replicate classic techniques digitally.

inkBrush Vector Paint Affinity Brushes

Free to Download, 30 Brushes

This set of 30 free brushes offers various textures and stroke styles. It is for digital artists who want to replicate traditional ink painting techniques.

Painted Canvas Affinity Brushes

Free to Download, 67 Brushes

This free set of Affinity Designer brushes allows you to replicate the texture and feel of painting on canvas. It includes standard, angled, narrow, messy, and light vector canvas brushes.

Pencil & Pen Affinity Brushes

Designed to replicate the precision of pencil and pen sketches, these brushes provide a range of line weights and textures, perfect for drafting, sketching, and detailed illustration work.

Pencil Affinity Designer Brushes

25 Brushes

This brush set is ideal for designers who want to create digital art with the textures and shading capabilities of traditional pencil drawing. The set includes 25 brushes.

Textured Pencils & Ink Affinity Brushes

Free to Download, 65 Brushes

These free ink and pencil brushes will add subtle depth, texture, and a hand-drawn feel to your digital illustrations. This set includes 30 pencil and 35 ink brushes.

Vector Marker Brushes for Affinity Designer

Free to Download, 9 Brushes

Created using real Prismacolor marker pens, this free vector brush set can be used to achieve a hand-drawn, marker-like appearance in your artwork. You will also get a Prismacolor-inspired swatches library.

Artista Affinity Designer Brushes

60 Brushes & 10 Textures

Artista is the perfect brush set for any Affinity digital artist. It includes sketch, spray, hatch, textured, and pencil brushes and, as a bonus, ten grunge textures.

Hand-Drawn Affinity Brushes

Replicate the charm of hand-drawn art with brushes that offer irregular lines and textures. These brushes are great for adding a personal touch to your designs.

Hand-Drawn Brushes for Affinity Designer

20 Brushes

This hand-drawn brush set will help to improve your illustrations by giving you unique textures, line work, and artistic effects. They allow you to give your work with a more organic, handcrafted feel.

Charcoal Sketch Affinity Designer Brushes

Free to Download, 10 Brushes

With these ten free textured brushes, you can replicate traditional charcoal with grainy and expressive strokes. They’re ideal for rough sketches, tonal shading, and moody artwork.

Scribble & Scrawl Affinity Brushes

Free to Download, 44 Brushes

The Scribble & Scrawl free brush set has been designed to create hand-drawn, scribbled, or scrawled effects in your digital art. This free set includes standard, long, squared, and messy scribble brushes.

Vintage Affinity Brushes

Add a touch of nostalgia to your projects with brushes that offer textures and patterns from bygone eras. They are perfect for retro-themed artwork and designs that need an aged look.

Vintage Lines for Affinity Designer

Free to Download, 4 Brushes

These free brushes will add intricate linework and decorative elements, perfect for projects that need a touch of nostalgia and elegance.

Vintage Banner Affinity Brushes

Free to Download, 19 Brushes

This free collection of brushes allows you to add retro or vintage-style banners to your artwork. They are particularly useful for creating nostalgic designs.

Stamp Brushes for Affinity Designer

These stamp brushes offer crisp, predefined shapes and motifs that can be easily applied to your projects. They’re ideal for creating patterns, decorative elements, or themed designs.

Auto Car Supply Stamp Brushes

15 Brushes

This brush set includes 15 car and tool stamp brushes, perfect for logo or branding design. A Procreate version is also available for download.

BadOia’s Repeating Pattern Brushes

Free to Download, 200 Brushes

This massive set includes over 200 vector shape brushes. And, as a bonus, they are also all repeating patterns. They’re a must-download for anyone who uses Affinity Designer.

Bunting Brushes for Affinity Designer

Free to Download, 12 Brushes

This free brush set lets you add banner-style decorations to your design projects. It is particularly useful for adding festive, celebratory elements to your designs.

Magical Girl Stars Affinity Designer Brushes

Free to Download, 6 Brushes

This free Affinity Designer set includes stamp and scatter brushes for adding cartoon-style stars and halos to your artwork.

Line Brushes for Affinity Designer

These Affinity Designer brushes offer clean, varied line work. They’re helpful for projects that rely on strong, consistent linework, such as technical drawings or minimalist designs.

Lighthouse Liner Affinity Brushes

80 Brushes & 20 Patterns

The Lighthouse brush set allows you to add detailed linework to your illustrations, sketches, or any project that requires precision. This set includes 80 Affinity Designer brushes and 20 seamless patterns.

Outline Brushes for Affinity Designer

Free to Download, 58 Brushes

The Outline brush set is helpful for varied-thickness linework or adding a lifelike look to the edges of objects in your artwork. This free set includes dashed, fat, thin, round, short, and abstract outlined brushes.

Dollar Store Fineliner Affinity Designer Brushes

Free to Download, 7 Brushes

Comic & Cartoon Affinity Brushes

These brushes, tailored for comic artists and cartoonists, support expressive drawing styles with options for outlines and fill textures.

DAUB Comics Basic Brush Set

Free to Download, 12 Brushes

This free brush set includes a selection of brushes tailored for comic book artists and illustrators. It offers a range of textures and stroke styles ideal for creating dynamic and expressive comic artwork.

Chalk Toon Painter Affinity Designer Brushes

Free to Download, 100 Brushes

Texture Brushes for Affinity

These textured brushes give surfaces lifelike qualities, from rough paper to fabric, making them ideal for adding realism to your digital work.

Fur Brushes for Affinity Design

Free to Download, 12 Brushes

These realistic brushes will allow you to create textured fur or hair. They’re great for animal illustrations, fantasy creatures, plush textures, or adding realism to characters.

Wax Crayon Texture Affinity Brushes

Free to Download, 40 Brushes

These free brushes will add the textured, dynamic effects of wax crayons to your digital artwork. This set can be handy for adding a playful, handcrafted touch to your illustrations.

Neon Light Affinity Designer Brushes

Free to Download, 12 Brushes

With these free Affinity brushes, you can create glowing strokes that replicate neon signage. They’re great for retro designs, futuristic art, or bold digital illustrations.

Textured Dots Affinity Designer Brushes

Free to Download, 120 Brushes

These dot brushes can be used for various creative purposes, such as adding depth and texture to your illustrations or highlighting the detail in characters or objects.

Texture Brushes for Affinity Designer

Free to Download, 5 Brushes

Sourced from various real-life textures, this free brush set will allow you to add depth to your illustrations, giving you a range of effects from rough surfaces to fine, detailed patterns.

Grim Shader Affinity Brushes

Free to Download, 10 Brushes

Grim Shader is a collection of ten free textured brushes that you can use to add depth and dimension to your digital art. They’re perfect for vintage illustrations, comic book designs, or engraving-style artwork.

Shader Affinity Brushes

Free to Download, 12 Vector & Raster Brushes

This free Affinity Designer brush set includes textures and effects to add realism to your artwork. They will help you create rich art by giving you various shading options.

Affinity Designer Brushes FAQ

How do I install brushes in Affinity Designer?

To install brushes, download the brush file, open Affinity Designer, go to the Brushes Panel, click on the menu, and select Import Brushes.
Can I use Photoshop brushes in Affinity Designer?

Yes, you can use Photoshop brushes in Affinity Designer by importing the .abr files. You can find a huge selection of free Photoshop brushes here.
Can I use Illustrator or Procreate brushes in Affinity Designer?

Illustrator or Procreate brushes are not directly usable in Affinity Designer due to differences in file formats and brush engines. They would need to be converted into a compatible format, though this may not perfectly preserve the original brush’s properties.
How can I create my own brushes in Affinity Designer?

You can create custom brushes by selecting new brush categories in the Brushes Panel and clicking the New Brush option. This allows you to customize settings like width, opacity, and texture to suit your specific needs.

These Affinity Designer brushes offer the flexibility and precision needed to bring your creative visions to life, whether through delicate linework or bold textural effects.

By using these free resources, artists of all skill levels can expand their repertoire, experiment with new styles, and achieve professional-level results.

How to Troubleshoot & Debug WordPress Code With AI — Speckyboy

You can write custom code to make WordPress do all manner of things. Whether creating custom plugins or tweaking your theme’s layout, there’s a way to make it happen. As they say, code is poetry.

Writing code is full of ups and downs, though. You may have the perfect idea for achieving a goal – if only for that nasty bug you can’t resolve. Just think of how many hours we’ve spent debugging. They account for many long days and nights. Full disclosure: I still feel the effects of such trauma.

Thankfully, troubleshooting code is a strength of artificial intelligence (AI). These tools are skilled at understanding syntax and have in-depth knowledge of WordPress. Combine those ingredients, and you have a solution to most (if not all) coding issues.

In my case, ChatGPT has saved me hours, not to mention a whole lot of stress. I’ve also learned a few tricks for getting the best results and want to share them with you. They’ll help you get the most out of troubleshooting with AI.

Here we go!

Identify the Basics and Share Them With AI

Aim for simplicity when troubleshooting code. This applies to using AI as much as reviewing with your own eyes.

The first step is to identify the issue you’re having. You don’t need to know the cause (that’s what AI is for). But it helps if you can determine the following:

The code snippet causing issues;
Any error messages generated by your code;
What you’re trying to achieve (what the code should do);
Your web server’s configuration and version of PHP;

Start your debugging journey by sharing the offending code snippet with your AI tool of choice. This may be all the tool needs to do its job. Issues like syntax errors can be found quickly.

The other details above are also helpful. Share any errors, your server configuration, and the expected behavior. This provides more context when all else fails.

Example Prompt:

I'm having trouble with the following code snippet on my  WordPress website:
<?php echo( the_tietle() ); ?>

It's supposed to display the title of the current page.

I received the following error:
Function the_tietle() not found.

I have an Apache server running PHP 8.2. What's wrong with my code?

Upload Files for a Full Code Review

Tools like ChatGPT can work with more than code snippets. You can also upload files for further analysis.

This is handy if you’re unsure where an issue is coming from or want a full code review. For example, you might want to check if the code’s output is sanitized. AI can look through the file and inform you of any issues.

But that’s not all. Some tools will troubleshoot multiple files simultaneously. That allows you to upload a ZIP archive containing files and a nested folder structure.

The response may take a little longer. But it’s still more convenient than copying and pasting into the tool’s UI.

Troubleshoot One Issue at a Time

You could ask ChatGPT or a tool like Plugin Check to point out all the errors in your code. It’s nice to get an overview of what’s happening. But don’t let it go to your head.

AI may or may not be confused by code with multiple issues. Humans generally are, though. Thus, it makes sense to work on one problem at a time.

There are advantages to taking it slowly. You’ll achieve better results and get a good mental exercise. It reminds us to focus on the current task instead of scattering our attention in too many places.

A measured approach takes some of the stress out of the process. Another bonus: It keeps your AI chat threads nicely organized. That’s helpful when you want to reference it later.

Read the AI Tool’s Response Carefully

It’s tempting to copy and paste AI-generated code without a second thought. It’s not much different from the snippets on Stack Overflow or similar communities. It must work, right?

It’s more complicated than that. Some coding issues are cut-and-dry. Syntax errors, once fixed, don’t require further attention. That’s more of an exception than a rule, though.

AI tools attempt to explain why our code isn’t working. They also point out other possible solutions. Like humans, their initial diagnosis may not be correct.

Pay close attention to these responses. For one, it’s an opportunity to learn the reason behind the problem. It may also save you from using code that doesn’t work.

AI will sometimes take your prompt out of context. And what if you misspoke? The tool’s response may do more harm than good.

So, slow down. Read the explanation and review the code. At worst, you’ll have a little more peace of mind.

And please remember to back up your work before changing your code. You never know!

A Helping Hand for Debugging

Every developer gets stumped by a buggy piece of code at some point. Previously, that meant wasting hours (if not days) attempting to fix it. Meanwhile, progress on your to-do list came to a halt.

That no longer has to be the case. Your favorite AI tool can detect the source of coding issues and help you repair them. It saves you untold time and keeps you on task.

The technology isn’t perfect. However, the tips above can help you navigate AI’s quirks while getting your code running.

The result is happier debugging.

15+ Free Fonts with Classic Typewriter Styles for Creatives — Speckyboy

Typewriter fonts can bring a unique style to your creative projects. Their worn-out letters and subtle ink blots replicate those characteristics you associate with vintage typing machines. They are great for projects like posters, branding, or invitations that need a vintage aesthetic.

Most of the fonts in this collection have been digitally designed and inspired by classic typewriters. But we have also included some fonts that have been scanned from the typed text of real typewriters and have those original peculiarities like faded ink and uneven keystrokes.

Whether you’re looking for something clean and refined or a more worn, authentic feel, in this collection we share some of the best free typewriter fonts to help give your projects a classic touch.

Free to Download

The free font Tox replicates the pressed ink-on-paper effect you typically find when using old-school typewriters. Its rough and uneven edges make it perfect for vintage or industrial projects.

Postmark Typewriter has a clean yet slightly distressed style. The regular weight’s thin lines and occasional ink blot give it a nostalgic feel. This font suits projects that need an authentic typewriter aesthetic.

Free to Download

Royal Quiet Deluxe is a free font created using real typed letters from a 1950s Royal Portable typewriter. If you’re looking for a typewriter font with a crisp and uniform style and authentic glitches and flaws, this is the font for you.

With its strong strokes and worn characters, Ron’s Typewriter feels heavy and dramatic, making it perfect for poster design. This serif font comes with regular, light, and bold weights.

Free to Download

Courier Prime modernizes the classic Courier font while maintaining its monospaced design. It’s clean, easy to read, and versatile. This font works well for code or any other text-heavy documents.

This font combines a typewriter’s classic structure with a handwritten feel. The ink-smudged appearance and uneven character spacing give it an organic and personal touch. It includes regular, outline, and italic weights.

Free to Download

Bygonest Typewriter is a worn and weathered free font with uneven strokes and faint imprints. Its rough edges make it look aged and used, creating the feel of old documents or typewritten letters.

Typedeermono is a typewriter font with a slightly distorted, hand-pressed appearance that has been designed to look as though a rubber stamp created the letters. It includes both regular and stamp variations.

Free to Download

Radio Newsman is a strong typewriter font that has been inspired by mid-century newsrooms. Its bold characters make it perfect for headlines or vintage-themed designs.

Taking inspiration from traditional typewritten text, Frontype is a clean serif font with slight imperfections. Those subtle blots give the impression of a freshly inked typewriter ribbon. It is perfect for retro projects that need to be legible.

Free to Download

TT2020 offers a contemporary twist on classic typewriter fonts. Its precise lines make it feel modern while still retaining the irregularities that give typewriter fonts their character. This free font comes with six varied styles.

Free to Download

Xerography is a free serif font that imitates the look of a worn-out typewriter or copy machine. It has slightly rough edges with faded characters and a solid stamped background. This typewriter font would be perfect for bold poster designs.

Free to Download

These free fonts were created by scanning the characters typed on Byron’s classic Mark I and Mark II typewriters. The slight imperfections are real and will add vintage character to any design project you’re working on.

Free to Download

Dull Boy is a free typewriter font with varying letter shapes and uneven spacing. Its bold style makes it excellent for projects that need a worn-down look.

Free to Download

This free font was created using a Remington Noiseless typewriter. It is a slightly rounded and gentle typeface with all of the imperfections you would expect to see in vintage typewritten text.

Free to Download

Veteran Typewriter has a rugged, worn look, with rough edges that perfectly replicate the characteristics of a well-used typewriter. This free font would be excellent for designs that need an antique aesthetic.

Free to Download

Special Elite is a grungy typewriter font that has taken inspiration from the Smith Corona Special Elite (where its name comes from) and Remington Noiseless typewriters. This free font is available on Google Fonts.

Free to Download

Adler is a free typewriter font with heavily distressed characters, replicating the text of a heavily used classic typewriter. If you’re looking for a heavily smudged and grungy typewriter font, this is the font you want.

Free to Download

Punk Typewriter is an edgy typeface with strong imperfections and erratic character shapes. Its bold, chaotic appearance would work well for projects that need a touch of rebellion.

Free to Download

Kyiv Machine is a free typewriter font with industrial and mechanical aesthetics. Each character appears worn and uneven, giving the font a sense of history.

Typewriter Font FAQs

What are typewriter fonts?

They replicate the typed text of traditional typewriters. They tend to have irregular letters, ink imperfections, and grungy design quirks.
Can typewriter fonts be used for logo design?

Yes, they are great for logo design. They are excellent for adding vintage character to your designs.
Are all typewriter fonts monospaced?

Most typewriter fonts are monospaced, but some may have inconsistent spacing.
Are scanned typewriter fonts less polished than digital versions?

Scanned fonts are more authentic, while digital versions tend to be cleaner and more uniform.
Can typewriter fonts be paired with other fonts?

Yes, typewriter fonts often pair well with modern fonts, giving your designs a more balanced contrast.
Do typewriter fonts work best in large text sizes?

Yes, they do. The larger the text, the more you will see their unique details, like uneven strokes and ink imperfections.
Are these fonts free for commercial use?

Some fonts are free for commercial use, while others require a license. You should always read and review the terms and conditions of each font.

The Best Practices for Managing Your Client’s WordPress Sites — Speckyboy

There’s nothing like the feeling of launching a new website. It’s the excitement of a happy client and a great addition to your portfolio. You can even admire all the cool things you did with WordPress. But as that chapter ends, another one begins.

We’re talking about website management. It’s all about keeping your client’s site in tip-top shape throughout its lifecycle. But there’s more to the process than hitting the “update” button every so often.

Modern websites are more complex than ever. Thus, there are also ongoing tasks for performance, accessibility, and security. The services and technologies surrounding websites also require regular attention.

Those responsibilities multiply for each site under your watch. So, how do you keep it all from going sideways? Keep reading to discover best practices for managing your client’s WordPress websites.

Take Note of Unique Features and Configurations

Every WordPress website has a story to tell. While some may be similar, some features make them unique.

For example, several clients may use the same theme. However, their websites could have key differences. Perhaps one uses WooCommerce and sells products online, while another might include a learning management system (LMS) plugin.

Seemingly similar websites can have many differences, including:

Commercial licenses for plugins and themes (with differing expiration dates);
Custom code that modifies WordPress behavior;
Domain registrars;
PHP versions;
Plugins and custom modifications to them;
Server resource requirements (storage, bandwidth, CPU cycles);
Third-party library and script dependencies;
Web hosting providers and packages;

These differences may be fresh in your mind when the site launches. However, it’s easy to forget them as time passes. You’ll be left searching for clues when it’s time to work on the site again.

The solution is to document the unique aspects of each site. Put them into a text or word processing file. It’s a handy reference for those little details and could save you a few headaches. Future maintenance will be that much easier.

Create a Website Maintenance Schedule

WordPress websites require frequent maintenance. Updates to the core software, themes, and plugins are plentiful. Thus, it pays to keep a watchful eye on each site you manage.

Updates play a key role in site security and stability. Missing a new version could mean exposing the website to hackers or a poor user experience. It’s not something to take lightly.

WordPress can perform automatic updates – and it’s a viable option. However, updates don’t always run perfectly. If something does go wrong, you won’t be around to notice. That could mean a buggy site or worse.

The better option is to create a website maintenance calendar. Pick a day each week (or two) and dedicate a portion to installing updates. It also helps to stay flexible – you never know when a critical security update will surface.

We get it – logging into every site you manage is tedious. Thankfully, you can streamline the process using a unified dashboard service like ManageWP or MainWP. You’ll have access to each site and can perform maintenance tasks – all from a single screen.

Regardless of how you do it, keeping a regular schedule will help this part of maintenance become second nature.

Stay Informed About WordPress and Web Development

Things change rapidly in web development. Software (such as WordPress), programming languages, and server technologies evolve. Like that iPhone you bought last year, things become obsolete before you know it.

These shifts impact your existing sites just as much as new ones. PHP versions are a prime example. Web hosts often stop supporting legacy releases. Thus, your website had better be compatible with a recent one. Wait too long, and you might have a broken site to repair.

Changes in WordPress are also worth paying attention to. New features are added to the core software, and some may benefit your clients. For instance, the Site Editor lets you build custom theme templates without knowing how to code. It may be the push your client needs to approve a redesign.

Meanwhile, themes and plugins come and go. It’s risky to leave abandoned software on your site. The sooner you know about a potential issue, the sooner you can address it.

And we can’t forget about third-party tools and services. Our sites often depend on them for functionality. A change to an API or even a billing policy could be impactful.

Such frequent changes make it more important than ever to stay informed. You don’t have to know everything – just the subjects relevant to the sites you manage. The project documentation we mentioned above can help you decide where to focus.

Put Security First

The burden of website security is a heavy one. It should be a top consideration in everything we do. The same goes for keeping client data safe.

In site management, that means not taking any risks. Ensure that software is updated, use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), track user activity, and use security tools. They help defend against hackers and provide a little peace of mind.

Security at the server level is also critical. For instance, ensure the correct file permissions for your WordPress installation are set. Scan the server for any suspicious files. Your web host may take care of some items – but it doesn’t hurt to verify them.

Any sensitive client data (like passwords and payment info) should be stored securely. Use encrypted services, when possible, to keep prying eyes away.

Security may be the most difficult part of website maintenance. Do your best to keep your websites, clients, and yourself safe.

Manage Your Client Websites Like a Pro

There are many aspects to managing a WordPress website. But they all have a few things in common.

First, you’ll need a deep understanding of every website you manage. Note the details in what theme and plugins they use, their hosting configuration, and the services they depend on. Gather every bit of information you can for future reference.

Second, pay attention to what’s going on. Stay aware of what’s changing and how it impacts the sites under your care. That will help you catch potential problems before they strike.

WordPress maintenance isn’t rocket science. Some basic organizational skills are a must. From there, it’s about creating a workflow that makes sense for your business. Take advantage of any tools that save time and increase efficiency.

Follow the tips above, and you’ll become a pro in no time!

40+ High-Resolution Packs of Free Textures for Designers — Speckyboy

The number of options, directions, and aesthetic approaches you can take from simply adding a texture to your work is mind-boggling. Of course, not every design, photo, or video benefits from even the most subtle of textures, but you might be surprised at how a high-resolution texture can bring a design to life.

Knowing when to use a texture and which texture to use comes down to the flow of the design and the priority of information on the page. It is a good idea to keep certain textures in mind while working on a project, but don’t finalize them until you’ve seen the design as a whole.

Texture selection can be an involved and time-consuming process. Firstly, you have to search for that particular texture your design needs, and secondly, you have to test and tweak it to discover the one that actually works.

It is that search process we aim to help you with. We have a huge selection of free high-resolution textures for you today that are just shouting out for use in your next project.

Free Paper Textures

10 Ripped Paper Texture Set

5 Glued Paper Textures

16 Free Vintage Paper Textures

10 Free Marble Paper Textures

Free Dirt & Grit Textures

18 Free Grit Textures

Vintage Grit Textures

In AI, EPS & PNG Formats

10 Free Dust & Dirt Overlay Textures

Free Vintage & Retro Textures

8 Free Vintage Textures

10 Vintage Halftone Textures

In EPS & PNG Formats

10 Vintage Noise Animated Textures

12 Film Dust Vintage Grunge Textures

24 Authentic 1930s Vintage Postcard Textures

Free Grunge Textures

24 Free Grunge Textures

10 Free Digital Grunge Textures

5 Subtle Grunge Vectors

10 Free White Subtle Grunge Textures

Free Grain & Noise Textures

20 Subtle Grain Textures

10 Film Grain Textures

5 Photocopy Noise Textures

Free Abstract & Fractal Textures

10 Vivid Gradient Abstract Textures

8 Free Ethnic Abstract Textures

8 Free Abstract Watercolor Textures

5 Holographic Textures

18 High-Resolution Fractal Textures

Free Stone & Concrete Textures

20 Stone Wall Textures

In Photoshop PSD Format

Vector Concrete Texture Pack

5 High-Resolution Brick & Tile Textures

10 Old Wall Textures

10 Marble Textures

In EPS & PNG Formats

10 Free Concrete Textures

Free Metallic Textures

9 High-Resolution Metal Surface Textures

Free Paint & Graffiti Textures

Free Artistic Paint Textures

14 High-Resolution Graffiti Textures

16 Free Sprayed Vector Texture

Free Wood Textures

5 Free High-Resolution Wood Textures

12 Organic Textures

In PSD & AI Formats

20 Organic Vector Textures

10 Free Withered Wood Textures

Free Wood & Paint Textures

Free Fabric Textures

9 High-Resolution Fabric Texture Pack

25 Denim Textures

6 Free High-Resolution Fabric Textures

Free Black & White Textures

Black & White Seamless Textures

Free Miscellaneous Textures

100 Fire & Flame 4K Textures

Seamless Vector Textures

10 Chalk Textures

In AI, EPS & PNG Formats

7 Plastic Textures

Textures in Your Workflow

Once you’ve found the perfect textures, integrating them is a straightforward process. Most photo and video applications allows you to overlay textures onto your artwork. You can then adjust their opacity and blending modes to achieve the desired effect.

Remember to consider the context of your project when choosing textures. Whether you’re creating a vintage poster, a modern website, or an artistic masterpiece, textures can be your trusty companions on the creative journey.

By understanding the role of textures and experimenting with their application, you can breathe life into your work and engage your audience on a whole new level.

While it is true that you can use very subtle, unobtrusive textures, you should also keep in mind that some textures can draw the eye more than just a solid color. This means that it’s best practice to use textures that create contrast and highlight areas of the page that are important.

More Free Texture Packs

Why a Modular Approach Is Better for WordPress Development — Speckyboy

We have the power to bend WordPress to our will. A little (or a lot) of custom code can make the content management system (CMS) do more. The sky’s the limit when it comes to functionality.

That’s quite a magic wand in our pockets. However, it does bring up a few key questions.

Do we go big when building plugins and themes for WordPress? Do we add all the bells and whistles and account for every potential use case? Or do we aim for the bare minimum – just enough to serve our needs?

I prefer the latter approach – start small and adapt as needed. That minimizes bloat and saves on future maintenance. It’s a hard-learned lesson.

The elephant in the room is that our needs tend to change. The plugin that once did the job may no longer do enough, while the theme that helped us achieve one look may not be flexible enough to adapt to a new one.

This is where a modular approach to development is valuable. It’s all about building to suit your current needs while planning for the future. Change is inevitable – so why not account for it now?

Let’s explore this different way to do WordPress development. We’ll cover the basics of what it is, how it looks, and how it benefits your workflow.

First, Consider Your Short-Term Goals

It’s easy to go down a rabbit hole during a development project. The finished plugin or theme might not resemble the idea you started with. We get sidetracked by shiny features and the quest to deliver more than advertised.

Our intent is noble. However, we also complicate our project by straying from the initial plan. Did we build something sustainable? How will we manage the code a year from now?

There’s a danger in going too big, too soon. For one, it can lead to sloppy code and structure. The impacts can be felt in performance and security. You could miss something important while attempting to squeeze more into your project’s timeline.

In addition, half-baked features could be a pain to work with down the road. Poor structure means bolting on additions or (gasp) ripping things apart and starting from scratch.

To avoid this fate, consider your short-term goals. Ask yourself:

What are the minimum requirements for the project?
What features do I need now?
How much time do I have to build this?
How much testing will I need to do?

The idea is to focus on what you need to achieve in the time you have. Anything beyond that can probably wait.

Get Organized to Prepare for the Future

The websites we build will evolve. Clients change their mind or have something new to offer. WordPress and the underlying technology of our sites also move forward.

That impacts our custom plugins and themes. There will likely be new features to add or changes to existing ones. It’s all part of the development lifecycle.

Using a modular approach helps when it’s time for a change. The first step is to get organized. Having a sound structure allows you to build logically and efficiently.

The WordPress developer documentation gives you a head start by outlining plugin and theme structure. Following these guidelines ensures a sustainable start to your project. That’s better than reorganizing a messy jumble of files and code.

For example, here’s the suggested plugin structure:

/plugin-name
     plugin-name.php
     uninstall.php
     /languages
     /includes
     /admin
          /js
          /css
          /images
     /public
          /js
          /css
          /images

The ability to pick up where you left off is priceless. If you haven’t worked on that custom plugin for a few years, you might have difficulty remembering what you did and where things are. A well-organized plugin removes some of the guesswork.

Adding comments to your code also helps with organization. You’ll receive a high-five from your future self for documenting what each snippet does. It’s a small thing that makes a real difference.

The better your organizational skills, the easier it will be to maintain your work.

Add Plugin and Theme Features One at a Time

Sure, it would be cool if our plugin could do x, y, and z right out of the box. Perhaps that’s not realistic, given the budget and timeline. We don’t have to forget about those big ideas, though.

The priority is building something that works as intended. It should do what we outlined in our short-term goals. Once that is established, we can plan for those extra goodies.

Think of these features as items on a checklist where you can only do one at a time. Pick one, make it the best you can, and move on. That ensures your focus will be on the task at hand, rather than scrambling to fit puzzle pieces together.

Besides, trying to do all the things at once rarely works out. This is a difficult challenge for solo developers as there’s only so much time in the day. Not to mention those of us working on multiple projects.

Remember, good things take time. That’s why committing to a single task makes sense. Train your focus on one thing and do it well. The result will be improved quality and some mental clarity.

A Better Way to Build for WordPress

Every developer has a preferred workflow. We use our favorite tools and techniques to enhance our WordPress projects.

That individuality is both freeing and a bit troublesome. It’s great to write code how you want and when you want. However, a lack of foresight and organization can complicate things. It could lead to a buggy product that is a pain to maintain.

Starting with a modular approach is the cure for future chaos. Everyone benefits when every part of your plugin or theme has a place and purpose. You’ll love that you can find what you need with minimal effort. Clients and users will love that it works (even if they don’t realize it).

Writing code is challenging enough. The right approach can help you focus on getting it right.

An Easy Way to Improve WordPress Security

WordPress Security Plugin FAQs

More Essential Free WordPress Plugins

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Ink & Painting Affinity Brushes

Pencil & Pen Affinity Brushes

Hand-Drawn Affinity Brushes

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Identify the Basics and Share Them With AI

Upload Files for a Full Code Review

Troubleshoot One Issue at a Time

Read the AI Tool’s Response Carefully

A Helping Hand for Debugging

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Typewriter Font FAQs

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Take Note of Unique Features and Configurations

Create a Website Maintenance Schedule

Stay Informed About WordPress and Web Development

Put Security First

Manage Your Client Websites Like a Pro

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Free Paper Textures

Free Dirt & Grit Textures

Free Vintage & Retro Textures

Free Grunge Textures

Free Grain & Noise Textures

Free Abstract & Fractal Textures

Free Stone & Concrete Textures

Free Metallic Textures

Free Paint & Graffiti Textures

Free Wood Textures

Free Fabric Textures

Free Black & White Textures

Free Miscellaneous Textures

Textures in Your Workflow

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