WordPress is still the reigning content management system globally. According to W3Techs’ recent data about content management systems, at least 64.2% of websites with CMS use WordPress.

Its rise to the top doesn’t come without a significant amount of effort. Since its inception in 2003, WordPress has continually reinvented itself in order to remain ahead of the curve. And 2023 is no different, as the popular CMS will likely do the same in the coming years. That’s why many hosting providers offer specialized WordPress hosting. The top managed WordPress hosting providers include Bluehost, GoDaddy, and Web.com.

That being said, let us take a look at the new features WordPress is currently exploring or is likely to roll out in the near future.

Gutenberg Improvements

Gutenberg is one of the biggest changes. It is a new block-based editor for WordPress that was introduced in version 5.0 of the platform. It replaces the previous classic editor with a more modern, flexible, and intuitive editing experience.

This year, WordPress has added color and layout support for the Cover block, which helps users further customize the elements of a page. Along with this big change are bug fixes and small improvements to existing functions.

AI-powered Plugins

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most exciting technologies to watch out for today, as it has a vast range of use cases. For WordPress, AI and machine learning algorithms can provide enhanced functionality, such as personalized content recommendations, chatbots, automated translations, and more.

AI can help create a more personalized experience for website visitors by recommending content, products, or services that are tailored to their interests. It can also automate time-consuming tasks such as customer support and translation, saving businesses time and money.

Headless WordPress

Headless WordPress is a way of using WordPress as a backend content management system (CMS) without its front-end. This means that the WordPress backend is used to create and manage content, but the content is delivered to the front-end via an API (Application Programming Interface) rather than being rendered by WordPress itself.

In a headless WordPress setup, the front-end can be built using any technology, such as React, Angular, or Vue, that can consume the WordPress API. This decoupling of the backend and front-end allows for greater flexibility and agility in website development.

Voice Search Integration

Voice search integration refers to the ability of a website to interact with users through Voice commands rather than requiring users to type or click on links. With the increasing popularity of voice assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri, more and more users are searching the internet using voice commands.

To take advantage of this trend, developers are increasingly integrating voice search capabilities into their websites. This can be done by adding voice search plugins, such as Amazon Polly, which converts text to lifelike speech, or using third-party APIs to create custom voice commands.

Not surprisingly, voice search is also one of the emerging technologies for ecommerce.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a free, open-source plugin for WordPress that adds e-commerce functionality to a website. It was first released in 2011 and has since become one of the most popular e-commerce platforms on the web.

WooCommerce allows users to create an online store, sell physical and digital products, manage inventory, process payments, and much more. It’s highly customizable, with a large library of plugins and themes available, and it integrates seamlessly with WordPress.

Video Headers with WordPress

Video headers are a feature that allows users to add a video as a header background to their website. This feature can create a dynamic and engaging visual experience for visitors, especially on the homepage.

Video headers can capture visitors’ attention and keep them engaged with the website, leading to a better user experience and potentially increased conversion rates. They can also be used to tell a brand’s story or showcase products and services in an engaging and visually appealing way. 

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