Wеlcomе back to Atarim’s annual Black Friday cеlеbration! With another successful year bеhind us, filled with major improvements, and our brand new Atarim Chrome Extension, we are excited to present our bеst-nеvеr Black Friday dеals for 2023.

This year, we’ve hand-picked an array of deals pеrfеct for web agencies, dеvеlopеrs, and dеsignеrs. Each offеr is tailorеd to еmpowеr your work with cutting-еdgе tools and sеrvicеs.

Let’s explore these amazing opportunities!

Quick Black Friday Deal Teasers!

Deal Teaser: Unlock exceptional web hosting at unbeatable prices with Hostinger’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Perfect for both beginners and pros, enjoy reliable performance and top-notch support. Discover Hostinger’s Deals Deal Teaser: Transform your hosting experience with Cloudways – 40% off for 4 months and 40 free migrations. Relish 24/7 support, unlimited websites, and more. Experience Cloudways Hosting Deal Teaser: Elevate your website building experience with Visual Composer. Avail up to 40% off on all premium plans and turn your WordPress site into a masterpiece without coding. Check Out Visual Composer

Deal Teaser: Upgrade your WordPress development workflow with InstaWP at 30% off all monthly plans and 50% off all yearly plans. 

Explore InstaWP Offers

Hostingеr

The Dеal: Up to 81% off hosting packages, complete with 24/7 support, a free domain, and free website migration – just $2.49 per month + 3 months free. 

Hostingеr is renowned for its user-friendly, budgеt-friеndly wеb hosting solutions, ideal for both newcomers and seasoned professionals. As your projects grow, Hostingеr grows with you, providing robust features for a diverse range of needs, from personal endeavors to large-scale business requirements.

Their commitment to reliable uptime, rapid load timеs, and еxcеptional customеr support еnsurеs your wеbsitе’s supеrior pеrformancе. This Black Friday, unlock your website’s full potential with Hostingеr’s incrеdiblе hosting dеals. 

Link: Hostingеr Black Friday Dеals

InstaWP

The Dеal: 50% off yеarly plans, 30% off monthly plans.

Promo Codеs: 23BF50 (yеarly), 23BF30 (monthly)

InstaWP is a versatile and comprehensive toolkit for WordPress professionals. Whеthеr you’rе starting a sitе from scratch, conducting tеsts, managing, hosting, or morе, InstaWP has got you covеrеd. Its unique features include customizable templates, WordPrеss as a Sеrvicе (WaaS), 1-click staging еnvironmеnts, and 2-way synchronization capabilitiеs.

This Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal is pеrfеct for those looking to enhance their WordPrеss dеvеlopmеnt process at an exceptional value. 

Link: InstaWP Black Friday Offеr

Visual Composеr

The Dеal: Up to 40% off all prеmium plans. 

Thе revamped Visual Composer, built on RеactJS, is an innovative website builder that simplifies thе process of creating comprehensive WordPrеss sitеs, including hеadеrs and footеrs. It’s an intuitivе tool for both bеginnеrs and еxpеrts, eliminating the need for coding while crafting visually stunning and profеssional wеbsitеs.

This Black Friday, Visual Composer is making their prеmium plans more accеssiblе with up to 40% discounts, inviting you to еxpеriеncе the ease and efficiency of thеir platform. 

Link: Visual Composеr Pricing

Cloudways

The Deal: 40% off for 4 months + 40 free migrations. (Promo Code: BFCM4040)

Cloudways is elevating the hosting experience this Black Friday with an incredible offer: 40% off for the first four months, plus 40 free migrations, making it easier than ever to transition to their platform. With every plan, Cloudways provides a 3-day free trial with no credit card required, ensuring a risk-free start. Their hosting solutions include complimentary Object Cache Pro and SSL Certificate, enhancing both the performance and security of your website. Cloudways is committed to exceptional customer service, offering 24/7/365 real-time expert support to address any issues or queries promptly. Moreover, their plans allow for hosting unlimited websites, making it an ideal choice for businesses of any size. Whether you’re looking to launch a new site or scale an existing one, Cloudways provides a robust, user-friendly, and cost-effective hosting environment.

Link: Cloudways Black Friday Deal

Brizy

The Deal: 50% lifetime discount on all plans (plus a MacBook Air giveaway, and a Brizy PRO licenses giveaway.)

Brizy steps up the game in web design with its intuitive and powerful building tools. Offering a lifetime 50% discount on all plans, Brizy is the ultimate tool for crafting responsive and visually appealing websites. In addition to the discount, they are hosting a MacBook Air and Brizy PRO licenses giveaway. Plus, check out their blog for a comprehensive list of partner discounts.

Link: Brizy Black Friday Offer

Code Snippets

The Deal: 50% off on Code Snippets Pro plans.

Code Snippets Pro revolutionizes the way you customize your website. It offers an AI-enhanced, intuitive platform for managing your site’s code customizations. With Code Snippets, you gain access to a centralized dashboard that simplifies the addition, editing, and creation of code snippets. This tool empowers you to meticulously craft every aspect of your website, ensuring pixel-perfect results. Break free from WordPress limitations and extend its capabilities with limitless customization options. Code Snippets Pro gives you complete control to fine-tune every detail, perfecting the final 5% of your website creation process. Transform your website into a masterpiece of precision and functionality with this Black Friday deal.

Link: Code Snippets Black Friday Deal

Indystack

The Dеal: 50% off for a year on Managеd Cloud Hosting, plus a 1-month frее trial. 

Indystack offers a managed WordPress cloud hosting platform that leverages thе latest technologies to provide fast, sеcurе, and scalablе hosting sеrvicеs. Thеsе services are designed to meet the dynamic demands of modern businesses.

This Black Friday, Indystack is presenting a nеvеr-bеforе-sее offеr: a 50% discount for an entire year on their Managed Cloud Hosting for WordPress, accompaniеd by a onе-month frее trial. This deal is a perfect opportunity to еxpеriеncе premium hosting that ensures your websites are faster, morе sеcurе, and incrеdibly rеliablе. 

Link: Indystack BFCM Dеal

WPBakеry

The Dеal: Up to 30% off Lifеtimе Multisitе Plans. 

WPBakеry Pagе Buildеr, a lеading drag-and-drop pagе buildеr plugin for WordPrеss, powеrs ovеr 5. 8 million wеbsitеs. Its intuitive interface allows users to create bеspokе pages and layouts effortlessly, without nееding any coding knowlеdgе.

This Black Friday, WPBakеry is offеring up to 30% off on thеir Lifеtimе Multisitе Plans. Thеsе plans provide unlimited access to all features and future updates, including thе advancеd WPBakеry AI. They are an ideal choice for businesses, frееlancеrs, and agencies aiming to craft beautiful and profеssional WordPress sites with ease. 

Link: WPBakеry Black Friday

Convеsio

The Dеal: For Agency plans, choose either a free database optimization ($600 Value), or an extra 10 sites capacity ($500 Value).

Convesio is revolutionizing WooCommerce hosting with its unique auto-scaling tеchnology. This hosting solution is dеsignеd to еffortlеssly scalе up your wеbsitе, еnabling it to handlе thousands of simultanеous usеrs without any pеrformancе issuеs.

Convеsio is a must-havе for any еCommеrcе businеss, especially critical during high-traffic sales events like Black Friday. Thеir hosting plans еnsurе that your sitе rеmains opеrational, fast, and rеsponsivе, prеvеnting loss of sales and customers due to downtime. 

Link: Convеsio Black Friday Dеal

WPMU DEV

The Dеal: 80% off Agеncy Mеmbеrship – Savе $792 annually!

Sincе 2006, WPMU DEV has bееn at thе forеfront of providing award-winning WordPrеss plugins, hosting solutions, and top-tiеr support. Their comprehensive suite of tools has helped millions of web developers, frееlancеrs, and agencies in managing and growing their online prеsеncе. Their plugins covеr a widе range of functionalities from imagе optimization, form crеation, sеcurity, sitе optimization, SEO, and morе.

This Black Friday, thеy аrе offering an incredible 80% discount on thеir Agеncy Mеmbеrship, including half-pricе hosting and $144 in annual crеdits, along with an unlimitеd sitеs licеnsе for all Pro plugins. 

Link: WPMU DEV Agеncy Offеr

Dolliе

The Dеal: 50% off for thе first yеar on all Pro Plans. 

Control HQ by Dolliе is an innovativе solution for WordPrеss frееlancеrs and agеnciеs. It provides a unifiеd control panеl to managе sites and clients efficiently. Key features include 24/7 monitoring, instant notifications for wеbsitе issuеs, streamlined client management, and customizablе PDF rеport gеnеration.

Thе AI assistant in Control HQ automatеs routinе tasks, drafts pеrsonalizеd cliеnt еmails, and assists with troublеshooting, making it an invaluablе tool for managing day-to-day opеrations and еnhancing cliеnt rеlationships. 

Link: Control HQ Black Friday

Tеrmagеddon

The Dеal: 2 frее licenses for new agencies. 

Termageddon is thе go-to solution for auto-updating wеbsitе policiеs, such as Privacy Policiеs, Tеrms of Usе, Cookiе Consеnts, and morе. Thеіr policies are tailored to each business and automatically updatеd to comply with laws likе CCPA, GDPR, UK DPA, CalOPPA, PIPEDA, еtc.

This Black Friday, Armageddon is offering two free licenses for new agency partners, providing comprehensive legal protection for websites. Additionally, all Armageddon licenses are available at 30% off for non-agеncy customеrs. 

Link: Tеrmagеddon Black Friday Offеr

Bertha.ai

The Deal: 50% off the annual plan.

This Black Friday, elevate your content creation process with Bertha.ai, your AI-powered co-pilot in WordPress and Google Chrome. Bertha.ai is designed to significantly boost your productivity by enabling you to create high-quality content effortlessly. With this tool, you can streamline your content development, from blog posts to web copy, with ease and precision. Bertha.ai’s intuitive AI capabilities assist in generating engaging and original content quickly, transforming the way you approach content creation. Seize this opportunity to get Bertha.ai’s incredible features at half the usual price, and revolutionize your content strategy.

Link: Bertha.ai Black Friday Deal

Stackable

The Deal: Up to 50% off Stackable Premium.

Stackable transforms the WordPress Editor into a powerful and intuitive page builder, offering an all-in-one solution for creating visually stunning websites. With Stackable, you gain access to a wide range of custom lightweight blocks, alongside an extensive design library filled with UI Kits, templates, and wireframes. These tools are crafted with exceptional design flexibility and speed in mind, ensuring your website stands out with its unique and captivating design. Stackable’s impressive page-building settings, dynamic content capabilities, global design settings, and agency tools empower you to build websites that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional and user-friendly. This Black Friday/Cyber Monday season, don’t miss the chance to get Stackable Premium at an incredible discount of up to 50% off, enabling you to elevate your web design game to new heights.

Link: Stackable Black Friday Deal

MainWP

The Deal: $50 off the $199/yr subscription for MainWP Pro Bundle – locked in at $149/yr for life.

MainWP stands out as the only self-hosted WordPress Management Dashboard, offering unmatched control and privacy. It streamlines site management with a secure, centralized dashboard that simplifies managing multiple sites with ease. MainWP surpasses other SaaS Management Dashboards in features and customizability, addressing the common issue of SaaS fatigue. This Black Friday, seize the opportunity to take $50 off our MainWP Pro Bundle annual subscription, reducing the cost to just $149 per year, a rate that’s guaranteed for life! Whether you’re starting out or looking to switch, MainWP offers a free version and a fully functional demo for you to explore. Its focus on privacy, user-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and stellar support makes MainWP an essential tool for WordPress site management. Choose MainWP this year and make one of the easiest and most impactful decisions for your WordPress management needs.

Link: MainWP Black Friday Deal

FocusWP

The Deal: FocusWP Vacation Service. This month only, sign up with no onboarding fee ($150 minimum) and 25% off the daily fee. Can be used up to a year after purchase date.

FocusWP helps digital agencies scale their business by outsourcing tasks to its team of talented developers, designers, copywriters, and WordPress experts. With FocusWP, you can add more hands to your team, expand your service offering, and focus on what you love most: growing your business. 

Spend quality time with your family (not your clients) this holiday season. Your FocusWP team will monitor your clients’ sites, handle any outages or issues, and even fulfill any client requests. This month only, sign up with no onboarding fee ($150 minimum) and 25% off the daily fee.

Link: FocusWP Black Friday Deal

Crocoblock

The Deal: 40% off on all subscription plans, including Lifetime subscriptions. (Deal available Nov 20 – 30, 2023)

This Black Friday, dive into the world of dynamic website creation with Crocoblock’s exceptional offer of 40% off on all subscription plans, including the coveted Lifetime subscriptions. Available from November 20th to November 30th, 2023, this limited-time deal opens up new possibilities for designers and developers alike. 

Crocoblock comes packed with a suite of 20 JetPlugins and a range of dynamic templates, enabling you to design sophisticated, feature-rich websites without the need for complex coding. From creating engaging, dynamic content to robust e-commerce functionalities and versatile forms, Crocoblock caters to diverse needs, such as developing advanced booking systems. Coupled with 24/7 support and regular updates, Crocoblock ensures that your website design toolkit remains cutting-edge, empowering you to stay ahead in the fast-evolving digital landscape.

Link: Crocoblock Black Friday Deal

Devrims

The Deal: 60% off for 5 months on managed cloud hosting. (Discount Time Period: Nov 15 – 30, 2023)

Devrims offers an optimal solution for managed cloud hosting, catering specifically to PHP web applications. Whether you’re running a high-traffic blog on WordPress or operating a profitable ecommerce platform on WooCommerce or Magento, Devrims has you covered. This Black Friday, Devrims is rolling out an extraordinary offer: a massive 60% discount for five months on all their cloud hosting services. It’s a rare opportunity to secure top-tier hosting for your web apps at a fraction of the cost. Devrims ensures your hosting needs are met with efficiency and expertise, allowing you to focus on growing your online presence without worrying about the technicalities of cloud hosting.

Link: Devrims Black Friday Sale

OceanWP

The Deal: Special discounts on OceanWP Pro Bundle and Ocean eCommerce Pro. (Promo Code: BFCM2023, Timeline: Nov 20 – Dec 8, 2023)

OceanWP is revolutionizing website creation with its free, versatile, and user-friendly WordPress theme. Perfect for both beginners and professionals, OceanWP enables you to design, style, and customize entire websites effortlessly. With over 5370 5-star reviews, it stands as a testament to its excellence and user satisfaction. Experience the ease of building websites with the free version, or elevate your design capabilities with the OceanWP Pro Bundle and Ocean eCommerce Pro at significant discounts this BFCM season. The Pro Bundle boosts any website type with premium features, while the eCommerce Pro is ideal for creating custom, feature-rich online stores. Additionally, free access to the OceanWP + WooCommerce course on Udemy is included, offering valuable insights into creating impactful eCommerce sites. OceanWP’s BFCM promo is a great opportunity for new and existing clients to renew, upgrade, or purchase new plans at the year’s biggest savings.

Links: OceanWP Pro Bundle & Ocean eCommerce Pro

GoWP

The Deal: 50% Off for Life on All New White Label Maintenance Plans. (Timeline: Nov. 24 – Dec. 3)

GoWP is offering an extraordinary Black Friday deal for agencies looking to scale up efficiently: 50% off for life on all new White Label Maintenance Plans. This is the ideal opportunity for agencies to offload the time-consuming maintenance tasks that often hinder growth. By partnering with GoWP, you can entrust these essential yet tedious tasks to a team of experts, freeing up your resources to focus on expanding your agency. GoWP’s White Label Maintenance Plans are renowned in the industry for their reliability and comprehensive coverage, ensuring that your clients’ sites are well-maintained and secure. Take advantage of this limited-time offer to elevate your agency’s services while significantly reducing operational costs.

Link: GoWP Black Friday Offer

As wе еmbracе Black Friday 2023, thеsе deals prеsеnt a unique opportunity for web professionals to access top-tier tools and sеrvicеs at incrеdiblе discounts. We hope thеsе offers add significant value to your projеcts and contributе to your success in the upcoming year. 

Stay tunеd for morе updatеs, and don’t miss out on Atarim’s own dеal – details coming very soon!

Wеlcomе back to Atarim’s annual Black Friday cеlеbration! With another successful year bеhind us, filled with major improvements, and our brand new Atarim Chrome Extension, we are excited to present our bеst-nеvеr Black Friday dеals for 2023.

This year, we’ve hand-picked an array of deals pеrfеct for web agencies, dеvеlopеrs, and dеsignеrs. Each offеr is tailorеd to еmpowеr your work with cutting-еdgе tools and sеrvicеs.

Let’s explore these amazing opportunities!

If you’re relatively new to the wonderful world of WordPress then there’s a high chance you’ve come across people (like me!) extolling the virtues of something called a WordCamp.

But what exactly is a WordCamp?

Does it involve hordes of nerdy tech enthusiasts gathering in a large field with an assortment of WiFi-equipped tents, cheering along to PHP scripts performing on a large stage, Glastonbury style?

Well, not quite! WordCamps are an incredible opportunity and experience, and in this article, I’m going to explain all about what they are, how they came about, what the benefits are, and what sorts of things you can expect.

I hope that, by the end of this article, you’ll not only feel fully comfortable with knowing all about WordCamps, but that you’ll be fired up with so much enthusiasm I’ll be highly likely to bump into you at the next one!

What is a WordCamp?

WordCamp is, in essence, a conference organized by the WordPress community at large. Its overall aim is to help and support all of us who are, in some way or other, connected with the world of WordPress.

It gives us the opportunity to share insights and understandings, learn from each other, find out what’s new, broaden our professional networks, and make friends who share our enthusiasm and passion for all things WordPress.

Being community-driven, there’s a wide variety of things on offer, including lectures, workshops, and interactive sessions, all of which are aimed at everyone from beginners to experts.

It’s a hugely inclusive community, and everyone is welcome, regardless of background or experience.

Perhaps you’re just finding your feet with WordPress, or you’ve been involved with it that long you remember the WordPress 0.70 first release back in May 2003 (at the same time as “Finding Nemo” was released in cinemas, and Sertab Erener won the 48th Eurovision Song Contest for Turkey, with “Everyway That I Can”).

Either way, you’ll not only be welcome, but you’ll find many people at the same level of knowledge and experience as you, some who are keen to learn from your own experiences, and others who are more than happy to share their knowledge with you – to help you grow and develop.

History & Evolution

The very first WordCamp was held in San Francisco in 2006 – just three years after WordPress first launched. Since then, the WordPress community has organized 1,175 WordCamps in 392 cities, across 65 different countries (and 6 continents!).

Just in the month of August 2023, there are WordCamps being held at Kampala (Uganda), Nairobi (Kenya), National Harbor (Maryland), and Aalborg (Denmark), with a further 21 WordCamps planned throughout the rest of the year.

Needless to say, wherever you are in the world, there will be a WordCamp near you, although many people enjoy the opportunity to travel, meet new people, and discover cities and countries they might otherwise not have visited.

Why Should You Attend A WordCamp?

Whether you’re a graphic designer, web developer, agency team member, agency owner, or simply someone with an interest in web development, there are heaps of great reasons to come along to a WordCamp. Here are just a few.

1. Learning Opportunities

WordCamps are the number one way to hear what’s happening first! From discovering the latest design trends and opportunities, to new plugins for WordPress, or breakthrough coding practices that will level up your website and help you get ahead of those left behind in their offices, you’ll find yourself surrounded by new ideas, news, and advice.

And don’t be afraid if you feel your experience or skill level might hamper you. There is always such a variety of sessions, lectures, and workshops that cater to every single level, that you’re certain to find plenty of interest, wherever you might currently be on your WordPress journey.

One of the great things about the WordPress community, which is very evident at any WordCamp, is how non-judgemental everyone is, being more than happy to reach out, to support and advise, and help anyone take the next steps.

Whichever WordCamp you go to, you will definitely come away having gained much, including advice, information, contacts, and friends.

2. Networking with Industry Leaders

People attend WordCamps from all over the world. I’ve been to many of the European WordCamps, and visited people in several different countries, and this year I’m attending WordCamp US, in Maryland. These events draw so many professionals, with skill sets and experience spanning a broad spectrum of web design, development and maintenance industries.

It’s an absolute certainty that you’ll meet industry leaders and WordPress experts in almost any field you can imagine. Being able to discuss your concerns, voice your questions, and learn from their expertise is a golden opportunity that simply shouldn’t be missed.

For example, in Athens earlier this year I was able to sit down and have a 45-minute conversation with three people from Google, discussing in depth how generative AI search will impact on copywriting and content development. This allows me to have insights into their current thinking, and future plans, and develop strategies that will help me develop a significant edge over others within the same field.

The connections you make could easily lead to fruitful collaborations, partnerships, or simply a chance to inspire you to consider your own work from a new perspective.

3. Discovering the Latest Tools & Technologies

Many businesses and organizations tend to wait until WordCamps to unveil their new product, update, or release.

Being there at the very moment that a new tool, plugin, or technology is launched not only helps you to be at the very forefront of developments within the industry, but you’ll be able to talk directly with the developers right there and then to ask questions, discover more about it, and learn how you can best take full advantage of it before any of your competitors!

Seeing the new tools, services, or plugins launched, demonstrated, and discussed will allow you to implement these new features within your own projects way ahead of most people, which will certainly give you a huge advantage.

4. Affordable Professional Development

If you’re part of a small agency, or work as a freelancer, and have a modest budget, WordCamps are an amazing chance to benefit from professional development.

Most tech conferences can be pretty expensive, but that’s not the case with WordCamps. Because they’re driven by local communities, and are often supported by a large team of volunteers, the costs are very low. This means no matter what your budget is, you’ll be able to come along, join in, and benefit from the meeting of like minds.

5. Direct Access to the WordPress Core Team

One of the hugely useful and fascinating opportunities at almost any WordCamp is being able to meet some of the core developers and contributors to the WordPress platform. This offers an amazing chance to ask questions, share feedback, and understand the future roadmap for WordPress directly from the creators.

Again, this is not only a great way to make sure your site is ahead of the game, prepared for the changes, and able to adapt and respond more quickly once the time is right, but also by doing this, staying well ahead of your competitors.

6. Boost Your Agency’s Brand

There are several key opportunities available at any WordCamp event for you to help promote your agency’s brand image.

Simply by attending, and getting to chat with people, you will inevitably find yourself handing out business cards and exchanging contact details with people.

But in addition to this you might consider speaking at one of the events, or even sponsoring a WordCamp. By promoting your agency’s brand image and name at WordCamps in these ways you can often find yourself acquiring new clients (or at least many new leads), as well as strengthening your position as an industry leader.

After Action Report – Get Your Agency On The WordPress Stage!

In my personal experience there really isn’t anything that comes close to a WordCamp for helping to engage with the community at large, benefit from the latest news, trends, tools, and developments, meeting the right people, and pushing the brand name and product out there, to all the right people.

I would wholeheartedly recommend giving it a try – I promise that once you’ve been to one WordCamp, it won’t be your last!

Atarim was very proud to be a sponsor this year at WordCamp Europe in Athens, Greece. This was a tremendous event, and I had the opportunity to catch up with many old faces, connect with many new people, and help spread the word about how Atarim can help them supercharge their agency’s efficiency by cutting out the tedious and time consuming back-and-forth that’s an inevitability when dealing with clients.

If you haven’t yet discovered how Atarim can help you cut out hours of wasted time, slash project delivery times from many months to just a few weeks (or less!), and help increase your agency’s turnover, then try Atarim for free today.

• Integrated into the leading visual collaboration platform trusted by 13,000+ agencies (web dev, design, and beyond) worldwide.
• Supporting project delivery for 1,200,000+ of their clients and stakeholders.
• Deliver projects in weeks instead of months.

Another year, another WordCamp Europe would be an understatement. 

This year’s WCEU (2023) took place in Athens, Greece. ??

We had the pleasure of sponsoring this year (for the second year in a row now) and it was an absolute blast to meet so many of you in the incredible, vibrant WordPress community. 

On this trip I was joined by 4 others on the team: Dave Nesbitt, Disha Pegu, Justin Arnold, and Alex Panagis. 

• 2545 attendees
• From 94 countries

A tremendous shoutout and thank you to all of the organizers and volunteers who made this event possible. We may have organized our fair share of virtual events but pulling off an event of this size, in-person, in Athens is a big credit to the hard work, dedication and time commitment from everyone involved. 

Sponsoring WCEU for the 2nd Year In A Row

Insights From Meeting The Community (And Many Existing Users)

Last year, I attended WCEU with Alex – just the two of us & we had an absolute blast meeting tons of existing users and introducing Atarim to people in the community who had never heard of it before. 

As you may expect, given it’s our second year in a row sponsoring – this year was no different. In fact, just bigger and more! 

This year there were three of us at the booth: Disha, Dave and Justin.

Year after year, we get the same feedback. Either: 

1. People already use and love Atarim. 
2. They haven’t heard of it but absolutely need this for their work. 
3. They use something similar, but don’t love it, and are intrigued to see if they’ll love Atarim. 

#1 is obviously a big credit to all of those who already support us and have done so from our early days. 

#2 is a big credit to the fact that the mission we’re on is more relevant than ever for people in WP – be it agency owners or internal teams. 

And last but not least, #3 is the area that we’re keeping a close eye on – it’s constantly making sure that everyone using Atarim has the best possible experience. This is a big ongoing commitment the team is already heavily focused on (Jehrome in particular), essentially working on helping mature our entire software engineering processes. 

Rolling Out Our Website Redesign Ahead of The Conference

Well, it was a big ask – completely redesign every square inch, every pixel, of our entire website to make it more representative of the product, more engaging, and more informative – all in time to roll out before WCEU!

And frankly, I couldn’t be more proud of what we all achieved. Take a look at the transformation:

Every single person involved pulled out all the stops and absolutely nailed it, getting the whole site beautifully redesigned, reorganized, and ready for Athens. Having the new site completely ready in time made it massively easier to communicate and demonstrate the value of Atarim across in conversations we had with new clients.

And what was really satisfying was to see the immediate feedback from people at WordCamp who had seen the new site. In fact, we were getting comments from people who were checking out our new site while on their way to Greece:

“Amazing work on the new website, so much more indicative of the product.”

“Love the new site + being able to see exactly what Atarim does at a glance.”

Most of these comments were delivered directly to Dave, our designer, and rightly so. Huge credit to him. He was the powerhouse that drove the design forward and brought it to fruition. He was responsible for leading this project along with Justin, Alex, and Stanley from ScaleMath.

But this website redesign is only the beginning, and we have a whole range of improvements to Atarim planned. What you’ve seen recently with the introduction of new features (such as forms, and autoresponders), as well as a completely new site, is just us setting the stage for everything else that’s on the way.

This is an incredibly exciting time, and the next few weeks and months are going to see a massive number of new initiatives, features, opportunities, and tools that will revolutionize the way agencies and design teams work. 

We’re glad you’re here to enjoy the journey! It’s going to be fun.

Notes from Vito – Meetings With Partners

One of my main goals for WCEU this year was to focus on how we can better serve enterprise-level clients, which included meetings with some of the leading agencies (many of which are already users, and others are planning to soon become users, etc.). Trying to figure out the best path for this. 

On top of hanging out with friends until the early hours of the morning every night and us sponsoring (as discussed earlier) – I had three main goals for this year’s WCEU: 

1. Connect with existing partners and continue the conversation with new ones. 
2. Connect with some of our larger users and close some additional 6-figure deals. 
3. Connect with large enterprise-level agencies, some are our users but with the notion of figuring out how to expand on an interesting use case that has been evolving organically for us over the past year: internal team within enterprise companies. 

To make this possible, I made sure I attended all the side events that were related to this space in WordPress, which included a number of incredible evenings: 

• The WordPress Enterprise Gap Meetup by Crowd Favorite. 
• The rooftop party by BigBite and HumanMade
• The WordPress VIP meetup by Automattic 
• And a few 1:1 meetings that followed on from these

My goal, as usual with these types of connections, is to listen, learn and hopefully answer a few of the pressing questions I had running through my mind in relation to how we can serve this sector better. 

We gathered a ton of great feedback and amazing opportunities (now that we’ve been back for a while). I’m excited for us to start following up on and implementing the required improvements to the product. 

This is the true power of WordCamp. You don’t need to come with answers – just get clear on the questions, and others will help however they can. 

A Note from Disha on Meeting Peers in the Industry

My very first WordCamp was actually a lot of fun, contrary to how I imagined it would be, i.e., “intimidating”. I loved the fact that we can mix business and fun! The community spirit of WordCamps always amuses me. This is the goal for me as a community manager, and maybe, in the long run, I will be able to achieve Atarim meet-ups in different cities! 

I met people who I have been working with for years in person, and it has been an absolute pleasure! Giving demos (though I am always terrified) is always a learning experience for me.

Meeting my fellow community and marketing peers from our partner companies and other companies, in general, was such a lovely experience. I still consider myself as being at the beginning level of my career and in WordPress. My interactions with people who have been making notable contributions in community and marketing is the best takeaway for me, and our mini brain-storm sessions and exchange of ideas with folks who are at the same stage of the journey as me is something I always look forward to in any event I attend.

Definitely looking forward to meeting everyone again in Turin next year. 

A Note from Dave Reconnecting at WCEU & Running Demos

WordCamp Europe in Athens was an incredible experience for me, being my second WordCamp event. One of the standout aspects was the remarkable WordPress community that I had the privilege to engage with again – there were so many familiar faces having only been at one event previously. 

Throughout the event, I had the opportunity to connect with users and learn more about their experiences with the app. Conversations revolved around their usage patterns, their likes, and dislikes, how we can be more accessible for everyone, and most importantly, how we could elevate the app’s functionality to the next level. It was enlightening to hear firsthand from the users and understand their perspectives, helping us shape the future of the app based on their valuable feedback.

WordCamps are known for their perfect blend of work and play, and this event was no exception. The numerous after-parties were an amazing way to unwind and further foster connections with fellow attendees. The relaxed atmosphere allowed for even more engaging conversations, strengthening the sense of community and collaboration.

However, my main takeaway from WordCamp Europe in Athens was the sheer number of people I had the privilege of engaging with. The event provided a platform for open and candid dialogues, creating a pathway for users to freely express their thoughts and suggestions on how we can improve. This open exchange of ideas was invaluable in our ongoing pursuit of becoming better and meeting the needs of our users.

Overall, WordCamp Europe was a highly rewarding experience that emphasized the strength of the WordPress community, the importance of user feedback, and the power of open dialogue to drive innovation. I left the event with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement to implement the valuable insights gained from these interactions, ensuring that we continue to evolve and enhance the app for our users’ benefit.

I cannot wait for next year! Bring on Turin ??

A Note from Justin on Working With Atarim at WCEU 2023

(Justin is the Head of Content at ScaleMath, and helped run the Atarim booth this year)

Working With Atarim in Athens – A Personal Experience

The thing that struck me first about working with the Atarim team in Athens was the heat. Not one for traveling to hot countries as a rule, leaving behind the windswept, rainy familiarity of the north of England for the blistering sun of Greece was quite an experience. As was meeting so many people who had also made journeys of varying lengths to experience WordCamp Europe 2023.

Having ‘met’ Vito Peleg through several video calls, nothing quite prepared me for the whirlwind of enthusiasm and energy that rushed in, greeted everybody, was himself greeted by a few thousand personal friends and fans, and then committed himself to at least 23 hours a day of networking, meetings, and conferences. If nuclear fusion never fully takes off, I suspect the planet’s energy crisis could well be solved by somehow tapping into the man’s seemingly limitless energy.

Over the course of the WordCamp conference, I was able to support Atarim by manning the booth – an eye-opening experience in several ways. Meeting members of the Atarim team, including Dave and Disha, I was able to appreciate their passion and knowledge for both the product, and for how they could so readily address people’s needs and pain points.

My understanding of the product also grew, as I was having back-to-back conversations with many potential customers, each of whom had their own level of technical knowledge and expertise, their own experiences, and their own unique challenges and problems. Understanding these, and demonstrating what Atarim can do in a very personalized way was enormously helpful to me, and presented me with a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the product from many more angles.

I feel I have come away from WCEU 2023 with new friends and a massively better understanding of both Atarim and the wider WordPress community, and am already looking forward to doing it all again in Turin next year! ??

Why You Should Attend WordCamps

WordCamp Europe has always been an awesome way of meeting like-minded people, showcasing what’s new, discovering new projects, learning new ideas and approaches, and expanding your own professional network – not to mention having an absolute blast, and experiencing the culture of a different European city every year.

The WordCamp Europe conference brings a hugely diverse range of people together, from business owners to bloggers, developers and designers to people who simply just love anything related to WordPress! For some, this brings job opportunities or networking opportunities, and for others it’s about learning from the experts, or discovering exciting new collaboration opportunities.

The one thing we’ve always loved about WordCamp Europe is the wealth of opportunity for learning. With workshops, lectures, and many, many opportunities to mix with and socialize with a whole range of people, the whole atmosphere fosters knowledge sharing, allowing for new skills and understanding to be gained, and for everyone to keep fully up to date with the rapidly evolving world of WordPress.

One of the words often used to describe Vito is ‘passion’, with ‘enthusiasm’ and ‘boundless energy’ close behind! But at WordCamp this isn’t unusual at all, and at every turn it’s tremendously motivating to be surrounded by so many passionate and enthusiastic people who want to share their success stories, their knowledge, and their current projects. If you’re looking to be reinvigorated with enthusiasm, and motivated to tackle new challenges, then immersing yourself into the world of WordCamp is an absolute must.

Of course, for many people one of the key benefits is being able to access prominent figures and leaders from the WordPress community. Whether attending workshops and presentations, or simply having a conversation (during the day, or at one of the many parties in the evenings), it’s a unique opportunity to seek their advice, guidance, and feedback. If your business is facing challenges, you’re concerned about technical issues or future development plans, then this is the perfect way to get the answers you need.

Whilst many people attend WordCamp with the primary aim of boosting the exposure of their business (just as we did with our Atarim booth – perfectly placed opposite a main entranceway, the toilets, and the lunchtime seating area!)It’s also essential to appreciate the fun and welcoming atmosphere. With so many people from so many different cultures and backgrounds, all sharing experiences, passion, and enthusiasm, it’s inevitable that fun is always high on the agenda. With many exciting social events on every single evening, as well as various informal gatherings, it’s a chance to build lasting relationships, create great memories, and remind ourselves of how far we’ve come, where we’re heading, and stir up the fire to get ourselves there!

Next Stop: Torino, Italy – See You Next Year ??

So now that WordCamp Europe 2023 is over (although the ripples will continue for some time, with new associations, friends, contacts, and opportunities are realized over the coming months), what’s next?

Well, of course, it’s WordCamp Europe 2024! Next year we’ll all be in Turin, Italy, and looking forward to meeting everyone again, discovering and learning about the exciting opportunities, innovations, ideas, and developments within the WordPress community as a result of the following twelve months.

Turin will be a magnificent backdrop for this incredible event, with its majestic architecture, rich history, a vibrant arts scene, and culinary delights. With Turin being the birthplace of Italian chocolate, the home of the mysterious Shroud of Turin, and nestled amidst the picturesque Italian Alps, WordCamp 2024 will definitely not be one to miss! Atarim will certainly be there again, and we look forward to meeting you then! Ciao!

Scalability is the only way to keep your business growing. 

If your growth has been stagnant for a while, there’s a high chance that sales will begin to drop very rapidly, and before you know it, you’ll find yourself in the red. 

Scaling a digital agency is quite different from scaling a product-based business. 

Managing different projects often becomes difficult, especially if you don’t have the resources available to maximize profitability. That’s why it’s so important to establish processes to reduce those growing pains. 

In this post, you’ll discover a step-by-step process to help you manage projects and scale your digital agency effectively.

Establish Clear Roles and Responsibilities

Successful businesses place one thing high up on their priority list: they are very clear in their communications. 

Every member of the team knows exactly what they have to do, and when.

Digital agencies today follow an incredibly dynamic business model, with clients requesting a wide range of features as the project progresses. If team members aren’t sure of what they have to do, it’s always going to be difficult to scale.

You’ll find yourself spending hours assigning specific tasks or juggling priorities. 

Source: Asana

Establishing clear roles and responsibilities is critical if you want to scale your agency rapidly. It’s one of the biggest challenges for growing teams, especially when you’re hiring new members. It can lead to wasted efforts and result in serious production bottlenecks, especially if two people on the team end up doing the same task. 

If there’s confusion, you’ll end up losing time having to explain these things. 

Create a Team Charter

A team charter is simply a document that outlines:

• The responsibilities of each team member
• The constraints they might face
• The available resources

It provides a clear picture to every team member about what the objectives are – and how each member can contribute towards achieving them. 

Doing this will eliminate any confusion in your core processes, and reduce bottlenecks.

Source: SlideTeam

Use the Right Tools to Help You Scale

As your agency starts scaling, you’ll want to consider investing in the right tools. 

Most digital agency owners use anywhere between 5 – 10 different subscription-based services at the very least to manage operations. 

Even then, they spend hours each day just sifting through emails and creating tasks for others. As your business grows, you’ll want to consider investing in the right tools, and switching to services that offer a more cohesive workflow. 

The general workflow for many small agencies goes like this:

1. They receive client instructions via email
2. They create tasks using a project management tool
3. They assign these tasks to a specific team member
4. The team member uses another tool to track their time
5. The team often communicates using a workplace communication tool 
6. The designs are handed over using another tool and client feedback is received (possibly through yet another channel!)

As you can see, this isn’t really a scalable process. 

To begin with, there are several steps that you’ll eventually need to add to the process, including QA testing, bug reporting, and tracking. 

For longer projects, you’ll also have to create roadmaps and milestones.

Source: PowerSlides

The process becomes costlier and more inefficient as your projects begin to grow.

Process-driven teams scale easily because they are efficient. 

(Just re-read that sentence again. It’s critical.)

If you can find tools that let you bunch several steps into one, go for it. 

When we built Atarim, that’s what we were going for. 

We created a tool that allows agency owners to work with their teams, communicate, leave feedback, track time, and streamline the whole process of project management.

The result being that you can shave off extra, repetitive steps and scale FASTER.

Create a Lead Qualification Process

One of the things that you’ll need to focus on to maximize growth is to establish a proper lead qualification process. 

Source: GetProspect

Unless you’re able to identify leads with higher chances of conversion through a proper lead qualification process, you’ll waste your efforts. Instead of investing too much time and effort in an opportunity that never materializes, you need to define controls and establish a proper sales funnel. 

This way, you’ll be able to qualify leads as they slowly move through your funnel. 

If you don’t know which prospects make for the best sales targets, you’ll end up wasting lots of time and effort. Your ROAS (Return On Advertising Spend) will continue to spike, and it’ll significantly affect your growth prospects. 

One of the best ways you can use to qualify a sales lead is to use the BANT method. 

Source: HubSpot

This is a series of questions that will help you better understand different leads. 

Here’s how it works:

• Budget: Will the prospect be able to afford the average price of the service you’re offering?
• Authority: Does the prospect have the authority to make a decision? Or do they need to refer to someone else? 
• Needs: Does the prospect even need the service you’re offering? Or are they just browsing or still considering whether to buy?
• Time: Is the prospect ready to make a purchase now, or will it take them a while longer?

This simple set of questions can help you better understand your prospects. 

If a prospect seems viable based on these characteristics, you’ll have a better idea about how much time and effort to spend on acquiring their business.

Track KPIs and Review Performance Reports

You can’t scale your agency unless you track KPIs and review your team’s performance. 

You need to change your attitude towards project management in order to scale and identify efficient ways of working. 

Source: Millimetric

If you aren’t keeping tabs on key performance indicators or don’t have any milestones set for different projects, you’ll always find it difficult to attribute relevant successes and eventually replicate them. 

There are several key metrics that you should track in your digital agency, including:

• Total number of qualified leads
• Total number/ratio of conversions
• Customer lifetime value
• Cost of consumer acquisition
• Average profit margins for different services
• Average time worked by each employee 

Foster Collaboration Between Teams

Working in silos can lead to serious issues, especially since work often overlaps between different departments. 

Fostering collaboration and communication between teams can help you:

• Maximize profitability
• Complete projects faster
• Reduce resource consumption

It’s also a key tenet of successful project management. 

When teams are in the know about what others are working on, and can easily review what stage the project is at, it becomes easier for them to pitch in when necessary.

Plus, it removes production bottlenecks, and teams can communicate more freely.

Use Integrations to Automate Tasks 

Automation doesn’t just help you save money – it also helps you save crucial time that you could spend on more important tasks that generate greater profits. 

Source: PaperForm

We believe that businesses that fail to change their ways find it difficult to scale quickly. 

If you run a small team, you need to think about bringing on a new player: automation. From automatically assigning tasks, to using integration tools such as Zapier to connect to other apps – you can save a ton of time (and money).

At Atarim, we understand the true power of automation and appreciate its effects. That’s why we have native integrations for all major project management apps.

With Zapier, you could supercharge workflows and get a lot more done with half the effort. 

For instance, you can configure Atarim to automatically send emails to clients when a task status changes. This is just one simple example of Zapier Integrations for Atarim that you can use to customize workflows. 

We’ve built a few automated workflows in Atarim, where tasks are automatically created when a client leaves a comment and more. 

Document and Detail Process Workflows

As you start to scale, you’ll also bring on new employees to your team. 

Explaining processes over and over is time-consuming and affects performance. Instead, the best thing that you can do is document workflows. You need to break down tasks and clearly instruct members of the team about who to contact when handing off a project at a specific stage. Also, as your agency continues to scale, needs will change. 

You will have to incorporate new roles, introduce new processes, and remove those that have become unnecessary. By documenting workflows and making changes based on the needs of your agency, you will be able to onboard new employees more effectively. 

Plus, everyone will know what to do without you having to constantly instruct them.

Use Atarim to Supercharge Your Agency’s Growth

With Atarim, we believe that you can overcome most of the scalability challenges. We designed Atarim after evaluating the needs of our own agency.

We wanted to create a visual feedback tool that brings together features from different platforms, and packages them into one single platform. 

From time tracking to reviewing team tasks, and from gathering content from clients to allocating tasks to team members, Atarim simplifies the entire process, cutting the fluff and delays, and helping you get more done, in less time. 

It’s not going to solve all scalability issues, but it’ll definitely make them easier to handle. 

Many agencies prefer Agile development techniques because it’s faster and reduces development cycles, but that also leads to several challenges that you may want to prepare for. 

With Atarim, however, it becomes much easier to manage remote teams, onboard new clients, and work consistently to maximize output…

…all of which eventually translates into greater revenue. 

Scale Rapidly with Effective Project Management

Most web design agencies often run into scalability challenges as they start onboarding new clients. It’s often difficult to carefully balance bringing on more resources and accepting new projects. 

Uncertainty, ambiguity, and complexity in project management are quite common, but as long as managers continue to refine processes and maintain transparency, it puts the agency in a prime position for growth. 

And that’s exactly what our tool can help you achieve! 

Atarim can help you centralize all communications, assign tasks to team members, set deadlines, and eliminate any guesswork. Plus, with our time tracking feature, you’ll know exactly how long each task took, so you can discover your rates, make better time estimates, and prevent selling yourself short.

Also, you can leverage the point-and-click collaboration to allow clients to point at what they’re referring to and immediately leave feedback, say what needs to be changed, and so much more. The great thing is, clients firmly believe you’re using Atarim’s tools for their sake, as it makes their life so much easier! (Don’t worry, we won’t tell them if you don’t…)

If you want to eliminate most scalability challenges such as confusion, communication issues, or poor resource planning, give Atarim a shot for free now.

• Integrated into the leading visual collaboration platform trusted by 13,000+ agencies (web dev, design, and beyond) worldwide.
• Supporting project delivery for 1,200,000+ of their clients and stakeholders.
• Deliver projects in weeks instead of months.

We’re proud to announce that our annual Web Agency Summit surpassed the 10,000 attendee milestone this year.

Now in its fourth year, the summit originally started small.

We shared a bit more about the origin story and the roots of the summit (as a byproduct of COVID-19) here. When real events were canceled, as a sponsor relying on bringing Atarim (at the time, WP FeedBack) to market – we decided to step in to pick up where in-person events left off. In many ways, improving the experience for those that typically couldn’t travel to in-person conferences (and significantly reducing the carbon footprint).

Over the years, our summit became known for attracting the industry’s leading experts, thought leaders, and renowned organizations for valuable discussions and networking opportunities.

This year, we’re beyond excited to be able to share that we’ve crossed the 10,000 attendee milestone. This is in no way a small feat in the space, with most in-person events only totaling a few thousand attendees on average. In many ways, the Web Agency Summit has broken through a perceived glass ceiling in the WordPress, web development, and agency communities.

In this year’s edition of the Web Agency Summit, we were honored to welcome participants from a range of incredible companies, including Microsoft, Google, Yoast, HubSpot, Duda, Cloudfest, and many more.

“Reaching over 10,000+ attendees this year is a testament to the incredible value and insights offered at the Web Agency Summit but really even more so how the community came together”, said Vito Peleg (our CEO). “We are proud to connect industry leaders and innovators through our virtual platform, creating a unique and engaging experience for all participants.”

Our event’s virtual conference venue boasts an immersive and user-friendly environment, allowing attendees to navigate easily through various sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. Screenshots only provide a glimpse into the interactive nature of the summit – “a Woodstock-esque theme” as a play on our founder’s roots in music.

In addition to the participation of notable companies, the Web Agency Summit has also received positive coverage in top-tier industry publications, including Search Engine Journal and WP Tavern.

“We are beyond grateful for the combined support of everyone involved – sponsors, media partners, speakers, and beyond.” – Vito Peleg.

Search Engine Journal was incredible in helping us, working directly with the team to turn around a campaign to drive a burst in registrations on incredibly short notice.

An exception to their standard processes and timelines we’re sure they’re happy to have made given the success of the virtual event that followed, of which they are now a part of the history. 

Prior to the event, we released the origin story behind what led to the inception of the first Web Agency Summit when in-person events were first canceled due to the pandemic in 2020. And ever since, the conference has grown year after year. As the summit continues to grow and evolve, we remain committed to providing a platform for meaningful discussions, education, and collaboration among industry professionals.

Thank you to everyone involved for another incredible summit this year. ❤️

I’m excited to meet more of you at other upcoming events we’ll be at, including:

• YoastCon – where we’ll be present as a sponsor.
• Nordic Domain Days – where I will be speaking, we’re sponsoring as well as hosting the VIP dinner. Coincidentally, this event is also run by a sponsor of this year’s summit, iQ Global.
• WordCamp Europe – where we will be present as a sponsor (I’ll be there along with Pete, Disha, Dave, and Alex).

The Web Agency Summit would not have been possible without the support of over a dozen incredible sponsors. 

Each of these – in line with the theme of an interactive event – ran virtual booths where they interacted with the community, potential customers, and peers in the space. 

Catch The Replays Of Every Single Talk From This Year (As Well As Previous Years!)

Marking the end of this year’s virtual summit, you can now enjoy all of the talks from our incredible speakers with a backstage pass.

About Atarim

Atarim is the leading visual collaboration platform trusted by 13,000+ agencies (web dev, design, and beyond) worldwide, supporting project delivery for 1,200,000+ of their clients and stakeholders. Redefining how they work with their clients and team to eliminate client delays and enjoy delivering projects in weeks instead of months. 

Built on the foundation of point-and-click collaboration – allowing clients to simply point at what they’re referring to and then immediately leave feedback, say what needs to be changed, etc. Agencies, developers, and project managers use Atarim to eliminate the need to rely on guesswork and endless back-and-forth email communication, beyond collaboration also powering reporting, time tracking, work summaries, and more. Learn more & get started here.

There are two main challenges to having a high-performing website: hosting and maintenance.

Imagine having both solved in one go.

Imagine the legendary speed and stability of Convesio web hosting with the groundbreaking website design and management power of Atarim – the number one choice of design agencies around the world.

One button to rule them all… literally. Because for the first time ever, Convesio and Atarim have joined forces, with agencies and clients now one click away from getting everything done that’s needed to keep a website ahead of the competition.

Let’s look at exactly what this partnership means and what the very real advantages are to both clients and agencies.

WordPress Hosting That Combines Speed, Stability, And Affordability

Since 2018 Convesio has built quite a reputation within the world of managed WordPress hosting – offering 99.9% uptime, and a WordPress stack that’s optimized to a staggering level, achieving a level of speed and stability that most other hosting providers only dream of.

But aside from an astonishingly efficient stack, what makes Convesio such a competitive choice for WordPress hosting is the impressive range of tools and add-ons that are included at no extra cost.

With most WordPress hosting solutions, it’s almost always necessary to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars every month for the additional tools needed to run an e-commerce store, such as maintaining a product catalog, processing payments, and handling shipping. Not to mention the security features every business needs to take very seriously when handling customer data.

However, with just the standard Business Level 3 plan offered by Convesio at $300 per month, all of these are included at no extra charge:

• Global Edge Security
• Redis
• Object Cache Pro
• Application Monitoring
• Health Assessment
• Consultative Onboarding
• Premium support
• Site transfer and setup

With almost any other hosting provider, these addons alone easily add $1,000 per month to the cost of keeping an e-commerce WordPress site up and running.

With no cap on the number of PHP workers and auto-scaling as standard, Convesio represents a hosting solution that doesn’t just offer outstanding hosting – it provides peace of mind, allowing businesses to focus on their customers, and on scaling.

Agency Management That Saves Hundreds Of Hours

Almost every design agency agrees on the one thing that causes most delays when it comes to website design and maintenance: client interactions.

It’s completely understandable – websites are largely a visual product, but are usually described using technical terms that the average business owner or client is unlikely to be familiar with.

You receive an email from the client asking for the tab to be made bigger. Tab? You can’t make tabs bigger – that’s part of the browser software. You need to email back asking what they mean by ‘tab’. Is it the banner image they mean? The hero image? The H1 title area?

Inevitably the back-and-forth discussions take hours, or more usually days, the majority of which can be focussed on identifying what the client actually means and wants, rather than discussing the specific details the agency needs to get the task done.

Which is where Atarim calmly steps in and revolutionizes the world of agency design.

They achieved this by asking a very simple question: since websites are visual products, why can’t design requests be handled visually, rather than through endless, wordy, and easily misunderstood emails?

Atarim provides a solution that allows clients to virtually ‘point and press’ what they want changed. All that’s needed to request an edit is to click on the part of the web page that they wish to have changed, and type a few words in a pop up note that appears right on the page.

This immediately generates a task in the agency’s dashboard that includes a visual snapshot of the page element the client was referring to, the note the client wrote about it, along with various meta data such as the browser version and screen resolution.

Agencies that have switched to relying on Atarim have seen web design project times slashed by up to 70%, massively increasing potential revenue as more projects can be completed in less time.

A Partnership To Allow Businesses To Scale Faster

Cutting-edge WordPress hosting and industry-leading agency design tool? Sounds like a match made in heaven!

Well, hold on to your wings – because it’s now here.

For the first time, Convesio and Atarim have come together to offer an outstanding solution for businesses and agencies.

Agencies can now log in to their Atarim dashboard and view all of their clients’ sites hosted with Convesio. A one-click button allows access to all current tasks, as well as the ability to log in and directly edit the content.

For clients, the partnership now gives them the ability to point and click anywhere on their website to tell agencies what they need changing, without any technical knowledge, or endless emails trying to decipher what the other party means.

This is an exciting partnership, providing unrivaled benefits to both agencies and their business clients.

Find out more about Convesio’s hosting plans, and Atarim’s collaboration tools. 

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Atarim has long had a reputation across the design agency industry for helping to cut project completion times by up to 80% with its groundbreaking visual collaboration tools. Test out Atarim free today with the Free Forever plan.

Today’s partnership announcement highlights the importance Atarim assigns to providing agencies with the best combination of tools possible. With a large number of integrations already possible through Atarim, such as Zapier, Rocket.net, ZenDesk, Basecamp, Slack and many more, you can find out more about Atarim’s integrations here.

It was an absolute pleasure to meet countless users, long-time friends and make new ones at this year’s WordCamp Asia. 

I hope to see more of you back at WordCamp Europe in Athens (or again next year at WordCamp Asia in Taipei). 

Now, as we’re still coming down from the high that is attending events like a WordCamp – we took a moment to put together a recap of what our experience at WordCamp Asia 2023 was like: 

WordCamp Asia In Numbers

WordCamp Asia (to no surprise!) was a big success with over a thousand attendees in person and online: 

• 60 speakers
• 53 organizers
• Over 80 volunteers
• 29 people on the audio/video team

Our First Team Retreat

With us all attending the conference altogether anyway (as most of us hadn’t met in-person despite working alongside each other as if we have for years!) – we used the opportunity to fly to Phuket a few days before the conference in Bangkok. 

This was a really pivotal experience for us. Not only does it feel like we all finally spent time together outside of work, enjoying ourselves, but we all have a proper sense of the people we’re working alongside, the people we’re in the trenches with – working to bring our vision to life.

Here’s a summary from one of our lead developers: 

This trip with the team was the perfect opportunity to de-stress together. Imagine having a few days off with your professional team, without the pressure of deadlines – with the opportunity to talk about what matters beyond the 9-5.

It’s only when you step out of the office, you see a whole new fun side to the same people who work with you every day. At Atarim, we’re a small but focused, goal oriented and hard working team. We work remotely and hence meet each other mostly over virtual meetings.

The nature of remote work naturally makes us less likely to align on a personal level. This trip to Thailand together gave me the perfect opportunity to meet and properly get to know each other.

Our first destination was Phuket where we stayed for 7 days in 5 star hotel. I boarded my train from Surat to Mumbai from where I had direct flight to Phuket. It was a smooth journey and after landing in Phuket, I finally met everyone and we were so happy to see each other face to face. Everyone shared their journey experience.

On day 1, we decided to rest and spend some time in the pool to relax. After spending time at pool side, it was a time for dinner. It felt like a family reunion having dinner.

On days 2 and 3, we went sight seeing to Big Budha, Budha Temple, View point and ATV riding. It was the first time experience riding ATV, and I must say it was adventurous to do it. My colleague Shawn never rode bike, and hence it was his first rodeo, and it was fun watching him drive ATV.

On days 3 and 5, Vito booked 5 star beach side hotel. We had to spend time in the hotel or else there was no point in paying money for just staying at night. During these days, we not only enjoyed the stay but planned our WordCamp event. Vito basically briefed us on how WordCamps work and how to approach them!

On day 6, it was time to see James Bond. Not an actor bond, but there’s an island that is named James bond. Not sure why it was called James Bond, but it definitely felt like a Hollywood movie set. A small piece of land in the ocean was packed with tourist. It was such a nice location we decided to interview few of our team members and filmed them while they were sharing their experience working with Atarim.

The next stop was nearby island, where we went kayaking and explored the caves formed inside those islands. I felt I was on exomoon Pandora from Avatar movie. It was time for lunch after that. This was the first time I had my lunch on boat in an ocean. Can you imagine that? Many from our boat went swimming as well after exploring the caves.

After exploring ocean for a whole day, we returned back to hotel by 6:30 pm. Everyone was exhausted and went to bed after dinner. What a day it was.

On day 7, it was time to fly to Bangkok. We packed our bags, took some last moment photos and left for airport. Bye bye Phuket. We landed in Bangkok just in 2 hours and headed straight to hotel.

On day 8, it was contributor day at WordCamp, and we had to setup our booth for the next day. We took all our event stuffs and went to ICONSIAM mall where the event was organized on 7th floor. Apart from setting booth we didn’t have other things to do hence decided to interact with people around and explore the mall. By evening, it was time to return to hotel. Some of our team went to boat party organized by GoDaddy. They had so much fun there.

On day 9, we were preparing for the first day of WordCamp Although I had attended local WordCamps earlier, this was something next level. Seeing the arrangement and crowd was mesmerizing. Shift of managing booth started with Shawn and me, but this 2 hour responsibility soon turned to full day fun for me. After seeing my interaction with attendees, Jehrome was kind to offer full day shift. Along with presentation, we gave goodies and stickers to people.

This event allowed us to meet people from different part of the world and share ideas with each other. Not once I felt that I was among strangers and felt like there was a magic that connected all of us. The entire experience is difficult to put in words, but if there’s one thing I’d say, is that I was blessed to be there and be a part of the event.

The first day event ended at 5:00 pm, and it was time to get back to hotel, have dinner and get some good sleep.

My thoughts and lesson from this trip:

Having office trips is a very good way to break the monotonous life. We take a break from the tension and enjoy the scenery around us. These trips are preceded by a lot of excitement! It’s like an event that employees look forward to.

Teammates spend hours and hours seated beside one another and work relentlessly almost every day. However, for maximum efficiency, it’s crucial that each employee learns to become a team player. They learn and get accustomed to the professional ethics of one another, share ideas and solutions, and develop mutual respect.

Traveling with office mates allows us to talk about our feelings about work, discuss the challenges that we’re facing, and how we can deal with them. We can speak to our mentor outside of the usual professional setting.

The Elementor Live Show

This stream included Verdi Heinz (of Elementor), Vito Peleg (me), Asif Rahman (of WP Developer), and Vova Feldman (of Freemius).

As well as host Ziv Geurts (also from Elementor)…

for those who prefer jumping to specific sections, here are (at least in our view) some of the key moments of the stream: 

• What inspired you to start building open source software for WordPress (or Elementor)? (4:44)
• How did you go about launching your product and attracting your first customers? (7:50)
• I have clients, build sites with Elementor and often build custom modules. How can I ship this? i.e. turn it into a plugin/product and ship it to users. (14:59)
• How do you approach marketing and promoting a product in a crowded market? (20:52)
• How do you decide on which feature requests to build? (27:31)
• What are your thoughts on AI will go? What do you feel it the future for it holds? (31:39)
• In hindsight, what were the challenges that you faced when you were growing your businesses & how you overcame them? (38:01)
• Can you share some tips or advice for people considering starting their own products in the industry? (48:21)

Alternatively, enjoy the entire stream on YouTube here:

Highlights of Matt Mullenweg’s Q&A

It’s become quite standard for Matt Mullenweg’s presence at WordCamps to take place in the form of Q&A sessions. 

WordCamp Asia was no exception this year, with the difference being that he wasn’t able to make it in-person, so in suitable 2020-fashion – he joined remotely via video meeting. 

Allocating Resources and Funds for the WordPress.org Documentation Team

The first question came from Milana Cap, who asked about allocating resources (and funds) for tools, specifically for the WordPress documentation team as well as per project, etc. 

While Matt suggested that they would be open to paying for tools if there was the need to do so but – of course – encouraged that open-source solutions should be used in place of paid software. 

Ironically, this is something that Vikas of InstaWP and Alex of ScaleMath discussed after the event as well:

I noticed usage of 3rd party services during #WCAsia for things like – surveys, RSVP etc. I kept thinking, we could have done that in WP too.

Just to be clear – I have no issues with providers, but couldn't help but wonder if we had a way to create such sites in WP, easily.

— Vikas Singhal (@vikasprogrammer) February 22, 2023

It really isn’t uncommon for community-organized events or events organized by companies in WordPress to use SaaS solutions for things that WordPress itself theoretically solves…

Yet our own community is leaning on other solutions which as Alex says, the fact alone that this happens is something that we should be trying to learn from vs. just ignoring. 

I also find the fact that the people who make the event happen leaning on third-party solutions for these types of things is in itself a super interesting thing to pick apart. I take no issue with it + respect any reasons but they'd be a great demographic for research.

— Alex Panagis (@alexjpanagis) February 22, 2023

To that end, Matt also notably said: If I’m super honest right now, I’m pretty embarrassed about a lot of what is going on with WordPress.org. It is not up to the standard of what WordPress, itself, provides which is world-class software. 

We’re going to need more context on this before a bunch of contributors lose their shit.

— Jeff (@jeffr0) February 19, 2023

Also met by different reactions. 

We could…but should we?

We could be having this conversation in BuddyPress too instead of Twitter but should we? ??

— Hardeep Asrani (inactive, active on Bluesky) (@HardeepAsrani) February 22, 2023

To us at Atarim, where we are all very big fans of WordPress – we find it clear that this all comes back to the positioning problem that WordPress has. People in the community themselves raising the argument like this one above are somewhat missing the mark when it comes down to this equating to the people at the heart of our community not using WordPress matched with an RSVP solution, or forms plugin like Gravity Forms at a WordPress event.

If we aren’t using our own products, clearly, this raises an opportunity to ask ourselves why – we’re leaning on other solutions. Of course, Twitter is a social network, so that comparison is a bit irrelevant. 

Software that isn’t open-source, i.e., SaaS solutions, have their place both inside and outside of our community – case in point, we are no longer solely a WordPress plugin, but that was simply as a byproduct of not being able to accomplish what we wanted as a plugin, not in any way a step away from our commitment and involvement in the WordPress community at large (in fact, if anything, the opposite). 

Matt’s Thoughts on ChatGPT Effect On Open Source

ChatGPT and other large language models and other things, I think, are absolutely the future, and we should be thinking about how we can leverage them to make ourselves more productive, not try to fight it. 

Matt also recommended reading this article in the New Yorker: ChatGPT is A Blurry JPEG of The Web which I would agree with. It’s a great read. 

The WordPress Onboarding Experience (Famous 5-Minute Install and Beyond)

When asked about the onboarding experience that WordPress currently provides, primarily the famous 5-minute install that is, Matt response indicated that the plan (at least for the time being) was for the WordPress onboarding process to be largely controlled/led by the different hosting providers. Something which makes sense since it largely depends on the user type, how they want to use WordPress, what they want to use it for, their experience-level, all of which are components of the onboarding experience that it makes most sense to be controlled at the hosting provider-level. 

That being said, a bigger part of the onboarding experience that people are currently interested (aside from the 5-minute install, since this is already handled by most, if not all, hosts I’m familiar with) is the “first-time” experience people have with WordPress as a solution. 

The fact remains that right now, when you get a WordPress site set up, it is very much a blank canvas. 

This is something that we know from conversations with Vikas at InstaWP (which has received funding from Automattic) is something that they are actively looking into and potentially soon to roll out a solution that aims to address the “WordPress starting point” for new users, because if we look beyond ourselves, it isn’t all that easy. It’s easy to fall into the trap thinking that it is and that things are fine the way that they are, mainly because we’re speaking amongst ourselves and we’ve all been using WordPress for as long as we can remember. 

A Future for WordPress.org Plugin Statistics

Something which we were very pleased to hear (in relation to our plugin in the WordPress.org repository) is that Matt mentioned in response to another question that they are looking into the “lack of data” on the WordPress.org plugin pages, what data they can get (and share) with plugin developers. 

I imagine this is something that lots of plugin developers out there will be pleased to hear! 

Strengthening Our Focus On Partnerships

This event, as any other, is a great reminder of all the talented people in our community collectively working towards making the web a better, more productive place. 

Others on the team & I met with a number of people we had scheduled to meet in advance of the conference – strengthening our focus on partnerships. Although we’ve grown accustomed to communicating over video meetings, I continue find that meeting in-person makes it a lot easier and more enjoyable to work together in the long-run. Every conference and WordCamps are no exception of course, are a great reinforcement that this is the case.

Want to see more of us and the rest of #WCAsia?

Here are some great places to look: 

• Twitter #WCAsia
• Google Photos

Next up, some of our team is off to CloudFest at Europa Park in Germany (March 20-23) – we hope to meet more of you there! You can get free tickets on us here.

Want to make sure you’re hiring the right freelancer for your project? Say goodbye to the guessing game by vetting freelancers beforehand!

In this article, we discuss how using a test project can not only help you to vet your freelancers more effectively, but also save you from future headaches.

We’ll explain how to set up the perfect test project, evaluate your freelancer’s work, and make an informed decision. Let’s get started.

What Is A Test Project And Why Would Anyone Use It?

A test project is a small-scale, short-term project that is used as a method for evaluating the skills, abilities, and qualifications of a freelancer or contractor.

It allows the employer to see the freelancer’s work in a real-world scenario that closely mirrors the type of work they would be doing if hired. Test projects can be used to assess the freelancer’s ability to follow instructions, meet expectations, complete tasks within a specific time frame, and produce quality work.

Test projects are commonly used by employers to vet freelancers before hiring them for larger, more long-term projects. Doing this is a way for employers to evaluate the freelancer’s abilities in a controlled and low-risk environment, allowing them to make a more informed decision about whether or not to hire the freelancer for their project.

Things To Consider Before Starting

When setting up a test project, it’s important to choose one that is representative of the type of work you need done. This will allow you to evaluate the freelancer’s skills and abilities in a real-world scenario that closely mirrors the work they will be doing for you.

It’s important to identify the specific skills and qualifications required when choosing a project for the test scenario. That way, you can be confident that the freelancer has the necessary qualifications to complete the project to your satisfaction.

However, an essential part of this process should also involve being considerate of the freelancer’s time. If you are hiring a professional, giving them a task that would take 4 days to complete is unreasonable if your project is only going to last 2 weeks.

If your test project takes a day or longer to complete then you should clarify whether you are willing to pay the freelancer for their time even if they don’t make the cut in the end. Not all freelancers will be willing to do a test project for free, so it’s a good idea to talk to them beforehand and discuss the payment options to avoid any problems down the road. 

Many freelancers charge an hourly rate for this, but you should use a fixed flat rate for this testing phase. This way if the freelancer takes twice as long to complete the test, you won’t have to worry about paying them more than you initially expected.

Setting Up The Test Project

It is essential to create a clear set of instructions and expectations for the freelancer. This includes:

• A detailed task list
• Deliverable expectations
• Guidelines for communication and collaboration
• Standards for quality and formatting.

This will ensure that the freelancer understands exactly what is expected of them, and can complete the test project to your satisfaction.

Building a detailed task list and deliverable expectations in the instructions for the freelancer will ensure that the freelancer is fully aware of all the tasks they need to complete, and the final deliverables you expect to receive. This will also help you to determine the level of complexity and scope of the test project.

Be sure to include guidelines for communication in the instructions so that the freelancer knows how to communicate with you and your team throughout the test project.

Setting Quality Standards and Timelines

Once you’ve set up the test project, it’s important to establish a timeline for its completion. This includes setting a deadline for the completion of the project, and establishing milestones and check-ins along the way. 

Setting standards for quality and formatting in the instructions will ensure that the freelancer knows the level of quality you expect, and how the final deliverables should be formatted.

Evaluating the Freelancer’s Work

Once the test project is complete, it’s important to assess the freelancer’s ability to follow the instructions and meet the expectations set out in the project. This includes checking for completeness, and the accuracy of deliverables, as well as verifying that the freelancer stuck to the guidelines and standards set out in the instructions.

Evaluating the quality of the work completed is important to ensure the freelancer has the necessary skills and knowledge to complete the project to your satisfaction. This includes assessing technical accuracy, functionality, and overall quality.

Assessing the freelancer’s technical skills and knowledge is important, as well as evaluating their proficiency with the necessary technologies, tools, and methodologies. Evaluating the creativity and originality of the work is also crucial to ensure new ideas and unique approaches can be introduced to the project. 

You should also give some weight to the communication and responsiveness of the freelancer, as they are the key factors that will indicate their ability to work independently and proactively.

Making a Decision

After the test project is complete, it’s important to consider the results in conjunction with other factors – such as the candidate’s references and portfolio. This will give you a more well-rounded view of the freelancer’s abilities and qualifications.

When considering the results of the test project, it’s important to weigh the results against the freelancer’s qualifications and experience. This will allow you to make a more informed decision about whether or not the freelancer is a good fit for your project.

It’s important to evaluate the overall fit of the freelancer with your company and project. This includes assessing the freelancer’s communication style, work ethic, and availability, to ensure that they align with your company’s culture and project requirements.

When making the decision to hire a freelancer, it’s also important to consider the potential for long-term collaboration. This includes assessing the freelancer’s ability to work well with your team, and whether or not they have the potential to become a valuable long-term team member.

After considering the results of the test project, other factors, and the freelancer’s qualifications and experience, you can make a decision about whether or not to hire them.

Next Steps

Selecting the perfect freelancer to work with your agency to help meet the demands of your clients can be a challenging experience, but one that’s vital you get right. Using test projects is an excellent way to find out how a potential candidate can perform within a scenario that closely matches your agency’s needs, and ways of working.

But it isn’t just what potential freelancers can create, develop or write that counts. Eye-catching graphics, engaging content and stunning apps are all very good, but great communication is essential.

At Atarim we’ve always believed that effective communication within an agency, and with clients, is at the heart of any successful project. That’s why we developed our platform and WordPress plugin, and why we’re trusted by the world’s leading digital agencies to help improve collaboration and communication at every stage of a project.Are you ready to make communication and collaboration easier across your web agency, with your clients, and with those freelancers you decide to make the grade? Get started with Atarim today.

The field of project management is vast and complex, with a wide range of methodologies and approaches to choose from.

While this variety can provide flexibility and adaptability, it can also be overwhelming for those who are new to project management, or are looking to introduce a new methodology into their organization. We’ve been there!

If this sounds like a problem you’re trying to address, then you’re not alone! In fact in a recent report from Wellingtone on the state of project management, only 61% of organizations almost always use a defined project methodology, showing that it’s clearly an area many businesses struggle with.

In this article, we will provide a simple and concise introduction to the most popular project management methodologies, including Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, Lean, and Kanban. You will likely have heard of one or more of these methodologies.

We’ll explain the key principles and practices of each, and provide guidance on how to select the right one for your project and team.

Whether you are a seasoned project manager or just starting out, this article will provide all of the information you need to understand and apply the most popular project management methodologies in your work.

What Are Project Management Methodologies?

Project management methodologies are frameworks that provide structure and guidance for the planning and execution of a project.

They are designed to help project managers and their teams effectively plan, execute, and control projects in order to meet specific goals and objectives.

These methodologies are used in a wide range of industries and can be applied to projects of all sizes, from small, one-time tasks to large, complex initiatives that involve multiple teams and stakeholders.

Why Is It Important To Manage Projects

Setting clear goals, identifying and managing risks, and monitoring progress during the project life cycle ensures that the project stays on track. By using project management techniques, organizations can increase the likelihood of project success, which can lead to improved performance, better results, and a competitive advantage.

One of the key benefits of project management is that it helps to ensure that projects are completed on time, and within budget.

By setting clear goals and establishing a plan for achieving them, project managers can identify and manage potential risks and challenges, and ensure that the project stays on track. This can help to reduce the likelihood of delays or cost overruns, and improve the chances of project success.

Another benefit of a solid project management approach is that it helps to ensure that the project delivers the desired results – and meets the needs of the stakeholders.

By establishing clear requirements and working closely with stakeholders, project managers can ensure that the project is aligned with the organization’s goals and objectives. This can help to improve the quality of the project, and ensure that it delivers value to the organization and its stakeholders.

Some Popular Project Management Methodologies

There are many different project management methodologies that can be used to organize, and control a project. Some of the most popular methodologies include:

1. Agile 

Agile is a flexible and iterative approach to managing projects. It emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, and continuous improvement. In contrast to traditional, linear project management approaches, such as Waterfall, Agile focuses on delivering small, incremental pieces of a project, known as “iterations” or “sprints,” frequently reevaluating and adapting the project based on feedback from stakeholders.

This style of project management is well-suited to projects that are highly dynamic and require frequent changes, such as software development projects. It allows teams to quickly respond to changing requirements and priorities, and to incorporate feedback from stakeholders throughout the project.

2. Scrum 

Scrum is a framework for implementing Agile project management. It is a set of rules and practices that provide a structured approach for managing projects using the Agile methodology. It is different from other agile methodologies in some key ways:

1. Scrum teams are self-organizing and self-managing. The team is responsible for determining how best to achieve the project goals.
2. It is based on the idea of iterative development, with short cycles called “sprints” in which the team works to deliver a potentially shippable product increment. At the beginning of each sprint, the team selects a set of prioritized work items from a list called the “product backlog“.
3. The team holds a daily stand-up meeting, called a “daily scrum“, to discuss progress and identify any roadblocks.
4. The team conducts a “sprint review” at the end of each sprint to demonstrate the completed work and gather feedback.

It is widely used in industries such as software development, marketing, and product design, and is a valuable tool for organizations looking to increase the speed and flexibility of their project management processes.

3. Waterfall 

In the Waterfall model, the project is divided into a series of distinct phases, each with its own goals, tasks, and deliverables. The phases typically include planning, analysis, design, implementation, testing, and deployment.

Each phase must be completed in its entirety before the next phase can begin, and changes to the project scope aren’t generally permitted once a phase has been completed.

This is well-suited to projects with well-defined requirements and a fixed scope. It is a predictable and orderly approach that can help to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.

4. Lean 

Lean is a project management methodology that is based on the principles of lean manufacturing, which aims to eliminate waste and maximize value in a production process. It was initially developed for managing automobile production factories, but since its introduction many other industries have started using it as well.

The goal is to deliver the maximum value to the customer with the least amount of resources. This is achieved by identifying and eliminating waste in the project process, such as unnecessary steps, delays, defects, and overproduction.

Some of the key principles of Lean project management include:

• Identifying the value that the customer is seeking
• Mapping out the value stream and identifying areas of waste
• Creating flow in the process by eliminating waste and reducing variability
• Continuously improving the process to increase efficiency and effectiveness

5. Kanban

Kanban is a visual project management methodology that uses a kanban board to track and manage the flow of work. It is based on the principles of just-in-time production and emphasizes the importance of continuously improving processes, and balancing demand with capacity.

In Kanban, the project is divided into a series of tasks, which are represented by cards on a board. The board typically has columns that represent the different stages of the project, such as “to-do“, “in progress“, and “done“.

As tasks are completed, the cards are moved from one column to the next, providing a visual representation of the progress of the project.

6. Six Sigma 

Six Sigma is a data-driven approach to project management that focuses on improving the quality of processes and products by identifying and eliminating defects. It often uses specific tools and techniques, such as data analysis and process mapping, to identify and solve problems.

In Six Sigma, a project is divided into a series of phases, known as DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control). Each phase has specific goals and activities, and is designed to help the team understand and improve the process being studied.

Here is a brief overview of each stage: 

1. Define: The goal of this phase is to clearly define the problem and objectives of the project. Activities in this phase include identifying the customer and their needs, defining the project scope, and establishing the project team.
   
2. Measure: This stage is for gathering data and measuring the current performance of the process. Activities in this phase include collecting data, establishing baselines, and identifying the key performance indicators (KPIs).
   
3. Analyze: In this stage, the team tries to understand the root causes of the problem and identify potential solutions. Activities in this phase include using statistical tools to analyze the data, identifying patterns and trends, and developing a hypothesis about the root cause of the problem.
   
4. Improve: The goal of this phase is to implement and test potential solutions. Activities in this phase include designing and implementing the solution, testing the solution to ensure it is effective, and documenting the results.
   
5. Control: The final stage is to ensure that the solution is sustained over the long term. Activities in this phase include establishing control systems, monitoring the process, and making any necessary adjustments to ensure that the solution is effective in the long term.
   

7. PRINCE2 

PRINCE2 is an abbreviation for PRojects IN Controlled Environments. It is a structured and flexible approach that is based on the principles of good practice in project management.

It emphasizes the importance of clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of the project team, and establishing a set of controls and processes that can be used to monitor and manage the project.

It divides the project into a series of manageable and controllable stages. Each stage has its own goals, deliverables, and management controls, and the project is managed and controlled by a team of individuals with specific roles and responsibilities.

For instance, the project is usually initiated by identifying the need for a new product or service, and a project team is assembled which conducts a feasibility study to determine if the project is viable and to develop a high-level plan. It is overseen by a steering committee, which is responsible for providing strategic direction and making key decisions. 

In the next stage, the project team develops a more detailed plan, including a detailed scope, timeline, budget, and risk assessment – and then gets it reviewed and approved by the steering committee.

The project is then divided into several stages, and each stage is managed by a stage manager. The stage manager monitors progress and controls resources to ensure that the stage is completed on time and within budget.

At the end of each stage, the stage manager reviews the progress made and the products delivered. When all of the project’s products have been delivered and accepted, the project is closed. A review is conducted to identify any lessons learned and to make recommendations for future projects.

This project management methodology is better suited for large teams that work with critical infrastructure where even a slight deviation from the agreed upon terms has a huge impact. Using it for small projects may create a longer and more complicated process than necessary. 

How To Select The Right Methodology For Your Team?

Each of these project management methodologies has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the best one for a given project will depend on a variety of factors, including the nature of the project, the team’s skills and experience, and the organization’s culture and goals.

There are several steps that you can take to select the right project management methodology for your team:

• Identify the goals and objectives of the project: The first step in selecting a project management methodology is to clearly define the goals and objectives of the project. This will help you to understand the specific challenges and requirements of the project, and will guide your decision-making process as you evaluate different methodologies.
  
• Consider the size and complexity of the project: The appropriate project management methodology will depend on the size and complexity of the project. For example, a large, complex project with multiple teams and stakeholders may require a more comprehensive methodology, such as Agile or Scrum, whereas a smaller, less complex project may be better suited to a simpler approach, such as Lean or Kanban.
  
• Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different methodologies: Once you have a clear understanding of the goals and requirements of the project, you can evaluate the strengths and limitations of different project management methodologies to determine which one is best suited to your needs. For example, Agile is well-suited to projects that are highly dynamic and require frequent changes, whereas Waterfall is better suited to projects with well-defined requirements and a fixed scope.
  
• Consult with your team and stakeholders: Before making a final decision, it is important to consult with your team and stakeholders to get their input and feedback. This will help to ensure that the selected methodology is aligned with the needs and goals of the project, and that everyone is on board and committed to making it a success.
  
• Be willing to adapt and improvise: No project management methodology is perfect, and it is important to be willing to adapt and adjust as needed. As the project progresses, you may find that the selected methodology is not working as well as you had hoped, or that it needs to be modified to better meet the needs of the project. Be prepared to make changes and adjustments as necessary to ensure that the project stays on track and delivers the desired results.

Final Thoughts

Project management is already challenging enough; managing multiple tasks, people, and resources is difficult. An effective project management methodology can reduce the burden on the manager without slowing down the productivity of the team. 

Although understanding the key principles and practices of each methodology is important in order to select the right one for your team, having access to the right tools makes the process even easier.

Atarim is a centralized platform for managing all your clients, projects, team and tasks, sign up for a free forever plan to see how it can improve your workflow.

Are you tired of sifting through endless lists of web development tools and never finding the perfect fit? Look no further! In this article, we’ll reveal the essential web development tools of 2023 that will revolutionize your workflow.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, these tools will take your web development skills to the next level. Let’s dive in!

Text Editors and IDEs

Using a specialized text editor for web development can help to make the process more efficient and productive. A good editor offers features such as syntax highlighting, code completion, autocorrect, and customizable user interfaces. Additionally, some text editors offer the option to extend in-built functionality by adding third party plugins.

Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code is a popular text editor and integrated development environment (IDE) developed by Microsoft. It is free and open-source, and available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It includes features such as syntax highlighting, code completion and autocorrect, debugging tools, and support for multiple languages and frameworks.

It’s highly customizable, allowing users to adjust the layout, color scheme, and other aspects of the user interface to suit their preferences. 

One of the key features of VS Code is its support for plugins, which allows users to extend the functionality of the editor. Visual Studio Code is widely used by web developers and considered one of the best tools in its category.

JetBrains IDE

JetBrains is a software company that offers a range of IDEs for various programming languages and platforms. For example, it offers PhpStorm for PHP, PyCharm for Python, RubyMine for Ruby, and WebStorm for JavaScript – to name just a few. 

It also offers Fleet, a language independent IDE (similar to VS Code) which specializes in working on remote machines in the cloud.

These IDEs are popular among professional developers for their advanced features and user-friendly interfaces. All the JetBrains IDEs include helpful features such as code completion, code refactoring, debugging and testing tools. The IDE seamlessly integrates with version control systems, which makes life much easier.

There are a range of pricing options, including free versions for individual developers and open-source projects.

Web Browsers

Web browsers are an essential part of the web development process because they provide a way for users to access, and interact with, the content and applications that have been built. 

You’ll already be familiar with popular web browsers such as Chrome, Edge, or Safari, all of which provide the ability to inspect and debug code. But if you’re looking for something extra, you should check out the following browsers which were specifically designed for web development, and provide additional features not available in mainstream browsers.

Polypane

Polypane is a browser made for web testing using different window sizes with synchronized scrolling. It is built with the Chromium browser engine, and only supports testing in Google’s V8 engine.

However, it is available for x86 and ARM-based computing architectures on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Polypane offers an excellent experience for responsive testing, with default configurations for popular viewport sizes and the option to add custom breakpoints. Panes can emulate desktop or mobile devices, and include custom values for modern CSS presets such as prefers-reduced-data and prefers-color-scheme.

Additionally, panes can simulate visual impairments such as cataracts, farsightedness, and 8 types of color blindness.

The Polypane browser extension (available for Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox, and Opera) can be used to quickly open any URL in Polypane. A custom protocol can also be used to share links along with browser panes. This is a great tool if you are working on front-end applications and need to support multiple screen sizes.

LT Browser

LT Browser is a free browser developed by LambdaTest for testing websites locally on multiple devices.

It offers some advantages over consumer browsers, such as Chrome or Firefox, including predefined viewports and the ability to record the screen during tests. It can also generate performance reports within LT Browser to identify any bottlenecks on your website.

The best feature of LT Browser is hot reloading, which instantly shows you the latest changes in your code as soon as you hit save. LT Browser is still in the beta version, but it does provide some good features. If you need a free tool to test your responsive websites, it could be a good choice.

Responsively 

Responsively is an open-source multi-pane browser built using Electron. It has built-in support for popular device sizes and allows users to add custom screen dimensions, which makes it useful for testing responsive web pages.

It’s possible to install a browser extension for Firefox, Chrome, and Edge to send links from the browser to the Responsively app for instant previewing. Additionally, users can add extensions from the Chrome web store, though the Responsively developers warn that some extensions may not work as intended. 

Responsively comes with a live CSS editor and a design mode that makes it easy to temporarily apply design rules and update content. You can also delete cookies, storage session data, and reset the network cache with the click of a button. Other actions, such as throttling the network or loading the website via a proxy, are also supported.

If you’re looking for a free tool to make your browser testing process smoother, then you should definitely try it out.

Version Control Systems

If you aren’t already, you should definitely start using a version control system for web development in order to track changes to your code. Even if you are working alone, having a history of the changes that have been made to the codebase makes it easier to track and manage changes over time.

This can be useful for identifying and resolving issues that may arise, as well as for reverting to previous versions of the code if necessary.

Git

Git is a powerful version control system that offers a range of features for tracking and managing changes to files and projects. These features can help improve collaboration and organization within development teams and make it easier to manage and maintain codebases over time. Although there are a number of version control tools out there, Git is by far the most used and widely supported of them all. 

You can work with Git locally or connect it to a server to collaborate with other people on the project. Most people are already familiar with GitHub, but there are other options, such as Bitbucket, GitLab, and AWS CodeCommit. If you are feeling adventurous, you can even host your own server and invite your friends to collaborate. 

Web Extensions

Browser extensions can be incredibly useful for web developers, as they can provide a range of tools and features that can help improve the development process. Here are some of the things an extension can help you with.

Identify Fonts

There are several browser extensions that can help you identify fonts used on a website. You can either just hover over or select a piece of text on the page, and then the extension can provide information about the font that is being used. WhatFont, Font Finder, and Fonts Ninja are some of the popular extensions to identify the fonts. 

Get Colour Code

Just like for fonts, you can also get the exact hex code of a color being used on a website, and there are a ton of different extensions available to help you with that. If you would find this useful, you could try out ColorPick Eyedropper, ColorZilla, or Color Picker.

Generate Dummy Text

During development, developers often need to put some placeholder text before the actual content is made available to them. Lorem Ipsum Generator is a browser extension that can help generate this placeholder text quickly and easily. 

Edit Cookies

Cookies are often used to store information about the user’s preferences or settings, and the ability to quickly change browser cookies is immensely helpful for testing out different user scenarios and debugging issues. If you think this would be helpful for you, then you should try out EditThisCookie and Cookie-Editor.

AI Assistant

Any list in 2023 is incomplete without mentioning artificial intelligence!

In the past year, we have seen a steady increase in the usage of AI tools for assisting in coding. These tools can significantly speed up productivity and create high-quality websites that provide a great user experience.

GitHub Copilot

As the name suggests, GitHub Copilot was made by GitHub, and it uses OpenAI Codex, a new AI system from OpenAI. You can use GitHub Copilot in two ways: by starting to write the code you want to use, or by writing a natural language comment (in English) that describes what you want the code to do.

GitHub Copilot will analyze the context in the file you are editing, as well as related files, and offer suggestions within your text editor.

It can be integrated directly into web editors such as Neovim, JetBrains IDEs, Visual Studio, and Visual Studio Code. Currently, the quality of suggestions varies depending on the language you are using. For example, you can get good suggestions for JavaScript, but you might get poor results for COBOL.

Tabnine

Tabnine is a code completion tool for professional developers. It provides you with the option to accept whole-line completions with a single keystroke or keep typing to get more real-time alternatives that adapt to your code context.

It also allows you to describe the function you are looking for using natural language, and it will suggest the right code for you to use. 

It provides an integration for almost all the popular IDEs and can even be self-hosted behind a firewall. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you are missing out on a lot of cool features. 

Aws CodeWhisperer

Amazon CodeWhisperer is a code generator that uses machine learning to provide code recommendations in real time. These suggestions can range from small, single-line comments to larger blocks of code, such as fully formed functions. 

At the time of writing, this tool was not publicly available and users had to sign up on a waitlist to get access. This version supports a limited number of languages (C#, Typescript, Python, Java, and JavaScript) and only works with Visual Studio Code, AWS Cloud9, and JetBrains IDEs.

Collaboration Tools

Collaboration tools are vital for effective web development because they allow teams to work together and share information in real-time. These tools can also facilitate remote work, and enable teams to collaborate across different locations and time zones. 

Atarim

Atarim is a cloud based collaboration platform that provides centralized project management tools for web agencies and their clients, projects, teams and tasks. It streamlines workflows by reducing the need for multiple tools.

With Atarim, you get a secure dashboard, client interface, support desk, and management boards to effectively manage tasks, track time, and communicate with clients in one place.

The client interface on Atarim allows clients to add requests to their own website in a visual way and see updates on their tasks. You can use the support desk to organize email communications, and turn requests into actionable tasks, making it easy for you to manage your workload.

The management board is especially useful to agencies as it allows them to drag and drop tasks between columns to prioritize and organize work. Sign up to the Free Forever plan and see how Atarim streamlines your workflow.

Other Tools

Here are some tools that don’t fit in any of the categories: 

Browsersync 

Browsersync is a tool that can help improve the web development process by making it easier to test and debug websites in multiple browsers. It is available as a free NPM package, which syncs browser states and interactions such as click, scroll, form input, and submit on multiple browsers on different devices. 

It can be used to host static files and update web pages when any file is updated, or can be connected as a proxy to a website already hosted on a server. Coding skills are required to set it up properly, but a few recipes are available which demonstrate basic functionality and can be used as starter templates.

Trunk Check

If you’re collaborating on a large project, having a consistent code style is essential. Not only does it make things more readable, any new team members will be able to come up to speed easily if a standard way of doing things is defined.

Trunk Check is a code analysis tool that works with 50+ linters, and enforces standard coding practices in the project. If you have it enabled on a project, it will give you a list of violations and ask you to fix them before you can commit your changes in the repository. 

Conclusion

The essential web development tools in 2023 are those that allow developers to write, manage, and test their code, as well as manage and organize their projects. By using these tools effectively, web developers can create high-quality websites that are both functional and user-friendly.

If you develop websites, you should consider using Atarim for managing your clients, projects, team and tasks. It makes your workflow easy, enjoyable, and profitable. If you are interested in this, you should register for a Free Forever plan today.