Bringing again a frosty function (plus extra enhancements for WordPress.com customers)
About 17 years in the past we added an possibility referred to as “Present falling snow on my weblog” to WordPress.com. The title stated all of it: it added falling snow to your weblog. Then, at some point, it disappeared. It wasn’t as a result of spring got here and melted the snow away. We had been cleansing up code, juggling plenty of completely different priorities, and the snow was shoveled away.
When we first announced this bit of fun in 2007, we had been impressed as a result of WordPress co-founder and our CEO Matt Mullenweg was lacking out on a White Christmas in his hometown of Houston. Ever because it went away, a few of you will have tell us you’ve additionally been lacking out on snow — on WordPress.com. Due to everybody who reminded us, we’re bringing again this frosty function as we speak, accessible now for each WordPress.com consumer.
Wish to be part of the enjoyable? Log into your WordPress.com account and go to Settings within the left-hand sidebar. There, you’ll discover an possibility so as to add some contemporary powder to your web site:
Voilà! With one click on, your guests can take pleasure in a wintry shock, regardless of the place they’re on the earth:
Now, we know not everyone appreciates snow as much as we do. So, we’ve been working hard on a flurry of other gifts over the past few months too, adding tons of improvements to WordPress.com. Until now, we just haven’t told you about them on our blog! This seems like a great time to recognize all those other small features, improvements, and wishlist items that make the WordPress.com world just a little bit nicer:
- We added over 65 themes to our Free, Personal, and Premium plans in the last half of the year. If you haven’t taken a look at our new themes lately, take a moment and browse around now. For those who’re on the Marketing strategy and above, you should utilize any theme — even customized ones — however we’re all the time making an attempt to ensure you have an amazing, curated record of high-quality choices on our inexpensive plans too.
- We additionally introduced again Bulk Plugin Management, so Enterprise and Commerce plan customers can effectively handle and replace plugins throughout all of your WordPress.com websites. For those who’re managing a number of websites, this may prevent a number of time, so you possibly can spend extra time doing what you like.
- The WordPress core growth group created a brand new element for managing knowledge referred to as Data Views. We’re utilizing this performance in our Hosting Dashboard, bettering the expertise of managing your websites and domains.
- Builders know that PHP — a programming language that’s close to and pricey to our hearts — is the spine of the net (and WordPress itself). By no means heard of it? To not fear. Simply consider PHP as the magic that makes your WordPress website possible. WordPress.com upgraded to PHP 8.1 this yr, guaranteeing your websites preserve top-tier efficiency and compatibility along with your favourite themes and plugins.
With all these new options and enhancements, there’s snow time like the current to construct your web sites with WordPress.com. Feeling the giving spirit too? It’s simple to share WordPress.com with a gift subscription. No strain, after all. Benefit from the snow, and search for much more enhancements and options to return in 2025!