When it comes to building a professional, polished online presence, Squarespace is a favorite website builder among creatives that consistently delivers.

As someone who loves design and innovation, I’m blown away by how Squarespace keeps pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, especially with their exciting advancements in AI.

Use code DEPOT10 to get a 10% discount! Valid until December 31st, 2025. Head over to Squarespace.com to redeem.

A Game-Changer with Squarespace AI

Let’s start with the star of the show: Squarespace AI. If you’ve ever struggled to write website content or faced the dreaded blank page, this is the tool you’ve been dreaming of.

Squarespace AI uses smart technology to help you craft polished, professional content—whether it’s website copy, email campaigns, or product descriptions—in no time at all. It’s like having a creative sidekick who’s always ready to help you get your ideas out there, sounding sharp and on-brand.

The magic doesn’t stop there. Squarespace AI integrates beautifully with the platform’s design tools, automatically populating your site with nearly-finished content that’s tailored to your needs. For busy entrepreneurs, it’s a lifesaver, helping you create a website that looks and sounds amazing without hours of tweaking.

Additionally, the AI analyzes user behavior and website performance to provide actionable insights for optimization, such as improving navigation or boosting search engine rankings.

Tools That Work Hard So You Don’t Have To

Squarespace isn’t just about gorgeous website templates (though let’s be real, their templates are stunning and some of the best in the industry). They’ve built an entire toolkit to help entrepreneurs sell, grow, and shine online. Here’s what’s got us excited:

• Squarespace Payments: A sleek, secure payment solution that makes selling a breeze. Whether you’re offering products or services, it’s easy to set up and works seamlessly with your site.
• Client Invoicing: Service-based businesses, rejoice! With intake forms, CRM tools, project tracking, and professional invoices that match your branding, managing your workflow has never been this smooth.
• Courses: Have expertise to share? The Courses feature—powered by Fluid Engine—lets you create beautiful online classes with video lessons, progress tracking, and more. It’s a fantastic way to add a new income stream.

Better Marketing and Scheduling Made Simple

Connecting with your audience is key, and Squarespace makes it easy. Their updated email marketing tools, with seasonal templates and automation, help you stay in touch and drive engagement.

And with improved Acuity Scheduling, your clients can book appointments effortlessly—whether they’re on desktop or mobile. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Use code DEPOT10 to get a 10% discount! Valid until December 31st, 2025. Head over to Squarespace.com to redeem.

Your Brand, Everywhere It Matters

Your website is just one piece of your brand’s digital puzzle, and Squarespace gets that. Tools like Squarespace Domains and Bio Sites Pro ensure your brand shines wherever your audience finds you.

Squarespace Domains makes managing everything from domain forwarding to bulk management a breeze. And if you’re active on social media, Bio Sites Pro is a customizable, professional link-in-bio solution that helps you stand out and even monetize your content.

Built to Grow with You

Squarespace isn’t just for solopreneurs and small businesses; it’s a powerful platform for larger enterprises too.

Features like single sign-on for added security, team-friendly collaboration tools, and specialized solutions like Tock for hospitality management mean Squarespace scales right alongside your business. From managing reservations to running global operations, it’s got the tools you need to keep moving forward.

Final Thoughts

Squarespace keeps raising the bar with its innovative tools, especially in AI. By combining stunning design, powerful selling features, and top-notch content creation capabilities, it’s a platform that truly helps businesses of all sizes succeed.

Whether you’re just starting out or ready to take your brand to the next level, Squarespace has everything you need to build and grow a fantastic online presence.

They’ve made it easier than ever to create something incredible—and that’s something I’ll always cheer for.

Use code DEPOT10 to get a 10% discount! Valid until December 31st, 2025. Head over to Squarespace.com to redeem.

With cyber threats on the rise, ensuring your site is protected against hacks is not just a best practice, but a necessity. In this article, we will explore effective strategies to fortify your WordPress site, enhancing its security and safeguarding your valuable content.

Understanding the Risks

WordPress, powering over 40% of all websites globally, is a prime target for hackers due to its popularity and open-source nature. Common threats include:

• Brute Force Attacks: Where attackers attempt to guess your login credentials.
• Malware Infections: Malicious software that can compromise your site’s integrity.
• SQL Injection: A technique used to manipulate databases and extract sensitive information.

Recognizing these threats is the first step in developing a robust security strategy for your WordPress site. It’s also crucial to note that not all vulnerabilities come from external hackers. Sometimes, poor practices by website owners, such as using outdated themes or neglecting backups, can inadvertently create opportunities for breaches.

1. Keep Everything Updated

Probably the easiest yet most effective way to secure a WordPress site is to keep core software, themes, and plugins updated. Regular updates have security patches aimed at known vulnerabilities. Either schedule a time to check for updates or enable auto-updates so that your website is always protected.

Also, make it a habit to audit unused themes and plugins regularly. If you are no longer using a certain plugin or theme, make sure it is deactivated and deleted. Unmaintained plugins or themes open up a popular gateway for hackers.

2. Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication

Weak passwords are an open invitation to hackers. Implement strong, unique passwords for your admin accounts, and consider using a password manager to keep track of them. Additionally, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for an extra layer of security. This ensures that even if your password is compromised, unauthorized users cannot access your site without a second form of verification.

Another useful practice is changing default usernames like “admin.” Default usernames are easy targets for brute force attacks. Use unique usernames that don’t give away your identity or role in the website.

3. Limit Login Attempts

Brute force attacks are common, where hackers try multiple password combinations to gain access. To mitigate this risk, limit the number of login attempts by installing security plugins like Wordfence or iThemes Security. These tools can temporarily lock out users after a set number of failed attempts, dramatically reducing the chances of unauthorized access.

In addition to limiting login attempts, consider implementing CAPTCHA on your login page. CAPTCHA helps verify that a human, not a bot, is trying to log in, adding another layer of protection against automated attacks.

4. Choose a Reliable Hosting Provider

Your choice of hosting provider is critical to your site’s security. Look for hosts that offer robust security features, such as:

• SSL Certificates: Encrypts data between the user and your site.
• Firewalls: Protects against malicious traffic.
• Regular Backups: Ensures you can restore your site quickly in the event of a breach.

Research and select a hosting provider that prioritizes security, giving you peace of mind.

In addition to these features, some hosting providers offer real-time malware scanning and protection against distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. It’s worth investing in managed WordPress hosting services, which typically include enhanced security features tailored for WordPress sites.

5. Regular Backups

Backups are your safety net in the event of a hack. Regularly back up your WordPress site, including your database and files. Use reliable backup plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy to automate this process. Store backups in multiple locations, such as cloud storage and external hard drives, to ensure you can quickly restore your site if needed.

Test your backups periodically to ensure they work. A backup is only as good as its ability to restore your site effectively. This step is often overlooked but can save you time and frustration in case of a breach.

6. Utilize Security Plugins

WordPress offers a plethora of security plugins that can help you monitor and protect your site. Consider using:

• Wordfence Security: Provides firewall protection and malware scanning.
• Sucuri Security: Offers security audits, malware removal, and monitoring.
• iThemes Security: Enhances your site’s security with various features like file change detection and database backups.

These plugins can significantly bolster your site’s defenses against hacks.

In addition to general-purpose security plugins, consider specialized tools for specific needs, such as file integrity monitoring or login activity tracking. Layering your defenses with these tools can give your website a comprehensive security framework.

7. Monitor User Activity

If your WordPress site has multiple users, it’s essential to monitor their activity. Use plugins that log user actions, allowing you to keep track of changes made on your site. This can help you identify suspicious behavior and take action before a serious issue arises.

To take it a step further, assign user roles carefully. Grant users only the permissions they need to perform their tasks. Avoid assigning administrator roles to users who don’t require full access, as this can increase your site’s vulnerability.

8. Secure Your Website’s Core Files

Beyond the plugins and updates, securing your core WordPress files is critical. Protect your wp-config.php file by moving it to a higher directory if possible. This file contains sensitive information about your database and should not be accessible to unauthorized users.

Additionally, disable file editing within your WordPress dashboard. This can be done by adding the following line to your wp-config.php file:

define(‘DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT’, true);

This step prevents hackers from editing theme or plugin files if they gain access to your admin panel.

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9. Protect Your Database

WordPress databases are a goldmine for hackers. To secure your database:

• Change the default database prefix (e.g., change wp_ to something unique).
• Use strong, unique database passwords.
• Limit database user privileges to only what is necessary for the site to function.

Database security is an often-overlooked aspect of WordPress security, but neglecting it can lead to significant breaches.

10. Use HTTPS and Secure Your Data

Switching to HTTPS ensures that the data exchanged between your site and its visitors is encrypted. This is particularly important for sites that handle sensitive user information, such as login credentials or payment details.

SSL certificates are now widely available, with many hosting providers offering free SSL through Let’s Encrypt. Installing and configuring SSL on your WordPress site is a straightforward process and an essential step in modern web security.

Securing your WordPress site against hacks is an ongoing process that requires diligence and proactive measures. By implementing these strategies, you can create a robust security posture that protects your site and its content from potential threats. Remember, the cost of prevention is always less than the cost of a breach. Take control of your WordPress security today and enjoy peace of mind knowing your website is safeguarded against malicious attacks.

Featured image by marcos mayer on Unsplash

Color Palette is a web application developed by Tobias Mønster Madsen, designed to provide users with a collection of curated color palettes for inspiration and design purposes.

Currently, the site is in development, with plans to expand its offerings by adding more color palettes, styles, and features in the future. Users are encouraged to share their feedback or suggestions, which will help shape the platform as it evolves.

The intuitive interface of Color Palette allows for easy navigation, making it a valuable tool for anyone looking to experiment with colors or find harmonious combinations for graphic design, web development, or artistic projects.

Whether you’re a professional designer or a hobbyist, this tool aims to simplify the often complex process of color selection, providing inspiration and functionality in a straightforward and accessible format.

https://www.colorpalette.dk

The Popover API and element are two of my favorite new platform features. In fact, I recently [wrote a detailed overview of their use cases] and the sorts of things you can do with them, even learning a few tricks in the process that I couldn’t find documented anywhere else.

I’ll admit that one thing that I really dislike about popovers and dialogs is that they could’ve easily been combined into a single API. They cover different use cases (notably, dialogs are typically modal) but are quite similar in practice, and yet their implementations are different.

Well, web browsers are now experimenting with two HTML attributes — technically, they’re called “invoker commands” — that are designed to invoke popovers, dialogs, and further down the line, all kinds of actions without writing JavaScript. Although, if you do reach for JavaScript, the new attributes — command and commandfor — come with some new events that we can listen for.

Invoker commands? I’m sure you have questions, so let’s dive in.

We’re in experimental territory

Before we get into the weeds, we’re dealing with experimental features. To use invoker commands today in November 2024 you’ll need Chrome Canary 134+ with the enable-experimental-web-platform-features flag set to Enabled, Firefox Nightly 135+ with the dom.element.invokers.enabled flag set to true, or Safari Technology Preview with the InvokerAttributesEnabled flag set to true.

I’m optimistic we’ll get baseline coverage for command and commandfor in due time considering how nicely they abstract the kind of work that currently takes a hefty amount of scripting.

Basic command and commandfor usage

First, you’ll need a or a button-esque along the lines of or . Next, tack on the command attribute. The command value should be the command name that you want the button to invoke (e.g., show-modal). After that, drop the commandfor attribute in there referencing the dialog or popover you’re targeting by its id.

<button command="show-modal" commandfor="dialogA">Show dialogA</button>

<dialog id="dialogA">...</dialog>

In this example, I have a

element with a command attribute set to show-modal and a commandfor attribute set to dialogA, which matches the id of a element we’re targeting:

Let’s get into the possible values for these invoker commands and dissect what they’re doing.

Looking closer at the attribute values

CodePen Embed Fallback

The show-modal value is the command that I just showed you in that last example. Specifically, it’s the HTML-invoked equivalent of JavaScript’s showModal() method.

The main benefit is that show-modal enables us to, well… show a modal without reaching directly for JavaScript. Yes, this is almost identical to how HTML-invoked popovers already work with thepopovertarget and popovertargetaction attributes, so it’s cool that the “balance is being redressed” as the Open UI explainer describes it, even more so because you can use the command and commandfor invoker commands for popovers too.

There isn’t a show command to invoke show() for creating non-modal dialogs. I’ve mentioned before that non-modal dialogs are redundant now that we have the Popover API, especially since popovers have ::backdrops and other dialog-like features. My bold prediction is that non-modal dialogs will be quietly phased out over time.

The close command is the HTML-invoked equivalent of JavaScript’s close() method used for closing the dialog. You probably could have guessed that based on the name alone!

<dialog id="dialogA">
  <!-- Close #dialogA -->
  <button command="close" commandfor="dialogA">Close dialogA</button>
</dialog>

The show-popover, hide-popover, and toggle-popover values

<button command="show-popover" commandfor="id">

…invokes showPopover(), and is the same thing as:

<button popovertargetaction="show" popovertarget="id">

Similarly:

<button command="hide-popover" commandfor="id">

…invokes hidePopover(), and is the same thing as:

<button popovertargetaction="hide" popovertarget="id">

Finally:

<button command="toggle-popover" commandfor="id">

…invokes togglePopover(), and is the same thing as:

<button popovertargetaction="toggle" popovertarget="id">
<!--  or <button popovertarget="id">, since ‘toggle’ is the default action anyway. -->

I know all of this can be tough to organize in your mind’s eye, so perhaps a table will help tie things together:

command	Invokes	popovertargetaction equivalent
show-popover	showPopover()	show
hide-popover	hidePopover()	hide
toggle-popover	togglePopover()	toggle

So… yeah, popovers can already be invoked using HTML attributes, making command and commandfor not all that useful in this context. But like I said, invoker commands also come with some useful JavaScript stuff, so let’s dive into all of that.

Listening to commands with JavaScript

Invoker commands dispatch a command event to the target whenever their source button is clicked on, which we can listen for and work with in JavaScript. This isn’t required for a element’s close event, or a popover attribute’s toggle or beforetoggle event, because we can already listen for those, right?

For example, the Dialog API doesn’t dispatch an event when a is shown. So, let’s use invoker commands to listen for the command event instead, and then read event.command to take the appropriate action.

// Select all dialogs
const dialogs = document.querySelectorAll("dialog");

// Loop all dialogs
dialogs.forEach(dialog => {

  // Listen for close (as normal)
  dialog.addEventListener("close", () => {
    // Dialog was closed
  });

  // Listen for command
  dialog.addEventListener("command", event => {

    // If command is show-modal
    if (event.command == "show-modal") {
      // Dialog was shown (modally)
    }

    // Another way to listen for close
    else if (event.command == "close") {
      // Dialog was closed
    }

  });
});

So invoker commands give us additional ways to work with dialogs and popovers, and in some scenarios, they’ll be less verbose. In other scenarios though, they’ll be more verbose. Your approach should depend on what you need your dialogs and popovers to do.

For the sake of completeness, here’s an example for popovers, even though it’s largely the same:

// Select all popovers
const popovers = document.querySelectorAll("[popover]");

// Loop all popovers
popovers.forEach(popover => {

  // Listen for command
  popover.addEventListener("command", event => {

    // If command is show-popover
    if (event.command == "show-popover") {
      // Popover was shown
    }

    // If command is hide-popover
    else if (event.command == "hide-popover") {
      // Popover was hidden
    }

    // If command is toggle-popover
    else if (event.command == "toggle-popover") {
      // Popover was toggled
    }

  });
});

Being able to listen for show-popover and hide-popover is useful as we otherwise have to write a sort of “if opened, do this, else do that” logic from within a toggle or beforetoggle event listener or toggle-popover conditional. But elements? Yeah, those benefit more from the command and commandfor attributes than they do from this command JavaScript event.

Another thing that’s available to us via JavaScript is event.source, which is the button that invokes the popover or :

if (event.command == "toggle-popover") {
  // Toggle the invoker’s class
  event.source.classList.toggle("active");
}

You can also set the command and commandfor attributes using JavaScript:

const button = document.querySelector("button");
const dialog = document.querySelector("dialog");

button.command = "show-modal";
button.commandForElement = dialog; /* Not dialog.id */

…which is only slightly less verbose than:

button.command = "show-modal";
button.setAttribute("commandfor", dialog.id);

Creating custom commands

The command attribute also accepts custom commands prefixed with two dashes (--). I suppose this makes them like CSS custom properties but for JavaScript events and event handler HTML attributes. The latter observation is maybe a bit (or definitely a lot) controversial since using event handler HTML attributes is considered bad practice. But let’s take a look at that anyway, shall we?

Custom commands look like this:

<button command="--spin-me-a-bit" commandfor="record">Spin me a bit</button>
<button command="--spin-me-a-lot" commandfor="record">Spin me a lot</button>
<button command="--spin-me-right-round" commandfor="record">Spin me right round</button>

const record = document.querySelector("#record");

record.addEventListener("command", event => {
  if (event.command == "--spin-me-a-bit") {
    record.style.rotate = "90deg";
  } else if (event.command == "--spin-me-a-lot") {
    record.style.rotate = "180deg";
  } else if (event.command == "--spin-me-right-round") {
    record.style.rotate = "360deg";
  }
});

event.command must match the string with the dashed (--) prefix.

Are popover and the only features that support invoker commands?

According to Open UI, invokers targeting additional elements such as

were deferred from the initial release. I think this is because HTML-invoked dialogs and an API that unifies dialogs and popovers is a must-have, whereas other commands (even custom commands) feel more like a nice-to-have deal.

However, based on experimentation (I couldn’t help myself!) web browsers have actually implemented additional invokers to varying degrees. For example,

commands work as expected whereas commands match event.command (e.g., show-picker) but fail to actually invoke the method (showPicker()). I missed all of this at first because MDN only mentions dialog and popover.

Open UI also alludes to commands for , , , , and fullscreen-related methods, but I don’t think that anything is certain at this point.

So, what would be the benefits of invoker commands?

Well, a whole lot less JavaScript for one, especially if more invoker commands are implemented over time. Additionally, we can listen for these commands almost as if they were JavaScript events. But if nothing else, invoker commands simply provide more ways to interact with APIs such as the Dialog and Popover APIs. In a nutshell, it seems like a lot of “dotting i’s” and “crossing-t’s” which is never a bad thing.

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Invoker Commands: Additional Ways to Work With Dialog, Popover… and More? originally published on CSS-Tricks, which is part of the DigitalOcean family. You should get the newsletter.

The WordPress 6.7 release, named “Rollins” honors jazz legend Sonny Rollins, renowned for his improvisational mastery and innovative contributions to jazz.

His iconic compositions, like “St. Thomas” and “Oleo,” reflect his bold, exploratory style, paralleling WordPress’ mission to empower creativity and innovation. This update embodies Rollins’ spirit of pushing boundaries, offering new features and enhancements to inspire digital expression.

Twenty Twenty-Five Theme

The new default theme, Twenty Twenty-Five, is built to offer unparalleled flexibility for various website types. Whether you are creating a personal blog, a portfolio, or a professional business site, this theme provides robust design tools that leverage the full power of the block editor.

It includes multiple pre-designed block patterns, diverse style variations, and rich color palettes, allowing users to create visually stunning and functional websites quickly and easily.

Zoom Out Mode

Zoom Out Mode is a revolutionary addition to the site editing experience. It allows users to view and edit their website from a broader perspective, making it easier to arrange and modify entire sections and patterns. This feature is especially useful for managing complex layouts, giving users a clear overview of their site’s structure and design while streamlining the process of making adjustments.

Dynamic Content Integration

WordPress 6.7 introduces the ability to connect blocks directly to dynamic content sources, such as custom fields, from within the editor.

This new functionality simplifies the creation of dynamic websites, such as portfolios, blogs, and ecommerce stores, without requiring extensive coding knowledge. It also enhances compatibility with popular tools like Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), making it easier to create and manage dynamic content.

Advanced Typography Control

The advanced typography settings in WordPress 6.7 give users greater control over text design. With the ability to create and manage custom font size presets, as well as utilize fluid typography for responsive text scaling, users can ensure that their websites look polished and consistent across all devices. This update also enhances the overall design flexibility and user experience.

Performance Enhancements

Performance improvements are a highlight of WordPress 6.7, focusing on speed and stability. Block patterns and templates now load faster, and previews in data views have been optimized for efficiency. Compatibility with PHP 8 and higher versions has been improved, and the HTML processing engine has been refined for faster rendering and better performance overall.

Accessibility Improvements

Accessibility has been a major focus in this release, with over 65 fixes and enhancements aimed at making WordPress more inclusive. These updates include improved keyboard navigation in the editor, better labeling and instructions for various interface components, and fixes to ensure that assistive technologies can interact with WordPress more effectively.

HEIC Image Support

WordPress 6.7 adds native support for HEIC image files, a format widely used by iPhone cameras. This update makes it easier to upload and use high-quality, space-efficient images across all blocks, expanding the platform’s media capabilities and providing more options for visual content creation.

Query Loop Block Refinements

The Query Loop block, a powerful tool for displaying dynamic content, has been refined for ease of use. Automated default settings simplify the setup process, while key customization options have been consolidated for greater clarity. These improvements make the Query Loop block more accessible to beginners while retaining its flexibility for advanced users.

Preview Dropdown Extensions

Developers now have the ability to extend the preview dropdown menu with custom preview options. This feature enables users to test and view content in new contexts, such as specific device sizes or custom configurations, providing greater flexibility and control over the content preview process.

Background Customization

Enhanced background customization tools allow for the application of consistent styles across a site. These global settings ensure a unified design aesthetic while offering greater creative control over the appearance of pages and individual blocks. This feature simplifies the process of maintaining cohesive site-wide designs.

Site Editor Page View Enhancements

The Site Editor’s page view has been enhanced to include advanced filtering options, enabling users to display specific categories such as Published, Draft, or Scheduled pages. This update improves navigation and organization within the editor, making it easier to manage content effectively.

Template Registration API

The new Template Registration API simplifies the process of creating and managing custom templates. It allows plugins to introduce custom templates independent of themes, supports theme overrides, and enables the creation of templates tailored to specific categories or content types.

Expanded Design Tools

WordPress 6.7 expands the range of design tools available for individual blocks. New options, such as shadows and borders, give users more creative control over block appearance. These tools enable the creation of visually distinct and professional-looking websites without the need for external design software.

Interactivity API Improvements

The Interactivity API has been updated with new capabilities for robust state management and improved integration with JavaScript. These enhancements make it easier for developers to build dynamic, interactive web experiences while addressing previous bugs to ensure smoother operation.

WordPress 6.7 is a testament to the platform’s commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. It provides tools and features that cater to a diverse range of users, enabling them to build more functional, visually appealing, and high-performing websites.

Download WordPress 6.7 “Rollins” here

A recent survey by Santa Cruz Software reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly transforming the design sector.

Among over 400 U.S.-based graphic designers surveyed, 98% report AI has altered their workflows, and 91% note a positive return on investment (ROI) from adopting AI tools. Creative directors (72%) view AI as a collaborative assistant that enhances creativity without replacing human input.

To stay competitive, 93% of designers have pursued AI training. Designers commonly use AI tools for image and video generation (67%), content creation (51%), and AI-powered design software (45%), showcasing AI’s role in boosting efficiency and innovation.

However, ethical concerns remain. While 65% view AI as ethical, 24% disagree, and concerns about copyright (55%), originality (46%), bias (34%), and privacy (41%) persist. Most designers (81%) are restricted to employer-approved AI tools, reflecting companies’ recognition of the need for ethical standards.

Designers favor AI for specific tasks like generating ideas (74%), client communications (51%), and repetitive tasks (43%), but 68% prefer human oversight for final design decisions.

Preferences for human vs. AI-generated designs are evenly split (46% each), with junior designers more inclined toward AI. Regarding attribution, 59% are comfortable taking credit for AI-assisted designs, though 38% express discomfort.

See the full infographic below…

Do you subscribe to Piccalilli? You should. If you’re reading that name for the first time, that would be none other than Andy Bell running the ship and he’s reimagined the site from the ground-up after coming out of hibernation this year. You’re likely familiar with Andy’s great writing here on CSS-Tricks.

Andy is more than a great writer — he’s a teacher, too. And you’ll get to see that in spades next week when his brand-new course Andy is more than a great writer — he’s a teacher, too. And you’ll see that in spades next week when his brand-new course Complete CSS is released one week from today on November 26.

As someone who also runs a front-end course, I can tell you it takes a non-trivial amount of time and effort to put something like Complete CSS together. I’ve been able to sneak peek at the course and like love how it’s made for many CSS-Tricks readers — you know CSS and use it regularly but need to ratchet it up from good to great. If my course is for those just getting into CSS, Andy will graduate you from hobbyist to practitioner in Complete CSS. It’s the perfect next step for narrowing the ever-growing learning gaps in this industry.

Early bird price is £189 (~$240) which is a steep cut from the full £249 (~$325) price tag.

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Complete CSS Course originally published on CSS-Tricks, which is part of the DigitalOcean family. You should get the newsletter.

What’s Wrong With Your Translation Strategy?

For businesses to reach international audiences in today’s global marketplace, having an efficient, updated, and scalable translation strategy is important. However, many companies still rely on outdated methods that may no longer meet modern demands. Whether you’re a translation company, localization project manager, or a business with frequent multilingual content needs, it’s important to recognize the signs that indicate it’s time for an AI upgrade. This article explores 5 key indicators that your translation strategy might need some help from AI technology—and how utilizing it can simplify your operations.

1. Slow Turnaround Times

If your translation projects consistently miss deadlines or take too long to finish, it’s a clear sign that your strategy might be outdated. Traditional methods that rely solely on human translators can be very slow, especially when handling large volumes of content or scaling operations.

AI-powered tools can significantly quicken this process. William Spalding, Localization Senior Project Manager at Spotify, highlights the need for efficiency in translation workflows, stating, “The buyer lacks understanding, oversight, and control of their quality while the seller struggles to meet quality expectations because the buyer is too hands-off, and the linguists don’t have the support or feedback they need.” 

2. Quality Consistency Issues

Inconsistent quality is also a common problem when human translators work without the support of advanced tools. If you find that the quality of translations varies across projects or languages, it’s another strong indication that your current strategy may benefit from an AI upgrade. It can be challenging to maintain a consistent tone and accuracy, especially when multiple translators are involved or when the volume of content is too large to be handled manually.

AI tools help maintain consistency by using translation memories and glossaries, making sure that linguists and translators have the support they need to maintain quality across different and multiple projects. Chris Fetner, director of the Entertainment Globalization Association, points out that achieving perfection in translation can be expensive, but having high standards is necessary: “You want it to be very good, but when you try to go to perfection, the return on investment becomes uninteresting.” AI provides a solution to this problem by ensuring a consistent and high level of quality while simultaneously reducing the burden on human resources.

3. Difficulty Scaling Operations

It’s also a sign to upgrade your translation strategy if you continue to struggle with handling increasing volumes of content or adapting to new languages. Outdated methodologies often fail to offer the scalability needed for expanding businesses, making it difficult to meet the growing demand efficiently.

Neil Patel, founder of Neil Patel Digital, notes that “there is already a lot of content in English but not enough in other languages, even though the majority of the people in this world don’t speak English.” AI-powered solutions are essential for businesses looking to expand globally, as they can automate large-scale processes and manage multiple languages simultaneously, allowing companies to scale operations without significantly increasing costs or compromising quality.

4. High Costs Without a Proportionate Return on Investment (ROI)

It’s also important to examine if your increasing translation costs are bringing any improvement in your ROI. Because if not, that’s another clear sign that your current approach might not be that sustainable for the long run. It can be very difficult to manage multiple languages and complex content without the support of AI, which could make businesses find themselves investing heavily without seeing significant gains in efficiency or quality.

Robert Casten Carlberg, CEO of Nuanxed, emphasizes the importance of evolving methodologies: “[While translators are] essential in maintaining high-quality literature in translation, [their] methodologies will need to evolve alongside technological advancements. Integrating AI into the translators’ toolbox [will enhance productivity] without sacrificing creativity or quality.” AI not only helps reduce costs by automating repetitive tasks but also improves the productivity of human translators, thus improving overall ROI.

5. Limited Language Capabilities

Now, if your strategy is still limited to a few languages or struggles with specialized content, it’s another clear sign that an AI upgrade is necessary. As companies expand into new regions and countries, the demand for diverse language capabilities and specialized expertise increases. Relying solely on human translators without the support of AI can make it difficult to meet these demands.

Ofer Tirosh, CEO of Tomedes, a translation company, notes that “AI isn’t just the future—it’s already reshaping how translation companies deliver exceptional services today.” By incorporating AI, businesses can easily handle a broader range of languages and specialized content, such as legal or technical documents.

It’s Time To Upgrade Now

If you recognize any of these signs in your current translation strategy, it may be time to consider integrating AI into your workflow. Whether it’s improving turnaround times, maintaining consistency, scaling up operations, managing costs, or expanding language capabilities, AI provides a solution to the challenges faced by today’s translation companies.

The integration of AI is becoming essential for businesses looking to stay competitive in the global market. The industry will just continue to evolve and change, which is why combining human expertise with advanced technology will ensure that companies can meet the demands of a diverse, multilingual world without any problems. If you are considering modernizing your translation processes, exploring AI tools such as Google Translate, MachineTranslation.com, DeepL, Reverso, and AITranslator.com may be the next major step in optimizing your strategy.

Featured image by Andrew Stutesman on Unsplash

As I sit down to write this article, I can’t help but marvel at the incredible changes sweeping through our industry. For the first time in my career, I feel like we’re no longer limited by our technology but by our imagination. Well, almost. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the web design landscape in ways we could only dream of a few years ago, and I’m excited to share with you how it’s supercharging our productivity across various aspects of our work.

AI Is A Partner, Not A Competitor

Now, before we dive in, let me assure you: AI isn’t here to replace us. At least, not for a while yet. There are still crucial areas where human expertise reigns supreme. AI struggles with strategic planning that considers the nuances of human behavior and market trends. It can’t match our emotional intelligence when navigating client relationships and team dynamics. And when it comes to creative thinking that pushes boundaries and creates truly innovative solutions, we humans still have the upper hand.

But here’s the exciting part: AI is becoming an invaluable tool that’s supercharging our productivity. Think of it as having a highly capable intern at your disposal. As the Nielsen Norman Group aptly put it in their article “AI as an Intern,” we need to approach AI tools with the right mindset. Double-check their work, use them for initial drafts rather than final products, and provide specific instructions and relevant context.

The key to harnessing AI’s power lies in working with it collaboratively.

Don’t expect perfect results on the first try. Instead, engage in a back-and-forth conversation, refining the AI output through iteration. This process of continuous improvement is where AI truly shines, dramatically speeding up our workflow.

Let’s explore how AI is reshaping different areas of our industry, looking at some of the many tools available to us.

AI In Design: Unleashing Creativity And Efficiency

In the realm of design, AI is proving to be a game-changer. It’s particularly adept at:

• Collaborating on layout;
• Generating the perfect image;
• Refining and adapting existing imagery.

Take AI in Figma, for instance. It’s become my go-to for generating dummy content and tidying up my layers. The time saved on these mundane tasks allows me to focus more on the creative aspects of design.

Generative imagery tools like Krea, which uses Flux, have revolutionized how we source visuals. Gone are the days of endlessly scrolling through stock libraries. Now, we can describe exactly what we need, and AI will create it for us. This level of customization and specificity is a game changer for creating unique, on-brand visuals.

Relume is another tool I’ve found incredibly useful. It’s great for a collaborative back-and-forth over designs or for quickly putting together designs for smaller sites. The ability to iterate rapidly with AI assistance has significantly sped up my design process.

And let’s not forget about Adobe. Their upcoming tools, such as lighting matching for composite images, are set to take our design capabilities to new heights. If you want to see more of what’s on the horizon, I highly recommend checking out the latest Adobe Max presentations.

AI In Coding: Boosting Developer Productivity

The impact of AI on coding is nothing short of revolutionary. According to a McKinsey study, developers using AI tools performed coding tasks like code generation, refactoring, and documentation 20%-50% faster on average compared to those not using AI tools. That’s a significant productivity boost!

AI is helping developers in several key areas:

• Coding faster;
• Debugging more efficiently;
• Automatically generating code comments;
• Writing basic code.

To put this into perspective, AI now writes 25% of the code at Google. That’s a staggering figure from one of the world’s leading tech companies.

Tools like Cursor AI and GitHub Copilot are at the forefront of this revolution, offering features such as:

• AI pair programming with predictive code edits;
• Natural language code editing;
• Chat interfaces for asking questions and getting help.

I’ve personally been amazed by what ChatGPT 01-Preview can do. I’ve used it to build simple WordPress plugins in minutes, tasks that would have taken me significantly longer in the past.

AI In UX: Enhancing User Research And Analysis

In the field of User Experience (UX), AI is opening up new possibilities for research and analysis. It’s allowing us to:

• Conduct user research at scale;
• Analyze open-ended qualitative feedback;
• Query analytic data using natural language;
• Predict user behavior.

I’ve found ChatGPT to be an invaluable tool for data analysis, particularly when it comes to making sense of analytics and survey responses. It can quickly identify patterns and insights that might take us hours to uncover manually.

Tools like Strella are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in user research. AI can now perform user interviews at scale, allowing us to gather insights from a much larger pool of users than ever before.

Attention Insight is another fascinating tool. It uses AI to predict where people will look on a page, providing valuable data for optimizing layouts and user interfaces.

Microsoft Clarity has also upped its game, allowing us to ask questions about our analytic insights, heatmaps, and session recordings. This natural language interface makes it easier than ever to extract meaningful insights from our data.

AI In Copywriting: Elevating Content Quality And Efficiency

When it comes to copywriting, AI is proving to be a powerful ally. It’s helping us:

• Transform poor-quality stakeholder content into web-optimized copy;
• Brainstorm value propositions and create high-converting copy;
• Craft compelling business cases and strategy documentation;
• Write standard operating procedures.

Notion AI has become one of my go-to tools for content creation. It combines the best of ChatGPT and Claude, allowing it to draw upon a wide range of provided source material to write detailed documentation, articles, and reports.

ChatGPT has been a game-changer for improving the quality of website copy. It can take user questions and bullet-point answers from subject specialists and transform them into web-optimized content. I’ve found it particularly useful for defining value propositions and writing high-converting copy.

For refining existing content, the Hemingway Editor is invaluable. It can take the existing copy and make it clearer, more concise, and easier to scan — essential qualities for effective web content.

AI In Administration: Streamlining Mundane Tasks

AI isn’t just transforming the technical aspects of our work; it’s also making a significant impact on those mundane administrative tasks that often eat up our time. By leveraging AI, we can streamline various aspects of our daily workflow, allowing us to focus more on high-value activities.

Here are some ways AI is helping us tackle administrative tasks more efficiently:

• Getting our thoughts down faster;
• Writing better emails;
• Summarizing long emails or Slack threads;
• Speeding up research;
• Backing up arguments with relevant data.

Let me share some personal experiences with AI tools that have transformed my administrative workflow:

I’ve dramatically increased my writing speed using Flow. This tool has taken me from typing at 49 words per minute to dictating at over 95 words per minute. Not only does it allow me to dictate, but it also tidies up my words to ensure they read well and are grammatically correct.

For email writing, I’ve found Fixkey to be invaluable. It helps me rewrite or reformat copy quickly. I’ve even set up a prompt that tones down my emails when I’m feeling particularly irritable, ensuring they sound reasonable and professional.

Dealing with long email threads or Slack conversations can be time-consuming. That’s where Spark comes in handy. It summarizes lengthy threads, saving me valuable time. Interestingly, this feature is now built into iOS for all notifications, making it even more accessible.

When it comes to research, Google Notebook LLM has been a game-changer. I can feed it large amounts of data on a subject and quickly extract valuable insights. This tool has significantly sped up my research process.

Lastly, if I need to back up an argument with a statistic or quote, Perplexity has become my go-to resource. It quickly finds relevant sources I can quote, adding credibility to my work without the need for extensive manual searches.

Conclusion: Embracing AI For A More Productive Future

As I wrap up this article, I realize I’ve only scratched the surface of what AI can do for our industry. The real challenge isn’t in the technology itself but in breaking out of our established routines and taking the time to experiment with what’s possible.

I believe we need to cultivate a new habit: pausing before each new task to consider how AI could help us approach it differently. The winners in this new reality will be those who can best integrate this technology into their workflow.

AI isn’t replacing us — it’s empowering us to work smarter and more efficiently. By embracing these tools and learning to collaborate effectively with AI, we can focus more on the aspects of our work that truly require human creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the rapid pace of change, don’t worry. We’re all learning and adapting together. Remember, the goal isn’t to become an AI expert overnight but to gradually incorporate these tools into your work in ways that make sense for you and your projects.

Yet, despite its widespread adoption, modern users are increasingly frustrated. Why? Because the once-revolutionary approach is failing to keep up with the evolving demands of today’s digital landscape.

In this article, we’ll dive into the limitations of responsive design, explore why it often falls short for modern users, and discuss how developers and designers can adapt to address these challenges.

The Promise of Responsive Design

When Ethan Marcotte introduced the concept of responsive web design (RWD) in 2010, it was groundbreaking. The methodology relied on flexible grids, fluid images, and media queries to ensure that a website could gracefully adapt to different screen sizes.

At its core, responsive design sought to enhance usability across devices, eliminate the need for maintaining separate mobile and desktop websites, and future-proof websites against new screen resolutions and device types. The approach was a perfect solution for its time, addressing the fragmented device market and providing a unified codebase for developers. However, as technology and user behavior evolved, cracks began to show.

Where Responsive Design Falls Short

Device Diversity is Outpacing RWD Frameworks

In 2010, developers primarily worried about three types of screens: desktop, tablet, and mobile. Today, the landscape is far more complex. Foldable phones with dual screens, smartwatches with minuscule displays, large-format monitors and ultrawide screens, and smart TVs with built-in browsers have all entered the market.

Responsive design frameworks often rely on breakpoints—predefined screen widths where the layout shifts. But how do you define breakpoints for devices with vastly unique form factors? This rigidity makes many responsive websites feel awkward or unoptimized on newer devices.

Performance Issues

Responsive design is frequently implemented with the philosophy of “designing for the smallest screen first and scaling up.” While this approach (mobile-first design) has its merits, it can lead to performance issues on larger devices.

Many websites load unnecessary assets, scripts, and styles meant for high-resolution screens, even when accessed on mobile devices. The result is websites that are bloated and slow, particularly in regions with limited internet bandwidth.

Modern users demand speed, and when responsive sites fail to deliver, frustration sets in.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Responsive design’s primary goal is to create a consistent experience across devices, but consistency can sometimes come at the cost of usability.

Navigation menus designed for desktop often become cumbersome on mobile. Call-to-action buttons that look great on a phone may appear oversized or intrusive on a tablet. Typography scaling can render text too small to read comfortably on certain devices.

Instead of creating truly optimized experiences for each device, responsive design tends to settle for mediocrity across all platforms.

Lack of Context Awareness

Modern users’ needs extend beyond screen size. They’re influenced by device capabilities (e.g., touchscreens vs. keyboard and mouse), connection speeds, and bandwidth limits, as well as user intentions (e.g., quick information lookup vs. in-depth reading).

Responsive design doesn’t account for these nuances. For instance, a user on a mobile device might prefer simplified content or fewer images to save data, but a responsive site often delivers the same content as its desktop counterpart.

Accessibility Challenges

Accessibility is a crucial part of modern web design, yet many responsive websites fail to meet basic accessibility standards. Issues such as poorly scaling elements that break screen reader compatibility, over-reliance on hover states for navigation, and improper contrast ratios that become unreadable on certain screens are common.

While these problems aren’t exclusive to responsive design, they’re exacerbated by the “one-size-fits-all” mentality that responsive frameworks encourage.

The Rise of New User Expectations

Modern users are not just browsing the web; they’re living digitally integrated lives. Their expectations have evolved, shaped by experiences with intuitive apps, fast-loading progressive web applications (PWAs), and AI-driven interfaces.

Users now expect personalized experiences that cater to their preferences, location, and behavior. Responsive design, by focusing solely on screen size, doesn’t inherently support personalization. A generic layout fails to address users’ individual needs.

Websites are no longer static pages; they’re dynamic, interactive experiences. Parallax scrolling, 3D animations, and complex interactions often break or degrade on responsive sites because these elements weren’t designed with device-specific capabilities in mind.

Additionally, the rise of voice assistants and gesture-based navigation (e.g., swiping on phones) means users interact with devices in ways that traditional responsive design doesn’t consider.

Moving Beyond Responsive Design

To meet the demands of modern users, web design must evolve beyond the limitations of traditional responsive frameworks. Adaptive design offers a way forward by creating multiple fixed layouts tailored to specific device types. Instead of relying on fluid grids, adaptive sites detect the user’s device and serve the most appropriate version.

This approach offers more control over the user experience on each device and reduces unnecessary elements, optimizing performance. However, it requires more design and development effort and can increase maintenance complexity.

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) blur the lines between websites and native apps by offering offline functionality, lightning-fast performance, and a more app-like experience. By focusing on the capabilities of the device rather than its screen size, PWAs can deliver a more tailored experience.

Another approach involves prioritizing content. Instead of cramming all desktop content into a smaller screen, designers should focus on delivering only the most relevant information based on context. Techniques such as progressive disclosure, which shows essential content first and hides secondary elements behind expandable sections, and conditional loading, which serves lightweight versions of content for users on slower connections, can enhance usability.

Context-aware design, which uses data like location, device type, and user behavior to adapt the experience dynamically, is another promising direction. For example, displaying a map when a user accesses a site near a physical store or offering larger touch targets for devices without a keyboard or mouse can greatly improve the user experience.

Accessibility-first design ensures that all users, regardless of their abilities or devices, can navigate and interact with the site effectively. This includes testing designs with screen readers and keyboard navigation as well as implementing scalable typography and flexible layouts.

Finally, component-based design systems like React or Vue allow developers to create reusable, modular elements that adapt dynamically. Components can respond to both device size and capabilities and load selectively to optimize performance.

A Call to Action for Designers and Developers

It’s clear that the future of web design requires more than just “making things fit.” Designers and developers must embrace a mindset of adaptability rather than rigid frameworks. They must prioritize user-first thinking that considers context, behavior, and preferences, while leveraging new tools and technologies to address the limitations of responsive design.

Responsive design isn’t dead, but it’s no longer enough. By acknowledging its shortcomings and building on its foundations, we can create experiences that truly resonate with modern users.

Responsive design has served us well, but the digital world has changed. It’s time for web professionals to look forward and design for the future, not just for the screen.