Interview with Brian Gardner of StudioPress

Brian Gardner of StudioPress

When we build websites using WordPress we typically create our own child themes and utilise the Genesis framework because of it’s reliability, security and built in features.

There’s also many projects we’ve worked on which the built in SEO settings were more than adequate for.

Brian Gardner  is the founder of StudioPress (now part of CopyBlogger Media), the company behind the Genesis Framework and he was kind enough to make some time so answer a few questions about what they are up to.

1. What’s next for the Genesis framework?
   
   Now that fall is upon us, we’re going to open up the Genesis 1.9 development cycle. This will primarily consist of adding support for HTML5 within the markup of the framework. There will be a number of smaller items and bugs that will be fixed as well. Genesis 2.0 which should be out mid-2013 hasn’t been fully discussed yet, but we there’s a possibility that a focus on internal responsive design at the core will take precedence. Again, that’s to be determined.
   
   
2. Are there plans to integrate any commonly used features, like image galleries, into the framework to make it a more complete solution? Will simple hooks and being able to change the default comment title be built into Genesis at some point?
   
   We’ve always built Genesis with the mindset that we want it to be done in a way that’s congruent to the best practices of WordPress. This also includes core features that WordPress has, which we won’t try to replicate. Our vision was that it really serve as a design foundation, not so much a functional foundation. We leave that to core WordPress features and plugins.
   
   
3. Why doesn’t StudioPress offer a list of recommended plugins? The forum has a section on them but not an official list.
   
   We do have a Plugins page on our website, which showcases the ones that we’ve built. We don’t publish a list or recommended ones, primarily because there are so many varied uses for WordPress, that it’d be really difficult to offer up a blanket list.The most obvious ones would be things like Gravity Forms (which we showcase on every theme demo), Akismet (for spam blocking) and W3 Total Cache.
   
   Thanks to Debra Mastaler of Alliance Link for suggesting this question.
   
4. What benefits does Scribe offer to SEO novices versus some of the other WordPress compatible SEO tools in the market place? What are your future plans for developing Scribe over the next 2 years?
   
   We’re just releasing Scribe 4.0, and will be unveiling a new sales website soon.
   
   NOTE: Brian has suggested there’s so much information to cover around Scribe that we devote an entire post to it once the new website is launched.
   
   Thanks to Chris Dyson of Triple SEO for suggesting this question.
   
   
5. What advice would you give to entrepreneurs starting an online business?
   
   The best piece of advice that I can give to new entrepreneurs and those who are starting a business is to stay diligent. Most of us have experienced the “wall” at some point, where we want to throw in the towel and give up. Finishing the race, or in this case being successful, requires a tremendous amount of patience and energy. It’s the people who are able to endure the long distances that usually end up on top.

We’d like to thank Brian for his time and hope you enjoyed the interview.

If you have any Scribe specific questions you want us to ask Brian during that next interview please leave them in the comments.