WONDR were a sponsor at DE{CODE}, WP Engine’s Virtual Developer Conference, which took place on 23/24 March 2023.

Over 4,000 attendees from across the globe comprised of developers, designers, marketers, and other tech enthusiasts attended the event to learn about the latest trends and technologies in the WordPress ecosystem.

Here’s our takeouts from the event:

Technology is shaping the power dynamics

One of the most discussed topics at the conference was ‘how technology has shaped the power dynamics between designers, developers, and marketers’. Speakers shared insights into how these roles have evolved over time, and how they are now collaborating more closely than ever before to create successful websites and digital experiences.

WordPress’s latest advancements in low-code/no-code solutions through the WordPress Block Editor and Full Site Editing provide endless possibilities for our clients. We use this for many of our client deliveries as it allows for a faster development cycle and enables many different resources to contribute to the project at the same time, especially as you move into content editorialisation & UAT.

We have built up a vast library of re-usable, open-source components that significantly speed up development and allow our team and clients to have greater insight into rapid branding and content editorialisation. We’re thrilled to leverage these capabilities to deliver even more innovative and effective digital products for our clients.

Maximizing Conversions to drive revenue

A key topic we passionately agree with it is how to increase revenue by simplifying payment processes, using smart reporting, and optimising websites for better performance.

• On average, a consumer makes 19 online transactions per year.
• Although standard credit cards may be the most user-friendly way to shop online, it could be beneficial to offer multiple payment methods in order to address the high percentage (70%) of online cart abandonment and to simplify the overall checkout process.
• Offering multiple payment methods can address high cart abandonment rates and make the checkout process easier.

Simplifying the cart system and minimising distractions can also help increase conversions by minimising distractions. Streamlining the checkout process, including payment options, can lead to a better user experience and reduce cart abandonment.

Going Headless

We were particularly interested in the headless WordPress discussions at the conference. Separating the back-end and front-end of a website with this approach offers numerous benefits, including superior flexibility, scalability, and performance. 

For developers focused on headless builds, an Atlas Sandbox account, Atlas Blueprints, and Faust.js all provide excellent opportunities for exploring the possibilities of headless WordPress. Using Frost and Genesis, builders that encapsulate Block Editor or Full Site Editing tools to support any project workflow, including patterns, themes, and custom blocks is small all the way up to enterprise solutions

We’re always looking for new ways to improve our workflows, and headless WordPress offers us a wealth of opportunities. We’ve delivered headless WordPress experience with tools like Atlas Sandbox account, Atlas Blueprints, and Faust.js, which provide an excellent starting point for developers focused on headless builds.

We discussed this topic in more detail as part of an expert panel at WP Engine’s Ignite event.

Robust Privacy & Security

The changing privacy landscape and its impact on websites was also a key topic at DE{CODE}. With updated regulations and user expectations, it is more important than ever for websites to prioritise privacy and security. 

Speakers discussed best practices for protecting user data and shared insights on how to comply with privacy regulations.

We find WP Engine to be a very robust and secure platform that we’ve successfully used for large fintech & insurance clients where security is paramount. Coupled with partners like Cloudflare we find WP Engine to provide excellent support and reassurance to any clients looking at it as alternative to other providers.

For more on the latest trends and technologies discussed at DE{CODE}, view here.

WONDR has recently expanded its offering into the UAE market having successfully delivered cutting-edge digital products for clients across the US, Ireland, Spain & UK.

Our approach to digital products is global, incorporating the best of international design and technology trends to provide our clients with cutting-edge solutions.

WONDR is already delivering for clients in the UAE by defining the vision & roadmap for their business as well as developing engaging digital experiences for their customers.

The emirate’s vibrant economy and commitment to innovation make it an attractive destination for businesses looking to expand their operations in the Middle East. WONDR have recognised this potential and we are actively building our client base in the Middle East to help businesses in the region succeed in an increasingly digital world.

About Us

Our work is globally benchmarked by the world’s most trusted technology brands, most recently we have been featured in global cases studies by Microsoft, Liferay & WP Engine.

We have a proven portfolio of work that has delivered significant revenue uplifts for our clients as well as being recognised by the world’s most prestigious design programmes such as the Webby’s & the UX Design Awards.

Learn more about our 3 step process and how we work.

Microsoft, one of the world’s most trusted technology companies, have globally benchmarked ESB’s Real Time Visualisation (RTV) Application in a new case study.

The case focuses on the story behind How Microsoft is empowering ESB to achieve its Net Zero 2040 ambition.

The team in ESB Generation and Trading manage, monitor and trade energy across the island. With an ambitious target of Net Zero by 2040, ESB sought to streamline its processes and make data-informed decisions faster.

Microsoft’s global case study documents the impact of the RTV app over the past 12 months as it is enabling ESB to process essential trading information, plan days in advance how they deploy their power stations, and make informed faster decisions.

Working with WONDR, ESB leveraged Microsoft Power BI and Azure to develop a centralised hub, a user-friendly, simple visualisation of all the energy assets across the island of Ireland such as market price, market dynamics, and what renewables are in the system.

The RTV app drives focus in the right area to help ESB understand where they are generating the most carbon within ESB’s portfolio and where their focus should be in future planning, forecasting, and preparing KPIs and strategies to achieve Net Zero 2040.

Along with being Globally Benchmarked by Microsoft, ESB RTV app is also a global award winner at the UX Design Awards, one of the most prestigious international awarding bodies, who honour the impact accomplished UX design has on shaping a positive living environment for all.

Given the positive impact that the technology is already having within ESB, there are now plans to extend it to broader areas of the business in order to ensure access to business-critical information in real-time and better enable the company to make positive strategic decisions with regards to energy.

The highly anticipated 26th edition of the Spider Awards is approaching, and this year, WONDR has stepped forward as the sponsor of the Best Digital Brand award.

The Best Digital Brand award celebrates organisations that have executed a clear digital strategy for their brand and achieved their goals.

WONDR’s sponsorship of the Best Digital Brand award highlights the company’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the digital space.

WONDR has been making waves in the industry since its launch, with its innovative approach to creating immersive and interactive experiences. WONDR aims to help brands create meaningful connections with their customers, and sponsoring the Best Digital Brand award demonstrates this support for brands that are doing just that.

The Spider Awards

This year marks the 26th anniversary of the prestigious Spider Awards. The Spider Awards recognise excellence in website design and development, and winning an award is an honour in the industry. The judging committee will be made up of Ireland’s leading web experts, business leaders, luminaries and visionaries.

This year’s Spider Awards promises to be a celebration of the best Irish web designs and innovations. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 20th March 2023, and we can’t wait to see who takes home the Best Digital Brand award.

It’s official, we’re finalists for two awards at 26th annual Spider Awards.

We’re finalists in the category for Best Website for our work on Innovate Health TUH as well as finalists in the Best Large Agency category.

The Spider Awards recognise excellence in website design and development, so it’s an honour to be recognised among the top contenders in our field.

Innovate Health TUH

We’re finalists in the category of ‘Best Website’ for our recent collaboration with Innovate Health Tallaght University Hospital (TUH).

The new website was one of the key outputs from a more comprehensive strategic brand review exercise done in collaboration with Ringers, resulting in a new naming, position and brand identity.

We delivered a new website to support their plans to attract investors and partners in a competitive market which includes household names like the Mayo Clinic, Harvard Medical School and Stanford Medical School.

WONDR – A Digital Product Practice

We’re finalists in the ‘Best Large Agency‘ category. This award recognises the top agencies that have consistently delivered outstanding work across a variety of projects and clients.

At WONDR, we pride ourselves on our ability to work with a diverse range of clients and deliver results that matter for digital business owners.

It’s been a very successful year as we’ve collected 22 awards from some of the world’s most prestigious design award programmes for clients in fintech, banking, energy, blockchain, healthcare and ecommerce.

This year’s finalist announcement follows on our success in 2022, where WONDR collected a ‘Best in eCommerce’ Spiders Award for Likha Aesthetic Clinic.

We look forward to the awards ceremony, which takes place on March 3rd in the Mansion House, Dublin.

WONDR were guest speakers on the latest video series by Velocitize Magazine.

In the latest episode of Velocitize Talks, our very own Peter Delaney (Director of Product & Technology – WONDR) shares his thoughts on emerging trends in fintech, blockchain and e-commerce.

Velocitize Talks is an award-winning video series featuring agency innovators, digital disruptors and marketing leaders from around the world. The publication is delivered by WP Engine to provide insights into the shifting trends and innovative technologies defining digital marketing today.

Peter also joined an expert industry panel at WP Engine’s Ignite event in London to share his experience building cutting edge digital products on the world’s most trusted enterprise WordPress platform.

WONDR have been listed in the Top 10 Global Agencies at this year’s Vega Digital Awards 2022.

One the main award programme concludes, the Vega Digital Awards select the top ten participating agencies for the honours of being listed in the ‘Top 10 Global Agencies‘.

Selection is based on the number of categories won, the quality of entries and the company’s wider profile. To be listed in the ten agencies listing you have to deliver excellence through your creativity, strategy and expertise.

The Top 10 Global Agency listing is further recognition for WONDR and follows on from our 4 wins at this year’s programme.

This year we collected awards for

• Best Energy Website
• Best Financial Services App
• Best Insurance Website
• Best Services / Utilities App.

It is the second year in a row that WONDR have won 4 awards at the Vega Digital Awards for clients across banking, fintech, eCommerce, web 3 & insurance sectors.

Dermot further added…

“We are grateful for this recognition as it concludes a hugely successful year for us where we collected 22 awards in 12 months. Our award wins were from some of the world’s most prestigious programmes such as the Webby’s & UX Design Awards. We were also recognised at home at the Spiders, Digital Business Ireland Awards & the Digital Media Awards.”

About the Vega Awards
The Vega Digital Awards highlight the vital role of digital pioneers in an ever-changing digital landscape.

Organised by the International Awards Association (IAA), this year’s programme had over 1,000 submissions from 20 countries, clearly demonstrating the influence and reach the awards has in its mission of honouring excellence in the digital industry.

The judging panel was comprised of 22 industry experts from 10 countries around the globe.

Our collaboration with ESB Networks is a finalist at this years Digital Business Ireland Awards (DBI) in the Electrical, Technology Website of the Year category.

ESB Networks website and PowerCheck application gives real-time information on electricity outages and restoration times across Ireland. Allowing electricity customers to check their power status, track and report a fault & apply for a new connection.

ESB Networks supplies electricity to 2.3 million homes and businesses across Ireland. As custodians of the nation’s clean energy future, they ensure the national electricity network operates safely and efficiently. This is achieved through continuous investment in networks, services, technologies and customer touch points.

About DBI Awards

Digital Business Ireland, the country’s largest representative body for digital and online businesses, received more than 500 applications across 21 categories in the first round of entries.

An independent judging panel consisting of representatives from leading Irish and global companies such as Microsoft, Trustpilot, DHL, and Byrne Wallace, was assigned the task of selecting five finalists across the various categories.

The Winners are set to be revealed at an Awards luncheon on March 3rd 2023.

WONDR collected 4 Global Design Awards for digital exellence at this years Vega Awards.

In addition to the 3 Vega Global Digital Awards we collected earlier in the season, WONDR have been awarded another GOLD for ‘Best Energy Website’ for our work on ESB Network’s website and PowerCheck application.

This year the awards programmes had over 1,000 submissions from 20 countries worldwide. The International Awards Associate (IAA) organised the Vega Digital Awards to celebrate digital excellence worldwide, recognising the very best in Websites, Video, Mobile, Social, Animation, Marketing, and Podcasts.

The judging panel was comprised of 22 highly respected and experienced professional experts from 10 countries, who selected three of our entries as winners.

This year, we collected 4 awards in total.

Continued Success

This is WONDR’s 8th Vega Global Digital Award since 2021, showcasing the skill and vastness of our talented team. Winning awards in various industries from eCommerce, Energy, Insurance, Services & Utilities, FinTech, Banking & Finance, Social Networking and Beauty & Cosmetics.

In total WONDR has collected 50 Design Awards, with 22 won in the past  12-months from some of the world’s most prestigious design programmes, including the Webbys (USA), UX Design Awards (Germany) & the Lau Awards (Spain).

WONDR joined an expert industry panel to share our views on accelerating innovation at WP Engine’s Ignite event in London.

WP Engine welcomed top agencies and brands at the Londoner Hotel to showcase new product features and more specifically to discuss the possibilities of building cutting edge digital products on WP Engine, the world’s most trusted enterprise WordPress platform.

As part of the expert panel we shared insights on how our process has enabled brands such as 11Onze & Irish Heart Foundation to achieve incredible business results as well as being recognised for digital excellence by award programmes across the globe.

WONDR was represented by Director of Product, Peter Delaney, who also shared insights on how we have delivered headless solutions for clients and the opportunities and challenges this has brought. WONDR has developed a design led development process that enables brands to fast track digital transformation programmes.

At the event WONDR were also invited by WP Engine’s Velocitize Magazine to film video interviews sharing our predictions on the future of the industry, digital wallets & of course wordpress.

WP Engine  x  WONDR

WONDR is a trusted partner of WP Engine, the world’s most trusted enterprise WordPress platform that delivers stability, performance & security.

Over 1.5 million sites are now powered by WP Engine with approx 8% of all web users passing through a site using the platform.

Our recent work for 11Onze & Irish Heart Foundation have both been benchmarked by WP Engine as examples of global digital excellence on the platform.