DEV Community: Faisal Ahammad

How to Allow “www.” in the Website Field in Gravity Forms

Faisal Ahammad — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:50:50 +0000

Allow "www." in the Website Field by accepting URLs that start with "www" even when users omit the protocol. When creating contact forms or user-input forms on websites, it’s common to include a field for users to enter their website URL. Many form plugins, including Gravity Forms for WordPress, validate this website field to ensure users enter a properly formatted URL. However, this validation can sometimes cause issues for users who enter URLs beginning with “www” without specifying the full protocol (e.g., "https://").

This article explains how to customize Gravity Forms’ website field validation to allow URLs starting with “www.” without requiring the “https://” prefix. You’ll also find step-by-step instructions and code snippets that you can add to your WordPress child theme or via a plugin like Code Snippets.

Customizing Validation for “www.” URLs

The good news is that Gravity Forms provides hooks and filters that allow developers to customize validation rules. You can add a filter that intercepts the website field validation process and accepts URLs starting with “www.” by automatically prepending the “https://” protocol internally before validating.

Here is the exact code snippet you can use:

add_filter( 'gform_field_validation', function( $result, $value, $form, $field ) {
    if ( $field->type !== 'website' ) {
        return $result;
    }

    if ( ! $result['is_valid'] && preg_match( '/^www\./i', trim( $value ) ) ) {
        $url_with_protocol = 'https://' . trim( $value );

        if ( GFCommon::is_valid_url( $url_with_protocol ) ) {
            $result['is_valid'] = true;
            $result['message']  = '';
        }
    }

    return $result;
}, 10, 4 );

How This Code Works

The filter hooks into gform_field_validation, which runs during the validation of each form field.
It checks if the field is of type website.
If the validation failed ($result['is_valid'] is false) but the input starts with “www.”, it prepends “https://”.
Using GFCommon::is_valid_url(), it validates the updated URL.
If valid, it sets the validation result to true and clears any error message.

This approach ensures that users entering URLs like www.example.com will pass validation without needing to type the full protocol.

How to Implement This in Your Website

Method 1: Add to Child Theme’s functions.php File

If you have access to your child theme’s files, add the above code snippet at the end of your functions.php file. Make sure to back up your site before editing theme files.

Method 2: Use a Code Snippets Plugin

For a safer and more manageable approach, use a WordPress plugin such as Code Snippets:

Install and activate Code Snippets.
Go to Snippets > Add New in your WordPress admin panel.
Paste the code snippet into the editor.
Save and activate the snippet.

This method avoids touching theme files and makes it easy to manage custom PHP code.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does Gravity Forms require URLs to start with “https://”?
By default, Gravity Forms validates URLs strictly to ensure proper formatting and security protocols.

Q2: Can I allow other URL formats besides “www.”?
Yes, you can customize validation further using similar filter hooks depending on your needs.

Q3: Will this code affect other types of fields?
No, this code only targets fields of type “website” in Gravity Forms.

Q4: What if users enter invalid URLs starting with “www.”?
The code still validates URLs using Gravity Forms’ internal function, so invalid URLs will be rejected.

Conclusion

Allowing users to enter URLs starting with “www.” in your Gravity Forms website fields improves user experience and reduces unnecessary validation errors. By adding a simple filter hook in your child theme or using a Code Snippets plugin, you can easily modify Gravity Forms’ default behavior while keeping URL validation robust.

Feel free to reach out if you encounter any issues or want help with other customization!

How to Get Top VPNs for FREE?

Faisal Ahammad — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 05:35:16 +0000

Would you like to get the best VPNs for free or receive a full refund after 3-4 months while still having access to use them for the rest of your purchase plan? The following VPNs currently offer the cashback amounts listed below. These amounts may change when you check.

ExpressVPN - 100%
Surfshark VPN - 100%
Private Internet Access (PIA) - 100%
CyberGhost VPN - 100%
FastestVPN - 100%
NordVPN - 95%

Step 1: Create an Account

First, sign up for a free account on TopCashBack. If you already have an account, skip to Step 3. TopCashBack handles the cashback process and supports multiple payout methods, including PayPal, Virtual Visa Prepaid Card, ACH-supported bank accounts, and gift cards.

FYI, TopCashBack USA has 13,397 ratings on Trustpilot with a 4.6 out of 5 rating, and TopCashBack UK has 157,001 reviews with a 4.5 out of 5 rating.

Step 2: Verify Your Account

Complete your account verification by adding the following information:

Full name
Date of birth

Note: You do not need to add your address. Even if you are outside the USA, it will not affect receiving your cashback.

This verification ensures you can claim full cashback on every purchase without issues.

Step 3: Add Payment Details for Cashback Withdrawal

Go to the Payment Details page and add your withdrawal information. If you want to withdraw via PayPal, just add your PayPal email.

If you want to withdraw cashback to a Virtual Visa Prepaid Card, you don’t need to add payment details now. You can select Virtual Visa later for withdrawal.

For Bank withdrawals, enter:

Account Holder’s Name (must exactly match your bank account)
Account Name (can be any identifier like Wise, Payoneer, nSave, ElevatePay)
Routing Number
Account Number
Account Type (usually “Checking”)

Double-check this info to avoid withdrawal failures or delays, ensuring smooth cashback claims on every AppSumo purchase.

Step 4: Temporarily Disable Ads & Tracker Blockers

Disable any ad blockers or tracker blockers in your browser or computer temporarily. These can block the tracking needed for your purchase to qualify for cashback. Disabling blockers increases the chance of receiving VPN cashback.

Step 5: Activate Cashback

Visit your desired VPN page through the TopCashBack site and click the “Get up to 100% Cash Back” button.

Cashback percentages may vary over time. You will receive the exact percentage shown at purchase time. Following this activation step is crucial to claim full cashback on every AppSumo purchase.

Step 6: Make the Purchase

Shop for any VPN without limits. You can purchase the same items multiple times using new email addresses. After purchase, cashback will appear in your TopCashBack account within 2-48 hours and will become withdrawable in about 14-16 weeks. Withdrawals typically process in 2 business days.

When your cashback posts, you can confirm that you successfully claimed VPN cashback for your purchase.

Using third-party coupon codes will void your cashback. Avoid coupons to ensure full cashback and claim full cashback on every VPN purchase. You may use only the coupon codes listed on the TopCashBack VPNs page.

Withdraw Your Cashback

After receiving the email confirming your purchase tracking, visit your TopCashBack Earnings page to see important details: retailer’s name, purchase date, purchase amount, and cashback amount. Expanding the details shows the estimated payout speed and order ID.

After about 14 to 16 weeks, TopCashBack will email you when your balance is available for withdrawal. On the Earnings page, a "Cash Out" button will appear at the top. Click it to choose how much money you want to withdraw or if you want to donate.

Next, select a payment method. One option is the ACH method, which shows your previously saved bank account info. Confirming this will process your payout; funds should arrive within two days.

Shopping via computer is recommended. Buying from mobile devices often causes tracking issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a chance I could be scammed?

You will never be scammed because payments go directly to AppSumo, not TopCashBack. Even if TopCashBack disappears, you will still have access to your purchased products. TopCashBack USA has over 13,397 ratings on Trustpilot with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 (https://www.trustpilot.com/review/topcashback.com). Their UK site has a 4.5 out of 5 rating from over 157,001 reviews. There is no risk of being scammed.

Why do they offer cashback?

They partner with American companies and pay bonuses to drive large volumes of traffic. They then share a portion with customers as cashback. You can find more details about lead generation costs on their help page: https://www.topcashback.com/help/

What if my cashback doesn’t show?

If your cashback doesn’t appear after 72 hours, submit a Missing Cashback Claim form on TopCashBack. This may delay cashback availability by another 4-6 weeks, but rest assured you will receive it. Filing a claim is how you recover and claim full cashback on any AppSumo purchase that didn’t track initially.

If you face any issues, please leave a comment below, so I can help you.

How much PHP knowledge is needed for WordPress and where can you easily learn PHP for WordPress?

Faisal Ahammad — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:51:19 +0000

💡 To learn WordPress theme and plugin development, the following PHP stuff would be more than sufficient. This guideline is provided by Kamal Ahmed, who has worked for WPDevelopers, rtCamps, UberSuggest, SiteCare, and other companies.

Variables & Data Types: (string, integer, float, array, object). Minimum 15 array function & 10 string function.
Functions and Scopes.
Loops (for, foreach, while) & Conditions (if, else, switch, try catch).
Working with FORMS: get, post, delete, put difference. Validating and Escaping user submitted data.
Global variables: GET, POST, REQUEST differences and usage.
Include and Require
For Object Oriented PHP:
1. Class,
2. Object,
3. Class property,
4. Class method,
5. Visibility,
6. Static,
7. Inheritance
A little intermediate or relatively less common topics but very important and found sometimes in plugins and themes.
1. Interface, traits, Singleton, Magic Methods, Namespace etc.
2. Output Buffering, SESSION, COOKIES, Working with APIs using curl. Date and Times,
3. Working with files (opening, reading, writing etc)

The most commonly used Functions for manipulating Arrays in PHP.

Please see the documentation for example and details understanding.

Array Functions in PHP

sizeof($array): Use this function to find out how many elements an array contains
array_values($array): Use this function to retrieve all the values from an associative array.
array_keys($array): Use this function to retrieve all the keys from an associative array.
array_pop($array): Use this function to remove an element from the end of an array.
array_push($array, $value): This function adds an element to the end of an array.
array_shift($array): This function removes an element from the beginning of an array.
array_unshift($array, $value): This function adds an element to the beginning of an array.
array_map($callback, $array1): This function returns an array containing all the elements of array1 after applying the callback function to each one. You can pass more than one array. The number of parameters that the callback function accepts should match the number of arrays passed to the array_map()
sort($array): This function sorts the elements of an array in ascending order. String values will be arranged in ascending alphabetical order. Other sorting functions include asort(), arsort(), ksort(), krsort() and rsort().
array_reverse($array): This function reverses the order of elements in an array.
array_merge($array): Use this function when you need to combine data from two or more arrays into a single structure
array_rand($array): This function selects one or more random elements from an array.
array_search($search, $array): This function searches the values in an array for a match to the search term, and returns the corresponding key if found. If more than one match exists, the key of the first matching value is returned.
array_slice($array, $offset, $length): Use this function to break a larger array into smaller ones.
array_unique($array): Use this function when you need to remove non-unique elements from an array
extract($array): Import variables into the current symbol table from an array. For Better understanding read the doc about this function. It is very nice. Its opposite is compact().
array_key_exists($key, $array): This functions returns TRUE if the given key is set in the array.
in_array($searched_value, $array): This functions returns TRUE if the given value exists in the array

The most commonly used Functions for manipulating Strings in PHP

substr(): This function returns the part of the string as an output.
strlen(): This function returns the length of the string
trim(): This function removes the white-spaces from both start and the end of the string.
ltrim(): This function removes the white-spaces from the left part of the string.
rtrim(): This function removes the white-spaces from the right part of the string.
strtolower(): This function converts the string to lower case
strtoupper(): This function converts the string to upper case
str_replace(): The str_replace() function replaces some characters with some other characters in a string.
explode(): This function breaks the string into array on the basis of delimiter passed.
implode(): This function join array elements with a string on the basis of delimiter passed.

Resources

PHP for Beginners (2023 Edition) by Jeffery Way

PHP for Beginners (2023 Edition)

Learn PHP The Right Way by Gio

Learn PHP The Right Way - Full PHP Tutorial For Beginners & Advanced

Credits: Kamal Ahmed

ইংরেজিতে দক্ষতা বাড়ানোর পরিপূর্ণ গাইডলাইন

Faisal Ahammad — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 13:23:54 +0000

ইংরেজি যেহেতু আমাদের মাতৃভাষা না, তাই এই ভাষা শেখা টা একটু কষ্টসাধ্য। তবে বর্তমানে অনেক ফ্রি অ্যাপস, ভিডিও বা কোর্স আছে যেগুলো ইউজ করে দ্রুত সেই সমস্যার কাটিয়ে উঠা সম্ভব। আমাদের উচ্চারণ বা ফ্লুয়েন্সি নেটিভদের মতো হবে না, বা সেটা হয়ত অনেক লং টার্ম গোল হতে পারে। আমাদের উচিত ২য় ভাষা হিসাবে যতটুকু জানলে আমাদের পড়াশোনা বা চাকুরির ক্ষেত্রে সাহায্য করে সেটুকু আগে রপ্ত করা। তারপর ধীরধীরে আরও উন্নতি করতে করতে এক সময় ইংরেজির দক্ষতা আরও উপরে নিয়ে যাওয়া।

লেখাটা মূলত আমার WordPress Support Engineer Resources এর অংশ বিশেষ। যারা নিজেদের সাপোর্ট ইঞ্জিনিয়ার হিসাবে গড়ে তুলতে চান, তারা উক্ত রিসোর্স ফলো করতে পারেন।

How to Learn English: A Structured Approach

Explanation

🆓 - Free
👌 - Recommended
❤️ - Favorite

1. Set Clear Goals

Determine your desired level (beginner, conversational, fluent).
Set a daily practice time such as 10-30 minutes per day.

2. Start with Vocabulary

Focus on high-frequency words used in everyday conversations.
Resources:
- Learn Vocabulary by Maisuns world 🆓 👌
- English Vocabulary 🆓
- Learn Basic English Vocabulary 🆓
- Learn Basic English Vocabulary - Season 2 🆓
- Remember English Vocabulary - Word Association 🆓
- English Words for Every Day 🆓
- American Holiday Words 🆓

3. Move on to Basic Grammar

Learn sentence structure (Subject + Verb + Object).
Focus on common tenses: present, past, future.
Resources:
- A2 English for Developers by FreeCodeCamp 🆓 👌 ❤️
- English Grammar Fundamentals 🆓
- Academic English Grammar 🆓
- Know Your Verbs! 🆓
- English Grammar Made Easy with Alisha 🆓
- Master English Grammar 🆓

4. Learn Common Phrases and Idioms

Practice daily conversation phrases.
Resources:
- Idioms and Phrases 🆓
- English Conversational Phrases 🆓
- Learn English Idioms 🆓

5. Develop Listening Skills

Listen to English podcasts or audiobooks. Try Podcasts in English or BBC Podcasts.
Watch videos with subtitles (e.g., on YouTube).
Resourses:

6. Practice Speaking

Use language exchange platforms (Mobile Apps) like:
- Tandem
- HelloTalk 🆓
- Amar Partner 👌 🆓 ❤️
Resources:
- English for Everyday 🆓
- English Fluency Development 🆓
- English Skills for Academic and Corporate Success 🆓
- Speaking Practice - Speak With Me! 🆓

7. Enhance Reading Skills

Gradually read news or short stories.
Resourses:

8. Work on Writing

Start with simple tasks like a daily journal.
Progress to emails, blog posts, or even short essays.
Resourses:
- IELTS - Writing Test Preparation 🆓

9. Improve Pronunciation

Use apps like Elsa Speak for phonetics and pronunciation practice.
Resources:
- Pronunciation Mistakes 🆓
- Pronunciation Practice! 🆓

❤️ Favorite Resourses

Apps

Websites

YouTube Channels

This structured plan will help you learn English step-by-step, whether you're aiming for basic conversational skills or advanced fluency. Stay consistent, immerse yourself in the language, and use the recommended resources to track your progress.

Let’s find out the best FREE WordPress Form plugin

Faisal Ahammad — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 13:15:15 +0000

WordPress form plugins are no longer limited to just contact forms. Currently, you can use form plugins for booking, subscriptions, CRM integration, product sales, and more! If you want, you can even use the form plugin's API to create your own integrations.

Free or Lite?

There are many free form plugins for WordPress. But most are not free, rather lite versions. To be direct, the plugin available on WordPress.org is usually a limited feature lite version, where you won't get many things. You have to purchase the paid version to unlock all features.

Limited Fields

Even if the plugin name doesn't include "Lite", the following plugins don't allow all fields, settings or options such as form submission, reCaptcha, pre-made form templates, form submission export. Many basic fields are also locked. Only installing the pro version allows using all fields.

Bit Form (43 total fields, 7 locked fields)
- Mollie, Advanced, Singature, PayPal, RazorPay, Stripe, Draft Button
Fluent Forms (48 total fields, 27 locked fields)
- Image Upload, File Upload, Phone, reCaptcha, hCaptcha, Turnstile, Shortcode, Action Hook, Form Step, Ratings, Checkable Grid, Range Slider, Net Promoter Score, Chained Select, Color Picker, Repeat Field, Post/CPT Selection, Quiz Score, Rich Text Input, Save & Resume, Payment Item, Subscription, Custom Payment Amount, Item Quantity, Payment Method, Payment Summary, Coupon
Formidable Forms (42 total fields, 27 locked fields)
- File Upload, Rich Text, Time, Star Rating, Toggle, Lookup, Section, Embed Form, NPS, Tags, Summary, AI, Ranking, Date, Scale, Slider, Dynamic, Repeater, Page Break, Likert Scale, Password, Address, Signature, Appointment, Product, Quantity, Total
Forminator Forms (29 total fields, 1 locked field)
- eSignature
Ninja Forms (30 total fields, 2 locked fields)
- File Upload, Save
weForms (31 total fields, 16 locked fields)
- Repeat Field, Numeric Field, File Upload, Address Field, Country List, Google Map, Step Start, reCaptcha, Shortcode, HP Anti-Spam, Action Hooks, Terms and Conditions, Ratings, Linear Scale, Checkbox Grid, Multiple Choice Grid
WPForms Lite (40 total fields, 24 locked fields)
- Phone, Date / Time, File Upload, Layout, Page Break, Rich Text, HTML, Rating, Custom Captcha, Likert Scale, Address, Website / URL, Password, Repeater, Section Divider, Content, Entry Preview, Hidden Field, Signature, Net Promoter Score, PayPal Commerce, Square, Authorize.net, Coupon
WS Form Lite (55 total fields, 35 unavailable field)

Formidable Forms Date field locked

WPForms Entries locked

weForms locked some essential fields

Free Add-ons

How developer-friendly a form plugin is can be somewhat gauged by looking at community add-ons. Many form plugins have very rich documentation, but they don't provide developer licenses or any support for add-on development for third-party developers. On WordPress.org, you can find quite a few third-party plugins or add-ons for Fluent Forms, Formidable, Forminator, Ninja Forms, and WPForms plugins, which help extend the default features of the plugin.

Support

Another important issue is plugin support. It turns out I got into trouble, but there's no chance of getting help. Free form plugins will only support you in the WordPress.org support forum, and that's always low priority. As a result, you often have to sit with an open ticket for a long time on urgent issues. Also, since WordPress forums have some specific rules, outside of which plugin companies can't offer support, you have many limitations in terms of getting support.

Comparison Table

Plugin Name	View Entries	Export Entries	Embed Entries	Import/Export Form	Free Templates	Forum Support	Ticket Support	WPML Support	Gutenberg Block
Bit Form	✅	✅	❌	✅	Limited	✅	❌	❌	✅
Fluent Forms	✅	✅	❌	✅	Limited	✅	❌	❌	✅
Formidable Forms	✅	✅	❌	✅	Limited	✅	❌	✅	✅
Forminator Forms	✅	✅	❌	✅	Limited	✅	❌	❌	✅
Ninja Forms	✅	✅	✅	✅	All	✅	✅	✅	✅
weForms	✅	✅	❌	✅	Limited	✅	❌	❌	✅
WPForms Lite	❌	❌	❌	✅	Limited	✅	❌	✅	✅
WS Form Lite	✅	✅	❌	✅	All	✅	❌	❌	✅

Selection

Considering all the above issues, the Ninja Forms plugin allows us to use all fields for free. You don't need a pro version to access any features, and they don't sell a pro version either. You'll get everything from reCaptcha, form submission, submission export to pre-made templates for free. You won't see any notice to upgrade to the pro version anywhere.

And even if you're a free user, you'll get free support from their website along with the WordPress.org support forum. This means you won't have to sit with an open ticket for limited support on any urgent issue.

Note: If any information above is incorrect, please let me know in the comments, I'll edit it. You can also inform me if any new features have been added to any form after I wrote my post. Thank you.

How to Protect Sensitive Ninja Forms File Uploads in WordPress

Faisal Ahammad — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 05:07:28 +0000

When handling Ninja Forms file uploads on WordPress websites, ensuring the privacy of sensitive documents becomes paramount. This guide explores how to secure these uploaded files, making them inaccessible to search engines while maintaining full functionality of your forms.

Understanding the Security Concern

When users upload files through Ninja Forms, these documents are stored in your website's wp-content/uploads/ninja-forms directory. While Ninja Forms implements basic security measures, there's always a possibility that these files could be discovered through search engines if additional precautions aren't taken.

The Simple Yet Effective Solution

You can implement two powerful methods to prevent search engines from indexing your sensitive uploads. These methods work together to create a robust security layer that keeps your files private.

Method 1: Utilizing robots.txt

The robots.txt file is like a set of instructions for search engines, telling them which parts of your website they should or shouldn't look at. To protect your Ninja Forms uploads, you'll need to add a simple directive to your robots.txt file:

User-agent: *
Disallow: /wp-content/uploads/ninja-forms/

This code tells all search engines (that's what the asterisk means) to stay away from your Ninja Forms upload directory.

Method 2: Implementing .htaccess Protection

The .htaccess file provides an additional layer of security by sending special headers to browsers and search engines. Create or edit the .htaccess file in your wp-content/uploads/ninja-forms/ directory and add:

<IfModule mod_headers.c>
    Header set X-Robots-Tag "noindex, nofollow"
</IfModule>

This code explicitly tells search engines not to index or follow any links to files in this directory.

Why This Two-Layer Approach Works

Think of it like having both a fence and a security system for your house. The robots.txt file acts as your fence, providing the first line of defense, while the .htaccess file works like your security system, adding an extra layer of protection.

This combination is particularly effective because:

It works with all major search engines
It requires no ongoing maintenance
It doesn't affect the functionality of your forms
It keeps your uploads secure without using external services

Best Practices for File Upload Security

While implementing these protective measures, consider these additional tips:

Regularly review and clean up old uploads
Use strong file upload restrictions in Ninja Forms
Monitor your server logs for any unusual access attempts
Keep WordPress, Ninja Forms, and all plugins updated

Implementation Tips for Non-Technical Users

If you're not comfortable working with website files, don't worry. Here are your options:

Ask your web developer to implement these changes
Contact your hosting provider's support team
Use a website management service

Most hosting providers can implement these changes in just a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are uploaded files automatically protected in Ninja Forms?

While Ninja Forms has basic security measures, implementing these additional protections ensures maximum security for your uploads.

Will these changes affect how my forms work?

No, these security measures only affect how search engines interact with your uploaded files. Your forms will continue to work normally.

Do I need both robots.txt and .htaccess files?

While using either method alone provides some protection, implementing both creates a more robust security solution.

Can I still access the uploaded files myself?

Yes, these measures only prevent search engines from indexing the files. You can still access them through your WordPress dashboard or direct links.

Final Thoughts

Implementing these security measures is a crucial step in protecting sensitive information uploaded through your WordPress forms. It's a simple yet effective solution that provides peace of mind for both you and your users, ensuring that confidential documents remain private and secure.

Remember, when it comes to handling sensitive information, it's always better to implement more security rather than less. These measures help maintain trust with your users while protecting their private information from unauthorized access.

The post previously published in my blog post here: How to Protect Sensitive Ninja Forms File Uploads in WordPress

How to Disable WordPress RSS Feeds

Faisal Ahammad — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 04:41:39 +0000

In today’s digital landscape, website owners often seek ways to manage and control the content available to their audience. One such method is disabling RSS feeds in WordPress. This article will walk you through a simple code snippet that effectively disables all WordPress RSS feeds, ensuring that your content remains exclusive to your website visitors.

Understanding RSS Feeds

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds allow users to receive updates from their favorite websites without having to visit them directly. While this feature can be beneficial for some, it may not be suitable for all website owners. Disabling RSS feeds can prevent content scraping and help maintain control over how your content is shared.

Why Disable RSS Feeds?

There are several reasons why you might consider disabling RSS feeds on your WordPress site:

Content Control: By disabling RSS feeds, you retain more control over your content. Visitors will need to visit your site to access your posts and updates, which can increase traffic.
Prevent Content Scraping: Disabling feeds can help protect your content from being copied or scraped by other sites, which is a prevalent issue in the online space.
User Experience: If you prefer that users engage directly with your website rather than through third-party aggregators, disabling feeds can enhance their experience.
SEO Considerations: While RSS feeds are generally good for SEO, some website owners may feel that they dilute the uniqueness of their content, leading to a stronger focus on direct engagement.

The Code Snippet

To disable RSS feeds on your WordPress site, you can use the following PHP code snippet. This code should be added to your theme’s functions.php file or a custom plugin.

/**
 * Disable WordPress RSS Feeds
 * Description: Completely disables all WordPress RSS feeds, including feeds for posts, comments, and categories.
 * @author Faisal Ahammad <me@faisalahammad.com>
 */
function wpb_disable_feed() {
    wp_die( __( 'No feed available, please visit our <a href="' . get_bloginfo( 'url' ) . '">homepage</a>!' ) );
}

add_action( 'do_feed', 'wpb_disable_feed', 1 );
add_action( 'do_feed_rdf', 'wpb_disable_feed', 1 );
add_action( 'do_feed_rss', 'wpb_disable_feed', 1 );
add_action( 'do_feed_rss2', 'wpb_disable_feed', 1 );
add_action( 'do_feed_atom', 'wpb_disable_feed', 1 );
add_action( 'do_feed_rss2_comments', 'wpb_disable_feed', 1 );
add_action( 'do_feed_atom_comments', 'wpb_disable_feed', 1 );

Breaking Down the Code

Function Definition: The function wpb_disable_feed() is defined to stop the feed from being displayed. It uses wp_die() to display a message indicating that no feed is available and prompts users to visit the homepage instead.
Action Hooks: The following action hooks are used:
- do_feed
- do_feed_rdf
- do_feed_rss
- do_feed_rss2
- do_feed_atom
- do_feed_rss2_comments
- do_feed_atom_comments

By adding these hooks, you ensure that all types of feeds are disabled across your site.

How to Implement the Solution

You have several options to implement this code:

Method 1: Using Code Snippets Plugin (Recommended)

Install and activate the Code Snippets plugin
Navigate to Snippets → Add New
Paste the complete code
Enable "Only run in admin area"
Save and activate

Method 2: Via functions.php

You can add this code to your theme's functions.php file, but remember that it will stop working if you change themes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What happens if I disable RSS feeds?

A1: Disabling RSS feeds means users will not receive updates through feed readers. They will need to visit your site directly for new content.

Q2: Can I enable RSS feeds again after disabling them?

A2: Yes, you can remove the code snippet from your functions.php file or Code Snippets plugin to re-enable RSS feeds at any time.

Q3: Will disabling RSS feeds affect my SEO?

A3: Disabling RSS feeds may affect SEO positively or negatively depending on your content strategy. It could lead to increased direct traffic while reducing visibility through feed readers.

Q4: Is it safe to edit the functions.php file?

A4: Yes, but always ensure you have a backup before making changes as incorrect modifications can break your site.

Q5: Can I disable specific types of feeds instead of all?

A5: Yes, you can choose to disable only specific types of feeds by removing or modifying corresponding action hooks in the code snippet provided.

Conclusion

Disabling RSS feeds in WordPress can be an effective strategy for certain website owners who want to maintain control over their content and enhance user engagement directly on their site. By using the simple PHP code provided, you can easily disable all RSS feeds and redirect visitors to your homepage.

For more tips on managing your WordPress site, feel free to check out Faisal Ahammad's blog.

How to Completely Disable WordPress Admin Notices

Faisal Ahammad — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 08:52:52 +0000

Are you tired of seeing endless notifications cluttering your WordPress dashboard? Those pesky admin notices from plugins and themes can be distracting and sometimes even overwhelming. Today, I'll show you a practical solution to remove all WordPress admin notices permanently while following best practices.

The Problem with WordPress Admin Notices

WordPress admin notices serve an important purpose – they keep us informed about updates, warnings, and important messages. However, when you're managing multiple websites or using several plugins, these notifications can quickly get out of hand. They can:

Distract you from important tasks
Make it harder to focus on essential dashboard elements
Create a cluttered and messy admin interface
Slow down your workflow significantly

The worst part? Some plugins bypass WordPress's standard notification system, making it challenging to manage them effectively.

The Solution: Disable WordPress Admin Notices

I've developed a simple yet powerful code snippet that completely removes all admin notices from your WordPress dashboard. This solution is different from others because it:

Removes ALL types of admin notices
Prevents plugins from bypassing the removal
Uses multiple approaches to ensure complete removal
Follows WordPress coding standards
Works with the latest WordPress version

The Final Code

<?php
/**
 * Disable Admin Notices WordPress
 * Description: Completely removes all admin notices from the WordPress dashboard,
 * including core WordPress notices and those added by plugins and themes.
 * @author Faisal Ahammad <me@faisalahammad.com>
 */

/**
 * Remove all notice actions
 */
function disable_all_admin_notices() {
    remove_all_actions('admin_notices');
    remove_all_actions('all_admin_notices');
    remove_all_actions('user_admin_notices');
    remove_all_actions('network_admin_notices');
}
add_action('admin_init', 'disable_all_admin_notices', 1);

/**
 * Add CSS to hide notice elements
 */
function hide_admin_notices_css() {
    ?>
    <style>
        .notice, 
        .notice-error, 
        .notice-warning, 
        .notice-success, 
        .notice-info, 
        .updated, 
        .error, 
        .update-nag {
            display: none !important;
        }
    </style>
    <?php
}
add_action('admin_head', 'hide_admin_notices_css', 1);

/**
 * Disable notice output
 */
function return_false() {
    return false;
}
add_action('admin_notices', 'return_false', 1);
add_action('all_admin_notices', 'return_false', 1);
add_action('user_admin_notices', 'return_false', 1);
add_action('network_admin_notices', 'return_false', 1);

/**
 * Remove update nags
 */
function remove_core_update_notices() {
    remove_action('admin_notices', 'update_nag', 3);
    remove_action('admin_notices', 'maintenance_nag', 10);
}
add_action('admin_init', 'remove_core_update_notices', 1);

The Code Explained

Let's break down the key components of our solution:

1. Notice Action Removal

function disable_all_admin_notices() {
    remove_all_actions('admin_notices');
    remove_all_actions('all_admin_notices');
    remove_all_actions('user_admin_notices');
    remove_all_actions('network_admin_notices');
}

This function removes all action hooks related to admin notices, preventing them from being displayed in the first place.

2. CSS-based Notice Hiding

The snippet includes CSS rules to hide any notices that might slip through:

function hide_admin_notices_css() {
    ?>
    <style>
        .notice, 
        .notice-error, 
        .notice-warning, 
        .notice-success, 
        .notice-info, 
        .updated, 
        .error, 
        .update-nag {
            display: none !important;
        }
    </style>
    <?php
}

3. Update Nag Removal

function remove_core_update_notices() {
    remove_action('admin_notices', 'update_nag', 3);
    remove_action('admin_notices', 'maintenance_nag', 10);
}

This specifically targets and removes WordPress core update notifications.

How to Implement the Solution

You have several options to implement this code:

Method 1: Using Code Snippets Plugin (Recommended)

Install and activate the Code Snippets plugin
Navigate to Snippets → Add New
Copy the complete code
Enable "Only run in administration area"
Save and activate

Method 2: Via `functions.php`

You can add this code to your theme's functions.php file, but remember that it will stop working if you change themes.

Performance Impact

The good news is that this solution has minimal impact on your website's performance. It only runs in the admin area and uses efficient hooks and methods to remove notices. The CSS rules are also lightweight and only loaded in the dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this remove important security notifications as well?

Yes, this will remove all notifications, including security ones. If you need to keep security notices, you'll need to modify the code to exclude specific notice types.

Is it safe to remove all admin notices?

While it's generally safe, you should ensure you have alternative ways to stay updated about important changes and updates on your WordPress site.

Will this affect my website's front end?

No, this code only affects the admin dashboard. Your website's front end remains completely unchanged.

Conclusion

This solution provides a clean, efficient way to declutter your WordPress dashboard by removing all admin notices. While it's important to stay informed about your website's status, having a clean, distraction-free admin interface can significantly improve your workflow efficiency.

Remember to regularly check your site's updates and maintenance needs through other means if you implement this solution, as you won't receive the standard WordPress notifications anymore.

The Post previously published on my blog here: How to Completely Disable WordPress Admin Notices

কিভাবে ওয়ার্ডপ্রেসের বিভিন্ন টিমে কন্ট্রিবিউশন শুরু করবেন?

Faisal Ahammad — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:18:27 +0000

ওয়ার্ডপ্রেসে বিভিন্ন ভাবে কান্ট্রিবিউট করা যায়। আপনি একজন নন টেক পারসন হলেও সহজেই কান্ট্রিবিউট করতে পারবেন কোন প্রকার কোড না করেই। চলেন তাহলে দেখি কোন কোন রিসোর্স ফলো করে কিভাবে কন্ট্রিবিউট শুরু করতে পারেন।

আমি #bn_BD polyglots টাইমে GTE হিসাবে আছি। সহজ ভাষার আপনদের থিম/প্লাগিনে কাউকে PTE হিসাবে অ্যাড করতে, কিংবা আপনাদের ট্রান্সলেট করা কোন পেন্ডিং স্ট্রিং আমি অ্যাপ্রুভ করতে পারি। আমার আরেকটা পরিচয় সামনে শেয়ার করব ইনশাআল্লাহ।

১। ছবি তুলে সাবমিট করা

লিঙ্ক: WordPress Photos

রিসোর্স:

২। থিম/প্লাগিনের ইংলিশ শব্দ গুলো বাংলায় অনুবাদ করা।

লিংক: Polyglots

রিসোর্স:

৩। বেশি বেশি অনুবাদ করে প্রজেক্ট ট্রান্সলেশন এডিটর (PTE) হওয়া:

লিংক: ❌

রিসোর্স:

৪। প্যাটার্ন ডিজাইন করা

লিংক: Create New Pattern

রিসোর্স:

৫। ফোরামে সাপোর্ট দেওয়া

লিংক: WordPress Support Forums

রিসোর্স:

৬। ওয়ার্ডপ্রেস কোরে কন্ট্রিবিউট করা

লিংক: ❌

রিসোর্স:

কোন কিছু জানার থাকলে নিচে কমেন্ট করবেন। আপনার কোন পেন্ডিং ট্রান্সলেশন থাকলেও জানাতে পারেন। আমি শনি - রবিবার ফ্রি থাকি। তখন সব অ্যাপ্রুভ করে দেওয়ার চেষ্ঠা করব, ইনশাআল্লাহ।

How and where to start learning free WordPress theme and plugin development?

Faisal Ahammad — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 08:38:09 +0000

Resource Sharing - Sharing is Caring

I have been involved with WordPress plugin and theme development for a long time. Currently, I'm working full-time as a plugin developer for one of the most renowned companies in the WordPress world, based in Florida, USA, for almost 2 years now. There's hardly anyone who uses WordPress but hasn't used our plugins or resource site! Before this, I worked for 2 years at another popular Australian-based WordPress company.

Today, I'll share some resources for getting involved in WordPress development.

WordPress development now uses many advanced and cutting-edge technologies. For example, object-oriented PHP, serverless development, React and Vue.js for plugin dashboard UIs, and much more.

To get into WordPress development, you first need to have basic programming knowledge and know basic web design. You'll find these resources at the end of the post.

Theme Development:

Absolute Basics: Advanced WordPress Theme Development Course by Imran Sayed:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8nQCAhR3tT3ehpyOpoYeUj3KHDEVK9h

(This shows the very fundamentals of WordPress development)

Headless WordPress Theme Development: Advanced React WordPress Theme Development by Imran Sayed:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8nQCAhR3tQSv-U_LNdiHEViB1kj6LrM

(This tutorial shows how to create a headless site using React on the frontend and WordPress theme on the backend. Headless sites are in high demand)

Headless WooCommerce: React WooCommerce Theme With Nextjs and REST API by Imran Sayed:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8nQCAhR3tSRwsvzRtogv9MFkEWo5d9c

(Same thing, but shows in detail about WooCommerce REST endpoints on the backend)

Plugin Development:

Basic WordPress Plugin Development Bangla by Robiz Show:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxoVIpBfufQ&list=PLFsAA7EWSBTIkLxZDhumQMlfQqNrDyLhP&pp=iAQB

Absolute Basics: WordPress Plugins Development Tutorials by Alessandro Castellani:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLriKzYyLb28kR_CPMz8uierDWC2y3znI2

GitHub Source code:

https://github.com/Alecaddd/WordPressPlugin101

Advanced: Advanced WordPress Plugin Development by Imran Sayed:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD8nQCAhR3tTjCulq0Fw3wZxIoN1wVOaV

WordPress Plugin UI Development with React:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMJrdhvW4vs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2W5W_I4_H4

Gutenberg Block Development:

Gutenberg Block Development by Robiz Show:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFsAA7EWSBTLd7OREET_-O72lPkxz1GJV

Create Custom Gutenberg Blocks by Alessandro Castellani:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLriKzYyLb28lHhftzU7Z_DJ32mvLy4KKH

For Learning React JS:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC3y8-rFHvwgg3vaYJgHGnModB54rxOk3

(I personally learned React from Viswas of Codevalution)

(Let me share a secret, the React beginner tutorial by Sumit Bhai on YouTube - all the examples he gives are taken from Codevalution's tutorial. This suggests that his Bangla playlist is kind of a copy of Codevalution)

Thank you everyone. If you need any more resources, let me know in the comments.

This resource is collected from Ohidul Islam's Facebook post. Full credit goes to him.

Main Post: Learn Wordpress Theme Plugin Development

Let’s find out the best FREE WordPress Form plugin

Faisal Ahammad — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 05:03:50 +0000

Free or Lite?

Limited Fields

Bit Form (43 total fields, 7 locked fields)
- Mollie, Advanced, Singature, PayPal, RazorPay, Stripe, Draft Button
Fluent Forms (48 total fields, 27 locked fields)
- Image Upload, File Upload, Phone, reCaptcha, hCaptcha, Turnstile, Shortcode, Action Hook, Form Step, Ratings, Checkable Grid, Range Slider, Net Promoter Score, Chained Select, Color Picker, Repeat Field, Post/CPT Selection, Quiz Score, Rich Text Input, Save & Resume, Payment Item, Subscription, Custom Payment Amount, Item Quantity, Payment Method, Payment Summary, Coupon
Formidable Forms (42 total fields, 27 locked fields)
- File Upload, Rich Text, Time, Star Rating, Toggle, Lookup, Section, Embed Form, NPS, Tags, Summary, AI, Ranking, Date, Scale, Slider, Dynamic, Repeater, Page Break, Likert Scale, Password, Address, Signature, Appointment, Product, Quantity, Total
Forminator Forms (29 total fields, 1 locked field)
- eSignature
Ninja Forms (30 total fields, 2 locked fields)
- File Upload, Save
weForms (31 total fields, 16 locked fields)
- Repeat Field, Numeric Field, File Upload, Address Field, Country List, Google Map, Step Start, reCaptcha, Shortcode, HP Anti-Spam, Action Hooks, Terms and Conditions, Ratings, Linear Scale, Checkbox Grid, Multiple Choice Grid
WPForms Lite (40 total fields, 24 locked fields)
- Phone, Date / Time, File Upload, Layout, Page Break, Rich Text, HTML, Rating, Custom Captcha, Likert Scale, Address, Website / URL, Password, Repeater, Section Divider, Content, Entry Preview, Hidden Field, Signature, Net Promoter Score, PayPal Commerce, Square, Authorize.net, Coupon
WS Form Lite (55 total fields, 35 unavailable field)

Formidable Forms Date field locked

WPForms Entries locked

weForms locked some essential fields

Free Add-ons

Customer Support

Comparison of Free Features

Plugin Name	Math Calculation	Manage Entries	Embed Entries	Free Templates	Input Mask	Support Channel	WPML Support
Bit Form	✅	✅	❌	Limited	❌	Forum	❌
Fluent Forms	❌	✅	❌	Limited	✅	Forum	❌
Formidable Forms	❌	✅	❌	Limited	✅	Forum	✅
Forminator Forms	✅	✅	❌	Limited	❌	Forum	❌
Ninja Forms	✅	✅	✅	All	✅	Forum & Ticket	✅
weForms	❌	✅	❌	Limited	❌	Forum	❌
WPForms Lite	❌	❌	❌	Limited	✅	Forum	✅
WS Form Lite	✅	✅	❌	All	✅	Forum	❌

Form Selection

Note: If any information above is incorrect, please let me know in the comments, I'll edit it. You can also inform me if any new features have been added to any form after I wrote my post. Thank you.

Main Post: Let's find out the best FREE WordPress Form plugin