Agency Action

This episode of The WP Minute’s Agency Action podcast gets into a question more WordPress agencies are going to have to answer: What work should humans still be doing?Kurt von Ahnen and Toby Cryns talk about using AI to manage email, improve project workflows, rebuild WordPress sites, and even replace piles of plugins with custom code. Kurt shares how AI helped take an abandoned site from a 56 to a 92 on desktop page speed, while Toby explains why he’s looking at AI as a way to reduce the time spent on complex WooCommerce projects.But the conversation gets more complicated when AI-generated work still needs human judgment. They debate whether agencies should build custom solutions or rely on established products, how much customization clients should expect, and where the line is between efficiency and creating another maintenance headache.Then there’s the other problem: AI subscriptions are piling up. Between Claude, ClickUp AI, Figma, Canva, Descript, Perplexity, and a growing list of specialized tools, agencies have to figure out whether the productivity gains actually justify the cost. Kurt and Toby dig into whether agencies are passing those costs on to clients — or simply absorbing them.It’s a very Agency Action conversation about AI, margins, clients, employees, and the uncomfortable question of what happens when the tools get better faster than the business can adapt.TakeawaysAI is starting to replace real agency tasks, not just assist with them.Human judgment still matters when AI gets something 80% right.AI can make WordPress sites faster by eliminating unnecessary bloat.Agencies may start replacing plugin stacks with custom AI-built solutions.Clients can turn small customizations into endless maintenance work.Professionalism still matters when AI handles more of the actual work.AI subscriptions can quietly become a major agency expense.Agencies need to figure out whether AI savings are actually improving margins.Better AI may make leaner agencies possible.The real challenge is knowing what to automate and what to keep human.Important Links:Kurt’s Agency: Mañana No Mas Toby’s Agency: The Mighty Mo! Follow Kurt & Toby:LinkedIn: Kurt | Toby Agency Action Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe

This episode of The WP Minute’s Agency Action podcast gets into what happens when AI starts doing the work WordPress agencies have traditionally billed for.Toby Cryns and Kurt von Ahnen talk about using Claude to rebuild WordPress sites, the shrinking size of some development projects, and what happens when clients can build functioning apps themselves with AI. They also dig into the bigger questions: How do you price work that AI can do in minutes? What does a WordPress developer actually need to bring to the table? And how do agencies hire people who can think beyond a task list?The conversation eventually moves from AI to the realities of agency growth — accountability, hiring, delegation, profitability, and knowing when adding more people actually makes the business harder to run.TakeawaysAI is already shrinking some WordPress projects from days to hours.Agencies may need to sell expertise instead of time.AI-generated websites are good enough for many clients.Developers increasingly need to be customer-facing problem solvers.AI can create more technical debt through tools and subscriptions.Consultants may become more valuable as clients get overwhelmed by AI options.Value-based pricing becomes more important as AI speeds up delivery.Hiring for judgment is harder than hiring for technical skills.Agency growth can create more complexity instead of more freedom.Clear accountability can help agencies identify the right people and processes.Important Links:Kurt’s Agency: Mañana No MasToby’s Agency: The Mighty Mo!Follow Kurt & Toby:LinkedIn: Kurt | TobyAgency Action Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribeJoin us in Slack: The WP Minute Slack

This episode of The WP Minute’s Agency Action podcast explores how AI is changing the way agencies build websites—and what that means for the future of the WordPress agency model. Kurt and Toby share their experience using AI tools to build and redesign a website, including where tools like Lovable can replace traditional workflows and where WordPress and developer expertise are still essential. They also dig into the business side of running an agency, from reducing tech debt and improving performance to hiring top talent, measuring profitability, and improving client communication.The conversation wraps with a discussion about the changing energy around WordCamps and the WordPress community.Takeaways:Simple brochure sites may no longer need WordPress. AI is great for first drafts, but humans still shape the final product. Complex business logic still requires developer expertise. Removing tech debt can improve performance more than adding new plugins. Expensive systems can’t replace strong operators. One great hire can outperform several average ones. Profitability matters more than billable hours. Frequent client status calls can signal internal communication problems.Important Links:Kurt’s Agency: Mañana No MasToby’s Agency: The Mighty Mo!Follow Kurt & Toby:LinkedIn: Kurt | TobyAgency Action Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe

This episode of The WP Minute’s Agency Action podcast explores a core agency question: is it better to pursue fewer, higher-value clients or more, lower-value clients with recurring revenue? Kurt and Toby compare both models using real examples from their own agencies, then widen the conversation into leadership, client fit, and what it means to build a business that lasts.Takeaways:Don’t seek cheap clients just because they’re available.Higher-value clients can be easier and more profitable.Firing poor-fit clients creates room for better ones.Recurring revenue creates stability and upsell opportunities.Hosting offers recurring revenue but is highly commoditized.Good leadership requires transparency, communication, and trust.Less financial pressure makes it easier to choose better clients.Important Links:Kurt’s Agency: Mañana No MasToby’s Agency: The Mighty Mo!Follow Kurt & Toby:LinkedIn: Kurt | TobyAgency Action Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe

If you could go back in time, what would you do differently? That’s the question Kurt and Toby tackle on this episode of The WP Minute’s Agency Action podcast. The guys recall services they shouldn’t have sold and the boundaries they didn’t create. The good news is that these lessons are learned through experience, and your agency has the power to evolve. It’s all about knowing when to make a positive change.You’ll also find thoughts on scaling your business, delegating tasks, and balancing profit and enjoyment.  And don’t miss their riffs on meeting client expectations, AI-generated RFP responses, and offering warranties on your work.Takeaways:Kurt would refuse to sell site audits and remodeling jobs.Toby emphasizes the need for firm processes and boundaries.User support is crucial for maintaining client relationships.Delegation is essential for growth but comes with discomfort.Profitability and enjoyment can often conflict.Successful agencies know when to stop certain practices.Cheap work can lead to better relationships if managed well.Scaling requires a shift in mindset and operations.Most successful founders lose the ego and focus on key performance indicators.Important Links:Kurt’s Agency: Mañana No MasToby’s Agency: The Mighty Mo!Follow Kurt & Toby: LinkedIn: Kurt | TobyAgency Action Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribehttps://thewpminute.com/if-i-could-turn-back-time-for-my-agency/