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This is pretty wild, but let’s get right to it because it’s big news: CSS-Tricks is an independent site once again! Just to recap: DigitalOcean purchased CSS-Tricks in 2022 from Chris Coyier, who founded the site in 2007. Chris ran it all the way up to that purchase. Here we are in 2026, and I’m taking independent ownership of the site. So, wait, who owns the site? That’d be me. (Wow, never imagined I would get to say that!) Of course, I have a small, awesome team to help with the day-to-day management of the site. That all said, I do envision that some things will change. In fact, I’m planning that they will change in what I hope are very good ways. Maybe a question-answer thing makes sense here since this is very much an evolving discussion. Do you, like, own the site now? Yes, I’ve got the keys to the castle, so to speak. And, even after 12 years of working on the site, I’ll admit I’m a little overwhelmed and nervous about that. I mean, it’s an investment for sure, as you can imagine, and I’m making this my full-time job. At least for a while. I want to make CSS-Tricks both a real community and a place that’s inclusive of everyone, no matter where they are in their front-end learning journey. That’s going to take some work and time. How can you afford this? My latest IPO launched, and I’m now worth one trillion dollars. Wait, wait. That’s not right. It’s going to be hard. Advertising will certainly be needed now. But, in order to keep the lights on, I’ll have to approach them differently. In the pre-DigitalOcean days we sold real ad packages with things like display ads, sponsored posts, newsletter sponsors, and the like. As an independent website, we will need to return to our advertising roots. So, if you’re in a place looking to advertise, please do reach out! LOL, advertising. Right?! Ad revenue can’t be the only thing paying the bills. I have lots of ideas and several plates already spinning. Like, I’ve been neck deep in developing an HTML/CSS course for beginners. (And you can now support the site by becoming a member — thanks in advance!) LOL, courses. Educational content has been in the dumps lately, right? Again, I’m hoping that CSS-Tricks will be more inclusive, no matter where you or anyone else is at in the learning journey. This place has traditionally been for folks who know what they’re doing. But I’m truly committed to creating more entry points for those getting started, particularly as our field is in the early throes of a growing skills gap. And yes, I do believe that learning the basics is more important now than ever. But what learning actually looks like is what’s key. Front-end courses are down across the board. It has to be done differently. There are other things in the works, but I think a course is one of the first things you’ll see. Oh, and the newsletter. That’s coming back after a way-too-long hiatus. What about publishing new articles? That’s still very much a thing! We’ll keep our regularly scheduled broadcast going. But maybe a little less than you’re used to. Those articles are part of the investment I’m making. Expect maybe one or two articles most weeks, at least as the ball starts rolling. That also means the guest writing form is back in business! We have a nice backlog of articles through the rest of the year, which is great, but also means new submissions will have to wait a bit. I won’t be able to accept everything that comes in, but I will absolutely read them and follow-up as best I can. Unless it’s a slop submission, of course. Will you be writing most of the articles to save cost? Nah! My goal is to make CSS-Tricks a platform that gives folks a voice to share great ideas. I think we all prefer that over me just using it as my own soapbox. I’ve written plenty for this site the past 12 years. I’m happier (and more comfortable) being behind the curtain and giving others the full spotlight. I may be writing a bit, developing the site here and there, editing a small stack of article drafts, or helping with sponsorships. I gag at the thought of titles, but publisher hits best for me. My fingers are in all the bowls, but my most important responsibilities are: - Helping writers develop a voice, and - giving them a platform to use that voice, so that - they help others get a little better at their jobs. The best thing I can possibly do is help folks develop a voice and give them a stage to use it. It’s about community and culture building. Publisher. That’s more my jam. Can I support you in some way? You totally can. I put a little membership deal together where you can join a members-only community on Discord along with some perks. Or check out the new shop. Or purchase advertising for your company. In the near-future you will be able to purchase the aforementioned course as well. Any little bit helps, of course. I squirm at the thought of asking for money, so there’s no pressure. Support doesn’t even have to be financial! We all know that content publishers need all the eyeballs we can get in these prompt-filled days. Things like subscribing to the newsletter, sharing articles you like with others, clicking through from your RSS app, and checking out our sponsors are all very, very great ways to support us. I have so many thoughts about this. Yeah, me too. This post could go on and on. I’m an open book, though, and I’m happy to answer anything you might have in the comments. I know, so 2015, right? Here we go!
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