Proposal to Update WordPress Playground URLs and Content

[courane01]

🎯 Objective

The aim is to realign the content and URLs of WordPress Playground to make it more intuitive and beneficial for users by redirecting the existing developer.wordpress.org/playground to wordpress.github.io/wordpress-playground and repurposing WordPress.org/Playground to house the current content of developer.wordpress.org/playground. The proposed changes will offer a more logical structuring and accessibility to the Playground content for both new and experienced WordPress developers.

✅ Proposal Details

1. URL Realignment:
   • Redirect https://developer.wordpress.org/playground/ to https://wordpress.github.io/wordpress-playground/.
   • Create a new page at https://WordPress.org/Playground to house the current content of https://developer.wordpress.org/playground/.

2. Content Migration:
   • Migrate the existing content from https://developer.wordpress.org/playground/ to https://WordPress.org/Playground.
   • Ensure all links are updated to point to the new URL to prevent 404 errors.
   • Test to ensure that all content and links function as expected post-migration.

3. Navigation Update:
   • Include a new link to https://WordPress.org/Playground from the primary navigation menu.
   • Ensure the link is appropriately labeled to indicate the content users can expect to find on the Playground page.

4. Communications:
   • Inform the WordPress community about the change via the appropriate channels, including the WordPress.org blog and the Developer Resources blog.
   • Update any documentation that references the old URL.

🔍 Impact Analysis

• SEO: There could be some initial SEO implications due to the URL change, but with proper redirects and communications, any negative impact should be mitigated.
• Community Feedback: Engage with the community to gather feedback on the proposed changes to ensure they align with user expectations and needs.
• Maintenance: Assess the maintenance implications, ensuring the WordPress team has the resources to manage the updated URL structure and content.

📅 Phases

• Phase 1: Technical Assessment and Community Feedback
• Phase 2: Content Migration and URL Redirects Implementation
• Phase 3: Navigation Update and Communications
• Phase 4: Monitoring and Final Adjustments

[courane01]

A few user stories to clarify:

User Stories

As a WordPress developer,
I want straightforward access to developer resources when navigating to documentation URLs,
So that I can efficiently find the information I need to enhance my projects.

🌐 Scenario: Seeking Developer Documentation

Given I am a developer looking for documentation and resources,
When I navigate to https://developer.wordpress.org/playground,
Then I expect to find developer documentation and resources directly relevant to my needs.

🔄 Scenario: Encountering WordPress Playground Description

Given I am directed to a landing page describing what WordPress Playground is,
When I am searching for developer documentation,
Then I feel it hinders my journey to finding the necessary resources quickly,
And The Playground description would be better suited at a more general URL.

🔄 Scenario: Redirecting to Top Level for WordPress Playground Introduction

Given the general introductory nature of the content currently at https://developer.wordpress.org/playground,
When I think of where to find such introductory information,
Then I expect it to be located at a top-level domain such as https://WordPress.org/Playground,
And I would appreciate a direct link from the main navigation menu to discover what WordPress Playground is all about easily.

🔄 Scenario: Accessing Developer Documentation

Given the proposal to realign the URLs and content,
When I now navigate to https://developer.wordpress.org/playground,
Then I am redirected to a page with active developer resources and documentation,
And my experience aligns with my expectations as a developer seeking technical information.

🎉 Scenario: Improved Navigation and Logical Content Placement

Given the proposed URL and content realignment,
When I navigate through the WordPress domains,
Then I find a logical, intuitive structure that guides me to the right resources,
And I appreciate the enhanced user experience that saves me time and aligns with my goals as a developer,
So that I am encouraged to explore, learn, and contribute more within the WordPress community.

[courane01]

Cross-referenced for the Playground team: ​https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-playground/issues/728

[ninianepress]

These are great points. I support these changes.