Current Projects
How I Reduced AI Bot Traffic on WordPress Websites in 2026
AI bots and suspicious crawlers were hammering several WordPress sites. Here’s how I used WP Engine firewall rules, Wordfence, rate limiting, and IP blocking to reduce the traffic. Read More >>
Redesigning and developing the MachineryLubrication.com and ReliablePlant.com email newsletters
See how I helped improve email user engagement for two of the leading publishers in the lubrication industry. Read More >>
WordPress: Add site editor link to top admin bar with a PHP plugin
Use this free WordPress PHP plugin to add a “Site Editor” link to the top sticky bar in your administrator dashboard. Read More >>
WordPress: How to style the Gutenberg navigation menu block for mobile
I made a JavaScript snippet to paste into the browser console and prevent the mobile block menu from hiding, in order to edit CSS freely. Read More >>
Custom SVG logo block plugin for the WordPress full site editor
I made a WordPress block plugin that allows a user to paste in custom SVG code for displaying logos on the back and front end of the site. Read More >>
Goodbye, Firefox. Hello, Bravelion. Is it time to make the switch?
Mozilla Firefox is basically selling out because they need/want money like everyone else. Times are tough and all. Is it time to completely uninstall and move on to a fork, or just switch… Read More >>
Categories: BrowsersFree Email template 2025: responsive, mobile-first, cross-client tested
I made this free email template as a quick and easy starting point for any new templates I need to make. Read More >>
WordPress: Did you know about the “back to top” admin feature?
I’m late to the game, but this isn’t necessarily a well-known feature that I’ve ever read about. You can click the bar at the top of the WordPress admin dashboard and it will… Read More >>
Categories: WordPress
Even the big dogs publish errors
Even the best in the biz fail in their proofing efforts from time to time. Read More >>
Linux Mint Cinnamon: Left control key deselects text when trying to rename a file
My left control key was messing with me in Linux Mint Cinnamon for a while and it turns out to be a simple setting to remove this weird feature. Read More >>
Welcome to Swearengin Web Design
This is not an agency website. It is just a personal web design portfolio and blog.
I’m James Swearengin, a creative web designer and developer who started building websites for fun in 1999. Today, I specialize in custom WordPress block themes, website redesigns, HubSpot emails and landing pages, Shopify theme updates, cross-client compatible email template development, SEO, and technical website troubleshooting for small businesses and growing brands.
My work covers custom WordPress themes, plugin development, performance optimization, website security, analytics cleanup, content updates, and production support for business websites. With a hands-on background in building computers and solving real-world technical problems, I focus on creating practical digital tools that look good, work well, and support real business goals.