Summary
- WordPress is “open source” software (free) that is used to build websites.
- Think of it as the foundation on which your home is built.
- Developers like me use WordPress because it reduces cost and is a rapid development tool for building and managing websites.
- The WordPress “core software” is owned, managed, and controlled by a company called Automattic.
- The founder/CEO is Matt Mullenweg.
- He’s turned into a nut-job.
- Many in the WordPress developer community are concerned about his recent statements and actions picking a fight with a company named WPEngine
- Four questions I keep getting asked are:
- What is going on with WordPress?
- What is the future of WordPress?
- Is my WordPress business website on the wrong platform and in danger of being disrupted or not working?
- What should I do right now?
Q1. What is going on with WordPress?
The CEO/Founder is a nutjob and fighting with a company named WPEngine about money. WPEngine resells WordPress hosting and services.
In the words of Cindy Lauper, “Money changes everything.”
Q2: What is the future of WordPress?
A: Pretty solid. For now, there is nothing to be concerned about. WordPress is 100% functional, and there is nothing to worry about, nor are there any specific actions to take.
That said, make sure you always have good backups of your website! As I say, “Always have a Plan B.”
If I host or manage your website, you have nothing to be concerned about – I always have a Plan B.
Q3: Is my built using WordPress website on the wrong platform or in danger of being disrupted or not working?
A: No.
Q4: What should I do right now?
A: Nothing. There is nothing you need to do now or should be doing. If you are one of my clients rest assured I am watching this silliness unfold and if and when it is time to do something I’ll share my insights and recommendations.
More about this topic from ChatGPT:
The biggest threat to WordPress under Matt Mullenweg’s leadership comes from his increasingly erratic decisions, conflicts of interest, and the way Automattic (his company) controls the open-source project. Here are the main risks:
**1. Frustration with WordPress.org vs. WordPress.com**
– Automattic (Mullenweg’s company) benefits financially from WordPress.com, but the open-source WordPress.org community often feels sidelined.
– Changes that push users toward Automattic products (like Jetpack and WordPress.com hosting) create distrust.
**2. Unilateral Decision-Making & Conflicts of Interest**
– Mullenweg holds too much power over WordPress’s development, despite it being an open-source project.
– The recent acquisitions (like Tumblr and WooCommerce expansions) prioritize Automattic’s growth, not the community’s needs.
**3. Controversial Product Decisions**
– **Gutenberg (Block Editor)**: The forced rollout of Gutenberg, despite community backlash, frustrated many users.
– **Performance & Bloat**: WordPress is becoming bloated with new features (e.g., full-site editing) that alienate long-time developers.
– **AI-Powered Features**: Automattic is aggressively pushing AI features, potentially making WordPress less user-driven.
**4. Growing Competition from Easier Alternatives**
– WordPress is losing ground to platforms like **Webflow, Wix, Shopify, and Ghost**—which are simpler, faster, and more user-friendly.
– Developers are exploring alternatives like **Headless CMSs (Strapi, Sanity) and Laravel-based CMSs (Statamic, OctoberCMS).**
**5. Community Discontent & Potential Forks**
– Developers and hosting companies frustrated with Automattic’s dominance might fork WordPress into a new, independent version.
– ClassicPress (a fork of WordPress) is an example of this trend, though it hasn’t gained mass adoption.
**Is WordPress Doomed?**
Not immediately. It still powers over **40% of the web**, but if Mullenweg continues prioritizing Automattic’s interests over the open-source community, we could see more defections to alternatives.
