Is it time for your business to move away from WordPress?
As the controversy between WordPress and WP Engine continues, you may be asking if it's time to make the leap to another CMS.
There’s a good chance you’ve heard about the ongoing WordPress and WP Engine saga. As a developing story, it’s one that’s got business owners and executives scrambling. It’s no surprise, with approximately 40% of all websites on the internet powered by WordPress.
We’re here to outline what’s happened, what it means for your organization, and options you can take towards a solution.
The story so far
The crux of the issue comes down to conflict between WordPress, the open source and free content management system (CMS), and WP Engine, a third-party solution which hosts the websites built on WordPress.
In September, WordPress founder and Automattic Inc’s CEO Matt Mullenweg published a post slamming WP Engine and the experience it brings to WordPress, saying it misleads users into thinking it’s an official WordPress product, which only his company can profit from.
From there, the situation escalated. WP Engine sent a cease-and-desist letter, a trademark battle commenced, and WP Engine was banned from accessing WordPress.org resources.
What does this mean for companies with WordPress sites?
While this may seem like a lot of legal back and forth, there are direct impacts for those currently running their websites on WordPress.
- Website issues
When WordPress blocked WP Engine, thousands of websites ran into issues adding and updating plug-ins, which provide additional functionality to your main site, and themes, which control how your site looks. The result? A lot of broken websites. - Security threats
2023 saw a 72% increase in data breaches since 2021, highlighting the pressing need for businesses to prioritize security. Thanks to those previously mentioned issues with updating plug-ins, many businesses were left open to security attacks. - Troubleshooting
With access to WordPress resources and community features under threat, those that use the WP Engine may struggle to get the dedicated support they need when something goes wrong. - An uncertain future
With legal battles ongoing, this is a situation that’s developing and set to change. Those that choose to stay on WordPress risk encountering the above and other unrevealed issues in future.
So, what should you do?
- Consider what you’re using your website for now
Knowing whether to leave WordPress comes down to how you currently use your website. If you’re running with a landing page and minimal content, you’ll probably get by. If your website is more complex and a destination for customers to book demos, downloads, and process transactions, there’s more risk involved. - Consider what you want to do with it in future
It’s also important to think about your future goals. Take e-commerce as an example. B2B e-commerce is on the rise, and 74% of B2B businesses expected their websites to generate more than 50% of sales last year. If that’s on your list, you’ll want a digital foundation that’s streamlined, secure, and futureproofed. - Get a plan in place
If you do choose to stay with WordPress, stay ahead of how the story develops. Get a plan in place that protects both your business and customers, and know how you’re going to communicate those issues internally and externally. If your website does go down, what will you do? If your customers’ security is compromised, how will you handle it? - Look for an alternative
Know that WordPress is just one of many CMS solutions. If you do want to jump ship, there are alternatives out there that won’t just meet your current standards but surpass them. As a verified Craft CMS partner, that’s our choice, but from a top level, this could present the perfect opportunity to give your website a refresh and improve the digital experience. - Ask for help
You’re not alone. Motum B2B is here to help you migrate to a reliable new site and improve the B2B experience you’re offering with new features.
