Market Share and Version Control  🔗 **Source:** [Market Share and Version Control](https://www.briancoords.com/newsletter/market-share-and-version-control/) > [!note]+ Document Notes > tags: [WordPress, OpenSource, CMS, MarketShare, Gutenberg, WordPressFuture] > - WordPress > - CMS > - OpenSource > Author: Brian Coords > Source: Modern WordPress Development > Reference: [Original Article](https://masterwp.com) > date created: {{date:YYYY-MM-DD}} {{time:HH:mm}} > > # Title: Is WordPress Getting Too Hard? > <!-- deep-read:sections start --> ## Table of Contents: 1. [Market Share & Market Fit](#market-share--market-fit) 2. [Built to Scale](#built-to-scale) 3. [Where to?](#where-to) 4. [Other Exciting Things](#other-exciting-things) ## 📝 Summary: WordPress, once a dominant force in web development, is facing questions of sustainability as its market share plateaus around 40%. Users are finding more accessible platforms like Squarespace, Ghost, and Shopify for simpler projects, while WordPress shines primarily for more complex builds. The ecosystem must evolve to maintain relevance, particularly through tools like Gutenberg and stronger integrations with external software. Concerns about scalability and the ecosystem’s dependency on growth remain significant challenges. ## 📖 Main Content: ### Market Share & Market Fit: - WordPress' market share has plateaued around 40%, with fewer new sites adopting it. - Competitors like Squarespace and Ghost offer simpler, more user-friendly solutions for small businesses and content creators. - WordPress struggles to maintain dominance in SEO, eCommerce (WooCommerce vs Shopify), and Activity Pub support. - WordPress remains ideal for complex sites that require SEO, content personalization, or heavy content management. ### Built to Scale: - The WordPress ecosystem depends on continuous growth, with large hosting companies, plugin developers, and agencies relying on new site creation. - WordPress' future may lie in complex website builds for high-end users, while the DIY market shifts to simpler tools. ### Where to? - Gutenberg's development is promising, with potential in the block editor for more flexible content management. - Canonical plugins that offer core solutions for SEO, forms, and subscriptions could simplify WordPress for new users, reducing decision fatigue. - Integrations with tools like ConvertKit and Salesforce could be the next frontier in maintaining WordPress' relevance in the web development space. ### Other Exciting Things: - Version Control Livestream: High-level discussion on version control in WordPress. - WordPress.com Studio Release: Comparison between Studio and Local WP on YouTube. - WordPress 6.6 Roadmap: Aligns with recent wishlist updates, with a few surprises ahead. ## 🗒️ Notes: - WordPress market share remains stagnant at 40%, particularly among older sites. - New users often turn to simpler alternatives like Squarespace or Ghost for website creation. - The platform’s complexity is becoming a barrier for small business and DIY users. - WordPress still thrives in SEO-driven, content-heavy builds for larger, more complex projects. - Gutenberg is gaining traction, particularly with its block editor functionality, which could help reclaim WordPress' position. - WordPress needs better integration tools to stay competitive in the long term. - Plugins that solve 80% of user needs directly from the core could reduce user confusion. ## 📖 References: - Coords, Brian. "Is WordPress Getting Too Hard?" Modern WordPress Development. - Tock, Noel. "The Future of WordPress," WordCamp Asia 2023. ## 🗣️ Paraphrase: 1. WordPress' future lies in complex website builds, while the DIY sector is shifting to more user-friendly tools like Squarespace and Ghost, reducing WordPress' mass-market appeal. 2. WordPress needs stronger integrations with third-party software to maintain its relevance, moving away from the overwhelming plugin ecosystem that burdens users with too many choices. ## 📰 Newsletter: Hey, WordPress fans! It’s time to dive into the future of WordPress—where is the platform headed? WordPress’ market share has plateaued at 40%, and new users are opting for easier platforms like Squarespace or Ghost. Meanwhile, WordPress remains a powerhouse for complex, content-driven sites. Gutenberg continues to evolve, and there's talk of stronger integrations with tools like ConvertKit. What does this mean for developers and site owners? Plus, don't miss the upcoming Version Control Livestream and thoughts on the WordPress 6.6 roadmap. Stay tuned! ## ✅ Action Items: The article aligns with my focus on open-source advocacy and contributor engagement, particularly in discussing WordPress' need to evolve in a saturated market. The shift towards complexity echoes my commitment to supporting contributors in developing integrations and features that meet real-world needs. The ideas presented support my goal of creating a sustainable and inclusive open-source community, especially in advocating for tools like Gutenberg and simplifying plugin options. This insight will be helpful as I pursue OSPO director aspirations, focusing on transparency, sustainability, and growth within WordPress. ## 🧪 Hypotheses: 1. If WordPress improves its core plugin options, more small business owners may adopt it again for simple websites. 2. Enhanced third-party integrations could help WordPress maintain relevance as the digital ecosystem diversifies. ### 📊 Methodology: - Surveys of small business owners and content creators to measure interest in simplified WordPress features. - Case studies comparing the usability of WordPress with competing platforms like Squarespace. ### ❓ Questions: 1. How can WordPress regain market share from simpler platforms? 2. What role will Gutenberg play in attracting new users? 3. How can WordPress better integrate with third-party tools to meet evolving web development needs? ### 🔮 Future Research: - Exploration of WordPress' potential in niche markets like eCommerce and SEO-heavy builds. - Studies on how improving plugin integration can help WordPress compete with platforms like Shopify. ### 💡 Implications: If WordPress successfully narrows its focus and enhances its integration capabilities, it could maintain relevance in more specialized, high-end web development. This would reduce its mass-market appeal but allow it to thrive in complex web ecosystems. ### ✅ Logical validity: The arguments presented are sound in recognizing WordPress' declining market share for smaller, simpler websites while highlighting its strength in complex builds. The analogy of WordPress to "jazz" is apt, reflecting how the platform has evolved from revolutionary to more niche. - **Sound Deductive Reasoning**: The claim that WordPress shines in complex builds but loses ground to simpler platforms is well supported by examples like Squarespace and Shopify. - **Strong Inductive Reasoning**: The use of Noel Tock's presentation to infer future trends is a solid approach, based on observable changes in user behavior. - **Coherent Counterarguments**: The piece effectively refutes the idea that WordPress is universally applicable, showing the reality of niche specialization. ### 🎯 Conclusion: WordPress' future may lie in specialization, moving away from being an "everything store" to focus on complex, content-heavy builds where it excels. By improving integration with third-party tools and simplifying its plugin ecosystem, WordPress can remain relevant in the evolving web development landscape. <!-- deep-read:sections end --> 📄 **Full text:** ![[Full Document Contents/Articles/Market Share and Version Control|Market Share and Version Control, Brian Coords]] ## Highlights - The problem is that much of the WordPress ecosystem as we know it is- like tech in general- built for growth and scale. Large hosting companies can’t compete without continued growth, without more, more, more. Even the plugin companies, page builders, and larger agencies need a steady income of new WordPress sites coming online at scale. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01j7f6vqshwzqrygfd16ph53j6))