Navigating Private Equity and Community Trust in WordPress Hosting

Cory Miller has been at the center of two major shifts in the WordPress ecosystem.

First, he sold his full ownership of Post Status to Marieke van de Rakt and Joost de Valk, who are now forming a new nonprofit entity to back it. Matt explores Cory’s timeline of running Post Status after acquiring it from Brian Krogsgard.

Today, he is part of the A2 Hosting acquisition by World Host Group, a private equity-backed company consolidating hosting brands. In a recent WP Minute conversation, Matt Medeiros spoke with Cory about these transitions and what they mean for the WordPress community.

A2 Hosting’s Acquisition by World Host Group

• Private Equity Backing: A2 Hosting has been acquired by World Host Group, a private equity-backed company managing 14 hosting brands.
• Leadership with WordPress Experience: Cory highlighted that the new leadership team includes individuals with a deep understanding of WordPress, helping to ease concerns about the acquisition.
• Investment Over Cost-Cutting: Unlike typical private equity acquisitions that prioritize cost reduction, World Host Group’s approach focuses on increasing investment in product and support.
• No Immediate Changes: Customers should not expect significant changes to pricing, dashboards, or service URLs in the short term, though new developments are anticipated in the coming months.
• Trust as a Core Value: CEO Seb de Lemos has emphasized building a trusted, globally recognized brand—something that is often lacking in the hosting industry.

The Transition of Post Status

• Moving to a Nonprofit Model: Post Status, long a hub for WordPress professionals, is now a nonprofit organization led by the founders of Yoast.
• Challenges of WordPress Media: Running a media and community-driven business in the WordPress space is difficult. Cory noted the constant challenges of securing sponsorships, maintaining engagement, and ensuring financial stability.
• The Importance of Support: Cory emphasized that WordPress companies have a responsibility to support independent media outlets because they provide essential industry insights, foster community engagement, and hold key stakeholders accountable. Without financial backing from businesses that benefit from these platforms, these critical resources risk disappearing, weakening the ecosystem as a whole.

Final Thoughts

The acquisition of A2 Hosting and the transition of Post Status signal significant shifts in the WordPress industry. While private equity involvement in hosting raises concerns, Cory remains optimistic about the focus on trust and investment. Letting go of Post Status was both a relief and a deeply emotional moment for Cory.

After years of dedication, he now watches as the community he helped build takes on a new chapter under nonprofit stewardship. While there’s a sense of closure, there’s also hope that this transition will empower independent WordPress media & community in new ways.

Now is the time for stakeholders to actively shape the future of WordPress through engagement and support.

Chapters

• 00:00 Welcome Back, Cory Miller!
• 00:30 Big Changes and Acquisitions
• 01:37 A2 Hosting Acquisition Insights
• 02:32 Leadership and Vision at World Host Group
• 03:51 The Importance of Communication
• 06:46 Private Equity and WordPress
• 10:24 AI and the Future of Tech
• 17:08 The Power of WordPress Distribution
• 22:27 Immediate Changes at A2 Hosting
• 26:17 Struggles with WordPress Community and Content Creation
• 27:15 Reflecting on Acquiring PostStatus
• 28:38 The Importance of Community
• 30:47 Challenges and Gratitude
• 34:28 The Future of WordPress Media
• 40:25 The Human Touch in WordPress News
• 43:32 Balancing Community and Business
• 49:32 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Relevant Links Mentioned in the Conversation

• A2 Hosting’s new parent company: World Host Group
• A2 Hosting: a2hosting.com
• Cory Miller’s website: CoryMiller.com
• Post Status community: PostStatus.com
• WordPress media efforts: The WP Minute & The Repository
• Upcoming community conference: PressConf