Cory Miller, a key player in the WordPress community, shares insights from recent acquisitions at Post Status and A2 Hosting. He discusses the transition of ownership and the new nonprofit direction for Post Status, emphasizing the importance of trust and community engagement. Cory highlights that the recent acquisition by World Host Group aims for investment rather than cost-cutting, ensuring a stable experience for customers. With an experienced leadership team in place, he reassures the community about the future of their services and support.
Cory Miller's transition from Post Status ownership reflects significant changes in the WordPress ecosystem and community dynamics.
World Host Group's acquisition of A2 Hosting aims to enhance investment in products and support instead of implementing cost-cutting measures.
The discussion emphasizes the necessity of transparent communication to build trust within the WordPress community during these transitions.
Deep dives
OmniSend's Impact on E-Commerce
The episode highlights the effectiveness of OmniSend as a tool for online businesses, emphasizing its potential to generate significant revenue through email and SMS marketing. Businesses can use OmniSend to create targeted campaigns that reach consumers directly, eliminating the guesswork often associated with digital advertising. With features like customizable pop-ups to build contact lists, users can directly engage with an audience eager to receive updates and promotions. The automation capabilities allow businesses to streamline their marketing efforts, simplifying the process and enabling sales to increase with minimal manual intervention.
Recent Acquisitions in the WordPress Community
The conversation covers recent acquisitions in the WordPress landscape, specifically the acquisition of A2 and PostStatus, signaling a shift in the community's dynamics. The new ownership of A2 by World Host Group raises important questions about the direction of hosting services within the WordPress community, emphasizing the need for maintaining trust and support for existing users. Corey's reflections on his emotional journey with PostStatus reveal the challenges of navigating community expectations while managing business realities. The episode underscores how these acquisitions can potentially reshape the future of WordPress hosting and community engagement, inviting openness to change.
Building Trust in the Hosting Industry
In discussing the implications of these acquisitions, the need for transparent communication within the WordPress community is emphasized as a cornerstone for building trust. The new leadership at A2 is portrayed as being genuinely invested in the WordPress space, with leadership backgrounds that lend credibility to their vision. Corey shares the importance of directly communicating with the community to dispel rumors and misconceptions, highlighting that good communication can preempt misunderstandings. This approach aims to foster a collaborative environment while managing investors' expectations as the integration takes place.
The Evolving Role of AI
The episode also delves into the role of AI in transforming the tech landscape, prompting discussions about how it might impact jobs within the WordPress community. Professionals express uncertainty yet optimism about leveraging AI as a tool rather than viewing it as a threat to traditional roles. This sentiment suggests a shift in mindset within the community towards embracing technological advancements while recognizing the continued need for human insight and creativity. Corey's reflections suggest that understanding AI's potential can lead to enhanced productivity, creativity, and ultimately, a healthier ecosystem within the industry.
The Importance of Community Support
The importance of sustaining community-led efforts in the WordPress ecosystem is a vital theme throughout the discussion, highlighting both PostStatus and WP Minute as essential resources. Corey urges listeners to recognize the value of community initiatives, emphasizing that their support is crucial for maintaining vibrant, engaging platforms. This support includes sponsorships and active participation, which are necessary to foster collaboration and ensure that content continues to flow in a meaningful way. The conversation ultimately advocates for a cooperative approach to community-building, underscoring the idea that shared efforts benefit everyone involved.
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
