If you are a WordPress developer or just work on WordPress sites, you might have noticed some major drama brewing between WP Engine, a popular hosting provider, and Matt Mullenweg, one of the co-founders of WordPress. It all kicked off when Mullenweg accused WP Engine of not doing enough to support the WordPress community while making a lot of money from it.

On September 25, 2024, WordPress.org took action by blocking WP Engine’s access to important resources. This means that users hosted on WP Engine were suddenly unable to update their plugins and themes, which are crucial for keeping sites secure and running smoothly. Unfortunately, many users are left feeling stressed about the future of their websites. But don’t worry—there are solutions available for you!

Understanding the WordPress Conflict

The ongoing clash between WordPress and WP Engine has ramped up significantly, and it boils down to a few key issues. At the heart of it is how little WP Engine contributes to the open-source WordPress project. While WP Engine clocks in with only about 40 hours of development work weekly, Automattic—behind WordPress.com—puts in nearly 4,000 hours. This huge gap has many in the community feeling that WP Engine is reaping all the benefits of open-source without giving much back.

Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress, has been vocal about his concerns, even calling WP Engine a “cancer” to the community. During his keynote at WordCamp, he urged folks to “vote with your wallet” regarding their hosting choices, arguing that WP Engine’s profit-driven model threatens the long-term health of the WordPress ecosystem.

Following threats and mutual cease-and-desist letters, WordPress.org initially blocked WP Engine from accessing its resources, creating a situation where WP Engine users couldn’t update plugins and themes. However, Mullenweg recently announced a temporary ceasefire, lifting the blocks until October 1, allowing WP Engine to create its own mirror of WordPress.org resources while the conflict simmers.

As a result of this fallout, users dependent on WP Engine are left in a bit of a bind. They find themselves at risk of losing access to essential updates that keep their sites secure and functional. Mullenweg advised affected users to reach out to WP Engine support, but the uncertainty around the company’s ability to resolve these issues only adds to the stress regarding security and trust in their hosting choice.

The Risks for WordPress Users

If you’re using WP Engine to host your site, you might be feeling anxious about what this conflict means for you. With WP Engine initially blocked from accessing key WordPress.org updates, you may have ended up running outdated software, which opens the door to security vulnerabilities—like leaving your front door wide open when you head out. Thankfully, the temporary lift of the blocks gives you a small reprieve, but it still brings uncertainty about the future.

All this drama has sparked some serious conversations within the WordPress community. Many users are now rethinking their hosting options and are encouraged to look for providers that genuinely support the open-source ethos. The buzz on social media platforms, including Reddit, even hints at the possibility of a WordPress fork, allowing those who want to break away from WP Engine.

Ultimately, this uncertainty pushes everyone to be a little more careful in choosing their hosting providers. It’s a good reminder to opt for hosts that uphold the values of support, contribution, and community—all essential for keeping the WordPress ecosystem thriving.

Reasons to Self-Host WordPress

Thinking about self-hosting your WordPress site? It’s a smart move, and here are a few reasons to consider it:

  • Customization: When you self-host, you have the freedom to customize your site as you see fit, choosing the themes and plugins that best suit your needs.
  • Full Control: You get to manage your website’s security, backups, and updates on your schedule. You’re in control!
  • Cost-Effective: Although it may feel like a bigger upfront expense, self-hosting can save you money over time compared to ongoing managed services.
  • Better Performance: With the right hosting plan, like those we offer at InterServer, you can enjoy improved site performance, which can positively affect user experience and search ranking.
  • Ownership of Your Data: By self-hosting, you have complete ownership of your data and can back it up as you wish, without relying on a third party.

With self-hosted or semi-managed WordPress, You have assurance that something like this mess can never stop your WordPress site from updating plugins, themes and the core of the WordPress site.

InterServer’s WordPress hosting can be called semi-hosted. It does not control the revisions or anything else in your WordPress site. It means, You are free to customise your site and use the plugins that you want to use. There are no restrictions.

If you want to fully self-host your WordPress sites from now on, You can get a VPS from Interserver and follow our step-by-step guide to install WordPress on Ubuntu VPS.

Why Choose InterServer?

That’s where InterServer comes in! As a solid hosting provider, we’re here to help you maintain peace of mind during these turbulent times. Here are some reasons why InterServer might be right for you:

  • Reliable Performance: Our WordPress hosting is built for speed and stability, ensuring that your site runs smoothly without interruptions.
  • Strong Security Features: We prioritise your website’s security, employing advanced measures to keep your data safe from threats.
  • 24/7 Customer Support: Our friendly support team is around the clock to assist you with any technical questions or concerns. You’re never alone when you’re with us!

Support Services

At InterServer, we’re dedicated to making your WordPress experience as smooth as possible. We provide a range of resources, including helpful tutorials and active support forums, to ensure you have the tools you need. Plus, our customer support team is always ready to help you troubleshoot any issues that arise.

Conclusion

As the WordPress community navigates through this ongoing conflict, it’s important to choose a hosting partner you can rely on. With InterServer, you’ll get more than just hosting; you’ll have a support team that cares about your website’s success. If you’re ready to take control of your WordPress experience and avoid the headaches of the current situation, consider making the switch to InterServer. We’re here to help you every step of the way!

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