WordPress vs WP Engine: A Guide for Digital Marketers in Australia

Table of Contents

• Impact on the Community
• Effects on Australian Marketers
• Temporary Solutions by WP Engine
• How Temporary Solutions Work
• Challenges for Australian Users
• Tips for Australian Users Hosting on WP Engine
• Resolution Status
• Options for WordPress Users
• Website Security Services
• Conclusion
• Share Your Experience
• Hire a Development Agency

Currently, there is notable tension between WordPress and WP Engine, which is impacting digital marketers in Australia.

Overview:

WP Engine, a prominent WordPress hosting provider, has recently drawn criticism from WordPress CEO Matt Mullenweg, who accused them of failing to contribute to the WordPress ecosystem and misusing the ‘WP’ trademark. This friction arose after WP Engine disabled revision history for users, a move Mullenweg argues is aimed at cost-cutting.

In retaliation, WP Engine issued a cease-and-desist letter, which led to further legal back-and-forth. Consequently, WP Engine customers are no longer eligible for automatic updates for WordPress core, themes, and plugins, causing significant concern in the community.

Impact on the Community

The primary consequence of this conflict is that WP Engine customers can no longer benefit from automatic updates. Previously, users enjoyed the convenience of applying updates directly through their dashboard, but now they must seek alternative methods.

WordPress typically releases around 20 core updates annually, along with varying plugin and theme updates. Without access to automatic updates, WP Engine users face added complexity in managing their sites and ensuring security.

Effects on Australian Marketers

With approximately 8% of WP Engine’s global customer base located in Australia, the implications of the ban are significant. This includes over 5,000 agency partners relying on WP Engine for hosting solutions.

As a result, Australian businesses now face challenges in site management, requiring manual updates that complicate operations and increase costs.

Temporary Solutions by WP Engine

WP Engine has implemented a temporary fix allowing customers to update plugins, themes, and the WordPress core automatically. Users are advised to create restore points before updates to enable easy reversion if issues arise.

How Temporary Solutions Work

Currently, users may attempt to use proxy servers to connect with WordPress, but this solution is unreliable as WordPress is actively disabling these proxies.

Challenges for Australian Users

Australian marketers are likely to encounter several challenges due to these changes:

• Increased Maintenance Costs: Manual updates can take hours, raising monthly maintenance costs significantly.
• Reliability and Performance Issues: The absence of automatic updates may lead to security vulnerabilities and performance degradation.
• Plugin Management Difficulties: Users must now rely on FTP or cPanel for plugin installations, which exposes them to potential security risks.

Tips for Australian Users Hosting on WP Engine

To help navigate these challenges, here are some practical strategies:

1. Document Processes: Maintain clear documentation for updates to ensure smooth operations.
2. Conduct Regular Security Audits: Prioritise security checks to protect against vulnerabilities.
3. Use Approved Plugins Only: Create a whitelist of trusted plugin sources to avoid security risks.
4. Implement Automatic Backups: Ensure regular backups are in place to avoid data loss.
5. Train Your Team: Educate your team on the current situation to enhance awareness and preparedness.
6. Engage Development Agencies: Consider partnering with professionals for effective site management.

Resolution Status

Currently, there is no clear resolution to the WP Engine and WordPress conflict. WP Engine has rejected proposals from WordPress, indicating ongoing challenges for users.

Options for WordPress Users

WordPress users on WP Engine can consider two main options:

1. Migrate to Another Hosting Provider: This option requires careful planning and execution to avoid data loss.
2. Stay with WP Engine: Users can continue with WP Engine and hire a development partner for site management.

Website Security Services

Recognising the difficulties faced by marketers, WPPRO offers a comprehensive Website Security plan for $1,000 per month. This plan ensures regular updates, security checks, and backups.

Conclusion

The ongoing WP Engine and WordPress conflict poses significant challenges for digital marketers in Australia, particularly regarding maintenance and security. Implementing proactive strategies can help mitigate these issues and maintain site integrity.

Share Your Experience

If you are a WP Engine customer, we welcome your thoughts on how you are managing these challenges. Share your experiences in the comments or reach out to us directly.

Hire a Development Agency

At WPPRO, we understand the complexities you are facing. If you need assistance with your WordPress management, please contact us today.