Today is July 4th which means WPBeginner is officially 8 years old — feels unreal to type this!
Like every year, I want to take a few minutes and do a quick recap of all the major things happening in business as well as my personal life.
WPBeginner Story
I started using WordPress when I was 16 years old and started WPBeginner at age 19 with a single mission: make WordPress easy for beginners.
Since then WPBeginner has become the largest free WordPress resource site for beginners.
For those of you who’re new, you can read the full WPBeginner story on our about page.
Personal Updates
New Dad life — Solomon is 8 months old and is quite fun. I used to think that I was good at delegating, but I think being a parent has forced me to push it to a new level.
Completely out of the blue, I got invited to have dinner with the United States Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin. The dinner was held at the Treasury building, and it was humbling to be in the company of several national leaders and top entrepreneurs like Shahid Khan, the owner of Jacksonville Jaguars.
I also received the Technology Award from the Pakistani News Channel (GeoTV) where I sat down and got to chat with the new Ambassador of Pakistan for United States.
WPBeginner Updates
Thanks to you all, WPBeginner has continued to grow in double-digit percentage (year over year). There have been several notable updates from last year, that I’d like to highlight.
1. New WPBeginner Redesign
In November 2016, we launched our new website design. It came with a lot of improvements, most importantly: our mega guides which I promised in the last year’s update.
We now have comprehensive guides on how to speed up WordPress, improve WordPress security, boost WordPress SEO, how to create an online store, how to make a website, and more.
We are working on creating more mega guides in the coming months.
2. Better WPBeginner Infrastructure
Since the redesign, I have gotten several emails asking about the secrets behind WPBeginner’s fast speed.
The answer is: infrastructure.
As WPBeginner grows, we need to continuously invest in our server infrastructure. This past year, I worked with the team at HostGator to build a completely custom infrastructure for WPBeginner that’s spread across multiple data-centers to ensure high availability.
I have been a HostGator customer since 2007, and WPBeginner has been hosted with them since day 1 (see my full HostGator review). I want to thank David, Patrick, Matt, Yannis, Chris, Taylor, Mike, Alfred, and the entire team that helped with the upgrade.
We are using Sucuri as our firewall, and MaxCDN as our CDN provider both of which play a tremendous role in our overall website speed.
Last but not least, we’re using DNSMadeEasy as our DNS provider because they’re one of the fastest in the industry.
3. WPBeginner on YouTube
Our YouTube channel has continued to prosper as we add new videos every week. We now have over 62,000 subscribers and 8.2 million video views (this is double what we had last year).
If you haven’t subscribed yet, then please go ahead and subscribe to WPBeginner on YouTube (it’s free). My goal is to pass 100,000 subscribers by the time I write this post next year.
4. Weekly Showcases
Over the last several years, we have continuously gotten requests for theme showcases. That’s why this year, we made it a goal to do weekly showcases on Fridays.
So far it has worked out great, and we look forward to doing more showcases.
Product Updates
Just about every week, I get an email from a reader saying: “I didn’t know WPBeginner was behind that product”. Now we even have a products page in the main menu.
Our suite of WordPress plugins are now running on over 3 million websites. Below are some of the most notable updates:
WPForms
We launched WPForms, a drag & drop form builder last year with a goal to make the most beginner friendly WordPress form plugin. I think we’re doing a pretty darn good job.
It has passed over 1.1 million downloads and is actively running on over 300,000 websites. Best part is that we have an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 with over 652 five-star reviews.
You can download it for free from the WPForms website or from the WordPress.org plugins directory.
Please give it a try, so you can see why so many people love it!
MonsterInsights
Last year, we acquired the most popular Google Analytics plugin for WordPress from Yoast and rebranded it to MonsterInsights. I’m really proud of the updates that we have made specially the Enhanced Ecommerce Tracking, Affiliate link tracking, and more.
If you’re a serious business owner, then check out the MonsterInsights Pro version because it will help you unlock really valuable data in your Google Analytics, so you can take your business to the next level.
OptinMonster
OptinMonster is our flagship product, and we recently announced version 4.0.
The new update included a new dashboard, sub-accounts + permission control, better design workflow, and so much more.
OptinMonster helps you grow your email list by converting abandoning website visitors into subscribers. If you’re not using it, then you’re missing out on subscribers.
Envira Gallery
Envira Gallery passed over 100,000 active installs this year. It’s the most powerful WordPress gallery plugin that’s actually fast and easy to use.
We have over two-dozen addons ranging from featured content gallery to WooCommerce to Lightroom. I’m really excited about the next version of Envira that our team is working on.
Our School in Cambodia
I started a tradition 3 years ago when we built our first school in Guatemala. After building 3 schools in Guatemala through Pencils of Promise, Amanda and I wanted to contribute in a different region.
My friend Neil Patel introduced me to Bill and Nancy from the Cambodian Village Fund. Thanks to their awesome work, we were able to build a primary school in Cambodia. While I wasn’t able to attend the opening ceremony because Solomon is so young, I definitely look forward to going there in the future.
Thank You Everyone
I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us in this journey. I really do appreciate all of your retweets, personal emails, content suggestions, and the in-person hugs / interactions at the events.
You all are AMAZING and without you, there is no WPBeginner.
I look forward to another solid year ahead of us.
Syed Balkhi
Founder of WPBeginner
P.S. We’re hiring a full-time (remote work) WordPress Plugin Developer and a Technical Support specialist. If you or someone you know would be interested in being part of our fast-growing team, then please apply here.
Saikat Roy Chowdhury
Congratulations Syed..
Wish you get more success in future..
Tom Allen
Congratulations, Syed.
I’m impressed with WRBeginner and look forward to learning from you.
It appears you have a great business.
Very impressed with you establishing the Syed Balkhi Learning Center.
Best regards,
Tom
Buzz Wachsteter
Congrats on your anniversary. Your product has been a lifesaver for me. I was thrust into the job of webmaster for our organization with zero experience with WordPress or any web presence vehicle. I found your videos and immediately joined. YOU have brought me from nothing to what others are telling me is a great website for our members. I owe it to your videos, your recommendations of plugins, and your hints and tips. I will continue to learn through you and I thank you so much for being there to bring me along.
Mike Campbell
Congrats Syed and WP Beginner Staff, you guys have helped me tremendously over the years with my business and my love of WP has grown because of your resource.
Bradley D. Thornton
Syed,
Thank you so much for your unwavering level of community support and please know that your efforts are appreciated by seasoned admins as well as those of every skill level in the support and deployment of the WordPress engine and its related applications.
Kindest regards,
Daphnee
Wow, 8 years! I’ve only been reading your blog for a few months, and I’m proud of how far you’ve come! Congrats and keep it up
Charmaine
THANK YOU SO Much, GUYS! I emailed you personally and ask for help. The next day, I received a response from you and giving me instructions on fixing my wp-admin issues. I am so thankful for the concern and the great help you have given us. Thank you so much from me and from the others you have been helping. Happy birthday, guys!
Juliet
Congratulations on your eight years of service to us newbies starting out on Wordpress. What invaluable help!!! Also congratulations for your award, and project of building two schools – something I wished I could have done as a teacher before retiring.
What lovely photos of your son, Solomon. He looks very bright.
I very much appreciate the huge effort you have put into Wordpress for Beginners as it is helping me to help others.
Dilip Poddar
Congrats Syed sir
Editorial Staff
Thank you Dilip
Admin
CATO
Congratulations.
Thanks for all the great posts.
Editorial Staff
Thank you
Admin
Ahmad Awais
Congrats, Syed and team! You never cease to amaze me. Keep up the good work!
Editorial Staff
Thanks Ahmad
Admin
Margarida Fernandes
Congratulations is in order. For the project and for the new born.
Cheers and success for the future!
Editorial Staff
Thank you very much
Admin
David
congratulations from a happy user of wpbeginner
Editorial Staff
Thanks David
Admin
Earl
I’m not new to WordPress but I am a noob to WPBeginner. Many times I’ve stated “I wish I knew about you and WPBeginner before I created so many various oppses that had to be fixed.
But…that being said… Your excellent information and companies desire to help others has driven you to the top in so many ways. Thank you…
Earl
Editorial Staff
Thank you Earl. I’m super glad that we’ve been able to help
-Syed
Admin
John Blackman
Congratulations on a life well lived. I am so happy that you have channeled your success into building schools for others. That must be incredibly fulfilling to make such an impact.
I’ve been using your site suggestions and plugins for just a few months, but they have already launched me on my journey to achieve and contribute. I knew wordpress was a great platform, but this site has enabled me to discover how truly extensible it is. I may even develop our platform as a wordpress plugin after seeing your success.
Most gratefully,
John Blackman
Editorial Staff
Thank you John. We appreciate you
– Syed
Admin
Harsh Agrawal
Congrats Syed for the 8th-year milestone. Much more to come.
Editorial Staff
Thanks buddy
Admin
Mark Layton
Congrats on your 8 th Anniversary. Using your WP forms and just purchased Envira Gallery. Your You Tube channel has answered a lot of questions also.
Thank You.
Best to you, Syed and your Team!
Editorial Staff
Thank you Mark. We appreciate your support.
-Syed
Admin
Josie olivera
Thank you very much Syed, and congrats on everything you do!
You have inspired me to become more that I have ever inspired to be.
Cheers,
Success
Editorial Staff
Thank you so much Josie for the comment. I appreciate you
-Syed
Admin
Sajwal Pageni
Congrats Syed and WPBeginner Team, 8 years passed and looking more years to learn best WP tips from you!
Finn Jackson
Many congratulations Syed! Extremely impressive and inspiring.
Editorial Staff
Thanks Finn.
Admin
Johnpaul Onwueme
This is very interesting, I am happy for your success. Keep it up.
Editorial Staff
Thank you
Admin
Lorraine Cheney
What an amazing year, I knew this was a great resource and have been using it as long as it’s been going but I didn’t know about how much good you contribute to outside of the WordPress world. Huge respect to you.
Editorial Staff
Thanks Loraine for the kind words and your support.
-Syed
Admin
Hasintha
Congratulations sir, WPbeginner has been quite an insightful resource center for a beginner like me. Keep up the good work
Editorial Staff
Thanks Hainstha. Glad we’re able to help
-Syed
Admin
Yiga
Congs man….I like what you do and how you do it….thanks for that school..
Garikai Dzoma
This is an inspiring journey indeed. Congratulations on your anniversary and I wish you many more
Vincent Tobiaz
You continue to do great wonders, not just for WordPress but also giving back. What’s not to love.
Garrett O'Brien
Congrats Syed! We have been turning to your website for assistance and ideas for quite a while — and we have never been disappointed!
Elise Michels
Wow – what an incredible year you’ve had! Thanks for all the tuts and continuing to grow your company with quality plugins. You help me succeed!
Brin Wilson
Wow, truly impressive! And a huge congratulations on becoming a dad!
Laura M. Sands
Congratulations and continued success to you! Also, thank you for all that you do to help all of us learn WordPress. We really do appreciate you and your team!
John Dolan
Congratulations! Thank you for all you do Syed. All the best and continued success…
Jimmy Dixon
Hello I just want to say Wordpress has helped me understand website building beyond my Dreams, thank so much and I wish you even greater success.
Editorial Staff
Thanks Jimmy
Admin
Alexander
Congratulations, Syed and the staff!
I wonder if income from this blog is so substantial that it allows to build schools?…
In other worlds does the blog make your living?