Today is July 4th, which means WPBeginner is officially 14 years old. We’ve come a long way!
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.
Bonus: I’m also doing a massive birthday giveaway, and you’ll get a chance to win your favorite premium WordPress plugins worth $50,000. On top of that, you can also win a 1-on-1 mentorship call with me for 1 hour.
Since this is a long article, you can easily skip to the section you’re most interested in:
WPBeginner Story
I first started using WordPress when I was 16 years old and I fell in love with the community. This led me to start WPBeginner at age 19 with a single mission: to 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 and use the Start Here page to get the most out of WPBeginner.
Personal Updates
My son Solomon is now 6.5 years old, and it’s quite cool to see him taking interest in WordPress. He attended WordCamp Asia with me earlier this year in Bangkok.
His favorite task in the company is coming up with mascot ideas for our new plugins at Awesome Motive.
We as a family are continuing our travels around the world, and it’s really awesome to meet our local WPBeginner users.
Since the last WPBeginner birthday, we have taken trips to Istanbul, Karachi, Alaska, Dubai, California, Mexico, St. Thomas, Maldives, Thailand, Canada, and more.
One of the best parts about running a fully remote online company is that I can work from anywhere in the world. We have team members in 50 countries now, and I’m planning to visit at least few more countries this year.
If you didn’t get a chance to read my 2022 recap, I highly recommend checking it out on my personal blog where I share lessons learned from last year.
Btw, here’s a preview of a mascot that Solomon helped come up with for our new plugin, Duplicator. The mascot’s name is Willie the Walrus.
WPBeginner Updates
Thanks to our awesome community, WPBeginner has continued to grow year after year. Aside from all the amazing WordPress tutorials on our blog, there have been several notable updates from last year that I’d like to highlight.
But before I do that, I want to share a huge milestone that I’m super proud of. We got featured on the NASDAQ billboard in Time Square for passing 25 million active installs of our products.
This was a huge celebration for our entire team — going from a blog to being in Times Square in New York City!!!
These milestones are proof that hard work does pay off.
Talking about hard work, here are some big WPBeginner updates that happened in the last 12 months:
1. We launched Five New Free Business Tools
Since last year, we have launched 5 new free business tools to help you do more with WordPress.
- Keyword Generator Tool: It makes keyword research easy by helping you generate 300+ keyword ideas in a click.
- Blog Post Idea Generator: It helps you come up with a year’s worth of content ideas in a second.
- Smart Headline Analyzer: It lets you write irresistible headlines that your users can’t help but click.
- Website SEO Analyzer: It finds critical errors on your site and generates a free SEO report to fix them.
- Keyword Density Checker: It enables you to find the primary keywords on any content to fix over-optimization. Also great for competitor research.
2. Larger community + More Content
Our community has continued to grow on all social media networks. Our WPBeginner Engage Facebook group now has over 94,000 members.
And the WPBeginner YouTube channel has passed 291,000 subscribers.
We also revamped our WPBeginner video site. Now you can access loads of step-by-step videos without hiring a developer for free.
You can follow us on various social media networks, including Facebook and Twitter.
3. Contributing to WordPress and Open Source
We have always been huge supporters of open source. This past year, we revamped our free Insert Headers and Footers plugin from the ground up and relaunched it under a new brand WPCode.
It was originally created to help you add code snippets in WordPress without editing your theme’s functions.php file or installing an additional plugin.
Now we launched a brand new snippet library from where you can find the snippet and add them to your site with one click.
You can also create your own WPCode profile to save snippets, create private snippets, and more.
See the full WPCode announcement to see why this is the most underrated yet MUST HAVE plugin for all websites, and it’s now being used by over 2 million websites!
4. New Acquisitions & Investments
In 2018, I created the WPBeginner Growth Fund to invest in WordPress-focused companies that are solving important problems that you, our readers, want me to help out with.
Over the past 12 months, we have made several big acquisitions and investments in the ecosystem.
- We acquired Thrive Themes, company behind some of the most powerful growth tools for WordPress. Over 200,000+ smart website owners use the Thrive plugin suite to easily convert website visitors into email subscribers, paying customers, and raving fans. Some of their plugins include landing page builder, quiz builder, course platform, and more. Here’s the full background story.
- We acquired Duplicator, a powerful WordPress backup and migration plugin used by over 1.5 million websites. You can use it to create automatic backups and store them on cloud. It comes with easy restore option to save time. It’s also the best solution to migrate your website from one hosting provider to another, or even from local server to live. Here’s the full background story.
- We acquired WP101, which offers professionally-produced WordPress training videos to help you learn WordPress, fast. It’s a perfect solution for business owners to offer WordPress training videos in their employee onboarding process. Here’s the full background story.
- We acquired Easy WP SMTP, which helps you solve email delivery issues and prevent your emails from landing in the spam folder.
Aside from the full acquisitions, we also invested in HeroThemes, a company that specializes in building tools to help users deliver great customer service on their websites. See more details here.
I’m really proud of how far we’ve come with the Growth Fund, and it’s really amazing to see the impact our companies are making in the WordPress ecosystem and the larger open web.
Want me to invest in your business? Learn more about the WPBeginner growth fund.
Product / Company Updates
Often readers ask me what is WPBeginner’s income, and how does WPBeginner make money by giving away all WordPress tutorials for free.
Well, we make money indirectly through our suite of premium WordPress plugins that are now running on over 25 million websites. Aside from that, we also have investments in a suite of other WordPress companies through our growth fund that I mentioned above.
Our team at Awesome Motive continued to set new records this year, and all of our products saw tremendous growth.
Here’s a list of our plugins that you should check out:
- OptinMonster – The #1 conversion optimization software that helps you convert abandoning website visitors into subscribers and customers. There’s also a free version here.
- WPForms – The most beginner-friendly WordPress form builder used by over 5 million websites. There’s also a free version – WPForms Lite.
- MonsterInsights – The most popular WordPress Analytics plugin to help you grow your business with confidence. I use this on all of my websites. Free version available: MonsterInsights Lite.
- AIOSEO – The original WordPress SEO plugin to help you get more traffic. Used by over 3 million websites. There’s also a free version of AIOSEO.
- WP Mail SMTP – The #1 plugin that helps improve your WordPress email deliverability. The free version: WP Mail SMTP Lite is sufficient for most website owners.
- SeedProd – The best drag & drop website builder for WordPress. You can use it to create custom WordPress themes, landing pages, and website layouts without any code. Try the free version of SeedProd.
- RafflePress – A powerful WordPress giveaway and contest plugin to grow your website traffic.
- Smash Balloon – The most popular social media feeds plugin for WordPress. A free version is available for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube feeds.
- PushEngage – The leading web push notification software for small businesses. It helps send over 9 billion push notifications each month.
- SearchWP – The most advanced WordPress search plugin. Completely customize your WordPress search form and search results algorithm to improve your content discoverability and increase sales. Trusted by over 30,000+ website owners.
- Easy Digital Downloads – the top-rated WordPress plugin for selling digital products and subscriptions. Easily sell eBooks, software, music, and more, protect digital downloads, accept payments, and more. Trusted by over 50,000+ website owners. Try the free version of EDD.
- AffiliateWP – The most popular affiliate management plugin for WordPress. Easily launch an affiliate program for your store. One-click integration with WooCommerce, WPForms, and 20 other payment plugins. Unlock a new growth channel without the middleman fees.
- WP Simple Pay – Easily accept payments online without a complex shopping cart setup. Great for simple one-time or recurring payments. Built-in support for credit card payments, ACH bank debit, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more. Try the free version of WP Simple Pay.
- TrustPulse – Leverage the power of social proof to instantly increase site conversions by up to 15%. Automatically show real-time purchase notifications and other website activity notifications to increase trust, conversions, and sales.
- WP Charitable – The top-rated donation and fundraising plugin for WordPress. Over 10,000+ non-profit organizations and website owners across the world use Charitable to create fundraising campaigns and raise more money online. Try the free version of Charitable.
- Thrive Themes: Powerful growth tool suite for WordPress to help you transform your website into an online business platform. The suite includes Thrive Theme Builder, Thrive Automator, Thrive Architect, Thrive Leads, and more.
- Duplicator: Secure your WordPress website with reliable backups. It also makes it easy to migrate and restore your website to your favorite locations. Try the free version of Duplicator.
- User Feedback: Easiest way to collect user feedback and make surveys on your website. Great HotJar alternative (free version here).
We’re a fully remote team of over 290+ people across 50 countries. Want to join our team and work alongside me in helping small businesses grow and compete with the big guys? We’re hiring.
WPBeginner Birthday Giveaway
To celebrate the 14th birthday of WPBeginner, we are offering premium plugins worth $50,000.
The prize includes 10 licenses of each of the plugins listed here.
WPForms, MonsterInsights, OptinMonster, AIOSEO, SeedProd, Thrive Suite, Funnelkit, Uncanny Automator, MemberPress, Easy Digital Downloads, SearchWP, RafflePress, Formidable Forms, WPCode, Duplicator, Smash Balloon, WP Mail SMTP, WP Simple Pay, AffiliateWP, Pretty Links.
On top of that, you can also win a 1-on-1 mentorship call with me for 1 hour.
Note: Winners are already selected and you should have received an email if you’re one of the winners.
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 interactions at events.
I also want to say a special thank you to everyone who’s using our plugins because that enables us to keep bringing more free tutorials on WPBeginner.
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
Syed Balkhi
Hey WPBeginner readers,
Did you know you can win exciting prizes by commenting on WPBeginner?
Every month, our top blog commenters will win HUGE rewards, including premium WordPress plugin licenses and cash prizes.
You can get more details about the contest from here.
Start sharing your thoughts below to stand a chance to win!
Mohd Jahangeer Alam
Congratulations WPBeginner for acheiving this milestone. I am a regular visitor of WPBeginner and learn the real things about WordPress from WPBeginner . Now I am confident about WordPress with the help of WPBeginner Team. Thanks All of the team for providing such a real info about WordPress.
WPBeginner Support
Thank you Mohd for your continued support
Admin
Asbjørn
Happy birthday, thank you for your great content
WPBeginner Support
Thank you Asbjørn
Admin
Ali Raza
Congratulation WPBeginner on your 14 Birthday.
Actually Your not a Beginner now you became Ultra PRO
WPBeginner Support
Thank you Ali
Admin
Bitsy Kemper
Happy Birthday! Your advice and help has been instrumental in leveling up my site. Thanks!
WPBeginner Support
Thank you Bitsy for your continued support
Admin
remco
wpbeginner is truly the only wordpress newsletter that I am subscribed to. Although I am not a beginner, I always find nuggets
WPBeginner Support
Thank you Remco
Admin
Yvette Elliott
Happy Anniversary!!
WPBeginner Support
Thank you Yvette
Admin
Wendy Keeney-Kennicutt
Congrats! The webmaster for our art organization moved on, and newbie me took over. Thanks for all your great info! Wendy
WPBeginner Support
Thank you Wendy we hope you continue to find our content helpful!
Admin
Steve S.
You’ve been a huge help to me launching my first website. I’m an absolute beginner and have learned A LOT from you. Thank you, and keep up the good work.
WPBeginner Support
Thank you Steve for your support
Admin
Poornapragna Gudibande
Congratulations on reaching the milestone! Thanks for all the help and support all these years.
WPBeginner Support
Thank you for your continued support!
Admin
Muhammad Arshad
Happy Anniversary
WPBeginner Support
Thank you Muhammad
Admin
Deb Potts
Happy birthday! I love your easy to understand and practical advice.
Editorial Staff
Thank you Deb
Admin
Oliver Gomez
Happy 14th birthday! Thanks for all the great content over the years.
Editorial Staff
Thank you Oliver for your continued support
Admin
Mohammed Khalafallah ElKhider
Congs!
really you are helpfull man, and WB Beginner is the greatest web for all times to learning WordPress.
Go a head!
Editorial Staff
Thank you for the kind words
Admin
Damir
Always some useful tips from you, thank you and happy birthday @WPbeginner!
Editorial Staff
Thank you Damir for your continued support
Admin
John
I always find Syed’s content to be informative and actionable.
Editorial Staff
Thank you John, we truly appreciate your continued support
Admin
Glenn Topping
Happy birthday!
I can’t even remember how long ago I first subscribed to the WPBeginner newsletter, but it must be well over 10 years. The resources, suggestions, tutorials and advice have all been a most valuable resource. Thank you!
Wishing you many more years of success
Editorial Staff
Thank you so much for your support over the last decade Glenn. It means the world to us and keeps us motivated to continue our work
Admin
Michaela
Hi Syed, Congratulations! Keep it going and thank you for the great tips and features to help small business grow!
Editorial Staff
Thank you Michaela
Admin
Saiful Islam
Happy 14th Birthday!!
Editorial Staff
Thank you Saiful
Admin
Tariq Ali
Happy 14th Birthday! to one of the biggest platform of WordPress on the internet.
Editorial Staff
Thank you Tariq
Admin
Kit Byatt
Thank you so much for sharing your expertise and positive energy, and moreover keeping this up over a sustained period. I have learned a lot from your blogs, but there is always room to develop one’s skills further so I check out each email/blog to see if it has something relevant to my needs. Not everything is, of course, because we all have varying aims and approaches, but there are many nuggets of practical advice and useful tools, so it’s always worthwhile to take a look!
Happy fourteenth birthday, and may you continue to be able to channel your energies so constructively!!
Editorial Staff
Thank you Kit for your continued support over the years
Admin
Chetan Satasiya
Happy 14th Birthday!
Editorial Staff
Thank you Chetan
Admin
Tanvir Faisal
Great post!
Your journey is inspiring for people all around the world who work in the WordPress industry.
Thanks for the contribution to the WP ecosystem.
Editorial Staff
Thank you Tanvir for the kind words
Admin
Derek
Happy Birthday, and many more
Keep the useful information coming!
Editorial Staff
Thank you Derek
Admin
Satyanarayana. Manne
ThnQ Good Morning Sir.
I AM WISHING YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I am also wishing YOU to Celebrate Many………Many………Many………Many………Many………Many………HAPPY RETURNS of this DAY.!
On this Special Occasion I am Requesting you to Plant at least ONE TREE and save it. In turn our MOTHER EARTH will Save us and out Future Generations from GLOBAL WARMING, on the EDGE.!
Yours Sincerely ,
Satyanarayana. Manne,
for Vasudha (Mother Earth) Green,
Editorial Staff
Thank you for kind words and support
Admin
Heather Gates
Happy 14th Birthday and congratulations on so many amazing achievements!!! You truly do help so many people!! Willie the Walrus is fantastic as well, give your son kudos for a great mascot!
Editorial Staff
Thank you Heather for your continued support, and we’ll definitely pass on your message to Solomon
Admin
Johnry Flores
Happy 14th Birthday!
Editorial Staff
Thank you Johnry
Admin
Sandy Turley
Hey, happy 14th. You have done a great job.
Editorial Staff
Thank you Sandy
Admin
Sonu Negi
Happy birthday WPBeginner!
Editorial Staff
Thank you Soni
Admin
Toni Webb
Best wishes, Syed! You have revolutionized WordPress and make it easy for the average person to create beautiful websites. Toni
Editorial Staff
Thank you Toni for your continued support over the years
Admin
Sieglinde Anderson
I have been watching and reading your WPBeginner videos for years. The information is always clear even for someone who is not particularly computer savvy. My e-commerce store website was created by me in Dreamweaver years ago but is not mobile friendly. It is hosted on Bluehost. I also have a business blog on Wordpress.com, am paying for Business account to use the classic editor. I have decided to create a new website/online store using Woo Commerce, Store Front Theme, which I think I can get from Bluehost. I just don’t know how to start. Since I pay for Woo Commerce on the Wordpress.com site, can I create a new store there and then switch to Wordpress.org? or do I cancel Business and get a temporary domain while my existing website/store is active on Bluehost? Hoping for the 1 hr.consultation
Thank you for all you give away free all these years and all the best wishes for the next 14 years.
Editorial Staff
Thank you for your continued support Sieglinde. You can most definitely do everything on WordPress.org (on Bluehost). If you reach out to our team via the contact form, they can help guide. The switch is fairly easy to do
Admin
Janice
I’ve been a subscriber for years and appreciate the many tips and tutorials you have shared over the years. Happy Anniversary!
Editorial Staff
Thank you Janice, we truly appreciate your continued support over the years
Admin
Paul Phang
Many many more great years ahead WPBeginner. Look forward to being an active member of your community.
Editorial Staff
Thank you Paul and we appreciate your support in the community
Admin
Leigh Warren
Gday and Happy 14th Birthday – you have certainly filled the gaps when it comes to wordpress and not only for beginners!
Many thanks and keep up the great work
cheers from Australia – Leigh
Editorial Staff
Thank you Leigh for the kind words. Really appreciate your support and one day hopefully we’ll get to visit Australia too. Few of our AM team members are there right now
Admin
corey
Happy 14 bday! and many more to come!
Editorial Staff
Thank you Corey
Admin
Vivien
Thank’s for all the content. I used it sometimes and it helped me to solved some tricky situations !
Editorial Staff
Thank you Vivien. If you ever run into a situation where you don’t find an answer in the blog, please feel free to reach out to us. Almost all of our content ideas come from reader suggestion
Admin
Billie Carroll
Happy Birthday!
Editorial Staff
Thank you Billie
Admin
Shonn Sutton
Happy 14th Birthday!
Jansher Khan jani
hi sir I am very excited to read all of things from this page thanks
Robin
Thanks for the excellent content … this WP beginner appreciates it immensely!
Jules Webb
Happy Birthday, WP Beginner – Congrats to the WP Beginner team – And thank you all for the valuable information you share.
Stephen
Congrats, keep up the good work!
Judy Reed
WPBeginner has been a lifesaver for me. At age 75 I found myself building a new website for our group. Your plug-ins and easy to follow advice made it all possible. I cannot say “THANK YOU” enough for creating a resource for the average person. Happy Birthday!
Dushyant Kamal Thadani
I am currently building my first ever blog, and I really appreciate all the help your website offers right now. Looking forward to learn more
SUZANNE SMITH
Congratulations! I’ve really benefited from being in the Facebook group since I started my first WordPress blog a year ago tomorrow. The many blog posts have been so helpful, as is the ability to ask questions in the group. I’m now setting up my second blog as the first one went so well, and I’ve got the bug!
Ernest Bate
As usual, Syed B. and his team have delivered Above and Beyond value, Genuine care, and a great Bundle of informative, encouraging, engaging content.
It is rare, worldwide, to find such an educational and uplifting business Team that are so Customer Centric .
Real Talk. -Ernie B.
JoAnn C.
Congratulations on a huge milestone!
I have been coming to this site for about 3 years, and as a visual learner, I appreciate how you break down tutorials into small sections with pictures. Your site makes things easier to learn to navigate my blog.
Thanks.
Yusuf Öztoprak
You are very helpful, Thanks
James Forshall
Not even the lure of winning the prize will make me have anything to do with facebook. Here’s hoping though.
LaDeana Valenzuela
Thank you for all of your hard work and all that you do every day.
Peter Evans
Great idea. What do you mean my comment is too short. Less is more