Episode 15: What Makes a Successful WordPress Plugin?

Welcome to Episode 15 of Mastermind.fm! Today our resident masterminds Jean and James tackle the topic of having a successful WordPress plugin: from zero to success. Join them today and take a tour through the major attributes that a plugin business needs to become successful, from a pair of entrepreneurs who know the drill firsthand. We’ll outline them below, but tune in for the full story! Nobody wants to use your plugin. They use it to solve a problem! Attributes of a successful plugin business: Solve a problem Ooze quality in the way your plugin is built and coded Timing Team Get the word out Reviews & Relationships Extensibility Point 1 and 2: Solve a problem, but make it as pleasurable of an experience for the user as you can. Nobody wakes up in the morning excited to build a form for their website, but they shouldn’t dread having to do it either! Style your plugin so that it is tasteful and comfortable within WordPress. It doesn’t have to be a WordPress UI clone though- sometimes you have to think outside the box to solve your users' problems. Point 3: Is there a need to fill, and is there anyone filling the need in the way you are intending on doing it? A saturated market is a proven market with a clear need, so don’t be afraid to wade in with other large, successful competitors. The fact that the market is saturated indicates a clear need, just find your niche and fill it in an awesome and unique way. Point 4: Don’t be afraid to strategically add people to your team to help you grow and mature. Point 5: People have to know you’re there. The WordPress repo is a great tool for this. Build relationships whenever possible also. Point 6: The vote of confidence of other users and high profile community members is huge for growth. The role of Pippin Williamson in supporting Ninja Forms early on was enormous for the growth of Ninja Forms, for example. His vote of confidence added a lot of fuel to the business. You don’t necessarily want the biggest names (though Pippin is a pretty huge name in WordPress), but just well respected, honest members of the community Point 7: Build for potential growth. Build better and bigger will follow. Make your plugin extensible and easy to add to for collaborating developers. Featured On The Show: Ninja Forms WP RSS Aggregator WP Mayor Easy Digital Downloads Pippins Plugins Restrict Content PRO Affiliate WP Tom McFarlin PostStatus WP Tavern iThemes Exchange WooCommerce WP eCommerce Jigoshop Give Cris Lema Fatcat Apps WP Explorer