If you follow tech news or have a WordPress site, you’ve likely heard about a conflict happening in the WordPress ecosystem— one that might have long-term impacts on how websites are built and supported across the internet.
WordPress is an open-source software. In some respects, that means it is free, but the true benefit of open source is that anyone can view the code and improve it by contributing to the software. Unfortunately, this open source model resulted in a public battle between WP Engine, which hosts sites on WordPress, and Matt Mullenweg, founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic.
It is not the position of Evolve Systems to determine who is right or wrong, but it is something that we are paying close attention to due to the impact this conflict may have on our customers.
Why Is There a Conflict Between WordPress and WP Engine?
The core issue behind the WordPress and WP Engine conflict is access to the updated libraries available in the WordPress ecosystem. When a plugin is updated by an author, it goes through a series of steps to certify that it will work with specific versions of WordPress. This process has made updating WordPress sites much more manageable.
However, with this automation, there is a trust relationship formed between the providers, with WordPress.org being on one side of the conflict and WP Engine on the other. And the conflict seems to be growing rather than settling down.
I Have a WordPress Website. Should I Be Worried?
Evolve Systems customers on a Technical Webmaster Service (TWS) program will see little to no issues while this is being resolved. We manage and maintain your websites and regularly update plugins and the core of WordPress. We also manually apply plugins as required and monitor the scheduled or automated updates some plugins offer.
The risk that we see at this time is centered around clients who choose to manage and maintain their own websites. Website maintenance is normally a task that is approachable by companies with some technical expertise, but it is being made more difficult now that there is less automation because of this conflict.
How Can I Prevent Issues With My Website?
Evolve Systems will continue to stay on top of this situation. We have plans in place to mitigate the fail points that have been introduced, but all of us need to remain vigilant. Please make sure you regularly back up your sites. It is also good practice to keep a copy off the server where your site is hosted.
In the meantime, you should watch for updates in the WordPress Administration section. If you see a plugin needs to be updated, we recommend the following best practices:
- Make a server-level backup of your site
- Copy your production site to a staging/development environment
- Update the staging/development environment, including the WordPress Core and any outdated plugins
- Test the environment to make sure your theme and pages are working, and pay special attention to your forms to make sure they are working as they should
- Once you have tested the staging/development environment, copy this to your production environment and test again. If something breaks, return your system back to the state it was in step 1 by restoring your backup.
As part of a TWS program, the Evolve Systems team takes these steps and more to keep your website up to date.
For our clients on WP Engine, we are closely monitoring any changes to the company’s policies and procedures. Should there be a critical change to the situation, we will let you know. But also know that we have contingency plans should you wish to move off of WP Engine.
Have Additional Questions? Our Team Is Here to Help!
At Evolve Systems, we practice the practical advice of not putting all of our eggs in one basket, so to speak. If you are concerned and want to discuss options, please contact your account manager, and we will help you make an informed decision.
We assure you that we are monitoring the situation closely, and we have measures in place to prevent disruptions to your business.
For now, we are not recommending a move away from WP Engine. Not because there is no risk but because the risk has not yet reached a critical point. But with anything that involves your business, we ask you to stay vigilant—and we promise to do the same.
If you would like more information about our TWS programs, please email us at [email protected]. We can help you understand the benefits of this program and how it may help you in the long run.
