Marketing Tips

Why WordPress is Losing Its Grip—and What Businesses Should Do Next

8 min read

14-Jan-2025 3:52:48 PM

13:54

For over a decade, WordPress has dominated the content management system (CMS) market. At its peak, it powered over 40% of the internet and offered businesses and developers a flexible, open-source platform for creating custom websites. But cracks are forming in WordPress’s foundation. Operational instability, waning support, and growing legal challenges have left many wondering: Is WordPress still the right choice for business websites?

The WordPress ecosystem is under strain—and the risks for businesses relying on the platform are mounting. But there’s a better way forward. At ThinkFuel, we’ve seen the frustration caused by WordPress firsthand, which is why we build modern, scalable websites exclusively in HubSpot’s Content Hub.

If you’ve felt the pains of managing a WordPress site or are worried about the platform’s direction, you’re not alone. Let’s explore what’s happening, the risks it creates for your business, and why we believe HubSpot is the superior choice for the future of website management.

What’s Happening at WordPress?

WordPress's challenges today stem from a combination of internal struggles and external pressures reshaping the platform’s once-stable foundation. These issues are affecting its open-source community and creating ripple effects for businesses that depend on WordPress for their websites.

Automattic’s Reduced Contributions

Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com and a major contributor to the WordPress open-source project, recently announced a significant cutback in the resources it dedicates to maintaining and improving the platform. Specifically, Automattic has reduced the hours its developers spend on contributing to the open-source project by as much as 50%.

This reduction has left a glaring void in leadership and development. Historically, Automattic has played a critical role in advancing WordPress's core software, providing updates, and managing critical bug fixes. Without its full support, the community is struggling to keep up with the demands of maintaining the CMS, and progress has slowed.

Legal Battles and Internal Turmoil

Ongoing legal disputes further complicate the situation. A notable lawsuit involving WP Engine, one of the largest managed WordPress hosting providers, has created a rift within the WordPress ecosystem. Automattic’s decision to temporarily revoke WP Engine’s access to WordPress's code repository sparked outrage among developers and business owners. While access was eventually restored, the episode highlighted growing tensions between key players in the WordPress ecosystem.

Criticism from the WordPress community is also mounting. Concerns over transparency, governance, and Automattic’s dominant influence in decision-making have led to heated debates among contributors and users. These disputes have created an unstable environment that impacts trust in the platform's long-term direction.

Operational Disruptions and Plugin Issues

One of the most significant consequences of this instability is the effect on WordPress plugins and themes, which are essential for customizing and extending website functionality. In late 2024, the WordPress Plugin Review Team was forced to pause plugin submissions for several weeks due to operational bottlenecks. For businesses that rely on third-party plugins to keep their websites running smoothly, these delays caused frustration and, in some cases, revenue loss.

Moreover, many developers are scaling back their involvement with WordPress, citing the platform’s uncertain future and lack of adequate support. This exodus is shrinking the pool of reliable plugins, leaving businesses with fewer options for maintaining and improving their sites.

The Risks for Businesses Relying on WordPress

As WordPress navigates these turbulent times, businesses relying on the platform face increasing challenges that could negatively impact their operations. What once was a trusted and adaptable CMS now shows signs of strain. Here are the primary risks to consider:

1. Stability Concerns and Declining Support

WordPress’s reliance on a decentralized, open-source community has always been a double-edged sword. With Automattic scaling back its contributions, fewer resources are dedicated to maintaining core functionality, releasing timely updates, and addressing bugs. This has led to noticeable slowdowns in the release of critical fixes, creating a less stable environment for businesses.

Moreover, the WordPress developer community is shrinking. Many developers are pivoting to alternative platforms, citing frustration with the project’s leadership and lack of resources. For businesses, this translates into fewer options for skilled WordPress professionals and plugins to keep their websites running smoothly.

2. Security Vulnerabilities and Potential Downtime

Security has long been one of the biggest concerns for WordPress users. Its popularity has made it a primary target for hackers, and the need for frequent plugin and core software updates creates a risk of compatibility issues or unpatched vulnerabilities.

The recent instability only heightens these risks. With a reduced focus on development, WordPress may struggle to respond to security threats as quickly as needed. Additionally, operational disruptions like plugin submission pauses expose businesses to potential downtime, directly harming customer trust and revenue.

For example, if a critical plugin goes unsupported or breaks during an update, it could leave businesses scrambling for workarounds, all while their site functionality is compromised.

3. Limited Innovation Due to Reduced Resources

WordPress was once at the forefront of innovation in website building. However, the recent reduction in contributions from Automattic and other key players has slowed progress significantly. With fewer resources available, WordPress may struggle to adapt to emerging trends in website functionality, user experience, and digital marketing tools.

This stagnation puts businesses relying on the platform at a disadvantage, mainly when competing with companies leveraging more forward-thinking solutions. Platforms like HubSpot’s Content Hub offer a stark contrast, with built-in features and robust integrations that keep pace with evolving business needs.

Why ThinkFuel Doesn’t Use WordPress

At ThinkFuel, we’ve worked with countless businesses that struggled to maintain and grow their WordPress websites. Over time, we realized the platform’s shortcomings created more headaches than solutions for our clients. That’s why we decided to exclusively build websites on HubSpot’s Content Hub, a platform that aligns with our mission to deliver modern, reliable, and scalable solutions.

1. WordPress Inefficiencies We’ve Witnessed

Managing a WordPress site often comes with hidden challenges that eat up time and resources. Here’s what we’ve observed:

Dependency on plugins: WordPress relies heavily on third-party plugins for even basic functionality. While plugins add flexibility, they also introduce risks. Plugins can conflict with each other, break during updates, or become unsupported over time—leaving businesses scrambling for solutions.
High maintenance overhead: Keeping a WordPress site running smoothly requires regular updates to the core software, themes, and plugins. This ongoing maintenance can lead to unexpected issues, downtime, or additional costs for businesses.
Security issues: Many of our clients came to us after experiencing security breaches or vulnerabilities tied to outdated plugins or themes. This risk can’t be ignored for businesses handling sensitive customer data.

For instance, one client came to ThinkFuel after their WordPress site was compromised due to a vulnerability in a popular plugin. Not only did they face downtime, but their SEO rankings and customer trust took a significant hit. These kinds of issues are far too common with WordPress.

2. HubSpot: A Better Alternative for Business Websites

We chose HubSpot’s Content Hub because it eliminates many inefficiencies and risks that WordPress comes with. Here’s how it stands out:

Built-in functionality: Unlike WordPress, HubSpot’s Content Hub doesn’t rely on third-party plugins for essential features. Everything from SEO tools to lead generation forms is included out of the box, reducing complexity and minimizing the risk of compatibility issues.
Reliable performance: HubSpot provides a stable, fully hosted platform with world-class security, ensuring your website stays up and running. Clients no longer need to worry about unexpected downtime or resource-draining maintenance.
Seamless integrations: HubSpot’s Content Hub seamlessly integrates with the HubSpot CRM and other tools, making it easy to align your website with your broader sales and marketing strategies.

3. Our Commitment to Scalable, Modern Websites

At ThinkFuel, we’re committed to creating websites that don’t just look great but also perform seamlessly as your business grows. Focusing exclusively on HubSpot ensures our clients benefit from a platform built for scalability and long-term success.

We’ve seen firsthand how transitioning to HubSpot can transform a client’s digital presence. For example, after migrating from WordPress to HubSpot, one of our clients reported a 50% reduction in website-related maintenance tasks and a significant increase in lead conversions due to improved site performance and user experience.

The HubSpot Solution

HubSpot’s Content Hub offers a comprehensive alternative to WordPress, addressing the pain points that many businesses face with the platform. Designed for reliability, scalability, and ease of use, it empowers businesses to focus on growth rather than troubleshooting their website. Here’s why we recommend HubSpot as the future of website development.

1. A Fully Integrated, All-in-One Solution

One of the most common frustrations with WordPress is its heavy reliance on third-party plugins to achieve basic functionality. In contrast, HubSpot’s Content Hub provides an all-in-one platform where essential tools are built right into the system:

SEO optimization: HubSpot includes built-in SEO recommendations, structured data, and automatic updates to optimize your site for search engines without additional plugins.
Lead generation tools: Forms, CTAs, and pop-up builders come ready to use, streamlining the process of capturing and nurturing leads.
Content personalization: Using HubSpot’s CRM integration, you can deliver personalized website experiences tailored to individual visitors, a feature that requires significant customization on WordPress.

Because everything is natively integrated, businesses using HubSpot experience fewer compatibility issues and avoid the risk of outdated or unsupported plugins.

2. Superior Support and Security

HubSpot provides world-class support and security features, offering peace of mind for businesses:

Global CDN (Content Delivery Network): HubSpot’s infrastructure ensures fast load times, no matter where your audience is located.
Advanced security: HubSpot handles SSL certificates, data encryption, and protection against cyber threats, ensuring your website is secure without requiring third-party tools.
Dedicated support: Unlike WordPress, where support depends on the individual plugin or theme provider, HubSpot offers direct, comprehensive support to resolve issues quickly.

These features allow businesses to spend less time worrying about site maintenance and more time focusing on growth.

3. Fewer Dependencies, Better Performance

With WordPress, frequent updates to plugins, themes, and the core software often cause compatibility issues, leading to potential downtime or functionality loss. HubSpot eliminates these concerns by reducing the number of third-party dependencies.

For example, a former WordPress client we worked with struggled with their site’s performance due to an outdated plugin that no longer supported the latest WordPress version. After migrating to HubSpot, their site’s speed improved by over 30%, and they no longer needed to worry about updating or replacing plugins to maintain functionality.

Conclusion

The challenges facing WordPress today are impossible to ignore. With reduced support from Automattic, ongoing legal disputes, and operational disruptions, the platform is no longer the reliable choice it once was. Businesses relying on WordPress are exposed to stability concerns, security risks, and stagnating innovation—all of which can hinder growth and impact their bottom line.

At ThinkFuel, we believe in building websites that empower businesses to thrive—not hold them back. That’s why we’ve fully embraced HubSpot’s Content Hub as a superior alternative. It’s a platform designed for scalability, performance, and seamless integration with your marketing and sales strategies.

If your WordPress site is causing you headaches or if you’re simply ready to upgrade to a modern, all-in-one solution, ThinkFuel is here to help. We’ve successfully migrated businesses across industries to HubSpot, transforming their digital presence and unlocking new growth opportunities.