WordPress Directory Update #3, Hitting 50 Products, Aldi, Apples, and More.
I’ve been busy on LayerWP
Firstly, let me apologize, it’s been a couple of weeks since my last update regarding my WordPress directory. When update number two was published, back on July 1st, the directory stood at 26 WordPress products.
Not too shabby considering it had been live since the 20th of June, I was worried that things would slow down, and I’d be faffing around trying to scrape more products together. Well, I needn’t of worried; in fact, I got a load more.
This in part is why I’m behind in terms of updates; I had a raft of products added to the WP directory, and for those who have submitted, whether it was a free product or a premium one, I’m truly grateful. 🙏
LayerWP Web traffic for June
First up, let’s take a look at traffic to the site. Bearing in mind last months total stats, let’s see that one first:
1st of June to 31st of June:
- Total visits: 1.5K
- Views: 4.9K
- Average time on site: 1 minute 43 seconds
- Bounce rate: 63%
WordPress products submitted in June:
June WP directory summary
What I’m incredibly pleased about is the diversity of products, we’ve got an AI writing assistant, a gallery plugin, conditional content for the block editor, and so much more.
In truth, one or two of the products listed really caught my eye, and I hope they caught yours as well.
The point of the directory is to highlight interesting WordPress products, that perhaps don’t get the air time that they should. I know from sharing them on Twitter, that I’m not the only one who thinks this way.
Quite a mixture of products, you’ll no doubt note, that there are only 22 products listed, yet I’ve mentioned 26 in total.
4 of those products where added by me, as a way to flesh out the directory and give people an idea of how it works. Apologies if this is misleading in anyway, shape or form, but I couldn’t start with a blank canvas, and expect people to know what it will look like!
June was the beginning of an exciting phase for me personally and of course LayerWP. I’m making the transition to being a directory first, and a blog second.
Why? I cannot possibly know about every single WordPress product ever created; I just can’t. It would be incredibly arrogant of me to think otherwise.
This mentality leads to gatekeeping of WordPress products, and I’m not about that.
With that in mind, and the progress made from submissions, it makes sense to showcase WordPress products.
Let people know about them, find out more information, and find something useful, at their leisure, without an in-your face list post or affiliate-driven piece of content.
So there you go.
P.S. this is kind of a list post, but one from product submissions! Not the best ever WordPress plugins for farmers etc, etc.
The WordPress directory in July
July, despite being unbearably warm as I write this roundup, has been a bumper month in terms of submissions. Drum roll please……
The WordPress directory is now over the 50 mark!!! Seriously, cannot believe that the directory has now hit 51 products since the 20th of June. Fifty ruddy one.
Who’d have thought of it? Certainly not me.
Before I go into July’s WordPress product submissions, I need to share this with you.
Aldi, email and apples
Three things I never thought I’d put in a title for a blog post. Ahem, anyway….
I was literally in Aldi, shopping for a few essentials, when my phone pinged with an email alert.
Don’t ask me why I was drawn to the sound, or why on this particular occasion I decided to check my phone.
I’ll tell you one thing. I’m glad I did.
Despite the directory highlighting lesser known products, which 100% should be talked about and shared with visitors.
I’d never expected to come up on the radar of a big player in the WordPress world, never. In all honesty, I wasn’t aiming for it either.
The email was from a gentleman who worked at StellarWP. Now, I’m familiar with their products, and they’re a big deal in WP land. To say I was shocked, would be an understatement.
My face lit up, and I can only imagine what other people in Aldi thought, of a short 45 year old man grinning like a Cheshire cat in front of some apples.
Well, some back and forth ensued over email, and I’m super pleased to say, I’ve got some of StellarWP’s products in the directory!!
At this point I want to make clear to all those who have submitted, or are thinking of submitting to my WordPress directory, there is no special treatment for StellarWP.
They paid the same as everyone else. In fairness to them, they didn’t even query it; they just got on with it. No egos, no we want this or that, the same as everyone else.
Which is refreshing to see from a bigger company in the WP world.
July’s WP Directory submissions so far
As ever, you can view the latest entries in this roundup, again, I’m not a fan of roundup posts. But I completely understand many would just prefer a list of what’s been added, so they can skim at their leisure.
All links will open in a new window in the below, so you can come back to this tab and carry on from where you left off.
Here goes nothing.
SecuPress
Protect your WordPress with malware scans; block bots & suspicious IPs. Get a complete WordPress security toolkit for free or as a pro plugin. SecuPress is GDPR compliant.
Books Gallery
Showcase books in style, add affiliate links, and make money from your WordPress blog, with the Book Gallery plugin.
ACF Custom Database Tables
ACF Custom Database Tables is an ACF extension plugin that makes it possible to store ACF data in organised, structured database tables instead of WordPress’ core meta tables.
Advanced Forms Pro for ACF
Build powerful & extendable front-end forms using Advanced Custom Fields. Manage posts & users, build simple or complex forms, & connect your ACF Forms to external services.
Dhor
Dhor is a minimal WordPress blog theme perfect for creative writers, individuals and all types of blogging sites. This speed-optimized WordPress theme is compatible with WooCommerce, Rank Math, Yoast SEO, Contact Form 7 and other popular plugins.
Meta Box
A powerful, professional, and lightweight toolkit for developers to create custom post types and custom fields in WordPress.
ACF Theme Code Pro
Generate the code you need to use Advanced Custom Fields in your theme templates & register ACF Blocks and options pages with ease.
Barclays ePDQ payment gateway
The Barclays ePDQ plugin for WooCommerce enables store owners to use the Barclays ePDQ service for processing payments online.
Slim SEO
A lightweight and full-featured SEO plugin for WordPress that never gets bloated.
iThemes Security Pro
iThemes Security Pro makes it easy to secure & protect your WordPress website by working 24/7 to secure your site.
BackupBuddy
BackupBuddy is your backup solution for protecting your WordPress website and online work. WordPress doesn’t include built-in backups, so your WordPress website is at risk without a backup strategy.
The Events Calendar
The Events Calendar makes it easy for you to manage in-person or virtual events from start to finish.
Event Tickets
Event Tickets lets you sell tickets and collect RSVPs for events, and manage attendees for in-person or virtual events.
Restrict Content Pro
Restrict Content Pro allows you to restrict your content and manage your membership site all in one plugin.
Kadence Theme
Kadence Theme lets you build your website quickly and easily. With speed performance in mind, Kadence Themes are packed with modern features and integrations that makes customizing your website a breeze.
Kadence Blocks
Kadence Blocks lets you build professional-looking, fast-loading websites without any coding know-how.
GiveWP
GiveWP is the top donation plugin for WordPress. With a variety of fundraising tools, multiple payment gateways available, and recurring donation subscriptions.
LearnDash
LearnDash lets you create and customize your online courses without restrictions. With features that engage your learners, sophisticated marketing and sales functionalities, and more.
Orderable
Orderable is the quickest and easiest way to take your restaurant online with no added fees.
Groundhogg
Groundhogg CRM & Marketing Automation for WordPress can help you dramatically improve how you acquire leads and make more sales!
WC Vendors
Create your own multivendor marketplace with WordPress powered by WooCommerce. Build your own marketplace just like Amazon, Etsy, eBay or Shopify, envato quickly with the help of WC Vendors.
SEOKEY
SEOKEY is different from other SEO plugins for WordPress. Our plugin doesn’t just give you SEO functionality; it goes much further.
HollerBox
HollerBox Popups & Lead-Generation for WordPress will help you generate more leads and sales with easy-to-implement popups and notifications!
WordPress Plugin Development For Beginners
In this course, you will learn the basics of WordPress plugin development and create your first WordPress plugin.
Nari
Nari is suitable for all types of creative blogs. It is a speed, and Google Core Web Vitals optimized blog theme.
What am I working on to raise the profile of the directory?
Let’s start with social media; I don’t like using Facebook; that’s me personally. However, I’d be doing a disservice to those listing in the WP Directory if I didn’t share them on my FB page.
Linkedin, believe it or not, lots of WP frequent Linkedin, so I’ve created a page to share updates to, it’s here if you’d like to follow!
I’ve added directory listings underneath all blog posts, which takes the 4 most recent entries for more exposure. Also, I need to flesh out the category pages, add a load of content, for tags as well, so busy, busy, busy!
Giveaways
As part of the directory, I have started running giveaways, the latest, has unfortunately just ended. Saying that, I’ve got plenty on board for future giveaways!
All I need to do now, is build a page housing them all, phew!
Summary
Again, I’m overwhelmed by the response, considering LayerWP isn’t a heavy hitter in the WP blog world. The support for the directory has been nothing short of amazing, and I feel incredibly lucky to have the above submissions, and to all of you who have got involved, huge thanks!
I never expected I’d get more than 30 entries, truth be told! I love this shift from being a blog, to being a directory of interesting products. One that can help people find something new, or shed light on a product that’s been overlooked.
I’ve got my work cut out, moving forwards, but the next stop, is 100 products in my WordPress directory, will I get there? Who knows, but it will be interesting to find out, so make sure you look out for future listings, and don’t forget to bookmark the directory page!
Want to submit your product to my WP directory?
If you’re a WordPress product owner, looking for a new avenue to showcase your WordPress offering, why not take a look at submitting your product?
I’ve got big plans for the directory side of things, so would be great if you hopped on board, and joined in the directory seas!
Till next time, take care, and keep those eyes peeled on the WP directory!
Subscribe To My Newsletter
Leave a Reply