In this episode, we go into detail about the business model and mechanics of Doug’s business, PodWP/EfficientWP.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:18 — 23.2MB)
The Changelog
- David:
- Set up demo using Ninja Demo (demo of Easy Pricing Tables)
- Switched from Github to Bitbucket due to pricing structure
The Core
- PodWP is a niche WordPress hosting and design business
- Started hosting clients on multisite to simplify maintenance
- Why choose the podcast niche?
- Experience: already built podcast websites, want to specialize
- Opportunity: no competition, some podcasters don’t have sites
- Serving a need: can make things a lot easier for podcasters
- Lots of room for improvement on existing sites:
- Design
- Performance
- Conversions – email list
- Engagement – comments, contact form, voicemail
- Infrastructure:
- WordPress multisite install
- Client pros:
- No maintenance or security to worry about
- Premium themes and plugins included
- Templates with a theme and certain plugins pre-configured
- Fast and reliable infrastructure
- Great value compared to buying:
- Managed hosting
- Maintenance contract
- Premium themes and plugins
- Client cons:
- Can’t install their own themes and plugins
- No email hosting, cPanel, etc.
- Risks of this business model:
- Many podcasts fail before 10 episodes
- Low barrier to entry for competitors
- Unproven market
- Similar niche services based on multisite installs:
- Low end: WordPress.com, Edublogs
- High end: Restaurant Engine by Brian Casel, New Rainmaker
Tips & Tricks
- David: WPStream (in the repository)
- Records everything that happens on your site
- Doug: RescueTime
- Tracks productivity and time spent on various sites/applications
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:18 — 23.2MB)
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