Why WordPress Won't Make It Through the Next Decade

WordPress may have helped create the modern web, especially modern blogging—but all good things must come to an end. For over a decade, WordPress has been the go-to platform for creating websites.

But as modern web design continues to evolve, it’s getting harder to ignore WordPress’s limitations. Add to that the influx of modern web design tools that have made web design even more accessible—and it’s no wonder why WordPress is falling behind.

In 2020, clients and web developers are looking for web frameworks that are faster, easier to use, and more modular than what WordPress can provide. Evolution is inevitable, and solutions like MAP (Market Advertise Promote) fare too good to ignore. 

WordPress's main issues are web design and security. Customers require modular and responsive websites. A poorly-designed website is less likely to gain traction online or be recommended to others. In terms of web and data security, WordPress security flaws could fill its own blog post—or even several, but this post will keep them short and concise.

So, why do we think WordPress is dead in 2020? And why are more and more companies turning to MAP and other modular web platforms? Read on to find out more.

WordPress’s Limitations: Design and Security

WordPress is popular, but being popular doesn’t guarantee a seamless user experience. Clients need to evaluate different web platforms, themes, and more to determine which website design experience is intuitive, and is most appropriate for their needs.

WordPress transformed the web and is still a significant player in the website marketplace. However, for clients in 2020, many need something more. They need a platform that is agile and can keep up with their needs.

Due to the increasing modularity of the web and web design, clients need websites that are mobile responsive, easy to design and customize, and provide excellent support and maintenance in the future. With more hacks and attacks occurring every day, ensuring website security is paramount to running a safe and effective website. 

WordPress Problem #1: Design Issues

Many WordPress developers and designers like to customize their themes, adding new lines of code or even whole sections to a website. 

But this is one area where WordPress struggles.

WordPress is primarily a blogging platform and isn’t intuitive enough to provide clients with this level of control. Clients don’t always have the technical expertise to overcome the various limitations of WordPress.

And then there’s the issue of themes.

There is no standardization for WordPress themes. Anyone, and any agency, can create a theme. While WordPress recommends that developers and designers follow their codex, there are few limitations on what WordPress requires for inclusion in a WordPress theme.

This lack of enforcement means that WordPress themes can change from developer to developer and agency to agency. Simply installing a new theme can result in a gaudy-looking website, and you may have data loss issues if you have not backed up your data using a third-party service, locally, or offline. 

What about plugins, the bread and butter of WordPress?

While WordPress provides plugins to add features and functionalities to your website, installing them requires planning. Plugins, like themes, can be created by anyone and may or may not be supported and maintained. 

Each plugin will add to your website's design in a new way, which may not be compatible with the desired look you require for your business. A plugin to add a customized contact form can clash with your color theme, style, or modular design. Plugins and themes like this are not an intuitive experience.

WordPress Problem #2: Security Issues

Although you never should, if you consider web security as an afterthought, hackers can breach your website, change pricing in your online store to obtain items for free, or change or delete your data. Any of these actions can impact your business's bottom line and reputation. You need a website that is safe and secure.

The vast majority of security vulnerabilities originate from WordPress plugins. Plugins are third-party theme extensions that allow users to add new features and functionality to their websites, from adding an image gallery, to adding an ecommerce store, with the click of a button. 

But this convenience comes at a price.

Some plugins may use outdated code or lack support. This provides hackers with an easy outlet to attack your website should they discover you are using plugins with known vulnerabilities. 

Security is everyone's responsibility. Everyone must do their part to ensure a website is secure. Developers must use safe coding practices. Bloggers must not overshare information that could lead to data leaks and breaches. The WordPress platform must scrutinize plugins and themes for security flaws. If even one individual or entity does not participate, a website can be insecure.

With an open theme and plugin marketplace and a lack of security recommendations and enforcement on the part of WordPress, the WordPress platform is not secure enough for 2020.