WordPress Direct - My Thoughts…
Here I was happily creating a new piece of content when my friendfeed of alert system went nuts! 
A blog I follow religiously, received a press release from WordPress Direct. Based on that press release, they asked their readership what they thought of WordPress direct.
All hell broke loose.
I’ll let you read the comments and make your own judgment. For the record, I wanted to put my own thoughts here on the 30 day challenge blog.
I think the posters that accused WPD of creating spam blogs missed the point completely. At first glance, I can see where they’re coming from. Just a bit of research and actual understanding of the purpose of the software I think most non-biased viewers would reach the conclusion that I have…
I think WPD is brilliant, here’s why;
It’s common knowledge that our lab headed by Rob Somerville played a huge part in the development of WPD. What excited us about WPD was its ability to create a website in a few minutes without any training whatsoever. This made it perfect to the 30 day challenge!
Over 10,000 people since the WPD was launched during the 30 day challenge have created Blogs with the service. Let’s just review what we actually taught people to do with Word press direct…
We talk people to use WPD to create just ONE blog. This blog was niche based and selected after extensive market research. It is true we use keywords to create the blog - not for spam purposes but to make sure the categories and content are going to be relevant for Google.
And this is what I think created the confusion.
It is true, if the system allowed you unlimited access (and it most certainly does not) in theory you can create hundreds of spam type blogs. doing this however, would be both pointless and stupid.
I repeat, the absolute best thing about WPD is its ability to create a blog so simply even an absolute beginner can do it. We proved that in this year’s 30 day challenge when thousands of people created their first-ever blog.
It’s also important to point out that we taught people to create ONE blog. At the 30 day challenge we hate spam more than anyone. However, any tool, no matter how useful, sadly — can be used for both good and evil.
It was because of this, a number of safeguards were built in to WPD to ensure that anyone who tried to use it for spam purposes would be very quickly and brutally shut down.
The first layer of protection comes from Google itself. Duplicate content rules were bought in for a very good reason. Anyone just ripping off content and placing it on their blog deserves to have the wrath of Google showered upon them.
In the 30 day challenge, we INSIST that people create their own content. Sure, we make sure that they monitor news feeds and other sources to get inspiration and ideas. We certainly do not encourage people stealing others’ intellectual property. Not only is it morally wrong, it’s just plain stupid.
What a lot of the people discussing the mashable article would not have seen is the limiting of the number of blogs that can be created in any given month. This was a very deliberate move to ensure that someone trying to use the system — or should I say game the system — would be wasting their time.
But as they say in the classics – that’s not all.
The team at WPD conducts manual reviews of the blogs created with its system. Again, try to game the system and WPD will shut you down.
It is true, WPD blogs do very well with google. This is not through trickery or dare I say it, gameing the system. It’s using Googles own data and their own suggestions to implement a push button blog. While the creation of the blog is a pushbutton process, just like any other blog it’s the effort, market understanding and good old elbow grease that will determine the blogs success…
And that’s how it should be.
November 24th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Hey Ed
Got this tip from Ask Mr Video - Perry Lawrence:
I’ve taken a long-tail keyword and posted a video series on You Tube
I’ve then taken these same videos and posted them on WPD
And yes when I Google this long-tail keyword, I’m ranking on the first page of Google courtesy of the WPD tags.
Too early to determine the long term success of this project, but all it has cost me so far is time.
Surely this is just clever syndication of content?
Regards
Noel Lyons
November 24th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Ed, i too have been watching the fireworks about WPD. Most of the post I’ve seen have been negative, nice to see a contrary opinion about the mess.
Noel, very interesting.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:43 am
I have to agree with you Ed, I was introduced to WPD through 30DC and as a non techie wannabe internet marketer WPD gave me all the tools at a click of my laptop.
Throughout 30DC it was drummed into me that duplicate content was a bid No No unless of course it was my own and on different blogs, articles etc. As a newbie the use of WPD gave me the time to concentrate on content and research without having to worry about the techie bits. I can learn about building my own SEO blogs and sites once I have mastered the basics, I have nothing but praise for WPD and of course 30DC team.
Steve
November 24th, 2008 at 11:55 am
The WPD model is brilliant and a tool. As you noted, any tool can be used for malicious intent or generalized mischief.
Once you float the possibility, it takes on a life of it’s own based on the user’s intent.
None of my blogs have yet to achieve Google PR. Yet one of the 4 compiled for 30DC August challenge seems to have gained traction in Google and is generating >100 visit/day. There is no other explanation for the traffic other than the authority and density the blog format affords for site visibility purposes. Now if I can only monetize that activity!
Cheers.
November 24th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I think a large part of the problem is the fact that the Wordpress Direct site promotes it as an automated solution, where you don’t need to do any work.
From the home page:
“Create SEO-Optimized, Content-Stuffed Websites Instantly With WordPressDirect” - Content stuffed implies that I don’t need to create content myself.
“No More PRESSURE to Update Your Site Daily. . . Simply click a few buttons and WordPress Direct will update your site as often or as rarely as you’d like.” - It does all the work for me.
“Step 3: Sit Back And Relax” - Again, I don’t need to do any work.
Plus, the video really pushes the automated side in my opinion. Even the mention of creating your own content is almost an afterthought, and it’s quickly pointed out that you don’t *have* to do that.
I don’t think it matters how they teach you to use it once you’ve signed up, or how the 30DC teaches you to use it, anyone looking at it for the first time, like a lot of the people on Mashable apparently, are going to see the stuff promoting the “set it and forget it” aspect.
I think WPD needs to go a little lighter on the automation side of things and push the ease of use for non-technical people side more. I suspect that would hurt their bottom line though, since people looking for a magic button are known to be big spenders, looking for that non-existent button over and over again.
November 24th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Yes I did the 30 day challenge using Word Press Direct it has changed from the first appearance, as I have trouble with the widget outlay I choose, was very disappointed with that, as it does not look anything like the one I blog I had at the end of the 30day challenge.
I add all my own content, so I have no problems there.
I am very happy to have learned how to set up a blog myself, will use it again if needed.Thankyou “WordPressDirect”.
November 24th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Ed - Thank you for the clarification of what sounds like a misunderstanding of the intended use of Word Press Direct. I am about to use this for the first time myself and look forward to what sounds like a very easy process to get a Word Press blog up and running. It sounds like a real answer for those like me who are using Blogger because of the ease of use, but paying the price by doing so when it comes to SEO and plug in applications. Best wishes with the next 30 Day Challenge.
James
AskJamesHolmes.com
November 24th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Here some coments about WPD and hopefully it can be improve.
1. The theme and colour not much choice
2. I like the “add and banner” ready to install with your product into the blog but not all theme have it. Sometimes I like the theme but “add and banner” not included.
Others well done gang..
November 25th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I do have a WPD blog (outline) set up but have not published content to it yet. I do have confidence in your recommendation and have loved all the stuff I’ve learned in 30dc so far (I’m only on day 12 - going slowly) - and I loved how quick and easy set-up was… but there is one superficial thing lacking that keeps me at my current (Wordpress.com) blog. My niche is an art-based one, and the themes in WPD are currently lacking. I know they will likely work on this soon, and I’m watching and waiting for that time. Unless I missed it, there is’ a plug-and-play theme (for those of us who don’t know CSS) that allows me to customize to the extent I’d like to. I need a customizeable banner at the very least, customizeable colors and other things to help create a unique design off a template would be great! For now, I’m still at Wordpress.com even though I know WPD is the way to go as far as SEO stuff goes. I just can’t get past the image my customers will see on their first click.
November 26th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Ed, there are two business models at WPD:
1) Fast blog set up with optimized SEO
2) Large scale automated spam blog building
The first business model is what you are talking about, and it makes sense.
But the Gold Membership is what the second model is all about. I took it because you so strongly advocated WPD in the 30DC. It cost me a lot of money before I figured out what I had got into, and that I had made a big mistake.
I think you and Marty have made a big error of judgement promoting mass automated blogging with the Gold Membership. You should have stuck with the first business model and monetized that correctly instead of setting out to make your money from the second business model. In my view it has badly damaged the reputation of WPD. That’s what it seems to me Marty promotes, and what has caused such a stir at Mashable - and elsewhere I might add.
I greatly value what you do with the 30DC, and acknowledge you argue against spamming the internet - but, sheesh, what else is large scale automated blogging? I really do think you have some work left to do to separate yourself from the perceived spamming association of your endorsement of WPD among people like me.
As a newbie I think I have figured out what WPD is good for now, but I had to learn the hard way, and I am not happy about the dollars and time that took.
November 26th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Rod
With the greatest respect - i dont get what your saying
A - who said anything about hundreds of blogs?? That’s just pointless and stupid - the whole point is to have as few as possible to cover the keywords.
B - Anyone who trys to span a WPD bloggets kicked - every blog is manually reviewed. Try to SPAM your out
C- The number of Blogs you set up is restricted - for a darn good reason!!!
D- Large scale Automatic blogging is the scourge of the Internet, I have never ever taught it, never used it and never will. Mainly because it’s just super dumb as opposed to having a religious issue with it. As we proved in the 30dc one well designed blog can kick the tail out of any spam blog.
Ed
November 27th, 2008 at 6:00 am
Hi Ed -
Oh dear, in my experience anybody who starts a reply saying “with the greatest respect” usually means exactly the opposite!
I don’t think I’ve missed the point about WPD at all. I share your views on what is good about it. But I think the Gold Membership and its automated blog posting tools for up to 100 blogs is another thing again, and a spammy concept.
So let me try and clarify -
A - You are the one talking about “hundreds of blogs”, Ed. In my previous comment I just mentioned the Gold membership. It was for 100 blogs. Mass enough, I guess. Pointless and stupid? Thats what I eventually figured out after I was suckered into it.
B - So before I paid my Gold membership money nobody told me if I used the heavily promoted automated posting solutions included with that membership I would get “kicked”. Anyway, I never was “kicked” by WPD. But it was me who soon figured out I was on the path of a spammer with those tools. I kicked myself out of my WPD Gold membership. No way could I properly set up and maintain 100 blogs other than by using the automated tools on offer or by hiring a big team in Mumbai to create original content.
C - Sure - limited to 100 in the Gold membership. So, we know that. Actually, to be pedantic I believe the limit may be 100 active blogs, not the number in total that you may set up. As you know, Marty is promoting the idea of building and selling off a number of blogs each month to fund ongoing monthly memberships.
D - I was relatively new to blogging at the time of the 30DC, and didn’t know that setting out to build 100 blogs using the automated posting Gold Membership methods promoted by WPD was “super dumb” - until I got in there I didn’t even know what the tools did - like copy Yahoo Answers, for example. I learned the hard way. I am not interested in that method of blogging. And that’s the point of my comment above - why in your favorite diety’s name was there such a heavily promoted 100 blog Gold Membership option based on using its unique automated posting tools? Apart from no doubt generating a lot of sales, seems to me all that did was give WPD an unnecessary bad name, and divert attention from the core strengths of WPD that you showed in the 30DC, and that you talk about in the post above.
As I say, seems to me there were two business models.
I’m not “super dumb”, but I sure proved to myself I’m not the sharpest pencil in the jar when I fell for the Gold Membership. I’m no spammer. so I’ve moved on to better things.
Anyway, that’s how I see it and why I am not happy about my short Gold Membership experience in WPD.
Rod
November 27th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Hello Ed,
I am new to IM, have been doing it for about 4 months. I have run into so much crap and BS, there are no words to describe it. The junk people will sell to make money, and the stupidity of those of us who buy it is unbelievable. When I ran across the 30DC, I thought to myself, finally something that might actually work. And truth be told, so far I have been very impressed. In fact it is the best course, information, or what, that I have come across, and could very well be the best on the web.
This brings me to the WPD controversy. I was thinking about buying the gold membership, but for some reason held off. You see, no matter how good a tool like WPD is, someone like me, new to IM and therefore inexperienced, doesn’t need much negative press to be convinced if something is bad. I look at both sides of the argument and won’t go against something just because of someone’s comments. However, reading all the opinions and comments has definitely put a big question in my mind. I need to see more reports from someone experienced like you, as to the merits of WPD.
I would ask one thing of you. Like was said above, I have been very impressed with the way you present the 30DC, the information you give, and the way you do business. The way you present yourself builds trust with the people you speak to. It is that simple. How many people are part of the 30DC? 20,000?
Well, keep this in mind. As you know, that trust is very hard to come by on the Internet, and any association with bad press and maybe a not so popular product is going to erode that trust. Personally I trust your advice, but something like this starts driving a teeny tiny wedge in. I think for the sake of the relationship with those 20,000 or so people, you need to be very careful with the associations you present.
Otherwise people will start to see you as another internet marketer.
Anyway that is all. Let me know what you think.
Thanks a bunch for the 30DC, and the other stuff you put out there.
Jordan
P.S. Not trying to bash you or anything, just another angle to this whole thing.
November 27th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Ed,
I have to agree with Rod here - there appears to be two different business models at Wordpress Direct, and all of the promotional material I watched or read over there pretty much sells the second one - automated posting. I won’t say on a large scale basis because the guys that do that are dealing with thousands of sites. This is only 100, but I don’t think there are too many people in this business who can manage 100 sites and see any kind of success with most of them.
I was a gold member for a while too, same as Rod and I wound up coming to the same realization. There’s just no way to reasonably build anywhere near 100 sites and maintain them all without automating the posting to a greater degree than I’d like. Even at 2 sites a month, after 6 months you’re having to write for and market 12 sites, which isn’t a small task for the average part-time marketer.
As for the spam moderation, you said:
“B - Anyone who trys to span a WPD bloggets kicked - every blog is manually reviewed. Try to SPAM your out”
I’ve got a blog that was set up as 100% automated content and it’s still going strong several months later, with the automated posts coming in like clockwork. It’s a pure spam blog, I’ll admit, and I don’t expect it to do anything for me. I’m really just leaving it up to see how long it a) takes Google to boot it from the index and now b) takes WPD to shut it down
November 29th, 2008 at 8:41 am
First, I must qualify my writings by saying that I tend to be too geeky at times. WPD could be a terrific tool to give someone an introduction to blogging and how one works. But it’s simplicity of implementation allowed me to be content with the ordinary and delayed me from really looking behind the Wordpress curtain to see the machinery that runs the system.
My experience with WPD has not been too pleasant. Too often, I wasn’t able to access my site to work on it. I don’t know if that was due to server loads or simply my location in the world. Secondly, changes I made were often lost during the update process. That created a lot of redundant work. That could also be a server load problem.
I would endorse WPD for newbies except for my personal experiences. I’m certainly not expert, but I was really frustrated with what seemed to be user growth exceeding server capacity.
Finally, the WPD forum seemed to be almost devoid of support. Those in the know left a lot of unanswered questions on the forum. Again, on the surface, this seems to be a case of too fast growth where the user base overwhelmed the support capacity.
I see WPD as simply a (mostly) user friendly interface to the Wordpress blog engine. When the bugs are worked out and there is adequate support from both the hardware and staffing standpoints, WPD would be a good way to go. I’d love to use it and trust it, but not at this moment.
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:45 pm
WordpressDirect.com = Sploggers
End of discussion
December 7th, 2008 at 3:03 am
All BS aside including those who rant and rave. I am trying out wordpressdirect with the free membership, and am writing all the posts I put on. My blog achieved page one status out of 14,400,000 other results in about 1 week. For a beginner like me, it is a perfect way to get a site up while learning the ropes. Might eventually upgrade to silver. Will wait and see how the sites do in the long run.