The SEO Framework, as the name describes, is a WordPress plugin for SEO. It was created for WordPress environments much like WordPress.com; this means that it’s built with users in mind who want to focus on getting their website ready in an enterprise-like and stable environment, without a hassle, without SEO knowledge required, without advertisements, and without branding.
About the creator, Sybre Waaijer
When I first started with WordPress, I noticed how hosting companies could mistreat us and how ill-prepared they are for WordPress. So, I set up a hosting environment solely for WordPress. Because of that, I became a server administrator, a database manager, a theme builder, a full-time support agent, and a full-stack WordPress plugin developer, etc. etc.
To make that work, I had to automate every aspect of the WordPress hosting environment. One of these things was SEO, achieved via a plugin called “AutoDescription.” The plugin that provided that gained popularity on WPMUdev, and eventually, I shipped it to WordPress.org on a recommendation from their staff. Since then, I renamed it to “The SEO Framework,” and it attracted over 100,000 users to this date.
While embracing the WordPress.org community, I soon noticed how many plugin authors lie to you and abuse their power to sell you stuff. It’s an aggressive market, and I’ll always stay clear of such dubious practices. I’m actively challenging those plugin authors with The SEO Framework–showing them how you should develop for WordPress.
All this helped The SEO Framework get where it is today. And I love every aspect of it.
My philosophy
While being very much in line with WordPress’s philosophy, we do have some things to add.
Never release with bugs
It’s unethical to use your users’ professional working environment as testing facilities. So, I’ll never bring you software that has known bugs. I know I value my code quality more than you could ever care about your website. With that, you can expect software from me that works perfectly every time. I’m still human and could’ve overlooked things, which is where minor releases come in.
No nonsensical features
With The SEO Framework, I focus completely on technical SEO. With this, only peer-reviewed improvements or, otherwise, improvements verified by Google will be implemented. I strive to implement every new feature seamlessly, without obstructing the workflow of the user.
Help every user
Answering a support inquiry can take anywhere from ten minutes to four hours. I don’t always do this with full anticipation, but I do know that users bring me new perspectives. I know I could’ve overlooked things, and I know I could’ve done things better; it is why being present at every inquiry is of utmost importance, especially as a developer.
Prevent support inquiries
Now, I won’t send you through hoops, so I can avoid talking to you; support must and will remain very accessible. Instead, I try to perfect the software to the point that you won’t ever need to inquire to us for support. This is done by implementing clear and well-worded instructions near each setting and by warning you in time when something could go wrong.
Moreover, we develop our plugins meticulously with impeccable attention to detail, so we know it’ll work as intended. We never rush our releases.
Therefore, although our products gain popularity in great numbers, the support inquiries go down in relatively great numbers with every release.
Rules when writing code
As a WordPress plugin developer, I know incompatibilities with other plugins are a burden. To alleviate (and, in extent, prevent) this, I set certain rules. Furthermore, I believe it’s important that our software can be used on enterprise-like websites, which is already the case.
- First and foremost, conform to Google’s best practices.
- Always use the WordPress API when storing or retrieving information.
- Focus on lightning-fast code–even at the cost of readability.
- Set a deadline on features, not on releases.
- Never lock out features or trim functionality for the sake of monetization.
Fair pricing
I believe you shouldn’t pay more for than what you need. This is counter-intuitive as we deliver software packages; however, the price you pay for our extension packages is the market-price for just one extension for one site.
Now, if you happen to be using more than one extension (or more than one site), you’ll be even better off! Our pricing is for western countries, and I understand that not every country is as wealthy as these. Nevertheless, if you don’t do anything awry to Google, I know you’ll get your investment back on our premium services, regardless of your country’s GDP. Albeit through fixing an issue found by Monitor, through writing more natural with more synonyms that are delivered by Focus, or by exposing your business via Local.
Much more will come, too, without additional costs forwarded to you.