Create a WordPress Plugin

Why WordPress Plugins?

WordPress powers over 40% of all websites, and its plugin ecosystem allows developers to sell useful features to millions of users. If you can create a plugin that solves a specific problem for website owners, you can sell it as a subscription or one-time purchase.

For digital nomads with development skills, WordPress plugins offer a path to truly passive income. Once launched, successful plugins can generate steady revenue for years with only maintenance and support work required.

The WordPress Plugin Market

Market Opportunity

• 500+ million WordPress websites
• 60,000+ free plugins on WordPress.org
• Billions spent annually on WordPress products
• Continuous growth with Gutenberg/blocks

Plugin Categories by Revenue

Category	Competition	Revenue Potential
Page builders	Very High	Very High
E-commerce	High	Very High
SEO	Very High	High
Security	High	High
Forms	High	High
Niche-specific	Low-Medium	Medium

Niche plugins often have the best opportunity-to-competition ratio.

Finding Your Plugin Idea

Problem Discovery

Look for problems in:

• WordPress support forums
• Plugin review complaints
• Facebook groups
• Reddit communities
• Your own WordPress experience
• Client requests (if you do WordPress development)

Validation Questions

1. Do people actively search for solutions?
2. Are existing solutions inadequate?
3. Would people pay for a better solution?
4. Can you build it with your skills?
5. Is the market large enough?

Plugin Ideas by Type

Gutenberg/Blocks:

• Custom block collections
• Block patterns and templates
• Block extensions

E-commerce:

• WooCommerce add-ons
• Payment gateways
• Shipping calculators

Content:

• Custom post types
• Content restrictions
• Editorial workflows

Admin:

• Dashboard improvements
• User role management
• Admin customization

Building Your Plugin

Technical Requirements

Languages:

• PHP (essential)
• JavaScript (for admin/front-end)
• CSS (styling)
• SQL (database)

WordPress Knowledge:

• Hooks and filters
• Plugin API
• Settings API
• REST API
• Database interactions

Development Best Practices

Security:

• Sanitize inputs
• Escape outputs
• Use nonces
• Check capabilities

Performance:

• Minimize queries
• Proper enqueuing
• Caching where appropriate

Compatibility:

• Test with popular themes
• Test with major plugins
• Support current WP versions

Plugin Structure

/your-plugin/
├── your-plugin.php       # Main file
├── includes/             # Core classes
├── admin/                # Admin functionality
├── public/               # Frontend
├── assets/               # CSS, JS, images
└── readme.txt            # WP.org readme

Monetization Strategies

Freemium Model

Most popular approach:

Version	Features	Purpose
Free	Core functionality	User acquisition
Pro	Advanced features	Revenue

Conversion rates: 1-5% typical, 10%+ for essential tools

Pricing Options

Model	Typical Price	Best For
Annual license	$49-199/year	Recurring revenue
Lifetime	$149-399	Higher upfront
Tiered	$49-299/year	Different segments

Where to Sell

Platform	Fees	Best For
Your website (EDD)	Payment fees only	Control
Freemius	7%	Subscription management
CodeCanyon	30-55%	Exposure
Gumroad	9%+	Simple sales

Launching Your Plugin

WordPress.org Submission

For free/freemium plugins:

1. Create WordPress.org account
2. Submit plugin for review
3. Wait 1-2 weeks for approval
4. Address feedback if needed
5. Publish and maintain

Benefits: Organic discovery, credibility, search traffic

Your Plugin Website

Essential for premium:

• Professional landing page
• Feature comparison
• Pricing page
• Documentation
• Support system
• Purchase flow

Launch Checklist

• Plugin tested thoroughly
• Documentation complete
• Support system ready
• Landing page live
• Email list prepared
• Social presence established

Marketing Your Plugin

WordPress.org Optimization

• Keyword-rich title
• Compelling description
• Quality screenshots
• Engaging banner
• Regular updates
• Encourage reviews

Content Marketing

• Plugin tutorials
• WordPress tips
• Comparison articles
• Video demonstrations
• Problem-solution content

Community Engagement

• WordPress forums
• Facebook groups
• Reddit communities
• WordCamps and meetups
• Slack communities

Support and Maintenance

Support Strategy

Free plugin:

• WordPress.org forums
• Limited personal support
• Documentation focus

Premium plugin:

• Ticket system
• Faster response
• Priority handling
• Dedicated support

Ongoing Maintenance

Expect to spend time on:

• WordPress version compatibility
• PHP updates
• Bug fixes
• Security patches
• Feature requests

Budget 20-40% of time for maintenance.

Scaling Your Plugin Business

Growth Strategies

• Add premium tiers
• Create addon plugins
• Bundle products
• Increase prices over time
• Build plugin portfolio

Team Building

As you grow, consider:

• Support help
• Development assistance
• Marketing support
• Design resources

Building While Nomadic

Remote-Friendly Aspects

• Pure digital product
• Async support works
• Cloud-based development
• Global customer base

Challenges

• Support expectations
• Testing environment needs
• Major release timing
• Reliable internet needed

Solutions

• Clear response time policies
• Cloud dev environments
• Scheduled release windows
• Documentation-first support

Who Should Create WordPress Plugins?

This path is ideal if you:

• Have PHP/WordPress experience
• Enjoy solving problems with code
• Can commit to ongoing maintenance
• Want product income vs. services
• See specific gaps in WordPress ecosystem

It's not right if you:

• Don't know PHP/WordPress
• Need immediate income
• Dislike maintenance work
• Can't handle customer support
• Prefer purely passive income

The Bottom Line

WordPress plugins offer a proven path to product income for developers who understand the platform. The massive market, established distribution, and proven monetization models reduce risk compared to building from scratch.

Start with a focused plugin that solves one problem well. Build a free version for distribution, then add premium features for revenue. Iterate based on user feedback and market response.

The WordPress ecosystem rewards plugins that make users' lives easier. Build something useful, support it well, and growth will follow.

Your plugin could be installed on millions of sites. Start building.