WordPress VIP Partners are vetted agencies that provide enterprise-level solutions including web design, development, and strategy. That said, the status of the VIP branding means that many agencies charge more for their services. So, you might be wondering: is it worth it?
Gold and Silver VIP Partners deliver quality code, forward-thinking processes, and access to WordPress resources and support. But, you can end up paying much more to work with these agencies. Plus, you can miss out on even better agencies that don’t want to pay to join the VIP Partner program.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at WordPress VIP Partners. Then, we’ll discuss the main pros and cons of using them before exploring a better alternative. Let’s get to it!
What are WordPress VIP Partners?
WordPress VIP Partners are agencies that collaborate with WordPress VIP. This is a company that offers fully managed, secure, and scalable digital solutions for large enterprises.
When organizations work with WordPress VIP, they might be able to expand their web presence, produce more web content, learn how to improve performance, and more.
You may notice that there are Gold and Silver VIP Partners. Initially, this distinction didn’t exist, but once WordPress VIP gained more partners, it tiered its recommendations into Gold and Silver.
In order to achieve Gold Partner status, agencies need to have lots of experience with the CMS and demonstrate a clear understanding of the product:
Gold Partners also reap additional benefits such as exclusive access to the WordPress roadmap, which gives agencies inside knowledge to make impactful or strategic decisions. There are only a very limited number of Gold standard Partners, so it’s considered a very prestigious community.
When you join the Partner program, your company website gets featured on the WordPress VIP platform. This boosts the visibility of your brand. You’ll also get other perks like co-marketing opportunities, direct access to the WordPress VIP team, strategic business planning, and more.
Technically, any WordPress agency can apply to join the VIP Partner scheme. There’s a simple application form to complete on the website and then a Partner Manager will review your application and be in touch.
However, WordPress only considers prospects with a strong track record of forward-thinking WordPress implementations. Criteria include clear product understanding and innovative solutions.
Note that companies have to pay to join the Partner scheme.
Should you hire WordPress VIP Partners?
Now that you know more about the WordPress Partner scheme, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of hiring WordPress VIP Partners.
The benefits of working with WordPress VIP Partners
There are tons of reasons why you might consider using VIP partners. For example, you might need a completely custom site, or perhaps you require back-end development, theme customization, web design, UX optimization, security enhancements, and more.
When working with WordPress VIP partners, you’ll get quality assurance for your project since the agencies have been reviewed and vetted by WordPress. This is especially relevant if you’re hiring an agency to develop a site, theme, or plugin because bad code can bloat your site and slow it down.
The good news is that WordPress prioritizes lightweight quality code, and it’s rigorously checked to ensure that it meets a certain standard. Not only that, but WordPress VIP Partners get access to resources, guidance, and technical support from WordPress, which can help your project progress smoothly.
As mentioned in the previous section, VIP Partners get exclusive access to the WordPress VIP roadmap, which includes future releases and new features. This means that you can often benefit from forward-thinking technologies and capitalize on the latest trends before anyone else.
The drawbacks of working with WordPress VIP Partners
There are many agencies that meet the exact criteria to become a VIP Partner. However, unless they’re willing to pay the fee required to gain the branding, they’re not able to join the program.
Therefore, you’ll likely miss out on the expertise of these companies if you restrict your search to Partners only. Many people often assume that VIP Partner agencies provide more value, which is strictly not the case.
Additionally, you might find that agencies charge more simply because they have the status of a WordPress VIP Partner. This means that you’re likely to find other agencies (not in the Partner scheme) that deliver high-quality WordPress solutions at a much more affordable rate.
WordPress VIP is geared towards enterprise-level organizations. Therefore, VIP Partners may not be the best option if you have a small or medium-sized business. Plus, you’ll likely be overpaying if you only require a basic service.
A better alternative to WordPress VIP Partners
As we’ve discussed, WordPress VIP Partners tend to be more expensive than other agencies that offer the same service. These companies can increase the perceived value of their services due to their official VIP status.
If you want to save money, you can expand your search to other top-rated agencies that do meet the criteria of WordPress VIP Partners but don’t want to pay the fee to join.
For example, Freshy is a full-service WordPress development and design agency that has over 15 years of experience:
You can access expert WordPress development services if you require a completely custom site, or if you want to develop a custom plugin to add more functionality. You can also use Freshy to design or re-design your entire website, customize your WordPress theme, and make your platform mobile-friendly.
One of the best things about Freshy is that you can strike up a long-term partnership. Whether you’re interested in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), security, or migrations, you can access ongoing support and maintenance from the team. And, you’ll get your own project manager to make sure your unique needs are understood.
Conclusion
WordPress VIP Partners can appear more prestigious than other agencies. These solutions provide the peace of mind that your project will be built on quality code. Plus, you can often access expert WordPress support and guidance.
However, the VIP Partner scheme has become a bit of a status symbol among agencies. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting access to top-of-the-range solutions. In fact, some of the best agencies meet all the criteria, but simply don’t want to pay to join the program.
Freshy was once a VIP Partner but decided to stop paying the fees for that status. However, we continue to provide top-notch services that include SEO optimization, security enhancements, ecommerce development, and much more. Plus, you’ll get access to your own project manager. Get a quote today!
Featured image: Created by author.
