My Take

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a big proponent of open source. Not only is it good for the project to allow the code to be audited by anyone to keep bad actors at bay, but projects like WordPress are also way more portable and accessible because they are open-source and have a big community behind them.

I have a friend in the SEO space, Mordy Oberstein, who works for Wix. Wix isn't open source. It's locked down. I'm not saying it's not a great platform, it's pretty neat, but taking your site out of the Wix system means a complete redesign.

One of the biggest legacy arguments against Wix was it's lack of SEO-prowess, but that's changed, and it's not half bad now. But you're stuck with what Wix decides you need for SEO, where as with WordPress there are a variety of SEO plugins to choose from that all have a similar yet different take on implementing SEO.

Open-source and especially the self-hosted variety, like WordPress.org, makes it more accessible for companies who want to be independent from their designers with hosting. Even if they have the agency hosts and maintains the site, WordPress is so ubiquitous that it can be take over by another agency easily.

Currently, I'm working with a design-build remodeling company on their new site, the current site needs to move off their old agency's servers before September due to that agency closing up shop. Because of the ubiquity of WordPress, I can do this quite easily.

Now the argument could be made that with Wix and the other closed-source competitors, there is no changing of servers just changing of credentials, if even that. True. But if Wix were to close up shop, which is doubtful, moving your site would be a hassle at best.

Another thing, with open-source is there is built in transparency, if there is a flaw, it will be uncovered and responsibly disclosed. With closed-source systems, we just don't have that guarantee.

I guess what it boils down to is what you're most comfortable using and what you like/prefer.

What do you think? Do you prefer open-source or the closed systems? Let me know. Hit that reply button.

Web Finds

• LinkedIn Makes its 20 Most Popular LinkedIn Learning Courses Freely Available Throughout August
  Many people don't know or forget that LinkedIn bought Lynda the learning platform a while back. It's one of the benefits of a premium membership on the network. Now LinkedIn is making 20 of it's most popular course free in August.
• What to Post on LinkedIn: The 5 Content Types That Work Best [Infographic]
  A great infographic about 5 content types that work great on LinkedIn.
• Building an inclusive, independent, open newsroom
  Having spent the years right after college in newsrooms as a journalist, this idea of an open newsroom with "The 19th" is really cool. CTO Ben Werdmuller has been in the open source arena for a while. This project seems really promising.
• Twitter Refutes Musk’s Latest Claims in Response to Countersuit Over Takeover Bid
  Honestly, will this soap opera ever end? Twitter should bill Elon Musk the $1 billion breakup fee and just move on. And Musk is a troll.
• LinkedIn Adds New Link Sticker Option to Help Drive More Traffic From Your In-App Updates
  This looks like a cool feature. I'd be interested to see how people use it to their advantage and how it helps the platform with stickyness.
• Google adds structured data support for pros and cons on product markup
  This just goes to show that you really don't have control over your links in the Google SERP. Even with structured data.
• Does your email copy persuade or sell?
  Well does it? This piece is worth a read to find out.
• Jay Clouse on His Rebrand
  I'm a big fan of Jay. He does a great podcast and is helpful both inside his community and in general. If you wonder what goes into a rebrand, Jay lays it all out for the world to see how his went. It's a good read and well worth the time. I'm such a big fan, that I joined his community. If you're interested in checking it out check it out here (affliate link)
• How Under Armour’s Curry Brand shoes are taking off in the metaverse
  The metaverse in its many incarnations is hot right now. Brands are figuring out different ways to use this new-ish medium to promote their brands and even sell goods. Under Armour is no different. What they are doing is quite neat.

Podcast of Note

The Latest From Entrepreneur's Enigma

Until next week, stay curious!

Photo by Roman Synkevych 🇺🇦 on Unsplash