Over the past month, WPShout conducted a survey to understand how users perceive the voice and tone of the WordPress brand. The initiative gathered responses from 222 engaged members of the WordPress community, providing valuable insights about their experiences and perceptions.

Given the timing of the survey, many participants expressed frustrations stemming from recent events, particularly around the "Mullenweg vs WP Engine" debate. While I intend to focus mainly on relevant insights regarding the WordPress brand, it’s worth noting that communications from the WordPress News blog and social media were echoed in some feedback.

Survey Details

The survey was designed based on the WordPress Brand Writing Style Guide, which lays out the six attributes of WordPress’s brand voice: friendly, empowering, clear, inclusive, composed, and charming. The brand’s tone is intent on being casual and neutral.

Although few open-source projects have defined their brand voice and tone as thoroughly as WordPress, the survey revealed inconsistencies in how these attributes are perceived by users.

Thirty-six percent of respondents were from the United States, while the survey reached participants across 46 different countries. On average, it took respondents approximately 2 minutes and 20 seconds to complete the survey, with a notable engagement rate for a survey of this length.

Findings from the Survey

Current Experience

Respondents described the WordPress brand voice as friendly yet unclear, highlighting words like "chaotic," "confusing," and "inconsistent." While many acknowledged the friendly aspect of the voice, the majority of participants felt that the brand does not communicate with a singular, well-defined voice.

The results stirred questions about whether WordPress can effectively speak with one unified voice given its diverse user base and the various voices present in its community and development ecosystem.

Assessment and Impact

When asked about the tone of WordPress, a significant number of respondents expressed a desire for a more professional voice. This change was especially desired in light of recent controversies. Several respondents called for a tone that welcomes non-technical users, suggesting that the brand’s language is currently perceived as too technical or formal for many new users.

Admin Content

The survey assessed users’ preferences toward several content pieces found in the WordPress admin panel. Five out of six alternative text options were preferred over the current default texts, indicating a stronger inclination towards more formal or technical language. This suggests that clarity and straightforwardness are prioritized over a friendly tone in key interface elements.

“About Me” Section

Respondents predominantly identified themselves as proficient WordPress users, with many being developers or designers. The majority of participants were native English speakers, emphasizing the brand’s need to communicate effectively with a diverse user base.

Final Thoughts

The results of the survey offer a critical look into the WordPress brand’s voice, indicating a need for a redefined strategy that better aligns with user expectations. As the WordPress community navigates its identity and direction, the insights from this survey could inspire changes that enhance the way the brand communicates.

In conclusion, the survey reflects a community keen on seeing WordPress evolve with clearer, more inclusive communication while maintaining a friendly demeanor. What are your thoughts on how WordPress can improve its brand voice and tone?

Welcome to DediRock, your trusted partner in high-performance hosting solutions. At DediRock, we specialize in providing dedicated servers, VPS hosting, and cloud services tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses and individuals alike. Our mission is to deliver reliable, scalable, and secure hosting solutions that empower our clients to achieve their digital goals. With a commitment to exceptional customer support, cutting-edge technology, and robust infrastructure, DediRock stands out as a leader in the hosting industry. Join us and experience the difference that dedicated service and unwavering reliability can make for your online presence. Launch our website.