Founder of Cwicly Makes Surprising Decision to Cease Development
In a shocking turn of events, the founder of Cwicly, Louis-Alexander Désiré, has announced that the development of the Gutenberg-based page builder will be discontinued. This decision comes as a surprise to many, as Cwicly was known for its innovative features and commitment to embracing the WordPress vision in Gutenberg.
Cwicly had garnered a lot of attention from the WordPress community, with its recent tailwind expansion being particularly noteworthy. The page builder was praised for its ability to interact directly with the Gutenberg ecosystem and add specialized blocks that were fully compatible with Gutenberg.
In a blog post and email to users, Louis attributed the sudden decision to the relentless onslaught of destructive posts and comments by certain WordPress influencers. He expressed his disappointment in the personal attacks that he and his team had endured, stating that the negativity and hostility had taken a significant toll on their morale and motivation.
Louis assured users that Cwicly services would continue until the end of 2024, with reimbursements being provided for all orders made after January 1, 2024. However, the statement regarding the discontinuation of plugin development was later retracted from the website, ensuring user support during the transition period.
The WordPress community reacted with surprise and shock, especially considering that new features had just been released days before the announcement. Many expressed their disbelief on social media platforms, with some hoping that Cwicly would reconsider their decision.
While some users claimed to have seen negative comments in Facebook groups, others searched for scathing reviews and found none. The lack of devastating reviews or comments against Cwicly left many questioning the true reasons behind the discontinuation.
Sujay Pawar, CEO of Brainstorm Force, shared his thoughts on Facebook, suggesting that Cwicly’s decision may have been influenced by the challenges of running a WordPress products business in demotivating communities. He emphasized the importance of considering the human aspect behind the product and the impact that negative criticism can have on individuals.
David McCan, who had previously published an article titled “The Cwicly Conundrum: Two Years On Is It Ready to Use Yet?”, expressed his regret if his frustrations had contributed to Cwicly’s loss of morale. He acknowledged the product’s contribution to the WordPress ecosystem and encouraged the team to explore options for its continuation or potential acquisition.
Amidst the discussions, some suggested rebranding Cwicly as a fresh start to overcome negativity and attract a more positive audience. Others proposed that larger companies within the WordPress community consider acquiring Cwicly, as it had many great features that could be integrated into core or utilized in other ways.
As of now, Louis has not responded to inquiries about the decision to cease development. The future of Cwicly remains uncertain, leaving users and the WordPress community with a sense of disappointment and curiosity about what led to this surprising turn of events.
