14 day trial version, misusing WP repository

Hello Jayanta,

We take every feedback very seriously. Let us clarify WordLift’s features and take this as an opportunity to better our readme file in the future.

WordLift is a plugin which relies on SaaS services to provide features like a Personal Assistant which support editors in writing content for their website by suggesting interlinks, relevant images, structuring and highlighting additional relevant content by analyzing the existing one. Content analysis and structured data querying is not possible within WordPress due to the intrinsic amount of computing required for such features, which require a monthly fee in compliance with WordPress’ plugin guidelines (“Plugins that act as an interface to some external third party service are allowed, even for paid services.”).

WordLift is an open source plugin which provides additional unique free features, like structured data management, JSON-LD markup publishing for web site, articles and other structured content (person, organization, place, local business, recipe, …), and front-end widgets.

WordLift’s source files are available on the official WordPress SVN directory, https://plugins.trac.www.ads-software.com/browser/wordlift/, and on GitHub where you can follow the past and current issues, and discuss upcoming features:
https://github.com/insideout10/wordlift-plugin/issues

While we hope you’ll review your rating after the above clarifications, know that we’re at your disposal in case you need further information or if you’d like to schedule a demo.

BR
David

Your answer is not satisfactory. I strongly feel you are violating the repository guidelines. Moderators who are more knowledgeable can clarify that. But I am quoting this from here: https://developer.www.ads-software.com/plugins/wordpress-org/detailed-plugin-guidelines/#the-guidelines

5. Trialware is not allowed in the directory.

Attempting to upsell the user on other products and features is acceptable within limits.

Upsell notifications should not be overly prominent or annoying.
Plugins may not contain functionality that is crippled or locked, only to be unlockable by payment or upgrade. Paid functionality must be part of an externally hosted service or a separate plugin, that is not hosted on www.ads-software.com.
Plugins may not disable included functionality after a trial period or quota.

What do you say now?

Hello Jayanta,

The answer is in the text you quoted, there’s a difference between the features provided by the plugin and the features provided by the SaaS services.

The monthly fee only applies to the latter and no functionality is disabled in the former.

BR
David

So, you say I can use and continue to use this plugin’s functionalities without registering/submitting my credit card details to you and without upgrading in any way?
And in that case please clarify the plugin’s functionalities that one can continue to use.

Hello Jayanta,

WordLift is an open source plugin which provides additional unique free features, like structured data management, JSON-LD markup publishing for web site, articles and other structured content (person, organization, place, local business, recipe, …), and front-end widgets.

Really, we’re available for demo if you’d like to, no commitments whatsoever.

BR
David

Probably it’s my fault that I cannot understand what you mean by ‘additional’…do you say the main functionalities are paid services and we get some extra features as free…or we can just use those services without buying anything else? In that case, let’s have a demo. Thanks.

Hello Jayanta,

Please choose here, https://wordlift.io/book-a-demo/, a day/time more comfortable for you.

BR,
David

A Skype call to see how it works isn’t something I need now.

But you should note that there is something horribly wrong in your marketing or how your plugin behaves after the installation. Only 100+ active installs even after approx. 11000 downloads (1%) says it all. My suggestion is that your plugin should offer some free features that one can continue to use and some additional features that one may choose to buy at any time.

There is no clarity over what features are free for ever and what not, what you mean by ‘additional’ or why your plugin blocks the whole screen for registration and credit card numbers even before testing it.

Hello Jayanta,

Thanks for being straightforward. We surely need to improve our communication and marketing here, there are so many things we want to do (100+ open issues on GitHub). I was just looking at how jetpack does it, by clearly marking the free/paid features, that might be an option.

We’ll get there.

BR
David

Will keep an eye on how it goes. All the best!