How to Build a Blog Around WordPress GPL Products and Earn Recurring Income
Learn how to start a blog focused on WordPress GPL products, attract traffic, and earn recurring income through memberships, affiliates, and digital strategies. Step-by-step guide with 10 FAQs.
Introduction
The WordPress ecosystem is vast, powering over 43% of the web. Within this ecosystem, GPL (General Public License) products—themes, plugins, and scripts—are at the core of what makes WordPress flexible, customizable, and community-driven. Bloggers and entrepreneurs have found creative ways to build blogs around GPL products while generating recurring income through memberships, affiliate programs, and bundled offers.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to start, grow, and monetize a blog that revolves around WordPress GPL products.
What Are WordPress GPL Products?
GPL products are WordPress themes, plugins, and scripts licensed under the GNU General Public License. This license allows
- Freedom to use the software for any purpose
- Freedom to modify and adapt it
- Freedom to redistribute copies
- Freedom to share modifications with the community
This means that once a product is released under GPL, you are legally allowed to share, sell, or package it—provided you also keep it under GPL.
This is why websites offering GPL downloads of themes and plugins have grown popular, and why creating a blog around them can be a profitable niche if done strategically.
Why Start a Blog Around GPL Products?
Here are some strong reasons why this niche works
- High demand WordPress users are constantly searching for themes, plugins, and tutorials.
- Low barrier to entry You don’t need to develop products; you can review, curate, and share GPL items.
- Recurring revenue models Membership sites and subscription services can generate steady monthly income.
- Content-rich niche Endless opportunities for reviews, comparisons, tutorials, and case studies.
- Affiliate potential GPL-focused blogs can recommend premium versions, hosting, or related tools.
Step 1: Identify Your Target Audience
Your success depends on knowing who you’re writing for. In the GPL niche, the audience typically includes
- Freelancers and developers looking for budget-friendly tools
- Small business owners wanting to test plugins/themes before buying
- WordPress beginners searching for affordable options
- Agencies needing bulk access to themes/plugins for clients
Tailor your content, offers, and monetization strategies around these groups.
Step 2: Choose a Blog Niche Within GPL
“GPL products” is broad. Narrow it down for clarity and authority
- GPL themes only Reviews, showcases, tutorials on design and customization
- GPL plugins only Comparisons, troubleshooting guides, and feature breakdowns
- Niche-specific GPL products eCommerce plugins, SEO tools, LMS plugins, etc.
- All-in-one GPL hub A mix of downloads, reviews, and guides
The more focused you are, the easier it is to attract loyal readers.
Step 3: Set Up Your Blog
- Domain & Hosting Choose a niche-relevant domain (e.g., gplthemeshub.com). Use reliable hosting optimized for WordPress.
- Install WordPress Since you’re writing about WordPress, using it builds trust and authenticity.
- Pick a Clean Theme Use a fast, SEO-optimized theme (GeneratePress, Astra, or even a GPL theme).
- Essential Plugins
- SEO: Rank Math or Yoast
- Cache: WP Rocket (or GPL alternatives)
- Security: Wordfence
- Analytics: Google Site Kit
Step 4: Create High-Value Content
Your content is what will attract visitors and convert them into paying subscribers. Focus on
1. Reviews & Comparisons
Example: “Elementor Pro GPL vs. Free Alternatives: Which Should You Choose?”
2. Tutorials & How-To Guides
Example: “How to Install a GPL Theme on WordPress (Step by Step)”
3. Curated Lists
Example: “Top 10 GPL WooCommerce Plugins for Online Stores in 2025”
4. Case Studies & Success Stories
Example: “How I Built a Client Website Using Only GPL Products”
5. News & Updates
Cover GPL-related updates, WordPress releases, and licensing changes.
Step 5: Monetization Strategies
Here’s where recurring income comes in. GPL blogs can be monetized in multiple ways
1. Membership/Subscription Model
Offer access to GPL downloads for a monthly/annual fee. Example: “Join for $9/month and access 500+ GPL themes and plugins.”
2. Affiliate Marketing
- Promote official versions of the themes/plugins
- Recommend hosting providers (SiteGround, Bluehost, Cloudways)
- Partner with WordPress services (SEO, backup, security tools)
3. Advertising
Use Google AdSense, Ezoic, or direct banner ads from WordPress-related companies.
4. Digital Products & Services
- eBooks (e.g., “The Beginner’s Guide to GPL Products”)
- Online courses (e.g., “Building Websites Using GPL Tools”)
- Consulting services for WordPress users
5. Email Marketing
Build an email list to promote new GPL releases, affiliate offers, and membership upsells.
Step 6: Drive Traffic to Your Blog
1. SEO Optimization
- Research keywords like “GPL WordPress plugins”, “best GPL themes”, “GPL downloads”
- Use long-tail variations for tutorials and reviews
- Optimize titles, meta descriptions, and internal linking
2. Social Media Marketing
- Share content in WordPress Facebook groups, LinkedIn, and Twitter (X)
- Use Pinterest for visual content (theme showcases work great)
3. YouTube Integration
Create video tutorials reviewing GPL products, link back to your blog.
4. Email Newsletter
Offer free GPL resources in exchange for signups.
5. Guest Posting & Collaborations
Write for other WordPress blogs and communities to gain backlinks and credibility.
Step 7: Build Recurring Income Streams
The real power lies in recurring revenue. Here’s how to make it consistent
- Offer tiered memberships (Basic, Pro, Agency).
- Bundle GPL resources with exclusive tutorials.
- Provide priority support or updates for paid members.
- Create automated billing systems via WooCommerce Subscriptions or Restrict Content Pro.
- Focus on retention: offer fresh GPL content monthly so members keep renewing.
Step 8: Stay Legal & Ethical
GPL is legal, but users trust ethical providers. Follow these guidelines
- Be transparent Make it clear you’re redistributing GPL products legally, but without official support.
- Provide value Add tutorials, guides, or bundled extras that differentiate your blog.
- Respect trademarks Don’t use company names (like “Elementor”) in your domain.
- Stay updated Always provide the latest versions to members.
This builds trust and reduces the risk of conflicts.
Example Business Model Breakdown
Imagine you launch a GPL-focused blog with the following structure
- Monthly membership: $9/month
- 100 members in 6 months = $900/month recurring
- Add affiliate income from hosting (~$500/month)
- Sponsored posts from WordPress brands (~$300/month)
That’s $1,700/month in recurring income from one blog niche. As your traffic grows, so will these numbers.
Conclusion
Building a blog around WordPress GPL products is both profitable and sustainable if done with strategy, transparency, and consistency. By offering curated GPL resources, tutorials, and memberships, you can establish yourself as a trusted hub while earning recurring income month after month.
Focus on quality content, SEO, community engagement, and clear value-add. Over time, your blog can grow into a reliable passive income source.
Top 10 FAQs
- Is it legal to sell GPL products on my blog? Yes, as long as the product is licensed under GPL, you can redistribute or sell it. However, you cannot offer official support or branding.
- Can I use product names like “Elementor” or “Divi” in my domain? No. Trademarks are not covered by GPL. Instead, use generic terms like “GPL Page Builder Themes.”
- How do I attract traffic to a GPL blog? Through SEO (keywords like GPL themes/plugins), content marketing (reviews, tutorials), and community promotion.
- What’s the best way to monetize a GPL blog? Membership subscriptions, affiliate marketing, and digital product sales are the most consistent income streams.
- Do I need coding skills to run a GPL blog? Not necessarily. WordPress makes it easy. However, basic knowledge of customization and plugin management helps.
- How do I provide updates for GPL products? You’ll need to download updated versions from original sources and make them available for members regularly.
- Is offering GPL downloads risky? It’s legal but can be controversial. As long as you stay transparent, ethical, and value-driven, you minimize risks.
- How can I stand out in the GPL niche? By offering extras: tutorials, customer support, exclusive bundles, or content updates.
- Can I combine GPL blogging with other niches? Yes. Many combine GPL products with hosting, SEO tools, or digital marketing to expand revenue streams.
- How much can I realistically earn? Anywhere from a few hundred dollars a month to several thousand, depending on your content quality, traffic, and monetization model.
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