Criteria for WordPress.org showcase

[davecoveney]

Starting to wonder how things get selected for WP showcase. Matt had suggested putting Telecoms.com into it once it was launched. We did, and no sign of it!

Given it's one of the UK's spearheading implementations of WP (using it as a full blown news platform, with sections and so on) it feels odd that it's ignored somewhat in favour of often rather bland corporate blogs. Perhaps this fate befalls other similar sites?

I'm wondering also if there's a US/big names bias in the selection?

I do realise this could be seen as a bit of a sour grapes post. It's not really, it's more that I'd rather not waste our time and their time submitting sites that stand no chance of being showcased.

[Ryan]

Most of the other sites in there look more original. They're not necessarily better, but the showcase sites usually seem to be quite original in design/functionality. I only flicked through a handful of them though.

[andrea_r]

I wonder how long it takes sites to show up?

I submitted one too - I thought it was pretty darn original. ( a business directory built with WPMU)

[davecoveney]

Original in what way?

Of course, not all that takes work is visible. But being able to create a site with as many sections as desired, with logical category views is pretty original. Some functionality is yet visible - such as archive views covering selected categories (eg, in Africa & News or Asia & Opinion).

But I don't think originality is part of the criteria at all - otherwise how on earth did this http://wordpress.org/showcase/blogitech/ get in?

[dancole]

I heard that only 5% of submitted sites make it onto the showcase. I'd put a link to the source, but I don't remember who said it.

[aaronwaggs]

I think Matt said it at WordCamp Chicago

WordPress showcase less than 5% of blogs that are submitted are added. #wcchicago

http://twitter.com/wptavern/statuses/2055202324

[Ryan]

By original, I just meant that they don't look like they could have been based on an off the shelf theme. I only looked at a selection of about five of them so it's possible I just picked five original looking designs.

I also noticed they had some sites in there presumably only because they were run by huge corporations like Ford.

[JLeuze]

Doug Hanna talked about the Showcase at WordCamp Chicago. He said that it used to be around 5%, but that the number submissions had been increasing and slightly less than 5% get in now.

That percentage is driven down by all of the random stuff that gets submitted though. He even said that they have received Blogger submissions before! So I got the feeling that if you submit a quality site, your odds are a bit better of getting in.

I have a few notes I took from what Doug said about showcase-worthy sites, or how to get a site in the showcase:

• Funny blogs better recieved than dry ones.
• Unconventional uses, like eCommerce.
• WordPress sites for famous people, advanced CMS, site for big biz or organization.
• Tell why it's exceptional
• Be specific: plugins, theme, special features.
• Sites with heavy traffic or lots of comments.

It seemed like the showcase was split pretty even between advanced but obscure sites, and simple, but high profile sites.

I got the impression that the more information you gave him, the better your chances were of being considered for inclusion.

Interestingly, he asked if anyone at Wordcamp Chicago had a site in the Showcase. I think David Peralty was the only one there, with College Crunch making the grade.

[andrea_r]

I got the impression that the more information you gave him, the better your chances were of being considered for inclusion.

Shoot, I should definitely have expanded on what I sent then. :D

[Jeffro]

Thanks Josh for chiming in. I was getting ready to say that Doug Hannah gave us the low down on how to get into the showcase and the one thing I remember is that the traffic you receive was definitely one of the factors they needed to know.

Doug does not have his presentation on slideshare but I can try and shoot him an email to see if he can give me the details on the requirements he mentioned in his presentation.