There was a period when I wholeheartedly extolled the virtues of Formidable Forms. My admiration was not merely because I was an affiliate and aimed to profit from it, but I also saw myself as a conscientious blogger. I’ve always strived for honesty in my communication and wanted to establish a reputation as an impartial blogger.
Formidable Forms and Me: A Love Story from the First Click
About a decade ago, WordPress was really just making its mark as a blogging platform. It hadn’t yet blossomed into the versatile tool we know today. When I stumbled upon Formidable Forms and realized it could not only collect but also display and manage submitted data on frontend pages, it was a game-changer. So, naturally, I snapped it up right then and there.
I’ve witnessed this plugin grow from a small sapling into a towering tree.
To be honest, Formidable Forms was and remains a fantastic WordPress plugin for managing user-submitted data on frontend pages. This includes creating, editing, and deleting data directly on the frontend. With the help of Formidable Forms, we were able to create small web applications without getting bogged down in code. It was so user-friendly that anyone with a basic understanding of WordPress could use it to create database applications such as an employee database, a photo library, student data management, exam result displays, or virtually any other kind of directory listing. It continues to facilitate such functionality today.
The Initial Investment: Unlimited Usage License
In 2011, I bought this plugin for $97. It might sound like a steal compared to today’s prices, but back then, even that amount was significant for me. My income was modest, hovering around $200-$300 per month, so it was a sizable investment. The subscription I purchased was a lifetime one, and it allowed me to use the plugin on as many WordPress sites as I wanted. Not only that, it also included lifetime updates and support. Really, what more could anyone ask for?
At first, it was known as the Developer’s license. However, as time went on, the name of this license was updated to Enterprise and now, it currently goes by the name Elite.
Sudden Shift: Formidable Forms Ends Lifetime Support and Alters Licensing Model for Existing Users
Over time, Formidable Pro – oh, I mean Formidable Forms (it was known as Formidable Pro back then) – gained increasing popularity.
A few years later, they discontinued their unlimited support. As I had purchased the plugin with an unlimited usage license, my initial reaction to this change was negative. I felt that Formidable Forms should have grandfathered existing customers who bought the plugin under the previous licensing terms.
However, I soon realized that providing unlimited support requires a substantial amount of effort. So, I accepted the decision without holding any grudge. After all, even if I hadn’t agreed, what could I possibly have done, right?
New Features and Addons
After 2017, Formidable Forms really stepped up its game, revolutionizing what WordPress could do. The brains behind Formidable Forms pulled together a global team and unleashed some seriously cool new features like the “AutoResponder addon or Form Action Automation addon” and “Directory Listing Addon,” among others. This exceptional plugin really changed the game.
Changes to Licensing and Their Impact
They also added a fantastic new addon called Visual Views to their lineup, which made crafting frontend data displays a piece of cake. But there’s something I should mention here: When Formidable Forms rejigged their pricing structure, they stopped doling out new addons to those of us with the grandfathered licenses. Much to my disappointment, this meant that I, as a holder of the classic developer license, wouldn’t be able to access any of the new or future addons they rolled out.
Introduction of the Enterprise License
I made the decision to purchase the Formidable Forms “Enterprise License,” which at that time offered unlimited usage but at a higher price tag of $399. I was confident that the extra cost would be justified by the continuous stream of new addons and plugin updates. Back then, the unlimited usage license came with a promise of lifetime updates for the plugin, so I felt somewhat comforted knowing that at least I wouldn’t have to pay for updates to the new addons.
But the plot thickened. It seemed like the folks at Formidable Forms were grappling with their pricing model— they switched things up again within about a year.
Another Twist in Licensing
This time, they pulled the plug on providing lifetime plugin updates. Luckily for us existing customers, we got grandfathered in, so at least their promise held true on that point.
But wait just a minute. I was fully convinced that I would surely get all the new addons they released. However, about a year later, I had a bit of a surprise.
My Experience with New Addons
When I tried to download the new Visual View addon, I was expecting to see the usual “Download” button that always appeared with the older addons. Instead, I was met with an “Upgrade” button.
Taking it in stride, I contacted their support team and let them know that as an Enterprise license holder, I should be eligible to receive the newly released addons.
The support agent shed some light on the situation, explaining that access to new addon releases only lasted for one year from the date I purchased Formidable Forms. To keep that access, I would need to renew my subscription and pay the full price again. It was a real downer hearing this. My vision of enjoying all future releases vanished. But, you know, it wasn’t earth-shattering. For fun, I’ve bought and dabbled with most WordPress themes and plugins, so whether I got a lifetime pass or just a single year access to future add-ons really wasn’t make-or-break for me.
I was a bit saddened that over time, Formidable Forms had become quite commercialized, and now they were even strategizing on how to extract money from the pockets of their old clients.
The Quest for Higher Revenue
They were exploring techniques to adjust their pricing and licensing models in hopes of increasing their revenue. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with wanting to maximize earnings, it’s essential that the methods and tactics employed are both fair and ethical.
Issues with Addon Sales: The ‘Bundling’ Issue
Offering add-ons gives customers cost-effective choices for features they truly need.
One significant issue is the manner in which they sell plugin addons. Unlike many companies that offer individual addon purchases, Formidable Forms bundles these addons within their plans, making standalone purchases unavailable.
Time for a Makeover: Why Formidable Forms Needs a Licensing Revamp
It’s akin to visiting a restaurant and being required to order every item on the menu when all you want is a hamburger. Your table overflows with steak, pizza, BBQ, meatloaf, and more. You’re paying for the entire menu but only really benefitting from the hamburger. It doesn’t seem logical, does it? I trust this analogy clarifies the point.
Imagine walking into a restaurant where you have to order the entire menu, just to get the hamburger you actually want. Picture your table cluttered with steak, pasta, seafood, and all sorts of dishes you didn’t ask for. You’re shelling out money for the whole spread, but you’re really only interested in that one hamburger. Doesn’t make much sense, right? I hope this example drives the point home.
Fundamentally, the rationale behind offering software addons or extensions is to grant users the flexibility to select the specific functionalities they genuinely need. This allows them to economize by forgoing unnecessary addons. It’s crucial for software providers to align with this user-centric approach.
However, this isn’t the situation with Formidable Forms. For instance, if you wish to purchase the AutoResponder addon, you can’t get it with the Basic, Plus, or Business Plan. Instead, you’re compelled to invest in their priciest option, the Elite plan.
Formidable Forms might benefit from adopting a ‘choose-your-price’ system for its add-ons. Such a method would offer users the freedom to determine their own pricing, potentially leading to significant savings.
A Decade as User & Affiliate: Is Formidable Forms Losing Its Luster?
To tell the truth, the founders of Formidable Forms are quite honest and hardworking. They gave WordPress one of the most beautiful plugin and if I compare it to WooCommerce in its extraordinary capabilties then it may get right up to an extent. (Note that here I am not comparing WooCommerce and Formidable Forms in terms of how they work, but in terms of how they are capable in different domains)
During my time as an active affiliate for the plugin, I’d like to share some insights into how Formidable Forms engages with its affiliates. When a software change led to a drop in my affiliate sales, they quickly investigated and found bugs affecting the program. They promptly corrected the issue and compensated based on past performance, reaffirming their reliability as a partner.
This article is not meant to assert that Formidable Forms is no longer a quality plugin, or that it has become prohibitively expensive. Given inflation over the past decade, an annual fee of $600 for unlimited usage is still reasonable, especially for web design agencies installing the plugin on hundreds of websites. It’s worth noting that Formidable Forms also provides indirect support to clients through the agency. Therefore, $600 per year is not exorbitant, particularly when the first year is only $300. However, Formidable Forms should consider improving its pricing model. Users should have the option to purchase add-ons individually for each package at an additional cost. This would be a smart move, preventing wasted funds. Moreover, those initially deterred by the price would be able to spend according to their needs, thereby increasing the plugin’s revenue.
