One key feature of our new PRO Version plugins is support for automatic updates. Our WordPress themes are actively developed and we release updates for new features and bugfixes quite often.
Manual updates were always a big hassle for a lot of users and had the result that many websites run on outdated software. We also got many emails with reports for bugs which were already fixed in the latest version of the theme.
This update “problem” will be solved with our new products. The automatic updates will be provided by using a complete software licensing system on our website, as many other WordPress companies already do. This post will describe all changes.
Introducing Licenses for Updates & Support
From now on you will get a license key for every purchased product. You will need an active license key in order to receive support and updates for that product. With an active license your WordPress dashboard will display notifications for new available updates, which can be installed automatically with just one click.
Please keep in mind that the license is for updates and support only, while our products are still licensed and distributed under GPL.
Licenses are valid for 12 months
Updates will be given for 12 months from the date of purchase, not for a lifetime anymore. Providing unlimited updates was clearly a fault in our business model and we have to take back that offer for new customers.
Lifetime updates had the effect that new customers had to cover the complete costs of maintaining the product. Last year we had to retire some themes with a large active users base simply because of the fact that the product couldn’t attract enough new users anymore.
Charging for updates from existing users after one year should be fair and makes the maintenance of the product sustainable. It will ensure that your theme is actively developed and regularly updated.
Updates will only be limited to 12 months for new customers. The change will not affect existing customers (read more about that below).
Licenses can be renewed at a 30% discount
Of course you do not have to pay the full price to get further updates and support after your license has expired. You can renew your license after 12 months at a 30% discount.
Licenses for existing customers
We think that automatic updates are really important and do not want to withhold this feature from existing customers. We have therefore decided to migrate all current customers to the new licensing system as well. It means that we have transfered all customers and generated new license keys for all existing purchases.
In the migration process all existing customers were given the highest available offer, which is an update&support license for 15 websites for every purchased product.
Of course we know that you have originally purchased the themes with unlimited websites and lifetime updates. We certainly want to keep that promise. In case you need automatic updates for more than 15 websites or your license has expired, you can simply write us an email to support@themezee.com and we will manually extend your license. Since our license system do not know unlimited licenses, it was just technically not possible to create that kind of license keys automatically.
Do I have to use the new license keys?
No, our products will be fully functional without entering a license key. A valid license key is only required to get automatic updates with one click. You can always manually update your themes/plugins by downloading the latest version on our website.
The license key is technically needed in the update process to identify you as a current customer, before the update files can be downloaded from our servers and installed on your WordPress website.