Agency directory listings 

Only Agency Partners, Pro Partners, and Premier Partners will have the opportunity to apply for a WooCommerce.com, WordPress.com, Jetpack.com, Pressable.com, and/or WordPress VIP partner directory listing(s). See tiers and benefits to learn more about becoming an Agency Partner, Pro Partner, or Premier Partner. These listings provide visibility and recognition within the WordPress community and are a testament to the high standards of service provided by the agencies. 

As part of the application for a directory listing, agencies will be required to submit sites for review corresponding to each business unit they wish to apply for. The review process will unfold in two primary stages:

• Initial review: Agencies must first exhibit adeptness in foundational areas that Automattic deems essential—security, performance, and usability. This demonstrates their adherence to best practices and their commitment to delivering quality solutions in the WordPress space. We’ll use tools like https://www.webpagetest.org/ and https://wordpress.com/speed-test/ to review the URLs submitted in your application.
• Product specific review: After the initial vetting, agencies will further be assessed to confirm they have active, compliant plans in place and meet the individual standards and requirements particular to each business unit.

These reviews should take 5 business days or less to complete. Once the review is finalized, you will receive an email notification informing you whether your agency has been approved for inclusion in the directory.

The Pressable Partner Directory page can be found at https://pressable.com/development-services/.

In addition to reaching the Agency Partner tier:

• Agencies must demonstrate proficiency in core areas mentioned above like security, performance, and usability. Additionally:
  • Agencies interested in being listed in Pressable’s directory must maintain a robust portfolio of sites on the platform of twenty or more.
  • Sites are evaluated for compatibility with Pressable features and for the quality of client support, particularly for maintenance packages.

The Jetpack Partner Directory page can be found at https://jetpack.com/development-services/.

In addition to reaching the Agency Partner tier:

• Agencies must demonstrate proficiency in core areas mentioned above like security, performance, and usability. Furthermore, each agency must submit five Jetpack sites that:
  • Have an active paid Jetpack plan.
  • Exhibit proper activation and use of Jetpack features and plugins.

The Woo Partner Directory page can be found at https://woocommerce.com/development-services/. It is reserved for WooCommerce Partners through the Automattic for Agencies program.

In addition to reaching the Agency Partner tier:

• Agencies must demonstrate proficiency in core areas mentioned above like security, performance, and usability. Additionally, for WooCommerce recognition, each agency must submit five sites, all of which will be tested for:
  • Compatibility with WooCommerce blocks.
  • Payment gateway functionality.

As a Woo Partner, your agency is recognized for providing information, advisory, and consultancy services related to business management and administration (including online services); website developer services for eCommerce, blogging, site maintenance, and content editing; software consulting, implementation, and technical support; webpage design and e-commerce community hosting; and comprehensive consulting on the design, creation, maintenance, and hosting of eCommerce websites for clients.

The WordPress.com Partner Directory page can be found at https://wordpress.com/development-services/.

In addition to reaching the Agency Partner tier:

• Agencies must demonstrate proficiency in core areas mentioned above like security, performance, and usability. In addition, agencies must have:
  • Ten sites hosted on WordPress.com.
  • Each site must have an active paid plan on WordPress.com.

The WordPress VIP Partner Directory page can be found at https://wpvip.com/partners

In addition to reaching the Pro Partner or Premier Partner tier, Agencies must demonstrate proficiency in core areas mentioned above like security, performance, and usability. Agencies must also:

• Hit their IAR minimums annually.
• Have one mutual customer on the VIP platform each year.

Once you have reached the Agency, Pro, or Premier Partner tier, you’ll see the option to apply on your dashboard. You can follow this process:

• On your agency dashboard, navigate to Partner Directory 
• Click on Edit expertise: 

Our team will process your request and notify you when you can finalize your submission. Please note that Step 2 will unlock after approval. 

Once our team has approved your initial application from step 1, you’ll be able to complete your profile. This profile contains the information which will be displayed in the agency directory.

• On your agency dashboard navigate to Partner Directory > Agency details:

• Fill out the information, then click on ‘Save public profile’ to submit the form:

At this stage you’ll be able to publish your profile and make it visible to the world. When you click on ‘Publish’, your profile will be displayed on each directory for which your agency has been approved.

Following application, we’ll review your submission and keep you updated.

• Each site submitted undergoes an initial review using automated tools and manual checks.
• The review covers key aspects such as security (using tools like OWASP ZAP or WPScan), compatibility, performance (assessed with Google Lighthouse), code quality, client support, user experience, internationalization, privacy, and innovation.
• Agencies need a good score in each area, with allowances for minor issues that do not significantly affect the overall quality.
• Agencies must demonstrate an understanding of block-based themes and have no critical error logs.

Creating a comprehensive and engaging directory listing is crucial in showcasing your agency’s capabilities. Below are guidelines for what you can include in your listing to ensure it’s both informative for potential clients and compliant with our directory standards. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in your listing being removed from the directory.

• Contact information: To maintain a consistent user experience and clear call-to-action (CTA), we require that company contact details such as phone numbers and email addresses are only included in the designated fields. This helps to keep the directory uniform and easy to navigate.
• Contact URL: Customers seeking assistance from an agency will be directed to your agency’s website. This allows them to explore your services and reach out to you for further engagement. We recommend implementing custom UTM campaigns for effective tracking of these referrals.
• Short description about your agency: This brief introduction is your agency’s first impression. The short description will appear on the agency directory’s search results page and is a succinct way to present your agency’s core values or unique selling propositions. Aim for a compelling summary that encourages searchers to learn more.
• Long description about your agency: Upon clicking on your agency’s listing, visitors will see a more detailed description at the top of your agency’s page. Use this opportunity to delve deeper into what your agency does best, sharing accomplishments, expertise, or anything that distinguishes you from the competition.
• Services offered: While the service names available for selection in the directory are standardized to provide a consistent search experience, you have full control over which services you wish to offer. You can update and edit your services at any time within your agency profile to reflect your current offerings.
• Budget: The budget section of your listing is where you can outline your agency’s pricing structure. Explain your value proposition and why choosing your agency is a sound investment for potential clients. You can discuss your pricing strategy, whether you offer package deals, hourly rates, or project-based pricing, and highlight any factors that set your agency apart in terms of cost-efficiency and results.

Once your agency has been approved, you can edit the information submitted by clicking the ‘Edit’ button you can find on the first step:

More details about how to format your partner directory listing can be found here.

At Automattic, we take pride in our curated network of agencies and the quality of service they provide to the customers we refer. When engaging in business with customers who find your agency through our directory, we have set clear expectations to ensure the highest standards of professional conduct are maintained, fostering trust and long-term success for all parties involved. Here are the key expectations for agencies:

• Reply to customer requests in 2 business days or less – this prompt engagement demonstrates your agency’s dedication to customer service and sets the tone for future interactions.
• Conduct business dealings with the utmost professionalism – this entails respect for client needs, providing accurate and honest information about services, and consistently fulfilling commitments in a timely manner.
• Maintain clear, courteous, prompt and effective communication throughout all stages of client interaction. This not only refers to timeliness but also to clarity in setting expectations, providing status updates, and being responsive to client queries and concerns.
• Deliver work of high quality – we expect agencies to uphold industry standards, apply best practices, and continuously strive for excellence in every project to achieve customer satisfaction.
• Be transparent about your pricing, timelines, and the scope of work – provide detailed proposals and contracts, and ensure clients fully understand what they’re receiving for their investment.
• Abide by stringent privacy and data protection regulations – safeguard client information, and ensure you have the necessary measures and policies in place to prevent unauthorized data disclosure or breaches.
• Reflect Automattic’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and fairness – discrimination or any form of unethical business practice will not be tolerated.
• Approach any disputes or misunderstandings with fairness and the intention to resolve issues amicably – it’s important to have clear, documented processes for addressing concerns or complaints from clients.
• Embrace feedback from clients as an opportunity for improvement. Engage with client reviews constructively and use insights to refine your services and customer interaction.
• Use Automattic products wherever possible. This includes hosting at WordPress.com, WordPress VIP, or Pressable and for e-commerce stores, using WooPayments.

Compliance with these expectations is crucial, not just to remain in good standing in the directory, but to ensure that businesses and individuals referred to you receive the best possible service. Failure to meet these standards can result in a review of your listing status and potential removal from the directory.

Maintaining the integrity of our agency directory is paramount. While we encourage agencies to showcase their unique offerings, there are certain behaviors and content that can lead to the removal of a listing from the directory. These include, but are not limited to:

• Providing false or misleading information about your services, experience, or qualifications.
• Including company contact details in unapproved sections of your listing.
• Use of profanity, discriminatory language, or any inappropriate content that is not in line with Automattic’s values or terms of service.
• Failure to adhere to any Automattic for Agencies community guidelines or terms of service.

We trust our agencies to act professionally and abide by these standards to ensure a constructive environment for all users. Any listings found violating these criteria may be subject to review and removal to protect the quality and trustworthiness of our agency ecosystem.

To avoid any inconvenience, please regularly review and ensure your listing complies with all Automattic’s guidelines. Should your listing be removed, you will be notified with an explanation, providing an opportunity to make necessary adjustments and request reinstatement.