In this episode of WP Legends, we talk to Vikas Singhal, the founder of InstaWP, about his incredible journey from selling his first piece of software at just 14 years old to building a product now backed by Automattic.
Vikas dives deep into the world of software development, product-market fit, and the unique challenges of scaling a WordPress SaaS tool that’s changing the way developers build and test websites.
Watch the Episode
From Teen Coder to Tech Founder: The Origin of InstaWP
Vikas didn’t just stumble into WordPress. His journey began with a passion for coding and a sharp entrepreneurial instinct. At 14, he sold his first software, and that spark has powered his work ever since.
He walks us through the creation of InstaWP, how the idea was born from his own need for rapid WordPress testing environments, and how he turned it into a full-fledged solution used by thousands of developers and agencies.
“I wanted something that could spin up a WordPress site instantly. When I realized others needed it too, I knew I had to build it.”
Scaling Challenges, Feedback Loops & Product Iteration
As InstaWP grew, so did the challenges. From managing a growing team to balancing feature requests with long-term vision, Vikas shares the behind-the-scenes grind of scaling a bootstrapped product.
He talks openly about the role of user feedback, beta testing, and how community validation became a powerful growth engine, leading to support and funding from Automattic.
Building Developer Tools the Right Way
One of the highlights of the episode is Vikas’s view on creating tools for developers by developers. InstaWP isn’t just another SaaS tool it’s built with a deep understanding of how WordPress professionals work.
Vikas also reflects on bridging the gap between WordPress and modern DevOps practices, making staging, testing, and launching simpler and faster than ever.
What It Means to Be Backed by Automattic
Getting the attention and backing of Automattic is no small feat. Vikas shares what that partnership means for InstaWP, how it validates the product’s mission, and the new doors it opens for future development.
He emphasizes that while funding helps, it’s the trust and alignment with Automattic’s vision that makes the real difference.
Community, Mentorship & What’s Next
Like many in the WordPress space, Vikas finds strength in the community. From connecting at WordCamps to collaborating with other plugin developers, he believes that relationships and shared learning are key to building something meaningful.
When asked what’s next, Vikas hints at powerful new features, deeper integrations, and a long-term goal to make WordPress onboarding as seamless as possible for everyone from hobbyists to enterprise users.
“The vision is simple: spin up WordPress in one click no barriers, no waiting.”
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