My name is Abdul Kaioum, and I’m from the port city of Chittagong (now Chattogram), Bangladesh. I studied Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at the Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET). I’ve spent my entire life in my hometown, growing up in a large joint family.
The Journey Began
I began my journey as a freelancer in 2017, working on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com, and People Per Hour (PPH). My focus was providing Zoho-based services, including customization and development for solutions like CRM, Accounting, Analytics, Chatbots, and HRM. As the workload grew, I brought more people on board and eventually formed a company. In 2018, we became a Zoho Advanced Partner, serving clients worldwide through these marketplaces.
Many of our Zoho customers had WordPress websites and wanted to integrate the two platforms. This demand led us to get involved with WordPress. At the same time, we noticed Bangladeshi companies gaining recognition in the WordPress plugin and theme business, which caught our attention. Additionally, I recognized some limitations of the service business, such as time zone challenges, scalability issues, and the risk of losing clients unexpectedly. These factors motivated us to transition into the WordPress plugin business.
The Need for “Bit Apps”
Bit Apps Logo
We began our journey with a form plugin called Bit Form, entering one of the most saturated niches in the software industry. Coming from a different background (Zoho), we initially had limited awareness of the intense competition in this space, which became clear only after releasing the plugin.
The primary inspiration behind creating Bit Form came from our Zoho customers, who frequently needed to send WordPress form data to Zoho. Existing plugins lacked robust integrations to address this need, so we decided to build our own solution. Additionally, the success stories of Bangladeshi companies in the WordPress space motivated us to take the leap.
While developing Bit Form, we leveraged the most modern technologies available at the time. For example, very few WordPress plugins were built with ReactJS back then, but we adopted it to ensure a seamless and responsive experience. We also prioritized creating a unique and modern UI, setting Bit Form apart from other plugins in the market.
I faced two major challenges while founding Bit Apps and venturing into the WordPress plugin business.
Firstly, I didn’t personally know anyone involved in the WordPress plugin industry. Without a mentor to guide us, the journey was much harder, and we made more mistakes than we might have otherwise.
Secondly, we had little knowledge about marketing WordPress plugins. We initially assumed that simply releasing the plugin on the WordPress repository would be enough to succeed, which turned out to be a significant misconception.
Despite these challenges, I’m proud of our persistence. Even while struggling with these issues, we pushed forward and worked harder to overcome them. Eventually, we figured out how to navigate both challenges, marking a turning point in our journey.
- Bit Form – A lightweight and advanced WordPress form plugin designed for seamless functionality and ease of use.
- Bit Integrations – An integration and automation plugin that connects WordPress with CRMs, email marketing tools, and more, ensuring efficient data flow.
- Bit Flows – A Zapier alternative in WordPress, automating workflows and connecting APIs seamlessly.
- Bit Assist – A user-friendly chat widget for enhanced communication and customer support.
- Bit Social – A plugin that automates social media posting directly from WordPress.
- Bit File Manager – A simple and efficient file management solution for WordPress.
- Bit SMTP – A plugin for reliable email delivery through SMTP configuration.
Myself with my Brilliant Team
Our team currently consists of 35 people, though not everyone is in the picture. This photo was taken at our booth during WordCamp Sylhet 2024, where we were one of the event sponsors.
Abdul Kaioum with his team
Advice for Business Owners
If you’re thinking about starting your own business, my best advice is to start building—it’s never too late to begin. The journey may feel overwhelming at times, but consistency is key. Keep learning, adapt to the challenges you face, and remember that results take time. Don’t panic when things don’t immediately go according to plan; stay focused on your vision, keep improving, and trust that the hard work will eventually pay off.
When starting a WordPress-based business, it’s often best to begin with a service in a specific niche before diving into product development. Offering services allows you to directly engage with clients and understand their pain points, preferences, and the challenges they face. This hands-on experience will give you valuable insights into what the market truly needs, helping you develop products that address real-world problems. Once you have a clear understanding of the market, transitioning to creating products becomes much more strategic and informed.
WordPress & Beyond
My concept for growing “Bit Apps” is simple—”Sky’s the limit.” Together with my awesome team, we are committed to scaling it as much as possible. Our focus will be on continuous improvement, expanding our product offerings, and consistently meeting the needs of our users. We’re aiming to make Bit Apps a key player in the WordPress ecosystem.
I see WordPress getting better and bigger. The platform has always evolved with the times, and in the next five years, I believe the opportunities will be limitless.
No, I believe WordPress is like an open sea—there’s enough pie for everyone in the market.
Stay in Touch
My Love for the WordPress Community
Yes, I’ve attended WordCamp Sylhet and WordCamp Malaysia. I believe these events provide excellent opportunities for WordPress enthusiasts to collaborate, network, and share knowledge.
Abdul Kaioum at WordCamp
I consider Istiak Rayhan, the CEO and founder of the Ultimate Blocks plugin, as one of my best friends in the WordPress community.
Shahjahan Jewel from WPManageNinja has inspired me a lot. I admire his work and the success he has achieved in the WordPress space. His journey has been a great source of motivation for me in recent times.
How I Keep Myself Updated
I stay updated through social media, especially Facebook and Reddit. The WordPress community is very active on these platforms, and I find them to be excellent sources for discussions, news, and insights into the latest trends and updates in the industry.
I Have a Life Other Than the Work
I enjoy watching travel videos and documentaries. Exploring different places and cultures through these videos inspires me and broadens my perspective.
These are special times for my family. I prioritize spending quality moments with my loved ones, cherishing togetherness and making memories.
Anywhere with a beach! I love the serenity of the ocean, the sound of the waves, and the peacefulness that comes with being near the water.
I love animals and used to have pets. However, losing them was really painful, and over time, I decided to stop having pets.
I Reward Myself by
I celebrate by having a meal with my team and also with my family.
Special Discount
- Get 35% OFF on All Bit Apps products by using the code below.
WPDISCOUNTS35
