WP Simulator - worth purchasing?

29 replies
I've been getting e-mails for Matt Garrett's latest offering, WP Simulator. Basically, it is software(?) that allows you to test various Wordpress configurations to see how themes and plugins work together before you actually take a site live. Or something like that.

Have any Warriors purchased this and, if so, is it worth the investment of $40 or so? I guess the price doubling soon.
#purchasing #simulator #worth #wp simulator
  • Profile picture of the author Blazon1
    Anyone purchased this yet?
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  • Profile picture of the author Kael41
    Last I heard WAMP and XAMPP were free? What's different about this plugin that a free wordpress environment couldn't do for me?
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    • Profile picture of the author run
      Originally Posted by Kael41 View Post

      Last I heard WAMP and XAMPP were free? What's different about this plugin that a free wordpress environment couldn't do for me?
      XAMPP is free, and I see no different between them beside the bonus and configurations.
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      I just wanna tell you that most of the links in the signature are trash and/or a trap to make you pay!
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt Garrett
    Hi,

    Matt Garrett here, just thought I'd give a quick reply.

    Yes, Xampp is free, we mention that on both the sales page and in the sales video.

    However, if you've ever tried to get xampp up and running properly, and locahost working you'll know it's not exactly a piece of cake.

    WP Simulator is a fully preconfigured & speed tweaked localhost with multiple test environments all ready to go - without the user having to do the hard work getting this set up

    Then we added in a whole bunch of other stuff to deliver even more value, but from the feedback we've been getting, the setup & configration stuff we've done alone is worth the cost for most people.
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    cheers,
    @MattGarrett
    ProfitMarketer http://profitmarketer.com/jv/

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    • Profile picture of the author lem0n
      Originally Posted by Matt Garrett View Post

      Hi,

      Matt Garrett here, just thought I'd give a quick reply.

      Yes, Xampp is free, we mention that on both the sales page and in the sales video.

      However, if you've ever tried to get xampp up and running properly, and locahost working you'll know it's not exactly a piece of cake.

      WP Simulator is a fully preconfigured & speed tweaked localhost with multiple test environments all ready to go - without the user having to do the hard work getting this set up

      Then we added in a whole bunch of other stuff to deliver even more value, but from the feedback we've been getting, the setup & configration stuff we've done alone is worth the cost for most people.
      Not trying to disrespect you or your product (which is a nice and user friendly idea) but I have to say that when I installed XAMPP (WAMP is a similar environment and MAMP for Mac) it was just click a few buttons and go. To start up the server so it works on localhost (localhost is always running) you just push 2 buttons in the control panel.

      To the OP: if you have experience/are comfortable installing computer software, you should have no problems setting things up yourself. HOWEVER if you have little experience, I believe you might want the product offered.

      Edit: If installing WAMP: install into My documents (if installed in root folder ' C:\Wamp' you might experience problems when editing wamp files.)

      if installing XAMPP: on VISTA install INTO root 'C:\XAMPP' but DON'T install into Program Files. Again this is only on vista.
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    • Profile picture of the author Powder_Skier
      Originally Posted by Matt Garrett View Post

      Hi,

      Matt Garrett here, just thought I'd give a quick reply.

      Yes, Xampp is free, we mention that on both the sales page and in the sales video.

      However, if you've ever tried to get xampp up and running properly, and locahost working you'll know it's not exactly a piece of cake.

      WP Simulator is a fully preconfigured & speed tweaked localhost with multiple test environments all ready to go - without the user having to do the hard work getting this set up

      Then we added in a whole bunch of other stuff to deliver even more value, but from the feedback we've been getting, the setup & configration stuff we've done alone is worth the cost for most people.
      Hey Matt - please contact me about WP Simulator asap.. I've sent in two support tickets and one email but no word back from you or your team yet.

      Thanks,
      Maury
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  • Profile picture of the author Blazon1
    Thanks for the reply, Matt. One quick question - can this be used for an unlimited number of sites? Or, is only one configuration needed to do this testing? My reading of your sales page didn't leave me with a clear idea of how this would work or if I would need to make additional purchases for more than 12 sites.

    And, when does the intro price end? Thanks.
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    • Profile picture of the author TamaraBolte
      Originally Posted by Blazon1 View Post

      Thanks for the reply, Matt. One quick question - can this be used for an unlimited number of sites? Or, is only one configuration needed to do this testing? My reading of your sales page didn't leave me with a clear idea of how this would work or if I would need to make additional purchases for more than 12 sites.

      And, when does the intro price end? Thanks.
      I agree, it isn't clear if it can be used over and over and over and over, like I need to use it. But it implied that it could be as more workspaces (sorry if using wrong lingo) can easily be added.

      ----
      Having purchased and gone through the WP Simulator course since the previous comment, Unequivocally Yes, WP Simulator can be used for an unlimited number of sites. It's quite awesome. - Tamara
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      • Profile picture of the author Matt Garrett
        Hi Tamara,
        yup, one of the tutorial videos shows you how to set up as many new sites as you need.
        the product is as much about the training we offer as the software itself.
        oh, and the support for people who do have problems of course!
        we've had some pretty cool feedback from people which we've popped on to the sales page.
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        cheers,
        @MattGarrett
        ProfitMarketer http://profitmarketer.com/jv/

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  • Profile picture of the author Matt Garrett
    Hi Blazon1,
    (sorry, not sure what your real name is)

    once you have WPSim set up you can use it for as many sites as you want, including clients sites, there is no limit.
    The heart of WPSim is getting you past the 'mare that setting up xamp can be.
    there are no additional purchases required.
    the upsell is related to WP stuff, but not relevant to the use of WPSim, and not required for WPSim.
    The tutorial videos include how to set up as many localhost sites as you need.
    hope this helps.
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    cheers,
    @MattGarrett
    ProfitMarketer http://profitmarketer.com/jv/

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  • Profile picture of the author run
    I believe that WPsimulator is the plug and play version of offline server hosting environment. I'd be better if you could make a clear features comparison with open source soft. such as XAMPP or WAMP because it'll increase lead in the salepage.
    As many already used open sources which are developing for ease of use and easy to set up, too.
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    I just wanna tell you that most of the links in the signature are trash and/or a trap to make you pay!
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  • Profile picture of the author Weblover50
    WAMP / XAMPP looks easy enough for me, even for those without much experience on web development. There is also the option to use the auto installer on your control panel to set up a second installation of WP on your web server, so that you can test everything before applying to the live site.

    However, if somebody find these too complex, I guess the software in question can help. Technical people like me normally don't really understand how easy / hard is it for a non technical person to do basic things, so who knows - there could be people who would find the product helpful. To the thread starter, buy it if you can't get it done using WAMP or XAMPP.
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  • Profile picture of the author ogenox
    Although I'm (still) using XAMPP for Wordpress, I installed Ampps to test some others CMS platforms. Softaculous (Fantastico alternative) made it and it can't be easier than this - Softaculous AMPPS

    I'm not telling that WP Simulator is complicated, just wanted to throw another great option for experimenting on your localhost.
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    • Profile picture of the author surferket
      Actually WP Simulator makes ruinning a xampp really easy. I've setup a wamp before and it can be frustrating. WP Simulator makes for easy setup as well as gives you enough test environments to play with and you can easily add more such test sites. The many videos help you on each step. One of the best WSO in WF. I even bought their Blog Defendr that was on special offer to users of WP Simulator.

      WP Simulator is for those less well verse on these technical stuff. Best.
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      • Profile picture of the author lem0n
        Originally Posted by surferket View Post

        Actually WP Simulator makes ruinning a xampp really easy. I've setup a wamp before and it can be frustrating. WP Simulator makes for easy setup as well as gives you enough test environments to play with and you can easily add more such test sites. The many videos help you on each step. One of the best WSO in WF. I even bought their Blog Defendr that was on special offer to users of WP Simulator.

        WP Simulator is for those less well verse on these technical stuff. Best.
        With XAMPP you just create a new folder inside the htdocs folder and you install WP in there. You can repeat this x many times. I should maybe check out WP Sim just to see how it differs...
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        • Profile picture of the author surferket
          WP Sim is the same but has provided many example test sites for the user. These test sites are also provided with URL shortcuts to make it easier to access via web interface. The value is also in the videos provided to help understand the How of using xampp.

          Originally Posted by lem0n View Post

          With XAMPP you just create a new folder inside the htdocs folder and you install WP in there. You can repeat this x many times. I should maybe check out WP Sim just to see how it differs...
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          • Profile picture of the author Walter Parrish
            I would say if you cannot get programs like wamp or xampp working. Then you may need to get something already configured.

            I suspect though that wp simulator is bloated as similar programs for the joomla platform were free, or 5 to 10 bucks and joomla isn't even as popular as wordpress so search around.
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  • Profile picture of the author wmwoodie
    I have been "sitting on the fence" regarding the purchase of WP Sim for a couple of days now. From what I am reading here it seems as if it is not needed much except for those with no technical abilities at all. But, I am still debating on the purchase due to the excellent bonuses that are being offered. It seems to me that the bonuses are even more valuable than the actual product itself! Does anyone agree with me on this ?
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    W M Wood

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    • Profile picture of the author mezloh
      All he is doing is making it sound difficult to install wordpress on your localhost and if you buy this software it will make it easier than doing it yourself.

      You can manually install xampp and install wordpress and have it working in about 15 minutes and that is taking your time. It doesn't take a plugin to do it.
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      • Profile picture of the author TamaraBolte
        In response to someone's question whether WP Simulator is worth purchasing... from my perspective it is one of the best products I've ever purchased.
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  • Profile picture of the author Clelie
    Hi,
    I'm looking for an easy to use (I'm no techie and have zero time for learning tech stuff) back up solution for my Wordpress site and found this threat. I wonder whether there is a way to schedule automatic backups with WPSimulator?

    The local dev environment is great, but my main need is for a "set it and forget it" back up feature... that I will really be able to use to restore the last version (and not one of 6 months ago) if it crashes.

    Cécile
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    • Profile picture of the author Siam Longings
      Cécile's (i.e., Clelie) query is a pretty good one -- I would not mind knowing about that, as well. However, I do have an automated backup plugin that reliably sends me via E-mail a backup each Friday evening for one of my WordPress sites -- I just never bothered adding the plugin to the other five hosted WordPress sites I have.

      And I've never needed to use the backup, so I don't know how thorough it is. I always keep about five of the past backups; and each time I get a new one, I delete the oldest backup file.

      What I would really like to know about WPSimulator is if it clones absolutely everything about a specific website? My six WordPress websites are in the blog format, and have an enormous number of posts.

      Without logging in to be exact about it, I know that at least one of them has around 4,500 posts, if not more.

      So I am definitely curious as to just how much of a website would be "cloned" by WPSimulator?
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  • Profile picture of the author hantaah
    Came here because I was asking the same question.

    I thought it was more of a tutorial with perhaps PLR. A tutorial for using the free local servers on offer that is. I think xampp and wamp ( wamp being my fave ) are the most popular for a reason

    and wamp is the easiest to use and set up.
    I just did a video tutorial on it and it took onlu 25 mins to set up, build and transfer to site5

    Install Wordpress wamp - Migrate Wordpress New Server

    although I do find xammp can be a little more complicated.
    Anyway not fussed on buying it now I know it's a piece of software
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    • Profile picture of the author marxwarfor
      I've read REPEATEDLY in several forums, plus numerous Wordpress and Tech sites, that their customer service is beyond deplorable to put it mildly.

      That in of itself would make me see huge red flags and shun a product no matter how good the product is.

      This is especially true if you're dealing with a product that is very tech-related where people would really need support if they're stuck.

      If they can't tend to such a fundamental aspect of doing business with professionalism and integrity, and actually SHOW care for their customers, why in the world would anybody in their right mind support their business?!

      They should take lessons from people like Mailplane, Market Samurai, 1Password, Genesis at Studiopress, etc. and the rest of the countless companies out there that go above and beyond to ensure their customers are helped and satisfied.

      Oh well, in this day and age where negative publicity spreads like wildfire on the web, maybe the WP Simulator people will reap what they sow......
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  • Profile picture of the author michaelromero63
    I have it and it works great. They teach you how to create new working test environments so you really have no limits on the number of test sites.
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  • I would say try this
    Its so easy to do just follow this and you cant go wronge
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    • Profile picture of the author peterj
      Use Instant WP.

      One click instal and it is portable, meaning you can put it on your memory stick and use it where you will.

      And it's FREE!
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      • Profile picture of the author Kuma
        Originally Posted by peterj View Post

        Use Instant WP.

        One click instal and it is portable, meaning you can put it on your memory stick and use it where you will.

        And it's FREE!
        @peterj
        Do you know if this can be used in connection with Duplicator, as for instance "deploying" a live site on the stick??
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        • Profile picture of the author peterj
          Originally Posted by Kuma View Post

          @peterj
          Do you know if this can be used in connection with Duplicator, as for instance "deploying" a live site on the stick??
          Sorry Kuma, I couldn't say. I never tried and haven't used Instant WP in a while.

          I don't see why not, but then.......

          If I get a chance later I'll give it a try.
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