从开源工具到75亿美元帝国：WordPress创始人的创业传奇
Matt Mullenweg是WordPress.com及其母公司Automattic的创始人。数据显示，Automattic在六轮融资中筹集了8.46亿美元，最新估值达到惊人的75亿美元。
Matt Mullenweg is the founder of WordPress.com and its parent company Automattic. According to data, Automattic has raised $846 million in six rounds of financing, with the latest valuation reaching an astonishing $7.5 billion.
音乐少年到程序员的转变
From Music Prodigy to Programmer
Matt在休斯顿长大，最初梦想成为职业音乐人。他对萨克斯特别着迷，经常在意大利餐厅表演赚取外快。
Matt grew up in Houston and initially dreamed of becoming a professional musician. He was particularly fascinated by the saxophone and often performed in Italian restaurants to earn extra money.
"在学校里，很多孩子是真正的神童。我也有点天赋，但得非常努力才能向他们看齐。"Matt最终意识到自己在音乐领域的天花板。
"At school, many kids were real prodigies. I had some talent too, but had to work very hard to keep up with them." Matt eventually realized his ceiling in the music field.
WordPress的诞生
The Birth of WordPress
2003年，Matt与Mike Little基于开源项目b2 cafelog创建了WordPress。这个决定彻底改变了互联网内容发布的方式。
In 2003, Matt and Mike Little created WordPress based on the open-source project b2 cafelog. This decision completely changed the way content is published on the internet.
如今，互联网上40%的网站由WordPress构建。这个数字证明了Matt当初愿景的正确性。
Today, 40% of websites on the internet are built with WordPress. This number proves the correctness of Matt's original vision.
商业化的关键决策
Key Decisions in Commercialization
Matt拒绝了多家科技巨头的邀约，包括年薪9万美元的CNet工作机会。他坚持保留知识产权，这为后来的成功奠定了基础。
Matt rejected offers from several tech giants, including a $90,000 annual salary job at CNet. He insisted on retaining intellectual property rights, which laid the foundation for later success.
2007年，当有人出价2亿美元收购WordPress时，23岁的Matt经过深思熟虑后拒绝了这笔交易。"我还想继续写代码，和喜欢的人一起工作。"
In 2007, when someone offered $200 million to acquire WordPress, 23-year-old Matt declined the deal after careful consideration. "I still want to keep coding and working with people I like."
成功的SEO经验与教训
SEO Successes and Lessons
早期，Matt尝试通过CSS欺骗搜索引擎提升排名，导致WordPress一度被谷歌封杀。这段经历让他深刻理解了白帽SEO的重要性。
Early on, Matt tried to boost rankings by tricking search engines with CSS, which led to WordPress being banned by Google. This experience made him deeply understand the importance of white-hat SEO.
后来，WordPress通过"Powered by WordPress"的链接策略实现了病毒式增长，这是自然外链建设的经典案例。
Later, WordPress achieved viral growth through the "Powered by WordPress" link strategy, a classic case of organic backlink building.
给创业者的启示
Inspiration for Entrepreneurs
1. 坚持愿景：Matt拒绝了多次套现机会，因为他相信WordPress能创造更大价值
2. 重视社区：开源社区的力量是WordPress成功的关键
3. 长期思维：即使在最困难时期，Matt也坚持投资未来
1. Stick to the vision: Matt rejected multiple cash-out opportunities because he believed WordPress could create greater value
2. Value community: The power of the open-source community was key to WordPress' success
3. Long-term thinking: Even in the most difficult times, Matt insisted on investing in the future
