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WPBeginner»Blog»Insights»The Creator of OceanWP Returns: Nicolas Lecocq Develops 6 New WordPress Tools Using AI
The OceanWP Developer Returns: Nicolas Lecocq Launches 6 Innovative WordPress Products Utilizing AI
By Editorial Team | August 13, 2025 | Reader Disclosure
If you've been involved in the WordPress community for some time, you've likely come across OceanWP. Introduced as a free theme that includes premium features, it rapidly gained popularity among freelancers, agencies, and individuals building their own websites.
Nicolas Lecocq, the original developer, left the WordPress scene after selling his theme but made a comeback years later with a fresh perspective on product development. Now, he’s focusing on enhancing speed and reimagining aspects of performance, user experience, and the potential contributions of AI in the development process.
With his new venture, DigiHold, Nicolas has introduced six WordPress products in under a year, a feat he claims would have required him several years in the past.
In this discussion, Nicolas reveals the potential that arises when expertise combines with innovative AI technologies, and emphasizes the importance of focusing on developing products that genuinely benefit users.
"A product is effective when it addresses an actual issue… that's my main emphasis at this time."
Nicolas Lecocq – Developer of OceanWP & Founder of DigiHold
"A product is effective when it addresses an actual issue… that's my main emphasis at this time."
Continue reading to gain exclusive insights and recommendations from the developer of one of the most popular themes in WordPress history.
📣 Welcome to our series, #MyWordPressStory, where we share valuable perspectives from prominent figures in the WordPress community.
If you're interested in participating in our interview series—regardless of whether you are a plugin developer, a founder, or an SEO specialist—please don't hesitate to get in touch with us using our contact form.
📹 Video Discussion with Nicolas Lecocq
To view our full video discussion featuring Nicolas Lecocq, simply watch it below:
Alternatively, you can click on the links provided below to review what we discussed during the interview, along with additional information.
🚀 Introducing Nicolas Lecocq: Transitioning from Sports Blogger to Self-Taught Programmer
Nicolas began his adventure with WordPress in 2012, driven by a personal interest rather than a formal business strategy.
Nicolas's initial blog centered around MMA sports. While it was short-lived, it opened his eyes to the versatility of WordPress.
"I had the desire to start a blog, so I typed 'the best way to create a blog' into Google, and it was clear that WordPress was the top choice."
Nicolas Lecocq
Before long, he began to explore different themes and play around with coding. Back then, the availability of learning materials was much more restricted compared to what we have now.
Nicolas utilized a combination of YouTube instructional videos, online discussion boards, and a method that many experienced developers still advocate: examining the code of various themes to understand their construction.
"I used to watch YouTube videos, but back then, the amount of information available was limited compared to what we have today. I gradually taught myself by editing various topics."
Nicolas Lecocq
In the beginning of his freelance career, he focused on creating responsive websites for clients, long before mobile-friendly designs became the norm.
This experience uncovered a key realization that would shape his future work: each project appeared to demand the acquisition of a completely different concept.
Nicolas started to envision a singular, adaptable answer.
A versatile theme suitable for any kind of website, whether it be eCommerce or real estate, that maintains a uniform process for both developers and site administrators.
That concept evolved into OceanWP.
💥 Related Article: Tobias Bäthge transformed a personal project for his baseball team into TablePress, a WordPress plugin that currently supports over 700,000 websites. Check out the complete interview to learn about his journey.
📈 The OceanWP Trend: How Free Outshines Premium Options
OceanWP was initially created to simplify the work Nicolas did for his clients.
Rather than adjusting to a different theme for each project, he created a versatile one that could accommodate any task, and he was thoroughly familiar with it.
"When you focus on a single theme for your creations, it becomes simpler to utilize it effectively."
Nicolas Lecocq
"When you focus on a single theme for your creations, it becomes simpler to utilize it effectively."
Initially, Nicolas intended to market OceanWP as a paid theme.
However, after his initial effort at creating a paid theme on ThemeForest failed to attract attention, he opted for a new strategy.
He launched OceanWP as a free theme, but included a supplementary plugin called Ocean Extra.
This enabled users to fully utilize the theme while staying compliant with the guidelines set by WordPress.org.
They had the ability to use a surprisingly extensive range of features without any cost, unlike the majority of robust themes that were only available for purchase.
"I included a multitude of complimentary features, making it feel like a premium theme available at no cost. As a result, it was very well-received."
Nicolas Lecocq
In addition to these tools, Nicolas introduced premium add-ons for OceanWP that offer paid functionalities.
The initial six months saw sluggish growth, primarily driven by referrals from existing customers. However, once it gained traction, the growth accelerated rapidly.
In just a year, OceanWP evolved from a personal project into one of the leading themes available. With numerous installations, Nicolas's earnings from OceanWP surged from approximately $2,000–3,000 monthly to $15,000 per month.
The blend of adaptability, extensive functionality, and a no-cost starting option has made OceanWP popular among freelancers, WordPress agencies, and individuals creating their own websites.
We can definitely endorse the OceanWP theme. Throughout the years, we've suggested it numerous times due to its flexibility and comprehensive range of features.
Indeed, we frequently rank it among our preferred selections for free themes across various categories. It also holds the #4 position on our compilation of the finest free WordPress business themes.
🎯 Gaining Insights from Achievements and Challenges
Developing OceanWP provided Nicolas with an intensive education on the essentials of cultivating and maintaining a successful WordPress product. With each success also came important lessons learned.
One of the most important factors? Performance is crucial.
"I incorporated a lot of features without considering their impact on performance… now, performance is my top priority."
Nicolas Lecocq
"I incorporated a lot of features without considering their impact on performance… now, performance is my top priority."
Initial iterations of OceanWP included an extensive array of functionalities; however, Nicolas acknowledges that certain features contributed to decreased website performance.
💥 Additional Article: Want to discover more about enhancing the performance of your WordPress site? Take a look at our comprehensive guide to improve WordPress speed and efficiency.
As time went on, input from users contributed to various enhancements. This input was gathered via contact forms, discussions on WordPress.org forums, support emails, and also through GitHub.
To Nicolas, the discussions went beyond mere bug reports or requests for new features. They served as a guide for enhancing the product.
"It may be your design, but it ultimately belongs to them. Therefore, it's essential to pay attention to their feedback."
Nicolas Lecocq
"It may be your design, but it ultimately belongs to them. Therefore, it's essential to pay attention to their feedback."
After a period of three to four years, he made the decision to sell OceanWP.
The experience had significantly shaped him, yet he was eager to investigate fresh concepts and focus on his individual goals.
His upcoming venture, Olympus, was designed to be quicker and more streamlined than OceanWP. However, shortly after its release, personal matters and partnership complications compelled him to withdraw.
The setback changed his approach to working with others.
"I won't repeat my past error with Olympus by engaging in poor partnerships now. I am quite discerning when it comes to choosing my collaborators."
Nicolas Lecocq
"I won't repeat my past error with Olympus by engaging in poor partnerships now. I am quite discerning when it comes to choosing my collaborators."
Nicolas took away several key insights from those experiences: focus on delivering results, design with the user's requirements in mind, and select partners thoughtfully.
🤖 The AI-Driven Revival: Creating 6 Products in Less Than a Year
In 2024, Nicolas re-entered the realm of WordPress development, beginning once again with freelancing and designing websites for clients.
However, he observed a trend that would shape the next phase of his journey. Almost every client was eager to sell some type of product, be it services, digital books, or online educational materials.
This insight served as the basis for his new venture, DigiHold.
DigiHold aims to meet the requirements of eCommerce through a range of products:
Every product is accompanied by a Pro version, resulting in a total of six different releases, all developed within a year.
What sets this occasion apart? A focus on performance combined with the capabilities of artificial intelligence.
"You can't code effectively without AI. It greatly speeds up the process… it really transforms the game."
Nicolas Lecocq
"You can't code effectively without AI. It greatly speeds up the process… it really transforms the game."
Nicolas relies significantly on Claude AI, as he favors it over ChatGPT for his development work.
His process includes teaching the AI using his code repository, requesting its assistance with feature development, and meticulously examining each recommendation for efficiency, safety, and user experience.
He was quick to point out that while AI doesn't eliminate the necessity of understanding coding, it actually enhances its importance.
"Nicolas mentioned, 'At times, it conveys negative messages to me. I recognize that it's not beneficial, so I choose not to act on it.'"
🔮 The Significance of AI Integration: Creating the Web of the Future
For Nicolas, AI goes beyond being merely a tool used in development. It is an integral component that he is purposefully incorporating into his offerings.
DigiFusion Pro has added features that connect with ChatGPT and Claude, enabling users to create content for blog articles and web pages directly within WordPress.
He holds a broader conviction that all website owners ought to be empowered to integrate AI into their workflows, rather than leaving this capability solely to developers.
This emphasis on incorporating AI stems from a progressive perspective that recognizes the evolving nature of how individuals search the internet.
"You must understand how to apply SEO techniques for AI, as it represents the future… it's already in progress."
Nicolas Lecocq
"You must understand how to apply SEO techniques for AI, as it represents the future… it's already in progress."
Nicolas anticipates that search tools powered by AI, such as ChatGPT, will take the place of numerous conventional Google searches.
For developers and website owners, this implies considering ways to enhance content for artificial intelligence. He believes that this change will be essential in the years ahead.
He mentioned, “I believe that using ChatGPT will simplify online searches, leading to an increase in its usage among people.”
To delve deeper into the topic, take a look at our introductory guide on optimizing generative AI for WordPress.
Nicolas is preparing DigiHold for the upcoming shift by developing products that incorporate AI features from the beginning, which also assists his clients in making the same transition.
💡 Product Principles & Guidance for Developers
A key characteristic of all Nicolas's creations is that they are inspired by genuine demands rather than fads.
DigiCommerce, DigiBlocks, and DigiFusion were all developed to address particular challenges encountered by his clients.
“A product is successful when it addresses a genuine issue… if it’s made solely for profit, I don’t think it will be truly effective.”
Nicolas Lecocq
“A product is successful when it addresses a genuine issue… if it’s made solely for profit, I don’t think it will be truly effective.”
That mentality influences everything, from his choices regarding features to the way he oversees performance.
While he firmly values user input, he is willing to decline requests that could hinder the performance of a website.
Rather, he chooses to provide solutions through the use of child themes or personalized coding.
"Consideration of performance and user experience is essential when developing WordPress products today."
Nicolas Lecocq
"Consideration of performance and user experience is essential when developing WordPress products today."
His process for development is streamlined and purposeful.
He utilizes:
For novice developers, his guidance is straightforward: learn the basics thoroughly before depending on artificial intelligence.
"You should prioritize learning coding initially, and afterward, AI can assist you with your programming."
Nicolas Lecocq
"You should prioritize learning coding initially, and afterward, AI can assist you with your programming."
This involves beginning with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, grasping their functionality, and then leveraging AI to enhance and accelerate your existing skills.
💥 Related Article: Interested in additional insights from entrepreneurs? Take a look at our conversation with Ionut Neagu, the co-founder of Themeisle.
💠Concluding Reflections
Nicolas Lecocq's journey has completed a loop, starting with self-educating on WordPress through theme modifications to eventually creating one of the most widely-used free themes globally.
He is coming back after several years, armed with a refreshed perspective and an impressive array of skills.
His path is characterized by perseverance, flexibility, and a commitment to ongoing education. The challenges he encountered did not bring his career to a halt. Rather, they transformed his approach to work, influenced his selection of partners, and shaped the way he develops products.
With AI integrated into his daily routine, he can work more efficiently than ever while prioritizing performance and user experience.
However, he suggests to fellow developers that they should view AI as a tool to enhance their work rather than as a substitute.
Nicolas Lecocq stated, "I think I could have developed my six products over several years by hand. However, with the help of AI, I completed them in under a year."
Nicolas demonstrates to developers and entrepreneurs that robust abilities, insights from users, and innovative resources can pave the way for new opportunities.
For more information on Nicolas's current projects, visit the DigiHold website.
📚 Additional Resources: Professional Tools for WordPress Developers
Are you inspired by Nicolas and eager to create your own WordPress offerings?
These WPBeginner tutorials can assist you in beginning your journey:
If you enjoyed this article, consider subscribing to our YouTube channel for video tutorials on WordPress. Additionally, you can connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.
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The Editorial Team at WPBeginner comprises a group of WordPress specialists, headed by Syed Balkhi, who brings more than 16 years of expertise in areas such as WordPress, web hosting, eCommerce, SEO, and marketing. Established in 2009, WPBeginner has grown to become the leading free resource for WordPress in the industry and is frequently described as the Wikipedia of WordPress.
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Nicolas Lecocq
August 18, 2025, at 8:19
I appreciate the opportunity to interview; it was wonderful to exchange some advice!
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