You need a website for your business. But websites are not simple things. The design should look good. Your website’s navigation should be intuitive. It would be best if you optimized for search engines. And it would be best if you protect yourself from spammers. The list goes on and on.

But the question is how do you do all this and more? With the help of WordPress, of course. This is no surprisee here that WordPress is the world’s most popular CMS (content management system). WordPress is just awesome.

First of all, it is “open source .”This means the source code is free, and you can modify and redistribute it. This makes WordPress a flexible and specialized website builder and content developer.

But here’s the fun part. Along with thousands of ready-made themes that you can use to design your website, WordPress also allows you to install plugins. Plugins are software that you can use in WordPress. For instance, the WooCommerce product video plugin will enable you to add new features to your site and attract more customers. And you need them. Plugins help you optimize your site for search engines, protect it from hackers, and improve the user experience.

What is a Plugin?

A plugin is a piece of software that can be installed on your website to add or extend its functionality. Plugins can be installed on your website quickly to give you the functionality that would otherwise take time for developers to build from the whip. This is what the name suggests, something you can “plug in” to a website to expand its capabilities without writing a custom code.

A good comparison is an operating system on your computer. Out of the box, the computer gives you the basic functionality, but there’s a good chance you’ll add programs to customize what it can.

For example, you can add Adobe Reader to view PDF files or Photoshop to edit images. Maybe you downloaded Chrome or Firefox because you like those browsers or installed antivirus software to protect your computer. The options are endless. The same goes for WordPress plugins – they give developers out-of-the-box information to improve the sites they create.

1. Open Source

WordPress is open source, meaning anyone can create plugins that extend the core functionality of WordPress. Supply and demand rules govern plugin development, so if you need something specific, chances are someone has already created a plugin for it.

2. Saves Time 

The main reason many developers use plugins is that they save a lot of development time, which can keep the entire website budget. There are currently over 55,000 plugins in the WordPress.org library, so developers have access to plugins for everything they need. This can range from adding complex features like e-commerce or language support to minor updates like allowing four site managers.

3. Inexpensive

Many WordPress plugins are available at a very affordable price, and many are free. This can be very interesting depending on your situation, and for many people, this helps them decide to use a plugin.

4. Flexibility

Plugins require developers to be able to customize the features and functions of the site. Most of them include some settings and switches, as well as changeable styles such as fonts, colors, and sizes to customize parts of the site. And if you ever take the opportunity to open it, it’s the process of removing it from your simple site.

Most of the excellent quality installers have a complete set. In addition to solving your problem, it often includes small parts that you need to know you need. It can be helpful and even motivating in some situations.

5. Reliable & Updated

Plugins have become very important in WordPress development, many of which are created and run by specialized companies that regularly update them to improve customization and security. In addition, many plugins offer different levels of functionality depending on your needs: a free version for basic features and a paid version for more advanced features.

Although this means plugins can be paid for, they are usually under $100, which can be less than what you would spend on developers to build it yourself. The advantage of choosing paid plugins is that the companies behind them are interested in keeping their users happy by constantly updating plugins.

WordPress continues to update its platform with updates and bug fixes. As these updates are released, it is the responsibility of each author to update their plugins and keep up with the times. Good plugin authors will do this seamlessly, giving you the confidence that your site will run smoothly between updates.

Things to Consider

Choosing which plugins to use on your website is a significant decision you should make with your website developers. There are several steps you must take to make an informed decision:

Research, research, research

Before installing any plugin you need to research extensively. Each installation will contain information about its functionality, support tickets, and technical knowledge. You want to choose a reputable installer with good user reviews and a 5-star rating.

Check for blacklisted plugins.

Some hosting services have a list of prohibited attachments they do not allow to be placed on their sites. This is usually done for plugins that detect security risks. By preventing you from using these plugins on your website, your hosting provider protects your website and any other sites hosted on your server.

Free vs. Premium

If the plugin offers different access levels, choose whether you want the free or paid version. Learn more about the payment schedule to see if it’s a one-time or annual purchase. We advise our clients to pay for all their plugins directly to the vendor, so they always have complete control over them.

Test the plugin first

Before making an installation, test it on an installation site to see if it works as expected and if there are any conflicts with other plugins you have already installed. Be sure to complete this step. While there won’t be any problems in most cases, you never know what might break your site, so take your time.

OUR TOP 7 PICKS

As far as must-have plugins go, these seven are our top picks based on the data:

1. Yoast SEO

Every website dreams to rank on the top of SERPs. But SEO is challenging, right? Well, sometimes it might become easy. With the Yoast SEO plugin, on-page optimization efforts are a breeze. This powerful tool allows you to choose a focused keyword and optimize your page against it. As a result, you can continue to increase your traffic using simple SEO methods.

2. WP – Backup

You want to sleep peacefully at night, knowing that all of your website content is backed up and protected from being lost in the black hole of the Internet. The best part about this plugin is that you can set up your website to receive regular updates, so you don’t have to remember that you have to do it all yourself. The WP-Backup plugin is better than others with almost the same features because it’s free and one of the easiest to set up.

3. Elementor

Elementor is the leading page builder for WordPress CMS that allows you to create your pages with original designs. Elementor is a highly recommended plugin for new web developers and those who don’t feel comfortable touching the WordPress code.

4. WPForms

Every website needs a contact form because it makes it easy for visitors to contact you. WPForms is the most used contact form plugin for WordPress. This drag-and-drop web builder makes it easy to create contacts, email templates, online booking forms, payment forms, survey emails, newsletters, and other online documents in a few clicks. They have over 300 preset templates to make your life easier.

5. Redirection

We all know how much Google (and other search engines) hate lousy user experience. A 404 or broken page does the same. A simple and easy installation of the redirect plugin will display a list of 404 error pages, and enter a URL you want the plugin to redirect the user to visit.

6. HubSpot

Without marketing, you just can’t grow your business and this plugin will help you do that. The HubSpot WordPress plugin allows you to manage links, track leads, track conversions, create email newsletters, interact with online visitors via forms and chats, and more. In addition, the plugin integrates your website with HubSpot CRM.

Additionally, the dashboard and analytics allow you to measure how effective your efforts are and continue to make informed decisions as your business grows.

7. Akismet Anti-Spam

Everyone hates spam, as spam comments can damage your website and hurt your readership. And if you don’t handle it properly, you may lose readers and damage your brand.

Fortunately, a reliable and efficient plugin will take care of this for you. It has been downloaded over 35 million times, making it the most popular device. It’s famous for a reason, and if you have yet to use it, you should.

Final Thought

Plugins have become an essential part of the WordPress developer toolbox and help improve the user and administrator experience. Checking and maintaining your plugins will keep your site running smoothly and help you avoid some of its pitfalls.

Author Bio

Bilal is a content writer by passion and profession. He started his journey with Motifcreatives. He primarily writes for guest post articles falling under various niches. The main area of his interest and expertise in Web design & Digital marketing. He enjoys reading and writing about healthcare, mindfulness, and well-being to educate people about being happier and more lively. His work has been published on many high-authority websites. He believes that writing is an effective way to communicate at better levels.