Your Complete Introduction to WordPress Plugins

Constructing an easy, effective website is totally achievable with WordPress’s basic features – but what happens when your online aspirations extend beyond a starter blog or small portfolio? That is when the ability of WordPress plugins really involves the fore.

Plugins are extensions that may broaden the functionality of your WordPress website in almost any area. Many are free, and so they are incredibly easy to put in.

If you happen to’re hearing about plugins for the primary time otherwise you’re unsure the best way to use them, we’ve got you covered. On this guide, we’re going to take a more in-depth have a look at what WordPress plugins can offer and the best way to use them.

What are WordPress Plugins?

Briefly, a plugin is an add-on to your WordPress site — a small piece of third-party software you’ll be able to install so as to add latest features and functionality.

Regardless of which aspect of your site you desire to to upgrade, there’s probably a plugin on the market that may help. You’ll find plugins to speed up your site, optimize security, and help your site rank higher in serps. Page builder plugins assist you to create custom layouts without code, and form plugins make it easier for visitors to make contact.

Other options enable you so as to add specific features to your site, reminiscent of custom post types, an ecommerce storefront, or a user forum. Some even help with basic maintenance tasks, like cleansing up broken links.

Why You Ought to be Using Plugins

To grasp why plugins are so vital, let’s imagine a scenario.

Say you only bought a brand new iPhone. Because of iOS, you’ll be able to make calls, send messages, check your emails, hearken to podcasts, and even track your health without installing any latest apps!

Nonetheless, chances are high that the built-in features of iOS won’t cover every thing you must achieve. In some unspecified time in the future, you’re prone to install some third-party apps, like Instagram or Google Maps.

If WordPress is the operating system of your website, plugins are the apps. While the underlying platform handles all the fundamental functionality, these add-ons provide the features you wish for handling specific tasks or managing parts of your site.

Since hundreds of plugins can be found and most are free to put in, adding some to your WordPress site is a no brainer.

The way to Pick the Right Plugins for Your WordPress Website

So, where do you have to start? Well, a number of plugins come highly beneficial as a starter kit for any latest WordPress site.

Beyond these, it is advisable pinpoint what you must achieve along with your site and find the proper plugins to meet those needs. Here’s a fast step-by-step guide:

1) Discover Your Needs

As a primary step, consider what’s missing out of your website.

If you must sell products online, you may need an ecommerce plugin. If you must construct your email marketing list, consider adding a newsletter sign-up form. Perhaps the back end of your website is missing something, like a sitemap directing serps toward your content.

Undecided what you wish? Take a look at our beginner’s guide to constructing your personal WordPress site for some inspiration.

As a side note, it’s price mentioning that a top quality hosting plan eliminates the necessity for certain plugins. For instance, DreamHost’s managed WordPress hosting service takes care of optimizing your site’s speed and performance without the necessity to install add-ons.

2) Seek for a Solution

Once you could have a shopping list of needs, the following step is to seek out the proper plugins to fill those gaps.

The very best place to begin is by searching the WordPress Plugin Directory. This is actually an enormous online warehouse stacked high with plugins. In reality, it’s where the overwhelming majority of plugins are hosted.

You may access the Plugin Directory via wordpress.org and download plugins onto your device, which may then be uploaded to your site.

Nonetheless, we recommend logging in to your WordPress Dashboard and navigating to Plugins > Add Latest. Here, you’ll be able to install latest plugins straight from the Directory. We’ll talk more about this later.

There are a number of WordPress plugins that don’t appear within the Directory. These are just about all premium plugins, where you will have to pay either a one-time price or a subscription fee for access. These are generally hosted on the location of the plugin provider, and a few offer invaluable advanced features.

A note of caution: you may come across a free or heavily discounted version of premium plugins through unofficial channels. While these could seem appealing, we recommend avoiding them in any respect costs. They’ve often been heavily modified and may put your site susceptible to being infected with malware and spam.

If you happen to don’t have the budget for the official premium versions, it’s totally okay if you happen to persist with the regular free WordPress plugins. With over 60,000 of them, there’s sure to be one which does what you wish.

3) Check the Details

While all plugins within the official Plugin Directory are free to put in and compatible with some version of WordPress, it’s still price checking the small print.

For a start, it’s best to work out whether a plugin actually covers every thing you wish. You may do that by clicking on the name of any plugin within the Directory search results.

Here, you will see a whole description of the plugin, including a full list of features. Study this fastidiously to choose whether the plugin does every thing you wish, and look out for any mention of “pro” or “premium” features — you should have to pay to unlock these.

On the proper, there may be a small table that displays some key information concerning the plugin. A very powerful areas to search for listed here are WordPress version and PHP version. Each should be aligned along with your WordPress website; otherwise, some features might break.

Last updated displays when essentially the most recent version was released. This is an important a part of site security, as plugins that will not be actively maintained can leave your site open to attacks. Meanwhile, numerous Energetic installations might be evidence of a higher-quality plugin.

Below this data, you’ll be able to try user rankings and reviews. WordPress rankings work on a star system, with one being the bottom and five being the best. You can even access reviews by clicking on See all. It’s idea to envision what other users think since not all plugins work as perfectly as they claim.

Below the reviews, you will see the Support section. A high variety of resolved issues is a positive sign, because it indicates that the developers are responsive. Reading through some support questions also can provide you with an idea of potential challenges chances are you’ll face when using the software.

Right at the underside of the page, the Screenshots section gives you a preview of the plugin’s user interface (UI), and the FAQ section can reveal common issues.

4) Download and Test 

If every thing looks good, you’ll be able to download and test the plugin in your site. There may be a whole tutorial on the best way to install plugins later on this guide.

Even if you happen to’re comfortable with the method, we encourage you to seek the advice of each plugin’s installation instructions before downloading, because it could contain vital information to assist you to avoid software-specific issues.

After you’ve arrange the plugin, you’ll be able to start testing its performance. A vital issue is the way it impacts your site’s speed. To check this, we recommend using a tool reminiscent of GTmetrix.

Alternatively, you may use a staging site to find out the usability and front-end functionality of your chosen plugin.

Testing is important since it only takes one poorly coded plugin to take down your entire website.

The way to Install WordPress Plugins

Undecided the best way to install WordPress plugins? There are essentially three different approaches. Let’s take a have a look at them now:

1) Install a Plugin From the Official Directory

If you could have selected a plugin from the official WordPress Plugin Directory, you’re in luck. Installing free plugins from this source couldn’t be easier — and you’ll be able to achieve this without leaving your dashboard.

To start, log in to your website and navigate to the Plugins tab:

Here, you’ll be able to see all of the plugins you could have currently installed (if any). Click on Add Latest, and also you’ll be taken to a searchable version of the Directory. Simply type within the name of the plugin you would like. If you happen to haven’t chosen one yet, you need to use the assorted search options to explore every thing that’s available.

If you find the proper plugin, hit the Install Now button:

WordPress will spend a number of moments performing the installation, and then you definately’ll see a blue Activate button appear. Click on that, and the plugin shall be able to use!

Depending on the plugin you’ve chosen, chances are you’ll be prompted to configure a number of settings or run through a setup wizard.

2) Upload a Plugin Through the Dashboard

If you happen to’ve purchased a premium plugin or downloaded one from an offsite location, you’ll need to make use of a rather different method than the above.

All you’ll need is the .zip archive containing the plugin’s files saved to your computer. This could have been provided to you when you obtain the plugin. If you happen to aren’t sure where to seek out it, it’s best to contact the plugin’s developer for help.

Once you could have access to the plugin, log in to your site and head to the Plugins tab. As before, click on Add Latest. This time, nonetheless, you’ll want to pick out Upload Plugin on the following page:

Click on the Select File button, find the zipped plugin folder in your computer and choose it (you don’t have to extract the files), then click on Install Now. Give WordPress a number of moments to work its magic, and it’s best to see a hit message.

Hit the Activate Plugin button, and also you’re all set! The plugin should now appear in your list within the Plugins tab.

3) Use FTP to Install the Plugin Directly

If you could have a plugin’s .zip file saved in your computer, you too can install it using File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP allows you to access your site’s files and databases directly so that you may make changes to them by hand.

For individuals who are comfortable working with FTP, this is usually a quicker solution to install multiple plugins. Nonetheless, even if you happen to’ve never used FTP before, you may want to contemplate this method. It’s an ideal solution to start learning the best way to work along with your website’s files. It’s also a useful alternative if you happen to run into any errors when installing a plugin through the dashboard.

The very first thing you’ll need to do is download an FTP tool. We recommend FileZilla, which is free and simple to make use of. You then’ll set it up and connect with your web host. That is time to make a backup of your site if you happen to haven’t already. FTP allows you to make everlasting changes to your website, so it’s vital to watch out and have a available solution to reverse any mistakes.

Once you could have FileZilla open and connected, it should look something like this:

In the highest right quadrant, you’ll see your website’s home directory (it can typically be named after the location’s domain). Inside this folder, navigate to wp-content > plugins:

That is where you’ll need to put the files to your latest plugin. Unzip them first, then copy and paste them into the plugins folder. Alternatively, yow will discover the files in your computer using the 2 left-hand quadrants of FileZilla, and drag them over (again– after they’ve been unzipped).

That’s all it is advisable do to put in your latest plugin. Nonetheless, you’ll still have to visit your site to activate it. Navigate to the Plugins tab out of your dashboard, and find the plugin you only installed within the list. When you click on Activate, you’re all done!

What are the Best WordPress Plugins?

If you happen to’re ready to begin exploring the world of WordPress plugins, you may be wondering whether there are some must-have options.

The reality is that there are way too many great plugins to slot in this post. You might try these articles for inspiration:

But if you happen to want some idea of where to start your search, let’s take a have a look at the standout plugins in each category.

Key Forms of WordPress Plugins

While there are literally thousands of area of interest options, nearly all of popular plugins fit into one in all the next groups:

WordPress web optimization Plugins

These plugins assist you to to optimize your website for serps like Google. The category includes tools for improving your content and plugins that construct XML sitemaps and schema files.

Examples include Yoast web optimization, All in One web optimization, WP Meta web optimization, and Schema.

Prefer us to handle web optimization for you? Take a look at our web optimization Toolkit.

Ecommerce Plugins

If you must arrange an ecommerce store or take payments for a service, you’re going to want a web-based store plugin. A few of these plugins are designed specifically for digital products, reminiscent of online courses.

Examples include WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Payment Button for PayPal, and Easy Digital Downloads.

Our specialized WooCommerce hosting makes it super easy to establish shop online.

Promotional Plugins

From pop-up forms and interactive quizzes to social media share buttons, this category of plugins helps you with lead generation and audience constructing. Certain marketing plugins may even hook into your CRM.

Examples include Sumo, OptinMonster, Gravitec (Web Push Notification), MC4W (MailChimp for WordPress).

Contact Form Builder Plugins

Wish to help your visitors get in contact or encourage submissions? These plugins assist you to create a user-friendly form with total customizability with regards to looks and layout.

Examples include Contact Form 7, WPForms, and Ninja Forms.

Slider Plugins

These plugins assist you to add an attention grabbing slider or carousel anywhere in your site. Responsive design is a very vital feature here, since it means your slider will look good on all devices.

Examples include RoyalSlider, and Soliloquy.

Widget and Shortcode Plugins

Widget plugins assist you to add something extra to the sidebar, header, or footer of your WordPress site. Shortcode plugins open up similar options elsewhere.

Examples include Social Icons Widget & Block by WPZOOM, and the SiteOrigin Widget Bundle.

Page Builder Plugins

If you must transcend the fundamental template of your WordPress theme, website builder plugins may help. It’s possible to remodel the user experience of your website using these tools, and a few assist you to create custom landing pages.

Examples include Elementor, and Beaver Builder.

If you host your WordPress site with DreamHost, you too can use our powerful website builder.

Custom Code Plugins

While drag-and-drop tools are great, custom code plugins assist you to make your personal changes using a bit of CSS or JavaScript. These tools must be used with caution, but they might be very useful in the proper hands.

Examples include CodeKit and WP Custom Code.

Analytics Plugins

Wish to track who’s visiting your site and see what number of conversions you’re making in real-time? Analytics plugins may help. Some also can track social sharing.

Examples include GA Google Analytics and MonsterInsights.

Security Plugins

Keeping your WordPress site secure is incredibly vital. Some plugins can reduce the possibility of becoming a web site security horror story, and cut down on spam as well. It’s idea to guard your site with a firewall, too.

Examples of security plugins include Cloudflare, All-In-One Security (AIOS), and Wordfence.

Optimization and Admin Plugins

This catch-all category covers an enormous range of tools, including some real gems. Lazy loading and caching plugins can reduce load times, and backup plugins assist you to create a duplicate of your entire site. Image optimization tools are essential for bloggers, and automation tools can keep your database tidy.

Examples include Jetpack, WP Super Cache, WP Rocket, and UpdraftPlus.

Remember to go to our comprehensive list of top WordPress plugins to dive deeper into the entire categories mentioned above and more.

The WordPress Plugin Directory Awaits

Plugins are incredible resources that enable you to construct your site into anything you would like it to be. Regardless of what feature or functionality you’re searching for, chances are high there’s a plugin that could make it occur.

Even higher, installing plugins in your WordPress site couldn’t be easier. A fast reminder:

1. Discover and prioritize what you wish from a plugin.
2. Search to your options in legitimate, quality marketplaces.
3. Review the available information on each plugin’s page.
4. Download and test the plugin.

Even with the right plugins, putting together a web site might be difficult. Allow us to do the heavy lifting with our DreamPress managed WordPress hosting!