WordPress is one of the most popular CMS solutions on the market, used by well over 1/2 of websites that have content management systems in place (according to W3Techs). Due to it’s low-cost, easy-of-use and robust options for customization of templates and themes, WordPress appeals to the masses on many levels. Since it’s supported by a community of open source developers, WordPress is also constantly being updated. Aside from being an affordable CMS, one of the biggest draws of the system is the ability for developers to a customized a site by using plug-ins. Plug-ins are independent enhancements to the core template, which can include anything from calendars and social feeds to video players and contact forms – basically anything that doesn’t need to be developed from scratch. There are tens of thousands of WordPress plug-ins that exist, so how do you know which ones to choose and which ones to pass on? Our development experts weigh in.
- When choosing plug-ins for your site, make a list of what you need. Categorize in buckets such as utility vs. presentation.
- For front-end plug-ins, always keep in mind the end-user. Simple and streamlined is always better.
- Look for popular plug-ins first. With so many plug-ins to choose from, make sure you research and read reviews before installing.
- Make sure the plug-in is supported. Is the publisher well-known? Do they issue plug-in updates that coincide with WordPress updates? Are they responsive when it comes to fixing bugs?
- Check out the plug-in dashboard to see how easy it is to use and to ensure it has the functionality you are looking for.
- Set a testing and selection criteria for plug-ins before installing.
- Once installed, update your plug-ins regularly. Sometimes WordPress updates can cause hiccups with plug-ins. Usually, these aren’t major issues, but they still require upkeep.
- Don’t over-install. Keep in mind that whatever plug-ins you install need to be maintained.
Have more questions about what WordPress plug-ins are right for your site? Contact one of our WordPress experts today and let us help.
