The WordPress plugin allows you to increase and extend the functionality of your website or blog. You definitely have a smartphone, right? What do you do when you want to add new functionality to your phone? You search, download and install the application.
A WordPress plugin is something that resembles a little “application” that, when installed, enhances WordPress functionality.
WordPress plugins – free or paid?
The WordPress repository is the official database where you will find almost 50,000 free plugins that will give your website new, interesting options.
You can also invest in paid WordPress plugins, which in ProDesign we create especially for our clients, in order to maximize the functionality of your website. Paid plugins prepared by ProDesign are more complex, have more possibilities and more functions, which means that they have more options to configure.
Popular free WordPress plugins
As we already mentioned, there are over 50,000 free plugins in the WordPress repository alone. Nevertheless, when starting your adventure with WordPress, it is worth getting acquainted with the most basic plugins.
Contact Form 7 – a free plugin that allows you to add contact forms on your website. You can add an unlimited number of such forms and attach various emails to them.
Elementor – a free (although there is also a paid version), Page builder plugin that allows you to turn your website into a wizard. It works by drag and drop. With its help, you can create not only single static pages, but also entire websites.
Yoast SEO – free (although there is also a paid version), which helps to check if the article is well configured for SEO so that it can position itself better and more effectively in Google.
WooCommerce – a free plugin that allows you to create an online store to sell both physical and virtual products. It is a “harvester” plugin, very extensive and all storefronts built on WordPress are supported by this plugin.
Installing the WordPress plugin
Installing a new WordPress plugin is a very simple and intuitive process. In a moment you will find out how to install a WordPress plugin in a quick and easy way.
- Log in to the WordPress admin panel.
- Go to the Plugins> Add New tab.
- Optionally go to Plugins> Add New by selecting at the top of the screen or from the list of installed plugins if you have already installed.
- Install the plugin in the CMS WordPress panel.
- Activate the plugin.
The golden rules for working with WordPress plugins
Keep only the plugins that you use and need. If you no longer need a plug-in, remember to remove it. Too many plugins are not good for the website. Firstly, it slows down its performance, secondly, you need to update it constantly.
Remember to update your plugins! When visiting the admin panel, check what needs updating each time. Otherwise, your website won’t work well.
Before you install a plug, think about whether you really need it. Only install the plugins necessary for the job. Then, every month, do an overview of plugins, throw away what is unnecessary and update constantly.
