A plugin is an extension of an existing website. This means you can expand a website with new functionalities. In a CMS (content management system) like WordPress, plugins are used extensively. In this article, we’ll tell you more about this and list a number of WordPress plugins that we believe are the best to use.
WordPress and plugins
With plugins, you can expand an existing WordPress installation with additional features. The advantage of this is that you don’t need any additional knowledge, and it takes significantly less time than modifying or adding to the code. For most functions, there are free plugins that a developer has previously created for their own website and later shared with all other WordPress users.
Additional features include, for example, the addition of SEO optimization such as structured data and meta tags, or the ability to turn a WordPress website into an online store. Since WordPress launched in 2003, the internet has expanded significantly, and the specific needs of visitors have also changed considerably. WordPress is the most widely used CMS, and over the years, thousands of themes and plugins have been developed.
WordPress is an open-source platform, which means anyone can essentially create and add a plugin. It is therefore important to thoroughly check in advance what others are saying about it and whether it has been tested with your WordPress version. You can do this on the plugins’ overview page. Here you’ll see the star rating, read reviews, and find out if your version is compatible. It will say either “Not tested with your WordPress version” or “Compatible with your current version of WordPress.”
When it comes to a comprehensive and important part of your website, it’s wise to choose a plugin built by a company. That way, you can be sure that updates will be provided if issues arise and that the company offers support should you have any questions.
Examples of popular WordPress plugins
Below are a few examples of plugins that offer significant added value for a WordPress website. As a result, most of these plugins have millions of installations:
- Yoast SEO. When it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), WordPress is already a solid CMS on its own. However, the Yoast SEO plugin offers significant added value. With the free version of this plugin, you can check whether the most important search terms are properly incorporated into your content. If you opt for the paid version, the possibilities go much further. For example, you’ll be presented with alternative search terms and tips to help you optimize your texts even further.
- W3 Total Cache. This plugin significantly reduces your website’s loading speed. This is important for keeping website visitors satisfied, but loading times are also a key factor for Google rankings.
- Do you want to offer your website visitors an easy way to get in touch? Then adding a digital contact form is a smart move. You can make that happen with the Contact Form 7 plugin.
- WordPress is not known as one of the most secure systems. A plugin to improve security—and thereby reduce the risk of cybercrime—is therefore no luxury. WordFence would be an excellent option in this regard.
- Finally, WooCommerce is a very well-known WordPress plugin. With WooCommerce, you can transform your WordPress website into an online store.
- If you have a WooCommerce-based online store, a payment plugin is obviously also useful. Mollie is a good choice in that case, as it allows your customers to pay easily and securely via iDeal.
