WordPress plugins that you need installed on your website.
Look no further, because the below plugins will level up your brand.
With over 58,000 free plugins you can enhance your website in many different ways. Whatever you need, most likely there’s a plugin for it.
Whether it’s free or premium( paid plugins) the options are endless.
Choosing the right plugins will help you create a personalized experience for both and your clients/customers.
For me personally, when I create a website for my clients these WordPress plugins are some of my go-to’s.
SiteGround Optimizer
A caching plugin is important because without one, your website may load too slowly and your visitors will leave your site. Most visitors may depart if a page takes longer than three seconds.
What is caching?
Caching (pronounced “cashing”) is the process of storing data in a online location.
A cache is a temporary storage area.
For example, a visitor accesses online files when they are on a website. By doing that, the web host will gather the files needed to display the website: CSS files, images, HTML files etc. The Web Host will then send the requested files to the visitors browser, and the visitor will now be able to see your website on their device.
Additionally, if you have cache set up on your website those files will be stored on the visitors device. Which means that next time they visit your website, their experience will be faster. The benefit of using cache is less wait time for your visitors vs retrieving files directly from your webserver.
Ideally, caching should make every visit faster. Maintain your website files; CSS, Images, HTML, JavaScript and fonts lightweight and of course give your site optimized speed an extra boost.
With all the different caching plugins out there, I prefer the SiteGround Optimizer plugin.
The plugin and web host, work amazing together and by themselves of course. Not to mention its free and when you sign up with SiteGround hosting, they automatically install it on your behalf. They have over 1 million+ downloads and amazing reviews. Check them out here.
You can download the SiteGround Optimizer plugin here.
SG Security
No matter what kind of website that you own, there is going to be security risks.
SG Security plugin will help prevent threats, brute-force attacks, compromised login, data leaks, and so much more. To start, some of the easiest ways to prevent these unfortunate events is to update your WordPress and plugins.
SG Security helps to protect your website from malicious attacks and provide other valuable tools that can help, if your website is ever compromised.
Not only will SG Security prevent all kinds of threats:
- It will strengthen your login security.
- Monitor admin activity – Block suspicious IPs addresses.
- If your site was compromised, you can act quickly with guided actions provided by the plugin. Example: log out all users and force them to change passwords. You will also be able to reinstall all your current plugins.
*When you sign up for SiteGround hosting, the plugin comes with the service.
You can download SG Security Plugin here.
All In One Seo (AIOSEO)
If you know anything about websites, one of the main thing everyone talks about is building up your SEO with search engines. It is a good to install, and set up All In One Seo to jump start your SEO and increase your website traffic.
Hands down this plugin is one the most popular WordPress plugins for SEO with over 3,000,000+ downloads. That speaks for itself.
The WordPress Seo Plugin offers so many features and tolls that will help you climb the ranks within the search engines.
- Insert Seo titles
- Proper Meta description
- Keywords
- Generate XML sitemaps
Once you install the plugin, the set up is straight forward with an easy AIOSEO step guide.
Of course you have the choice of premium or free version of AIOSEO. Like most plugins, the premium version will have more features to help you enhance your website.
Download All In One Seo Plugin here.
ConvertPlus
An Email List is direct access to your customers and clients. You can reach out to your subscribers and alert them about sales or new products/services. It’s one of the most powerful and reliable ways to market your services and you should consider growing an organic email list.
ConvertPlus is an exceptional all-in-one plugin.
If you haven’t heard/read this already, building an email list is probably the second most important way you can build your brand. The first is obviously an amazing custom website.
The sign up forms have the option to pop up as soon as a visitor lands on your website or you can have the form placed somewhere on the layout. You have full control over the design of the pop up forms, with an easy to follow guide. It can all be set up with minutes and they offer over 100+ readymade templates.
Also, you can do way more than just collecting subscribers.
- Collect social followers
- Promote products and sales
- Reach out to customers who abandoned their carts.
To learn more about ConvertPlus and purchase this plugin, click here.
*This is not a Newsletter provider.
ConvertPlus collects email addresses on your behalf and sends it to a Newsletter provider that you have already subscribed to. For example: Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, MadMimi etc
As always, you have the choice of premium or free version. Like most plugins, the premium version will have more features to help you enhance your website. With the free version of this plugin, you have to manually upload your email list to: Mailchimp, Active Campaign, Madmimi etc
Alternative: If you don’t need all the bells and whistles of ConvertPlus, grow your organic email list with FloDesk. It’s beginner friendly, no coding and everything is connected from the start. This is not a WordPress plugin.
Pretty Links Pro
I’ve been using this plugin for myself and many others for years simply because it’s the best link management for WordPress. It easy and simple, and the free version does more than I actually need half the time.
Why should I use this plugin?
If you have affiliate links and you want them to look short and neat. Usually affiliate links are long and hard to read. Maybe you want to track where traffic is coming from.
Let’s say you are advertising products/services on social media and you want to track where customers are coming from you can view the statics with Pretty Links. You have the option of URL redirects, social media links, and any other kind of link you want. It uses your domain name, so you have complete control over how your links look and redirect.
You can also group, sort, search, and track clicks for your links.
Download Pretty Links here.
WPCode
As you start customizing your website, and changing features and layouts, you may find that you need to add a code snippet to your WordPress website. Certain plugins or third-party features may require this to make sure that the site belongs to you or for tracking purposes etc.
Without this plugin, you will have to edit the theme’s function.php and if you’re not that tech-savvy this may be a little frustrating. WPCode helps you complete this task easily.
Download this resourceful plugin here.
Smash Balloon
I love pretty Instagram images and this plugin is the #1 social feed plugin for WordPress. It’s used by over 1 million users by simply connecting to your chosen social media accounts.
This plugin of course comes with a free version, which is limited but still amazing to use.
Start displaying your social media feed by clicking here.
Woocommerce
If you haven’t been living under a rock, I’m sure that you heard of Woocommerce. It is one of the most popular eCommerce plugins for WordPress, because it comes with impressive features that you need to create an online store or if you are providing services.
Woocommerce is formidable and has created a name for themselves. They are the go to if you are selling anything. In addition to that, they have many addon plugins for free/purchase if you want to enhance your shop for the admin or user experience.
Note: If you’re using Woocommerce, you should sign up for BlueHost eCommerce Plan. They have a really powerful combo that offers not just hosting but many benefits for Woocommerce. Those features come with Bluehost at no additional cost.
If you want to open up a digital store, you should think about Easy Digital Downloads.
Download Woocommerce today.
I hope this post helped you. When you get the chance, also check out Migrate from Squaresace to WordPress and why you should use Avada.
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