Suggested Plugins for every WordPress Site
One main key to success is to strive towards building something unique. Be it business, informational, or personal use; Plugins can help create a unique feel to your site that's all its own! However, that doesn't mean you should ignore the basics when trying to find your own feel. Below are a basic list of excellent Plugins worth considering, no matter what site you design.
All of these Plugins are available to download directly from your WordPress Dashboard! Simply search for the Plugin by name as you go to install each plugin. By selecting the link under the Type column, you will be taken down the page to that section of Plugins, where you may find a more detailed description/information about each plugin.
| Type | Name | Description | URL | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backups | BackWPup | Creates a full WP backup, including the wp-content folder to a location of your choice | https://wordpress.org/plugins/backwpup/ | N/A |
| WP Database Backup | Creates a full Database Backup and emails it to you on a daily basis | https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-database-backup/ | N/A | |
| Security | Wordfence | Premiere security plugin, virus/malware detector, and performance enhancer | https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordfence/ | N/A |
| Really Simple Captcha | Creates secure captcha to prevent bots spamming pages | https://wordpress.org/plugins/really-simple-captcha/ | N/A | |
| Commerce | WooCommerce | Changes site/page into a shopping cart | https://wordpress.org/plugins/woocommerce/ | N/A |
| Updating URLs | Velvet Blues | Changes urls across website/database | https://wordpress.org/plugins/velvet-blues-update-urls/ | N/A |
| Better Search Replace | Updates urls and other text on site across database and urls | https://wordpress.org/plugins/better-search-replace/ | N/A | |
| File/Image Compression | WP Smush | Image/file compression tool to make files smaller. | https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-smushit/ | N/A |
| Contact Forms | Contact Form 7 | Basic contact form you can use | https://wordpress.org/plugins/contact-form-7/ | N/A |
| Spam Filters | Akismet | Comment Spamming filter to help reduce/remove unwanted comments, which can harm SEO | https://wordpress.org/plugins/akismet/ | N/A |
Backups:
BackWPup - can be used to save your complete installation including your /wp-content/ folder, and push them to an external Backup Service, like Dropbox, S3, FTP and many more. You are able to easily restore an installation, as the complete backup is generated under one .zip file.
WP Database Backup - While backing up your media files and website folders is a pretty simple process, many people forget to backup their database! Others simply don't know how. This Plugin takes care of both, while ensuring all of your content stored in your Database is securely backed up, and easily accessible to restore when needed.
Security:
Wordfence - The Premiere security Plugin, Wordfence will do a full scan of your site and make sure there is no file corruption to your WordPress core files, and all changes you've previously made to ensure there is nothing wrong. If there is, you will receive detailed notes and tools to correct the problem(s). Along with instant and scheduled scanning, you are also given tools to block/allow IP addresses/ranges, Block Country Codes, Password Auditing, and even improve your site's performance by up to 50 times faster with its Wordfence Falcon Engine! With over 2,000 5 star reviews, this Plugin is a must check out!
Really Simple CAPTCHA - This Plugin is amazing at helping prevent being spammed by online bots, as it allows you to create a CAPTCHA to have users fill out as they login to key portions of your site, including your WordPress Dashboard!
Here also is a link to improving your WordPress Security in general.
Commerce:
WooCommerce - This Plugin will help transform any Wordpress site into a fully fledged shopping center! From setting up product pricing, reviews, shipping fees, and more. Build the eCommerce site you can depend on, from the company you can trust.
Updating URLs:
Velvet Blues - As you make changes to your site, be it a re-branding, moving to a new domain name, or even changing the directory path, this Plugin is a fast and easy way to make sure all of those changes are reflected in your website. Not only will it avoid confusion to those that read the url of each page, but it keeps your site looking sharp!
Better Search Replace - Not only will this plugin update your site urls like Velvet Blues, but it can also update text, phrases, and other key components of your site and database with ease! This plugin also supports WordPress MultiSite, allowing you to update vast databases at the push of a button.
File/Image Compression:
WP Smush - One of the main factors in sites not performing well is due to having too many large files on the site/page being viewed. As such, file compression, especially image compression is key to keeping your site running quickly. WP Smush is a Plugin designed to do just that. Simply select your file/image you wish to compress, and with the Plugin's options you will be able to quickly size down your content for an optimal site viewing experience.
Contact Forms:
Contact Form 7 - Quick and simple Plugin that allows you to manage multiple contact forms at once, including customized features letting you change the form to you!
Spam Filters:
Akismet - Checks your comments below each page/post against Akismet Web services to see if they look like spam or not. If anything is detected as potential spam, it places them in a box for you to review under the 'Comments' section of your WordPress Dashboard before being shown on the web.
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