While WordPress started as a platform for blogs and still is the gold standard for bloggers, it offers a rich array of tools for building a regular website. It’s easy for business owners to build their own website with the templates, drag-and-drop builder, and plugins.
What is a plugin?
A plugin is a piece of software or code that can be added on to a WordPress website to perform a certain function, such as adding a contact form, social share buttons, or security upgrades to a website. While there are limitless upgrades plugins can offer and many of them are free, it’s best to keep plugins to a minimum because too many can slow down your site. These are some essential plugins to get you started.
Security and UX Plugins
These plugins are recommended for any website or blog to prevent spam, increase website speed, and a high level of customization providing the best user experience.
Akismet Anti-Spam
If you have comments enabled on your posts or pages, it’s important to activate Akismet Anti-Spam, a tool that filters and deletes spam comments.
a3 Lazy Load
Every time a website has images, it loads all of the images on the page, whether it’s visible on the screen or not. A lazy loading plugin like a3 Lazy Load only loads the images as the users scroll to them, increasing site speed.
Code Snippets
Working with a web developer? Code Snippets allows them to add lines of code to your website so you can tweak plugins or visual elements on your site.
Plugins for Communication and Sharing
What’s a website without a way to connect with your audience? These plugins will help you do it!
Contact Form 7
Want a way for users to contact you without listing your email address on your site and opening your inbox to spam? Use Contact Form 7 to add a contact form to your site.
Grow by Mediavine
Mediavine is a premium ad network for bloggers and their social sharing plugin, Grow by Mediavine, is a lightweight plugin that allows publishers to add buttons to their posts so users can click to share the post on social media.
Need help plugging in?
While plugins are meant to be easy, it takes a long time to set up a WordPress site and there are many more plugins ideal for specific sites. If you’re short on time and need help setting up your site to reach its full potential, send us a message!
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