WordPress plugins are an easy and convenient way to build and update your company’s website, but you shouldn’t download any and every plugin that may potentially meet your needs. To help you decide when and if you should use a plugin, expert WordPress developers Ian Belanger and Mike Kelley sat down with us to share their knowledge.
A WordPress plugin is a pre-written piece of code that adds new functionality to your site. Plugins can add a variety of small and large features to your site, from improving your page speed to transforming your site into an eCommerce platform. Developers from around the world create plugins and share them on wordpress.org. Some plugins are free, some require a one-time payment, and others follow a subscription model.
Only use a plugin when there’s a reputable, well-maintained option that meets your needs. Although that criteria sounds simple, many plugins may have additional features that can make your site clunky. With too many bloated plugins, your site speed may be severely impacted, which causes a negative customer experience.
To make sure you choose a plugin that meets your needs, consider the following:
Take these factors into consideration for both free and premium plugins. In many cases, it’s up to the developer if they want to release the plugin for free, so a premium plugin doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a better product.
Sometimes, a plugin that perfectly meets your needs just doesn’t exist. In those cases, you’ll need to work with a WordPress developer to create some custom code for your site. If you decide to work with a developer, make sure you understand their reputation, expertise, and commitment to your site. WordPress is regularly updated to offer increased functionality to site owners, and your developer should be prepared to maintain their code to keep up with them. With the right development team, custom code can be a great solution to niche problems since it can solve your unique issue without adding bloat to your site.
Fruition’s WordPress development team is well versed in choosing plugins, customizing pre-built plugins, and creating custom code for websites in every industry. Contact us today to learn more about how we can take your website to the next level!
As Fruition’s Lead Creative Strategist, Emily designs and executes short- and long-term content strategies for each client. Emily is passionate about storytelling and capturing the unique voice, tone, and perspective of various brands. Her time as a copywriter for a Fortune 250 company deepened her love of content creation and sharpened her skills for writing everything from advertisements and press releases to video scripts and more.
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