WordPress Plugins: Everything You Need to Know
According to the reports collected in October 2022, around 63 percent of the world is using the internet today and they are accessing many different kinds of websites today. WordPress is one of the leading website hosts with a huge market share. And that is all due to the different features that WordPress plugins have that make accessing websites an enjoyable experience for both the visitors and hosts. And, in this article, we'll explain everything there is to know about using WordPress plugins and how it benefits the website navigating experience.
There is a Catch?
Before you move on to learning about adding Website plugins, you need to know that to make your website live, you need an internet connection. You can add whatever information you need on your website and add numerous features, but they will only be accessible by other visitors when they are live on the internet.
If you are looking for an internet connection, we recommend Xfinity. Its reliable connectivity and fast internet speeds help to make it easy for you to navigate through your WordPress website. It is one of the most widely available internet providers in the US so you are most likely to find it in your locality. Reach out to the Xfinity customer service for more information.
WordPress Plugins ? How Do They Work?
WordPress plugins are basically pieces of code that you can add to your WordPress websites to showcase specific features on your website. these plugins can improve the aesthetic or visual elements that the visitors can see on your website. Since WordPress is the most widely used website builder on the internet, you will find that there are thousands of WordPress plugins, each serving different functions for your website.
Categories of WordPress Plugins
With so many plugins available, it can be quite a dilemma to find the right one for your website, which is why we have divided them into categories below;
SEO
Some plugins can completely transform the SEO of your website. For instance, Yoast SEO is the number one WordPress SEO plugin that can improve your website ranking on search engines by optimizing your website's keywords and content. Yoast SEO is mostly automated but you still need to give in your input in some places.
E-Commerce
WordPress has something for marketers too. Using e-commerce-related plugins will transform your website into an e-commerce platform. It allows you to sell your services or products in a variety of ways, whether they are tangible or digital. One example of such a plugin that offers these features is WooCommerce which allows businesses to create their online store quickly and easily.
Forms
You can also add a plugin for collecting data from visitors to your website. Whether it's for a newsletter or collection of contact or data, you can collect visitors' information using the forms plugin. One example of the most popular forms plugin is Ninja Forms which allows you to design sign-up forms for your website along with integrating an email marketing system.
Social Media
What if you need to link your social media platforms to your WordPress website? That is also possible through plugins. When you integrate your social media accounts with your website, you are promoting cross-platform interaction with your audiences. We recommend Smash Balloon as one of the best WordPress plugins for integrating any of your social media platforms into your WordPress website. If you have a Twitter account, you can share snippets of your Twitter feeds or tweets on your website.
Security
Last but not least, the security of your WordPress website should also be top-priority. Although WordPress is a secure platform, there is always room for improvement so the security plugins can keep your website safe from any unwanted activities on the web. WordFence Security is one example of a security plugin that will prevent any malware, spam, or other threats from getting to your WordPress website.
How to Install a WordPress Plugin?
Now that you have narrowed down what kind of plugins you need for your WordPress website, what you need to do now is find those plugins and install them for you to use. We have detailed the steps below;
Install the Plugin using Plugin Search
This is the easiest way to install a plugin on your WordPress website. But there is a downside; you need to have a WordPress business plan to be able to view the plugin search on the WordPress dashboard.
If you have a business plan, then follow these steps;
? Click on Plugins on the WordPress dashboard, then Add New.
? You will be able to see the plugin search bar where you can enter any plugin
that you want to install.
? After installing, you will see Activate button to activate the plugin for you
to use on your WordPress website.
Is WordPress Plugin Free?
Most WordPress plugins are free to install and use, but their premium features that you want to use might cost you a little. Moreover, there might be some plugins that need to be paid for before you can start using them. The charges in both these cases can be one-time or recurring, depending on the type of plugin it is.
But no matter these charges, it still shouldn't stop you from creating your website on WordPress and building your following.
Final Thoughts
To sum it up, WordPress plugins can transform your website from something standard and boring to something spectacular. And we hope this article helped you to get the gist of what WordPress plugins are and how to use them for your WordPress website.
