8 Must-Have Plugins For All WordPress Websites

WordPress is a popular content management system that websites of all types and sizes use to power their websites. While it is possible to create a website using just the WordPress core files, there are many plugins available that can make the process easier and more efficient. In this article, we will explore eight essential WordPress plugins that every website should install.

Elementor and Elementor Pro For Page Building

Elementor is a popular WordPress page builder plugin that allows you to easily create custom pages and posts with drag-and-drop widgets. There is a free version of Elementor as well as a paid pro version, which includes additional features such as global elements, templates, and more.

This is the most popular page builder on the market and makes it super easy for beginners to build a website without having to learn to code. It gives you an abundance of styling options and various elements to choose from so you can create the website you desire.

WP-Rocket For Caching and Optimization

Caching is the process of storing a copy of a website’s static files on the server so that they can be accessed more quickly by visitors. This is especially important for busy or high-traffic websites as it can help to reduce the load time and improve the overall user experience.

WP-Rocket is a popular caching plugin that only has a premium version. Their pricing starts at $49 per year, but it is well worth it! The premium version includes more than just caching. It also included the following (and more) which is key to optimizing your website.

File Optimization (Optimize CSS & Javascript):

CSS and Javascript files can often be large and unwieldy, which can slow down your website. The WP-Rocket plugin includes the ability to optimize these files, resulting in smaller file size and faster load time. This is done by removing unnecessary white space and comments, as well as minifying the code.

Media (Lazyload, Image Dimensions):

Lazyload is a technique that delays the loading of images until they are actually needed. This can be especially helpful for websites with a lot of images as it can speed up the loading process. The WP-Rocket plugin includes lazyload functionality so that you can take advantage of this performance enhancement.

Adding the dimensions of an image (width and height) can also help to speed up the loading process. When an image is loaded, the browser will already know how much space it needs to reserve for the image, which eliminates the need to resize it on load. The WP-Rocket plugin includes this functionality as well.

Preload (Generate Cache Files, Preload Fonts):

Preloading is a technique that helps to further reduce the load time of a website. When a visitor arrives on a website, the browser will start loading the files necessary for displaying the page. However, if there are a lot of files to load, the browser can get overwhelmed and it may not load all of them. This can cause part of the website to be displayed incorrectly or not at all.

Preloading is a technique that helps to overcome this by loading files in the background before the visitor arrives on the page. The WP-Rocket plugin includes preloading functionality so that you can take advantage of this performance enhancement.

Database (Optimize, Reduce Bloat):

Database bloat is a common issue that can affect all types of websites, regardless of size or traffic. It is caused by the accumulation of unused data in the database and can lead to decreased performance and even crashes.

Fortunately, there are ways to optimize your database and reduce bloat with wp-rocket. The plugin includes a tool to clean up the database and remove any unnecessary data.

Yoast For SEO

Yoast is a popular SEO plugin that helps you to optimize your website for search engines. It includes features such as page analysis, keyword research, and content optimization.

The Yoast plugin is free to use, but there is also a premium version which includes additional features such as the ability to create redirects and set up variables.

Wordfence For Site Security

Wordfence is a popular security plugin that helps to protect your website from attacks. It includes features such as two-factor authentication, malware scanning, and real-time threat monitoring.

The Wordfence plugin is free to use, but there is also a premium version which includes additional features such as the ability to block IP addresses and country blocking.

Insert Headers and Footers For Easily Inserting Code

Insert Headers and Footers is a plugin that allows you to easily insert code into your website header and footer. This can be useful for inserting tracking codes, such as Google Analytics, or for adding custom CSS or Javascript.

This plugin is perfect for beginners (and even experts) that want to quickly insert a line of code into the header, body, or footer that you get from Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, or even a Facebook pixel.

TinyPNG For Image Optimization

TinyPNG is a plugin that allows you to optimize your images for faster loading times. It uses advanced compression techniques to reduce the file size of your images, without sacrificing quality.

The TinyPNG plugin is free to use, but there is also a premium version which allows you to compress more than 500 images per month.

UpdraftPlus For Website Backups

UpdraftPlus is a plugin that allows you to easily create backups of your website. It includes features such as the ability to schedule backups, backup to Dropbox, Google Drive, and Amazon S3, and restore backups with just a few clicks.

The UpdraftPlus plugin is free to use, but there is also a premium version which includes additional features such as the ability to password protect your backups and email notifications.

No matter the industry you're in, it's important to use WordPress plugins to optimize your site for performance and security. In this article, we've listed eight essential WordPress plugins that every WordPress website should use. These plugins include page-builders, caching, security, SEO image optimization, website backups, and a tool for easily inserting code for tracking services.

Building a website can be difficult and time consuming. If you don't know what you're doing, there are plenty of online resources. However, for most business owners it is best to hire a professional to save you time and headaches. DigiGrowth Marketing is a digital marketing agency that can help you build a successful, optimized WordPress website. We offer a wide range of services, including web design, SEO, social media marketing, and more. Visit our website to learn more about our services or contact us at [email protected] today to get started!