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What WordPress Plugins Should I Start With? eCom and Costs too.

WordPress plugins for new website startups.

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When starting your first WordPress website, all the choices you have to make can be overwhelming. Even if you’ve had a WordPress site for a while, adding new plugins on a whim for some new features is tempting. But you want to resist that desire!

Once you decide which Premium WordPress theme you would like to use for your site, plugins are next. Depending on your theme, there may be recommended plugins that the theme is built to use and theme-specific plugins that you need to install.

There are three types of plugins:

  • Free: Entirely free for every feature offered.
  • Freemium: The basic features are free, but you must upgrade to the Premium or Pro version to get the really good stuff. They have limited support options.
  • Premium: This version has all the bells and whistles, including support and upgrades. There is usually an annual fee; however, in some cases, only a one-time fee is required.

The allure of free is understandable. However, no one built a successful online business for free. So while we want to weigh the plugin options and fees carefully, there are certain things you need to succeed. You need to ask what will help you build your bottom line.

Map Out Desired Functionality in Advance

Depending on your project and what type of features and functionality you want to have will determine which plugins you need. It is not uncommon to test and tune, install, try, and delete plugins until you find the ones that work for you.

But if you don’t know how you want your site to operate, how will you know which plugins you’ll need? You won’t. Create a list of the features and functionality you need and a secondary list of the features and functionality you want but may not need.

This effort will help to prioritize your choices. After all, plugins are the #1 culprits for performance degradation and conflicts. That’s why we need to investigate and choose wisely.

Today, we’ll start with the essential plugins you will want to consider for your new WordPress website, including if you are doing eCom with WooCommerce. These are must-haves vs. want-to-haves.

Start with the Must-Have Plugins

There are a ton of great free plugins in the WordPress Plugin Repository. When reviewing plugins, look at their support ratings and make sure they have been tested up to the most recent version of WordPress. Some plugins have not been tested to the latest and greatest and will still work, but that should be the exception, not the rule.

While free is always cool, many plugins offer a “Pro” or Premium version with enhanced features and, more importantly, support. Premium plugins are better positioned to address bugs and keep up with WordPress updates promptly.

I use a combination of both and do not hesitate to upgrade to the Pro or Premium version, not only for the added support but also to help support the developers.

Free Plugins for Your New WordPress Site

Each of these plugins’ free versions is adequate for a starter site. However, if your site grows or needs additional functionality, the Premium version is worth upgrading to.

List of recommended WordPress Plugins to use for your new WordPress website.
  • Ninja Forms: Ala Cart Add-ons ($29 and up/year) and Membership levels ($49-299/year based on the number of websites) can be upgraded.
  • Yoast SEO: Premium is $99/year and is worth every penny.
  • NextScripts: Social Networks Auto-Poster: Pro version is $49.95/year.
  • Slider by Soliloquy: I’m not a fan of sliders in general, but there are times when they come in handy. Premium is $17-299/year, based on features and the number of websites.

Premium Plugins

WPMU Dev Premium Plugins

I’ve been a WPMU Member for over a decade, which gives me access to their collection of 10+ Pro Plugins. WPMU also now offers Managed WordPress hosting — which I use for this website and can highly recommend.

Your Membership Plan is based on hosting resources and the number of websites. The Bronze Plan starts at $12.00/month and increases depending on your needs.

You also get the Pro Version of these plugins along with your hosting:

  • Smush Pro Image Optimizer
  • Hummingbird Pro Page Speed Optimizer
  • Defender Pro Security
  • Smartcrawl Pro SEO optimization
  • Snapshot Pro Schedule backups
  • Forminator Pro Forms builder
  • Hustle Pro Opt-ins & Popups
  • Branda Pro White label WordPress
  • WPMU DEV Dashboard Instant access to support and installation
  • Shipper Pro Move WP websites with one click
  • Beehive Pro Customizable Google Analytics

Free versions are also available in the WordPress plugin repository.

WooCommerce Plugins and Extensions

Like WordPress, WooCommerce is a free plugin that you then build upon with plugins and extensions. Because of that, Woo has too many extensions and plugins to mention here.

Here are the basics to look at for your new eCom site. Fees noted are annual except for WooCommerce payment, which has no annual fee but charges per transaction.

Don’t Go Overboard

Be selective with the plugins you add, as plugins can be resource-intensive and slow down your site. Being selective means you have chosen proven and supported plugins that bode well for future updates and support.

Once you get the basics in place, you can determine if other plugins are needed or required. While there are tons of plugins to choose from, this article covers the basics, and as always, I only recommend what I use for my sites.

At your service,

WordPress Consultant Judith

*Some of the links on this page are to companies I have a professional affiliation with.
Read my full affiliate statement here.

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