What WordPress Plugins Should I Start With? eCom and Costs too.
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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 new features can be tempting. But you want to resist that desire!
Plugins are next once you decide which Premium WordPress theme you want to use for your site. Depending on your theme, there may be recommended plugins built in, as well as theme-specific plugins you need to install.
There are three types of plugins:
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 meet your visitors’ expectations and grow your bottom line.
Map Out Desired Functionality in Advance
Depending on your project and the features and functionality you want, the plugins you need will vary. Testing, tuning, installing, trying, and deleting plugins is common 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 you prioritize your choices. After all, plugins are the #1 culprits for performance degradation and conflicts. That’s why we need to investigate and make informed choices.
Today, we’ll start with the essential plugins to consider for your new WordPress website, including e-commerce options like WooCommerce.
Start with the Must-Have Plugins
There are a ton of great free plugins in the WordPress Plugin Repository. I also list all the plugins and apps I trust and recommend in my ToolKit.
When reviewing plugins, check their support ratings and ensure they have been tested with the most recent version of WordPress. Some plugins have not been tested with the latest and greatest, but they will still work; 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 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. The plugins listed below are for your consideration; try them to see which works best for your specific website.
Free Plugins for Your New WordPress Site
First things first, the must-haves are a form and an SEO plugin. Each of these plugins’ free versions is adequate for a starter site. However, upgrading to the Premium version is worth it if your site grows or needs additional functionality.
Premium Plugins
WooCommerce Plugins and Extensions
Like WordPress, WooCommerce is a free plugin that you then build upon with plugins and extensions. As a result, Woo has too many extensions and plugins to mention here.
Here are the basics to consider for your new e-commerce site. The fees noted are annual, except for WooCommerce payments, which have no annual fee and are charged per transaction.
Don’t Go Overboard
Be selective with the plugins you add. Each site has different needs, and you must map them out before spending any additional money or installing plugins willy-nilly.
Plugins can be resource-intensive and slow down your website. Being selective means choosing proven, well-supported plugins that are likely to receive future updates and support.
Once you have the basics in place, you can determine whether other plugins are needed. 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.
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