WordPress is a great content management system that gives you a lot of flexibility in terms of design and functionality. However, one of the best things about WordPress is the vast array of plugins that are available for it. These plugins can help you do everything from optimizing your website for search engines to adding social media integration to your site.
Let’s take a look at 25 of the best WordPress plugins that designers and developers should know about. Some of these plugins are essential for any WordPress site while others are simply nice-to-haves. Either way, all of these plugins can help you create a better WordPress site.
1. Yoast SEO
Yoast SEO is a must-have plugin for any WordPress site. It helps you optimize your website for search engines and also provides you with tools to help you write better content.
2. Gravity Forms
Gravity Forms is a paid plugin that allows you to create, manage, and publish forms on your WordPress site.
3. WP Super Cache
WP Super Cache is a free caching plugin that speeds up your website by caching static files. This can help reduce server load times and improve overall site performance.
4. W3 Total Cache
W3 Total Cache is another free caching plugin that might help your WordPress site load faster. It offers more functionality than WP Super Cache, but it is more complex to set up.
5. Better WordPress Security
Better WordPress Security is a free plugin that helps you secure your WordPress site. It includes features like two-factor authentication and malware scanning.
6. CloudFlare
CloudFlare is a service that provides security and performance enhancements for your website. It has a free plan that offers basic protection and performance enhancements, or you can upgrade to a paid plan for more features.
7. Jetpack
Jetpack is a free plugin that provides a ton of features for WordPress sites. It includes features like social media integration, security enhancements, and performance enhancements.
8. Google Analytics for WordPress
Google Analytics for WordPress is a free plugin that allows you to collect data about your website traffic using Google Analytics.
9. Yoast SEO for WordPress
Yoast SEO for WordPress is a free plugin that allows you to collect data about your website traffic using Google Analytics.
10. WPForms
WPForms is a paid plugin that allows you to create, manage, and publish forms on your WordPress site.
11. Gravity Forms for WordPress
Gravity Forms for WordPress is a paid plugin that allows you to create, manage, and publish forms on your WordPress site.
12. Jetpack for WordPress
Jetpack for WordPress is a free plugin that provides a ton of features for WordPress sites. It includes features like social media integration, security enhancements, and performance enhancements.
13. Yoast SEO Premium
Yoast SEO Premium is a paid upgrade to the Yoast SEO plugin that adds more features. Yoast SEO Premium is a paid plugin, but it is well worth the price for the additional features it provides.
14. Gravity Forms Personal License
Gravity Forms Personal License is a paid upgrade to the Gravity Forms plugin that allows you to use the plugin on up to 5 sites.
15. WPForms Elite License
WPForms Elite License is a paid upgrade to the WPForms plugin that allows you to use the plugin on an unlimited number of sites.
16. W3 Total Cache Pro
W3 Total Cache Pro is a paid upgrade to the W3 Total Cache plugin that adds more features.
17. CloudFlare Pro
CloudFlare Pro is a paid upgrade to the CloudFlare service that has additional features and protection it provides.
18. Sucuri Security for WordPress
Sucuri Security for WordPress is a free plugin that helps you secure your WordPress site. It includes features like malware scanning and blacklist monitoring.
19. Wordfence Security for WordPress
Wordfence Security for WordPress is a free plugin that helps you secure your WordPress site. It includes features like malware scanning and firewall protection.
20. Defender by WPMU DEV
Defender by WPMU DEV is a paid plugin that helps you secure your WordPress site. It includes features like malware scanning and security hardening.
21. iThemes Security Pro
iThemes Security Pro is a paid plugin that helps you secure your WordPress site. It includes features like malware scanning and two-factor authentication.
22. Better WordPress Security
Better WordPress Security is a free plugin that helps you secure your WordPress site. It includes features like malware scanning and blacklist monitoring.
23. BulletProof Security
BulletProof Security is a paid plugin that helps you secure your WordPress site. It includes features like malware scanning and firewall protection.
24. All in One WP Security & Firewall
All in One WP Security & Firewall is a free plugin that helps you secure your WordPress site. It includes features like malware scanning and firewall protection.
25. Security-Scanner
Security-scanner is a paid plugin that helps you scan your WordPress site for security vulnerabilities. It includes features like malware scanning and blacklist monitoring.
There you have it! These are 25 of the best WordPress plugins that designers and developers should know about. Each plugin has its own unique set of features and benefits, so be sure to choose the one that best suits your needs. And remember, always keep your WordPress site up to date with the latest version to ensure optimal security and performance!