If the WordPress is something new for you, it is normal to ask yourself “What are plugins WordPress?”. This is a very common question, because in addition to being one of the many new terms that the use of WordPress will introduce into your vocabulary, plugins are also a structural part of all WordPress sites.
What are WordPress plugins, and how do they work?
Um plugin WordPress is essentially a block of code that does plugin (i.e. that links) to a WordPress site. Simply put, this means that a plugin WordPress is something that adds new functionality to your WordPress website or enhances existing functionality.
One of the benefits of WordPress is that there are already tens of thousands of plugins that can be used for virtually any purpose we need.
Os plugins can do things as simple as small improvements, and as complex as a complete change to a website. Some plugins They can even turn your simple WordPress website into a functional WordPress 100% store, social network, or even an online forum.
Some plugins They don't even have visible features. For example, we can install plugins that improve the performance of your website, or that make it gain visibility in search engines like Google.
Are WordPress plugins free?
Existem plugins free and premium plugins.
With plugins free, you can install and use the plugin at no cost, although some features of the plugin may only be available to those who pay to access it.
Although the plugins free do a good job, the premium plugins generally offer superior functionality.
WordPress Plugin Warnings
As inexperienced people become familiar with the plugins WordPress, it's normal that you start having some problems.
There are those who criticize the use of plugins, because they believe that using it too much can make a website slower.
The idea that too many plugins The idea that WordPress can slow down a website isn’t exactly correct, but it’s an interesting concept to keep in mind. Especially for beginners.
What is more important than the number of plugins on your website, are the functionalities and code quality of each of these plugins.
But as a beginner, you probably won't have the knowledge to measure the individual impact of each plugin.
For this same reason, it is a good idea to avoid adding plugins just because they look good. An even better idea is to hire professionals who will choose the best plugins WordPress for your website, something you can easily do with Intuitiva. Contact us!
What WordPress plugins do we recommend?
It depends. Different types of websites may require different sets of plugins. As a general rule, these are the most commonly used.
Top 10 Most Used WordPress Plugins
1. RankMath:
RankMath is an essential plugin for improving the SEO score of articles and pages. It allows you to set the main keyword, meta description, slug, SEO title and image alt attributes. It offers practical advice and statistics to improve your website's search engine rankings. A must-have for website owners looking to improve their search engine rankings.
2. Jetpack:
Jetpack is a versatile plugin that offers features for marketing, design, and security, including site analytics, automatic social publishing, multiple WordPress themes, spam filtering, inactivity monitoring, and more. Suitable for personal blogs, startups, and businesses, with several budget options available.
3. Akismet:
Akismet Anti-Spam is a tool designed to automatically block spam comments, providing security against irrelevant, malicious, or promotional content. It provides automation and security filtering for business owners who receive a lot of comments daily. A must-have for blog owners and businesses that deal with a high volume of comments.
4. Wordfence Security:
Wordfence Security é um plugin focado em manter os ativos da web seguros, fornecendo um firewall, scanner de malware e sistema de login seguro. Também oferece alertas para potenciais problemas de segurança no site. Recomendado para proprietários de sites que desejam proteger proativamente seu site de ameaças potenciais.
5. Contact Form 7:
Contact Form 7 é um plugin popular para criar formulários de contato simples e eficazes com opções de filtragem de spam e personalização. Oferece configuração fácil e manuseio eficiente de formulários. Adequado para todos os proprietários de sites que procuram uma maneira fácil de se conectar com seu público.
6. WooCommerce:
WooCommerce lets you turn a WordPress website into an online store, offering the flexibility to sell physical and digital products, add product variations, use affiliate links, and extensive payment methods. Essential for business owners looking to set up an online store with customization features and community extensions.
7. Really Simple SSL:
Really Simple SSL is a plugin designed to easily set up SSL for WordPress sites, providing a secure encryption layer for your website. Recommended for website owners looking for a straightforward solution for SSL setup.
8. All-in-One WP Migration:
All-in-One WP Migration migrates a WordPress site to another host and requires no technical skills. Exports content and data to an external file and uses drag-and-drop functionality.
9. Elementor:
Elementor allows you to build custom pages independently of your current theme. It offers a visual design interface with available templates and Elementor's free library.
10. MonsterInsights:
MonsterInsights é um plugin poderoso para análise de dados no WordPress. Facilita a compreensão do tráfego do site e do comportamento do usuário, integrando-se diretamente com o Google Analytics. Oferece relatórios detalhados dentro do painel do WordPress, tornando a análise de dados acessível mesmo para iniciantes. Ideal para proprietários de sites que desejam tomar decisões baseadas em dados sem se aprofundar em complexidades técnicas.
Importante! There are serious risks in the improper use of plugins WordPress
Enquanto que os plugins facilitam o funcionamento de qualquer site WordPress, há riscos associados. A simples utilização de um plugin errado pode fazer com que o seu site fique temporáriamente offline, ou pior.
Uma decisão errada, e o plugin pode:
- Deixar o site permanentemente mais lento.
- Gerar código intencionalmente malicioso que pode colocar o funcionamento do site em risco, bem como comprometer os dados dos clientes e do site.
Para prevenir que tudo isto aconteça, pode:
- Investigar os plugins e as pessoas por detrás deles, confirmando que são seguros.
- Investigar o código de cada plugin antes de instalar.
- Ler as criticas online de todas as pessoas que utilizam os plugins em questão.
- Confirmar que possui a melhor versão de cada plugin, e mantê-la sempre actualizada.
Ou
- contratar uma equipa com anos de especialização em WordPress, como a Intuitiva.