The Core Seven: Why You Should Be Using These WordPress Plugins

6th April 2021

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WordPress is a great content management system because it allows its users to seamlessly take advantage of a bevvy of high-quality plugins. These WordPress plugins can not only help provide new functionality to websites but can also help to analyze their success. 

There are all sorts of WordPress plugins that you could download. However, there are some that we consider necessities. 

Curious as to which these are? Then read on. Here are the core seven plugins that you should be using on WordPress. 

Yoast SEO

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Perhaps the most important of the WordPress plugins is Yoast SEO. This is a plugin that helps you optimize your blog posts and content pages so that they stand the best chance of ending up on the first pages of search engines. In essence, it helps your website rank for specific keywords, exposing it to hundreds and maybe even thousands of new users on a monthly basis. 

Yoast SEO ensures that you’re using your keywords the correct number of times. It ensures that you’re using the correct number of inbound and outbound links. It ensures that your metadata is optimized. 

In addition, it allows you to seamlessly alter meta titles and meta descriptions. Not to mention, it can develop a sitemap for you with the click of a button. 

You can download the base version of Yoast SEO free of charge. So, add it to your arsenal and follow its guidance. You’ll greatly increase your website’s visibility online. 

Updraft

Updraft WordPress Plugin

WordPress websites can crash for any number of reasons. As such, it’s wise to back up their data on a regular basis. 

There are a number of plugins that can help you to do this. However, the one we recommend is Updraft. 

This plugin not only allows you to create backups manually but also enables you to save backups in auto-mode. Just set a time at which you’d like to back up your website, and the plugin will back it up for you. It will then save the backup files in a database, allowing you to access them as needed. 

Really Simple SSL

Really Simple SSL WordPress Plugins

These days, if you want your website to look legitimate, you have to protect it with an SSL certificate. Having one of these on your website not only provides it with protection but also shows users that it is, indeed, protected. 

There are many different ways to get an SSL on your website. However, when it comes to WordPress, perhaps no option is better than to use Really Simple SSL. 

This is a plugin that walks you through the process of implementing an SSL. It doesn’t provide you with an SSL certificate but helps you to establish one that you have been given or have purchased. 

W3 Total Cache

W3 Total Cache WordPress Plugins

Website load speed is hugely important. If it takes 5 or more seconds for the pages on your website to load, users will eventually leave your website behind. 

Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to increase website load speed. One of the key things to do is to cache data.

Data caching makes it so that data doesn’t have to load every time your website is visited. Instead, it’s already fired up and ready to go. This can speed up a website substantially. 

When it comes to WordPress caching plugins, there are a number of them available. One of the best is W3 Total Cache. 

Optimole

Optimole

Images can slow down a website substantially. The larger your image files, the longer it’s going to take your web pages to load. As such, it’s wise to minimize the size of your images as much as possible without greatly disturbing their quality. 

Looking for a plugin that can help you do this? Optimole is the answer. This plugin goes through the images on your website, reduces their size, and then offers them up through a content delivery network. 

The result is that they load as fast as possible. If you have a great number of images on your website, this plugin is a near necessity. 

MonsterInsights

MonsterInsights

One of the keys to making a better website is to analyze its metrics over time. Perhaps the best way to do this is through Google Analytics. This provides you with everything from keyword searches, to the average user visiting time, to click-over time, and more. 

Want to implement Google Analytics through WordPress? MonsterInsights is the plugin to use. 

This plugin seamlessly connects your WordPress website to your Google Analytics profile. It then enables you to view your website’s metrics within your WordPress dashboard. 

There is both a free version and a paid version of MonsterInsights. The free version will get your website to connect. The paid version will offer a variety of analytical features. 

Sucuri

Sucuri WordPress Plugin

The last plugin we’ll discuss is Sucuri. This is a security plugin that protects websites from malware and other online attacks. It puts a firewall in front of your website, allowing it to withstand viruses of all kinds. 

This is especially important on a platform like WordPress, as its popularity attracts viruses of all kinds. If you don’t put a firewall in front of your website, it will eventually be attacked by a virus. In short, this (or another plugin like it) is an absolute necessity. 

These WordPress Plugins Can Make a World of Difference 

You don’t need these plugins in order to create an attractive and functional WordPress website. That said, they can make a world of difference, and are almost sure to benefit you greatly.

So, download these WordPress plugins and put them to good use. They’ll transform your website from good to great. 

Need help using WordPress? If so, we can help you. Contact us now to discuss your needs!

Gavin Pedley

Gavin Pedley

Gavin is the guy behind the award-winning ThriveWP. He has over 18 years of experience creating, developing, hosting and managing WordPress websites.

Gavin regularly shares his expertise via the ThriveWP blog and Youtube channel, where he creates informative and helpful WordPress tutorial videos.

Connect with Gavin on FacebookLinkedin or Twitter.

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