Photo courtesy of Justin Morgan on Unsplash.
If you are a WordPress.org user, you have the option of adding plugins to your website. Plugins are a piece of software that contain specific functions that can enhance your website. Today, we will be listing 10 essential plugins you need to install for your website right now. Let’s get into this.
1. Classic Editor
There are two editors for WordPress. Classic Editor and Gutenberg. Classic Editor is the default editor and Gutenberg is the newer block editor that was introduced in the last few years. We prefer Classic Editor over Gutenberg because it’s more user-friendly. We’re not huge fans of block editing so that’s why we don’t love Gutenberg.
Gutenberg may be for you if you like drag and drop or block editing. If you’re a simple person, you may like Classic Editor better. It’s all up to personal preference.
2. UpDraft Plus
UpDraft Plus is a plugin that allows you to do backups of your website (themes, plugins, data, etc). All by the click of one button.
3. Wordfence Security — Firewall & Malware Scan
Wordfence Security provides scans for firewall and malware. It will send you updates to the email you provide. It’s a great plugin to keep you and your website safe.
4. WP Content Copy Protection & No Right Click
WP Content Copy Protection & No Right Click is such a great plugin. It blocks viewers from copying your written content and they can’t right click on an image and save it. If you’re adamant about keeping your content protected, this is a plugin you need to install.
5. Permalink Manager Lite
Permalink Manager Lite allows you to create a custom permalink. A permalink is what you see after the domain in the URL bar on the top. I love this plugin because we can create any permalink that I really want. If you like customizing things to your liking, we recommend checking this one out.
6. Visual Footer Credit Remover
Visual Footer Credit Remover can remove the footer credit at the bottom of your website and replace that with your own text. Many themes will have the name of the theme and who made it on the footer which make it look too busy.
7. NextGEN Gallery
NextGEN Gallery is a good way to display images in a gallery. We use this for one of the websites we run and it’s helpful in displaying the images in a different way. You can upload images, name galleries, and display your gallery in a few different ways.
8. Fonts Plugin | Google Fonts Typography
Fonts Plugin | Google Fonts Typography allows you modify fonts on your website. There are basic and advanced settings. The only things is you can’t adjust the size for free. You have pay to get access to more features. Otherwise, it’s a handy plugin for someone like me who doesn’t love the default font options on the themes I’m using.
9. Classic Widgets
Classic Widgets is similar to Classic Editor in the sense that it’s the default editor for WordPress but for widgets. Widgets are pieces of content that can be added to various parts of your website such as the sidebar or footer.
10. Theme Toolkit
Not every theme comes with a toolkit but if your theme has the option of installing a toolkit plugin, I suggest you do so. These toolkits give you customization options for widgets and other parts of your website that help your site stand out.
Closing Thoughts
We hope this list gave you some ideas on what plugins you want to install or even just search in the WordPress plugins directory. Most of these plugins have changed the game for us, especially the Permalink Manager Lite and the WP Content Copy Protection & No Right Click plugins.
It’s all up to personal preference. You don’t need to install any of these plugins if they don’t interest you. We just wanted to share my favorite plugins with all of you.
If you need help in setting your plugins up, please don’t hesitate to DM us on Instagram here.
