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From plugins that extend functionality to themes that define your site’s aesthetic, there is a vast array of tools that make WordPress the best CMS. And then there are several other tools like the hosting services that make the foundation of a website.
But whether it’s the WordPress hosting, the themes, the plugins, or something else, you need to know what these tools are and what they exactly do. Plus, which tools are regarded as the must-haves by the WordPress experts?
Well, that’s what we’re going to cover in this blog. I’m going to tell you all you need to know about WordPress tools and their benefits and the most popular specimens. So without further ado, let’s dive straight into the different types of WordPress tools.
What are the Different Types of WordPress Tools?
WordPress tools are crucial components that improve the functionality and performance of a WordPress website. These tools encompass a variety of plugins, themes, and extensions designed to streamline tasks such as SEO optimization, security, analytics, and content management.
Furthermore, WordPress tools aid in website customization by providing solutions for design, layout, and user experience enhancement.
Note: These tools are different from the WordPress development tools.
Now, let’s take a closer look at these tools and how they can benefit your website.
WordPress Hosting
As you already know, there are two iterations of this outstanding CMS: WordPress.com and WordPress.org. The former offers hosting built-in. But if you create a WordPress website with the latter, you’ll have to choose a hosting provider.
A WordPress hosting provider specializes in providing the infrastructure and services needed to run your WordPress website smoothly and securely. The host configures their servers specifically for WordPress’s performance requirements, like PHP versions and database management.
They implement robust security measures to protect your website from malware, hacking attempts, and data breaches. And they regularly back up your website data and offer mechanisms for quick restoration in case of emergencies.
Hosting providers offer caching mechanisms and server configurations to ensure your website loads quickly and efficiently. Plus, you can opt for staging environments to test the changes and updates before deploying them to your live site. Basically, the host takes care of everything from the WordPress installation to storage, performance, security, updates, and support.
So you need to choose the WordPress hosting provider with due deliberation. Here are the key factors for the same:
- Your project requirements: Evaluate the size and nature of your website. Are you expecting a few dozen visitors a day or millions? Are you comfortable managing server settings or prefer a hands-off approach? There are different plans according to these requirements.
- Types of hosting: There are different types of hosting, including Shared hosting, VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting, Dedicated hosting, and Managed WordPress hosting.
- Speed and performance: Look for hosting providers with fast and reliable server infrastructure. Consider the availability of content delivery networks (CDNs) to enhance global loading times.
- Uptime Reliability: Choose a hosting provider with a solid track record of uptime reliability (99.9% or higher). Check if the provider offers any service level agreement (SLA) regarding uptime.
- Scalability: Ensure the hosting provider implements robust security measures. Look for features such as SSL certificates, regular backups, and malware scanning.
- Customer Support: Assess the quality and availability of customer support. 24/7 support is ideal. Check for multiple support channels such as live chat, email, and phone.
- User-Friendly Control Panel: A user-friendly control panel, like cPanel or Plesk, can make managing your website easier.
- Backup Solutions: Regular backups are crucial for data protection. Choose a host that provides automated backup solutions.
- Reviews and Reputation: Research customer reviews and testimonials to gauge the reputation and satisfaction level of the hosting provider.
- Cost: Hosting is a major part of the WordPress website development costs. So compare pricing plans and consider long-term costs. But be wary of extremely low-cost hosting as it may compromise on performance and support.
Make sure you consider all of these factors for a well-informed decision on the best WordPress hosting provider for your website. Or you can opt for a WordPress.com plan as they include hosting built-in.
The best hosting providers for WordPress websites include WP Engine, WPMU Dev, Pantheon.io, FlyWheel, Pressable, GoDaddy, and of course, WordPress.com.
WordPress Plugins
Debatably, one of the biggest highlights of WordPress is its massive library of plugins. Whether you want to optimize your website for SEO or enhance its performance, security, there are probably hundreds or even thousands of plugins available. You can even turn your normal website into a fully-fledged eCommerce store with plugins.
The most significant advantage of these plugins is that you don’t have to spend hours writing codes for different features and functionalities. You can just install a WordPress plugin and integrate (for example) a contact form in a matter of minutes.
There are more than 60k plugins in the official WordPress repository, so there is an abundance of choice. But with that abundance, comes choice paralysis. Which one do you choose? Which one would be the most suitable? How do you know?
Well, here’s how you choose the best WordPress plugin for your website:
Step 1: Define your needs: First off, define what feature or functionality you want to integrate in your website.
Do you want to turn your website into an eCommerce store? Do you want to enhance the security? Do you want to improve your speed and performance? Do you want to optimize your website for SEO? Or something else.
- eCommerce Plugins: WooCommerce
- Caching Plugins: W3 Total Cache and WP Rocket
- SEO Plugins: Yoast SEO, SEMRush, and RankMath
- Security Plugins: Akismet and iThemes Security
These are just a few examples. You can find yours according to your needs.
Step 2: Research and Prioritize: Make a list of potential plugins based on your needs and research them thoroughly. Other than the official library, there are several third-party sources for WordPress plugins, like CodeCanyon. Go through the different free and paid options available and choose one carefully.
Step 3: Look at the technical overview: When you click on a plugin from the library, on the right, you will see a technical overview. It will show you things like Version, Last updated, Active installations, WordPress version, Tested up to, PHP Version, and languages.
Understand and review these technical specs to avoid any possible compatibility issues and ensure a smooth integration into your website.
Step 4: Verify Update Frequency: Choose plugins that are regularly updated by their developers. Regular updates ensure compatibility with the latest WordPress versions and often include bug fixes and security patches.
Step 5: Check Developer Reputation: Look for plugins developed by reputable and experienced developers or companies. Check their support forums and the quality of their support responses.
Step 6: Ensure Responsive Support: Make sure there is a support system in place. Responsive and active support can be crucial if you encounter issues or have questions about the plugin.
Step 7: Consider Performance Impact: Evaluate the impact of each plugin on your site’s performance. Some plugins may affect page load times, so choose ones that are optimized for performance.
Step 8: Security Considerations: Security is paramount. Only install plugins from trusted sources, and be cautious about using outdated or poorly supported plugins, as they may pose security risks.
Step 9: Read Documentation: Good documentation can be a sign of a well-supported plugin. Check if the plugin has comprehensive documentation that guides you through installation, configuration, and usage.
After that, you can visit the WordPress admin dashboard and follow the due installation process. But if you want a plugin tailored for your website, our WordPress plugin development services are just what you need.
WordPress Theme
Another outstanding offering of WordPress is its vast library of themes. You can install a WordPress theme to customize the design and layout of your website.
A WordPress theme is a collection of files that work together to determine a website’s visual appearance and layout. It includes template files, stylesheets, images, and sometimes additional features through functions.php or custom plugins.
Themes define how your website looks to visitors. They control the layout, color schemes, fonts, and overall design elements. Themes also influence user experience and can impact site performance. But there are thousands of free and premium themes available on WordPress. So how do you choose the best WordPress theme for your website? Here’s what you need to consider:
Step 1: Define Your Website’s Purpose: Understand the goals and purpose of your website. Different types of websites (blogs, business sites, portfolios, e-commerce) have different design requirements.
Step 2: Consider Responsiveness: Choose a responsive theme that looks good and functions well on various devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Mobile responsiveness is essential for user experience and SEO.
Step 3: Check Compatibility with Latest WordPress Version: Ensure that the theme is compatible with the latest version of WordPress. Outdated themes may have security vulnerabilities and may not support new features.
Step 4: Browse Official Theme Directories: Explore the official WordPress Theme Directory and other reputable theme marketplaces (like Themeforest). These directories often have themes that are well-coded, regularly updated, and reviewed for quality.
Step 5: Read Theme Reviews and Ratings: Check user reviews and ratings for themes you’re interested in. This can provide insights into the theme’s quality, performance, and the level of support offered by the theme developer.
Step 6: Evaluate Customization Options: Look for themes that offer a good level of customization options. This allows you to modify colors, fonts, layouts, and other design elements without having to write custom code.
Step 7: Check Browser Compatibility: Ensure that the theme is compatible with different web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc.). Cross-browser compatibility ensures a consistent experience for your site visitors.
Step 8: Review Theme Demo: Demo sites showcase how a theme looks and functions. Evaluate the theme’s demo to see if it aligns with your vision for your website. Pay attention to layout, navigation, and overall aesthetics.
Step 9: SEO Friendliness: Look for themes that are SEO-friendly. SEO-friendly themes often include features like proper heading structures, schema markup, and other elements that contribute to better search engine rankings.
Step 10: Check Theme Support: Ensure that the theme developer provides good support. Check if there’s a support forum or documentation available. Responsive and helpful support is crucial in case you encounter issues or have questions.
Step 11: Consider Accessibility: Accessibility is important for ensuring that your website is usable by people with disabilities. Choose a theme that follows accessibility best practices, providing a better experience for all users.
Finally, you need to decide whether you want to go for a free theme or splurge for a premium one. Premium themes often come with additional features, better support, and more frequent updates. Consider your budget and the specific needs of your website when deciding between free and premium themes. You can also hire a WordPress development company to understand which theme would be suitable for your website and customize it accordingly.
Some of the best themes for WordPress websites include Astra, Divi, SeedProd, Ultra, OceanWP, and Storefront. If you want something more customized according to your website, opt for our WordPress theme development services. We’ll help develop or customize a theme for you.
WordPress Widgets
WordPress widgets are like little building blocks that add functionality and personality to your WordPress website. They’re easy to use and can be added to different areas of your site, such as the sidebar, footer, or even within the content of your posts or pages. So you can easily customize the layout and features of the site without having to code.
WordPress comes with a set of default widgets that perform various tasks. Some common widgets include:
- Recent Posts: Displays a list of your most recent blog posts.
- Categories: Lists the categories of your blog posts.
- Archives: Provides a monthly archive of your blog’s posts.
- Tag Cloud: Displays a cloud of tags used on your site.
To add widgets,
Step 1: Navigate to “Appearance” > “Widgets”.
Step 2: On the Widgets page, you’ll see available widgets on the left and widget areas (like sidebars) on the right.
Step 3: Drag and drop widgets into the desired widget area.
In addition to default widgets, many themes and plugins provide custom widgets with specific functionalities. These widgets may be related to social media feeds, custom post types, popular posts, and more.
If you need help with adding or customizing the widgets on your WordPress website, hire dedicated WordPress developers. They will add and manage various elements, improving the overall user experience of a WordPress site.
What are the Benefits of Using WordPress Tools?
WordPress is a fantastic platform for building websites, but its true potential unlocks when you leverage the vast array of tools available. From reliable hosting to powerful plugins, stunning themes, and handy widgets, these elements work together to elevate your website from basic to brilliant.
Here are a few benefits they offer:
WordPress Hosting
- Uptime and Performance: Reliable hosting ensures your website is accessible to visitors, minimizing downtime and frustrating error messages.
- Security: Secure hosting protects your website from malicious attacks and data breaches, keeping your valuable information and visitor trust safe.
- Scalability: As your website grows, your hosting can adapt. Choose a plan that scales with your traffic, ensuring your website can handle an influx of visitors without crashing.
- Control and Flexibility: Managed hosting offers administrative tools and technical support. So you can focus on creating content while experts handle the server nitty-gritty.
WordPress Plugins
- Boost Functionality: From contact forms and galleries to SEO optimization and social media integration, plugins add features that wouldn’t be possible with WordPress alone.
- Enhance User Experience: Plugins can make your website more interactive and engaging for visitors.
- Automate Tasks: Free up your time with plugins that handle repetitive tasks like backups, security scans, and social media scheduling.
- Niche Solutions: No matter your website’s purpose, there’s likely a plugin for it. From eCommerce stores to educational platforms, plugins cater to specific needs, like having specialized kitchen equipment for different cuisines.
WordPress Themes
- Professional Design: Choose from thousands of pre-designed themes, eliminating the need to code from scratch. Imagine having access to a team of interior designers who can transform your website into a visually stunning space.
- Customization Options: Most themes offer customization options, allowing you to tweak colors, fonts, layouts, and more to match your brand identity.
- Responsive Design: Ensure your website looks great and functions flawlessly on all devices, from desktops to smartphones, with responsive themes.
- SEO Optimization: Some themes are built with search engine optimization (SEO) in mind, helping your website rank higher in search results.
WordPress Widgets
- Display Dynamic Content: Show recent posts, social media feeds, or custom HTML code in specific sections of your website.
- Engage Visitors: Add interactive elements like polls, quizzes, or countdown timers to keep visitors engaged and coming back for more.
- Simplify Navigation: Widgets like search bars and category lists can help users find what they’re looking for quickly and easily.
Beyond all this, choosing these WordPress tools carefully ensures your website will be one step closer to being optimized with the WordPress SEO tactics.
Now, to ensure the overall benefits of WordPress tools on a website, the WordPress development experts consider a few of them as must-haves. But which are they?
What are the Must-have WordPress Tools for Beginners?
As a WordPress newbie, navigating the vast sea of tools can be overwhelming. But I have jotted down a few tools that are considered as must-haves by the experts. Let’s check them out.
Essential Plugins
- RankMath: Your on-page optimization guru, guiding you towards search engine glory.
- Akismet Anti-Spam: Keep those pesky spam comments at bay and maintain a clean website.
- WP Super Cache: Boost your website’s loading speed, keeping visitors happy and engaged.
- Contact Form 7: Build beautiful and functional contact forms, lead capture forms, and more with ease.
- UpdraftPlus: Protect your precious content with automatic backups, ensuring peace of mind.
Theme
Choose a theme that aligns with your brand and content, offering easy customization options and responsive design (adapts to different devices). Popular theme marketplaces like ThemeForest and Envato Market offer a vast selection.
Some popular ones include Astra, Divi, Ultra, StoreFront, etc.
Widgets
- Recent Posts: Keep visitors engaged with your latest content by showcasing recent posts in sidebars or footers.
- Search Bar: Help visitors find what they’re looking for quickly and easily with a readily accessible search bar.
- Category Lists: Organize your content and make navigation intuitive with category lists placed strategically.
- Social Media Buttons: Connect with your audience and encourage them to follow you on your preferred social media platforms.
Additional Tools
- Jetpack: This all-in-one plugin offers a plethora of features, from security and performance enhancements to social media integration and image optimization.
- Canva: Create stunning graphics and visual elements for your website, even with zero design experience.
- Google Analytics: Track your website’s traffic and understand your audience, helping you make data-driven decisions.
Remember: Start small and focus on the essentials. Don’t overload your website with too many plugins or widgets.
With these must-have tools and a bit of exploration, you’ll be well on your way to building a stunning and functional WordPress website, even as a beginner. If you want more, but don’t have the necessary skills or expertise, consult with professional WordPress development services.
FAQs on WordPress Tools
Conclusion
One of the reasons why WordPress is such a popular CMS is the tools available for the website creation, optimization, and management. They work by integrating with your WordPress website and providing additional features and options. They can be installed and activated through the WordPress dashboard, and can be easily customized to fit your website’s needs.
The four most crucial tools used in any WordPress website are:
- Hosting
- Plugins
- Themes
- Widgets
There are hundreds of these tools available with the official WordPress repository as well as third-party marketplaces. So if you want guidance on which would be perfect for your website or need help optimizing it, contact our experts today!
