[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]WordPress gives users the options of choosing from a multitude of plugins. It can be confusing choosing between both paid and free plugins. The worst mistake that WordPress users make is unnecessarily installing too many plugins. Users need to be very careful selecting plugins for their site because installing too many plugins can have severe repercussions on website loading times and security. You must think for these questions while choosing it:
- How to identify which plugin will help to achieve the specific goals you are interested in?
- Are there other plugins which will accomplish the same thing as this plugin?
- Will this plugin affect my website loading time?
- Will any of these plugins which I install to make my site more productive, actually hurt the security of my website?
Let’s look at the answers to all of these questions.
Currently Installed Users
All the users of WordPress are logged in securely just like any email provider. Each user is accounted for. Clicking on a specific plugin will take you to its main page. On the right side of the screen, you will see a number in front of where it says ‘active installations’. This is the number of people currently using this free WordPress plugin. Since everybody is logged in securely, it is easy for the people at WordPress to determine how many users are currently using each plugin. New plugins are conceived each day which help users achieve new goals and objectives which were not possible earlier.
If the number of active installs is a significant number, rest assured that you are downloading some of the most popular plugins. In the words of Susan Stone from Crowd Writer
I was completely flabbergasted when I learned that there were more installs of a plugin then I had genuine visitors on my site!
On the other hand, if the number is not an excessively large number proceed with caution. This could be because of one of two reasons. Either the plugin has just recently been conceived and genuinely not many users have had the chance to use it, or is this one of those plugins which claim to do one thing but actually does something completely different?
Investigating Questions & Customer Support Responses
WordPress is a completely secure site, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any problems. The plugins available on its platform accomplish an extensive number of different operations. When users face issues with one of the plugins they’ve installed, say for example, for security, graphics, or data management they can contact the developer. Technical folks will reply to these inquiries. The responses from the manufacturers are available for the entire community to view. Users are free to experiment on whether or not the response from the developer actually addresses their concern. Consumers can also determine if the builder is taking too long to reply. In which case, the specific plugin might not inevitably become as popular as initially expected. For new users, it is recommended to adopt only trustworthy plugins which are credibly established.
Adding Substance & Value to Your Website
Always opt for a plugin which is adding significant value to your website rather than installing all the latest plugins. This is advice that some of the best developers will give you when installing plugins. Sometimes less is more, especially on the internet. There are numerous websites which offer the same services as yours. One of the best ways of getting ahead of the competition is to have a minimalist design which efficiently accomplishes goals and objectives. There are countless advantages to this. First and foremost, website loading times will be fast. Security will be easier to manage. Once your users get used to the design, they will become loyal customers. They will appreciate the minimalist design of the website since it is the one who most efficiently solves their problem.
Paid & Free Plugins
WordPress is a comprehensively resourceful and multifaceted tool. Just like some of the newest WordPress themes are initially available to everyone. It gives users the option of using a plugin for free before purchasing it. Not all plugins will be compatible with the design of your website. Once you have all your necessary plugins for security and data management installed, it is a good idea to sample new plugins before making any purchases. There is no denying the fact that paid plugins work more efficiently than free plugins. The free version will help you decide whether or not this is a feature which you want to add to your website. Once you are determined that the new plugin does not interfere with currently installed plugins and adds value to your site, make the purchase. “We were ecstatic that the paid version was giving us more features than we were expecting” to quote Maryanne Margolis from MHR Writer.
Not only was the new plugin adding more value, but we were also saving money as well.
Determining Plugin Compatibility
Sometimes users will be confused between choosing two plugins which administer similar services. One of the plugins might have one feature but not the other, the other plugin will the other element but not the first. In such a scenario, installing both plugins might cause more harm than good. There is a chance that the two plugins are incompatible with each other. The 500 Internal Server Error is a very common error which occurs when two or more plugins are incompatible with each other. Another reason this error occurs is that it could be a conflict with your WordPress theme.
The solution in such a scenario is first to deactivate all plugins. Once all the plugins are switched off, begin by switching on only one plugin. Continue switching on the plugins one by one until you recognize which plugin is conflicting with the other plugins. Try to contact the developer for that plugin to get more insight on the situation. In most cases, they will be able to identify the reason why this is happening. The developers will also provide support on how to fix the problem. Alternatively, consider downsizing to use fewer plugins. This is especially recommended if your website already has an excessive number of plugins installed.
Understanding Plugin Ratings.
On WordPress users can rate each plugin. The maximum rating is 5-stars. There will be very few plugins which will have a complete 5-star rating. The best plugins will have a score of 4 or more than that. This is an indication that users trust the developer and the plugin actually performs what it claims to achieve. Plugins which have a rating of less than 3.5 are the ones to watch out for. This may be a new plugin which still has not yet gained popularity. This could also be a plugin which is not quite as efficient as it claims to be. It is advisable not to install plugins with a rating of less than 3.5.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
