Plugins make websites a dream come true for beginners. However, with several thousand plugins available in the market, finding the right one to manage your operations can take time and effort. Besides, the fact that several plugins are resolving a similar issue makes it more complex for owners to settle with one plugin at any level.
So to help you better, we’ve curated a list of to-do’s that can help you choose the right plugin for all your operations. Continue reading the blog as we explore some basic thumb rules to streamline your search.
But, Before You Start
Looking for a plugin without first understanding what you can add to your search. Therefore, before you begin, it is always wise to list your requirements from a plugin. In addition, while researching the right tools, it is always wise to make a checklist of the qualities you seek (in order of importance).
We suggest this because sometimes you will only find limited things in one plugin. Therefore, once you have your order of importance listed, it will be easier for you to decide. But while you’re at it, keep in mind that there is no need for a single plugin to perform all functions.
If you come across two similar plugins, install them both. Remember, your primary approach should be to improve the quality of your output, not the number of plugins.
Keeping these factors in mind, let’s now look at some pro tips to choose the right plugins for your website.
Pro Tips To Choose The Right Plugin For Your Website
Analyze The Security
Like many other industries, the sector for plugins is no exception. Today, we have many plugins designed with an intentional security flaw to extract data or other valuable information from websites they’re installed into. The effects of selecting a plugin with bad coding might be severe.
Check the plugin’s last update date to avoid installing any wrong plugins. This is the simplest technique to prevent security flaws. Go with plugins that are updated frequently (or at least once every two months). This increases the likelihood that identified security flaws were resolved.
Besides, these security flaws must be patched in updates as soon as they are discovered since hackers frequently leverage known vulnerabilities in outdated plugin versions to sneak their way onto a website.
So it’s also essential to check the plugin’s changelog for information on the modifications made in each version to ensure the developers have addressed the security concerns.
Free Vs. Premium Plugins
When looking for plugins, you might be torn between free and premium plugins. But, relax, it’s normal to find yourself in such a situation!
However, free plugins are your go-to option if you want to start with no financial commitment. Depending on your requirements, some free plugins might provide all you need. In addition, some unique plugins also provide updates to the premium version to unlock additional features.
On the contrary, we have premium or paid plugins that add several benefits to their users. These paid plugins maintain their compatibility with the latest Google updates, allowing you to leverage the latest operations. Additionally, they have numerous features that you may use to customize your website.
Besides, if cost is a concern, you should stay relaxed. A majority of these premium plugins have affordable plans.
Be Skeptical About The Payment Plugin’s
Choosing the right payment plugin is crucial to your operations. Unfortunately, most of the payment plugins available in the market come with hidden charges and other terms and conditions. If you fail to decrypt these conditions or avoid the hidden charges, your operations might be lost.
Therefore, while you’re on it, you might not want to avoid searching for plugins that look fishy. Or, you could also start accepting cryptos to avoid paying such fees to these plugins. For instance, you can visit Coingate and install their crypto payment plugin that allows you to accept crypto payments without attracting additional fees.
Reputation Of The Developer
Before you’re all set to use a plugin, it’s essential to consider the reputation of the developer behind the product and the quality of their previous software. Wonder how it’s possible? It’s simple. All you need to do is examine the plugin’s download statistics and reviews given by previous users.
In addition, there is a strong possibility that any plugin produced by a developer with a good solid reputation and quality tools will be excellent. Therefore, while scouting for the best plugins, remember; security, support, and the developer’s reputation are all interrelated.
Read Descriptions & Pay Attention To Ratings
When you start exploring the market, you might discover several unique plugins that resolve a unique function. If a plugin’s description seems appealing, it may be worthwhile to investigate online for further evaluations to confirm that it performs as promised.
One of the best ways to determine the performance would be to go through descriptions and user feedback to understand the reality of its operations. Or, you could also look at its average rating. The best approach is selecting plugins with ratings between 3 and 4 stars. The higher, the better!
Now You Know!
Choosing the right plugin for your website requires research and a thorough investigation into its operations. Therefore, the next time you need clarification about switching between plugins, we hope you leverage our blog to find the right one for your business. All the best!
