What is a WordPress plugin?

Plugins are ways to extend and add to the functionality that already exists in WordPress. They offer custom features so that each user can tailor their site to their specific needs. There are plugins for almost anything you can think of.

The WordPress plugin directory is the safest place to get your plugin because every plugin is manually reviewed by developers from WordPress, and they must meet strict guidelines if someone wants to add plugin in this directory, no spamming is allowed. Most of these plugins are free to download and use.

Some plugins use databases extensively, increasing the number of database queries and slowing the performance of your website. If a plugin is well-coded this shouldn’t be a problem, however it’s something to consider before installing a large amount of them.

These are the things that can happen when too many plugins are installed on your website:

• Your website becomes slow
• Your website can be open to security problems
• Your website can crash

 

1. USE THE PLUGINS YOU REALLY NEED.

While some small blogs or websites may only need one or two plugins, larger websites may require 20 or more. The main thing here is to remember to only use plugins you really need.

 

2. UNINSTALL PLUGINS THAT YOU DON’T NEED.

If you already have too many plugins installed, go over each to see if you really need them. If a plugin isn’t critical to the functionality of your site, uninstall it.

 

3. REMOVE INACTIVE PLUGINS

Often websites have inactive plugins installed on their WordPress websites. This can be a security problem, as hackers can use vulnerabilities in inactive plugins to gain access to your website. Log in to your website, click on Plugins in your WordPress dashboard, then click “Deactivate” under each of the inactive plugins.

 

4. INSTALL ONLY PLUGINS THAT COME FROM REPUTABLE SOURCES.

When choosing a new plugin, be sure to consider the following criteria using details you can easily see in the the WordPress plugin directory.

• Check when the plugin was last updated. You can see this in the plugin description. Good plugins are updated often (some are updated weekly). If you see that it’s been more than a year since a plugin was last updated, it’s a pretty good sign not to use it.
• The number of downloads is also a good indicator that a plugin is worth considering. Look for plugins with 100,000+ downloads and 4+ stars.
• See if there is any support available for the plugin. Even some free plugins have great support, and you can usually check this by clicking on “Support” in the plugin description.

 

5. KEEP PLUGINS UPDATED.

Plugins get regular updates all the time, including security patches, so it’s very important to update your plugins as soon as you see that an update is available.

 

6. NOT SURE WHAT YOU’RE DOING? ENGAGE A WORDPRESS EXPERT TO HELP YOU.

Whether you’re a new WordPress user or are looking for a custom plugin for your site, this is a good time to hire a WordPress expert. WordPress professionals can help solve these problems by following best practices and saving you trouble in the long term.

 

If you need help with your WordPress website, or any other help with your website, or database contact us on 02 8011 3737 or email hello@chevrontechnologies.com.au and setup a time to connect you with technology today.

 

Information sourced from: https://www.upwork.com/hiring/development/how-many-wordpress-plugins-are-too-many/