Helpful WordPress Plugins for Small Businesses
Raise your hand if you’re on the lookout for easy-to-use and super helpful WordPress plugins!
Now, raise your hand if you find it challenging (and time-consuming) when trying to find the perfect one!
We all know how easy it is to spend countless HOURS researching and then testing a new WordPress plugin only to discover that it’s not what we want.
So what’s the next best thing to do instead of spending tons of time researching and testing them out? Word-of-mouth, of course! Which is the whole point of this post!
Below you’ll find 8 of the best WordPress plugins that we’ve utilized before. Also, each of them has a different functionality — from automation to security. None of them are the same!
Let’s get to it!
First, how to add plugins to WordPress
If you’re new to WordPress, follow the below steps. (If not, go ahead and move to #1.)
- Go to: Plugins > Add New
- Search for plugins using keywords. For example: If you need to go into maintenance mode and want “under construction” to display on your static page, search for either “Maintenance Mode” or “Under Construction.”
- Next, choose the plugin
- Click on “Install Now”
- Once installed, select “Activate.”
- Adjust the settings
- BAM! You’re on your way!
WordPress Plugins List
1. Terms & conditions page plugin
This helpful little plugin has four different (already drafted) terms & conditions (T&C) pages (Copyright, Privacy Policy, Disclaimer, Terms) that you can insert right on to your site!
BONUS: your business name automatically populates on each T&C page!
Note: each page is pre-drafted and uses general terminology that many companies use to get their terms started. However, they are NOT reviewed or endorsed by legal experts. If you want to customize the wording that’s suggested by your lawyer, you’ll need to upgrade to the paid version to edit.
Another cool thing, this plugin offers a lot more than just the terms pages (advertisement formatting options, video advertising, tracking, and A/B testing).
Check out: WP-Insert By Namith Jawahar.
2. Contact Form plugin
This plugin is easy to use and customize! Be careful though; it’s so user-friendly that you’ll just want to keep experimenting with all the different formats! P.S. There are a lot of them!
To save some time in case that happens, check out: Contact Form 7 By Takayuki Miyoshi.
3. WordPress CAPTCHA plugin
Who doesn’t like CAPTCHA? (Hint: Spammers!)
Not familiar with CAPTCHA? It’s merely an extra security feature that helps to distinguish between machine vs. human input.
How is this helpful?
It filters out spam and automatic data extraction from entering a website. So if you want to add extra security, it’s one of the easiest and best WordPress Security plugins we’ve found so far!
Note: if you use this plugin, don’t solely use it by itself for extra security.
For more info on this plugin, check out Really Simple CAPTCHA By Takayuki Miyoshi.
4. Does an unknown someone keep trying to log into your site?
Login Blocker to the rescue!
This plugin blocks the IP Address of anyone trying to login to your site (multiple times) over a preset timeframe.
Want to know the other cool thing?
YOU set how many login attempts are acceptable (and the timeframe), and Login Blocker takes care of the rest! Plus, the settings are user-friendly, and it’s easy to unblock an IP to regain access. In WordPress, search “WP Limit Login Attempts” By Arshid.
5. Under Construction plugin
Ever come across a website that’s down for maintenance and it lets you know when it’ll be back online?
How do they do that?
Well, if they use WordPress, it’s probably done with a plugin! One of them that we’ve found helpful is Under Construction / Maintenance Mode From Acurax By Acurax.
6. The best WordPress database plugin
Even if you don’t have a self-hosted website, backup files are still a must-have! If your site crashes and you depend on your host to get the site back online, it’ll most likely cost $75+. To add, sometimes the backup file that a host uses might not be as current as you’d like.
Ultimately, if you want to have more control over your backups, then you’ll appreciate this WordPress plugin! It has a bunch of options, but a favorite feature is that you decide how often you want backup copies emailed to you (automatically)!
Search for: WP-DB Manager By Lester ‘GaMerZ’ Chan.
7. A neat WordPress video plugin
If you’ve read our blog on Search Engine Optimization Tips, then you’ll know that mobile optimization is something we talk about quite often! However, even if your site is mobile-friendly, it doesn’t necessarily mean that embedded YouTube videos will be too.
Fast fix → check out: YouTube By EmbedPlus Team!
8. The best SEO plugin for WordPress!
If you’re delving into website optimization, then SEO is something that’s on your to-do list! The cool thing is that there are SEO plugins for WordPress a-plenty!
So what’s the best SEO plugin for WordPress? Hand down, Yoast SEO!
I first started to use Yoast SEO (free version) back in 2012. However, in 2017 I upgraded to Yoast SEO Premium and was amazed by all of the extras! There are tons of tools, extensions and other things for each version.
Suggestion: If you’re already familiar with SEO then go with the premium. If not, familiarize yourself with the free version first so you can really appreciate the premium plan benefits!
For more info → Yoast SEO by Team Yoast
Final Words
So there you have it, eight WordPress plugins that’ll make your life a whole lot easier! If you’re looking for more website optimization tips, check out these posts:
- Tips to consider before starting a blog
- Before you further optimize your site, consider these SEO tips
- The different types of SEO and how to use them
- Where to begin with website optimization
In the meantime, stay tuned for additional UGH! Media blog posts!
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