WordPress has revolutionized the way websites are designed and updated. The world-renowned content marketing platform has been around since 2003 and powers nearly 40% of all websites on the internet.
With WordPress, it’s possible for novices to design stunning websites without even writing a line of code. But what is it that makes WordPress such a popular choice for amateurs, as well as seasoned web developers?
What sets WordPress apart from other web development platforms is the availability of a diverse assortment of powerful WordPress plugins. These plugins let you add complex and sophisticated features to your website without delving into the intricacies of web programming.
Whether you want to include a multimedia player on your website or add a shopping cart, you can implement any feature in a few simple clicks. You just have to install and configure the right WordPress plugin. Considering that many of these plugins are open source, you can even modify the code according to your needs.
However, the wide array of WordPress plugins available on the internet can be confusing and overwhelming for beginners. That’s why in this blog, we’ve handpicked the top 5 must-have WordPress plugins in 2021. Let’s take a look.
1. Yoast SEO
Are you looking for a user-friendly and feature-rich WordPress plugin that lets you optimize your website for search engines? Wouldn’t it be great if the plugin also generated an XML sitemap and identified readability issues in your content? Do you want a plugin that lets you easily add the meta title and description to any web page?
If you’ve answered “yes” to any of the above questions, it’s high time you try your hands at Yoast SEO. It highlights SEO errors in your content and even provides you with a preview of how a web page would appear on different search engines and social media platforms.
The premium version also provides you with focus keyword reports helping you analyze various keywords. It’s available in multiple languages and even notifies you about outdated content. Also, unlike other plugins, Yoast SEO is known for its outstanding tech support and community.
2. accessiBe
accessiBe’s robust WordPress plugin lets you utilize the company’s AI-driven accessibility platform. All you have to do is download the accessiBe plugin and install it on your website. And voila! Its powerful AI engine will take care of scanning your website to identify and fix deep-rooted web accessibility issues within 48 hours of installing the plugin.
Also, unlike other web accessibility plugins, accessiBe works round-the-clock to ensure that your website complies with the ADA and WCAG 2.1 guidelines. It even re-scans your website every 24 hours to ensure that any new content, features, and updates are accessibility inclusive.
All this automatically happens in the background while you focus on creating awesome content and make your website eye-catching. It provides you with a faster, reliable, and cost-effective way to implement website accessibility.
3. WP Rocket
In today’s day and age, no one has the time and patience for slow-loading websites. If you’ve been looking for a powerful and advanced caching plugin to boost your website’s speed, your search ends with WP Rocket. It’s compatible with a wide array of web hosting solutions and CDNs.
WP Rocket offers a broad spectrum of sophisticated features, such as:
- Cache preloading
- Image optimization
- Lazy loading
- Browser caching
- Code minification
The vast range of features, combined with an intuitive and straightforward dashboard, makes WP Rocket suitable for beginners and developers alike. The only slight catch is that it doesn’t provide a free version, unlike other caching plugins. However, it comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
4. WooCommerce
If you’ve ever tried building an e-commerce website on WordPress, you likely already know about WooCommerce. It’s a straightforward and user-friendly plugin that lets you transform any WordPress website into a mobile-responsive online store. You just have to configure the plugin according to your preferences.
It supports various payment solutions, including PayPal, as well as offline payments. You can easily add new products and manage inventory. Also, it offers a wide array of extensions to let you add more features to your e-commerce site. The plugin is secure and available for free.
5. Elementor
It won’t be fair to compile a list of essential WordPress plugins without mentioning this nifty page builder plugin. Elementor provides you with an intuitive and easy-to-use drag-and-drop page builder that lets you add and customize various website elements.
The premium version of Elementor even offers a robust “Theme Builder” that gives you complete creative control of your website’s theme, including the header and footer. If you’re someone looking for a way to build a stunning website without coding, Elementor is just the plugin for you.
Have you used any of the above WordPress plugins to build your website? Share your experience in the comments section below.
