WordPress’s versatility stems from its plugins. They add functionality, improve the user experience, and can even help your SEO. With the right plugins, you can take your blog from good to great.
However, not all plugins are created equal. Picking the wrong one can slow down your site, cause security issues, or even crash your entire blog. That’s why it’s crucial to know what to look for when choosing a WordPress plugin.
With thousands of options out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. You might wonder which plugin will truly benefit your blog without causing problems.
Don’t worry, though – I’m here to show you the key criteria for choosing a plugin to keep your blog running smoothly and securely. Ready? Let’s dive in! ☺️
NOTE: All my WordPress tutorials focus on WordPress.org, not WordPress.com. If you’re curious about the differences, here’s everything you need to know ☺️
Let’s address the main issue most people have with this: why should you even care? Here’s why…
- The plugins you choose can greatly affect your blog’s performance and how happy your readers are. Good plugins can enhance features and engagement, while bad ones can slow down your site and annoy visitors. Nobody likes a slow website, and it can harm your search engine rankings.
- Security is another big reason to care. Well-maintained plugins get regular updates to fix security issues. Outdated or poorly coded plugins can make your blog vulnerable to hackers, leading to data breaches or the loss of content.
- Compatibility is also crucial. You need plugins that work well with your blog theme and other plugins. If they don’t, your site might crash or certain features won’t work properly. By picking plugins known for good compatibility, you can avoid these headaches and keep your blog running smoothly.
So, caring about your plugin choices is all about ensuring a fast, secure, and reliable blog for your readers 🙂
But first, always consider why you’re installing a plugin. Each plugin adds code to your website, impacting its performance. Ask yourself if the plugin is essential before installing it.
Once you’ve determined that you truly need the plugin, consider these 7 key criteria when choosing a WordPress plugin:
#1 Number of active installations
The number of active installations is a strong indicator of a plugin’s reliability and popularity. Plugins with a high number of active installations are generally more trustworthy because they are widely used and tested by a large community.
When you see that a plugin has tens or hundreds of thousands of active users, it suggests that many bloggers and site owners find it valuable.
Why does this matter? A high number of active installations often means that the plugin is well-supported and regularly updated. It also indicates that the plugin developers are responsive to user feedback and committed to maintaining their product. To check the number of active installations, simply visit the plugin’s page on the WordPress plugin repository.
Alternatively, you can go to your WordPress dashboard, scroll to Plugins, and click Add New. Type the name of the plugin in the search bar and hit enter.
WordPress Dashboard –> Plugins –> Add new –> Name of the plugin
Now have a look at the number of active installations.
#2 Regular plugin updates
Regular updates are essential for any plugin. They ensure that the plugin remains compatible with the latest version of WordPress and other plugins. Updates also address security vulnerabilities, fix bugs, and sometimes add new features.
Using a plugin that isn’t regularly updated can expose your blog to security risks and compatibility issues.
How can you check this? You can see the date of the last update on the plugin’s page in the WordPress plugin repository.
A good rule of thumb is to look for plugins that have been updated within the last six months. If a plugin hasn’t been updated for a year or more, it might be best to look for an alternative.
How to find it:
Google the name of the plugin and click on the WordPress repository (the URL starts with wordpress.org/plugins) or go to the WordPress plugins repository and search for the plugin you want.
#3 Reviews and ratings
Reviews and ratings provide valuable insights into the user experience. High ratings and positive reviews indicate that the plugin performs well and meets users’ needs. Conversely, low ratings and negative reviews can be red flags about potential issues.
When evaluating reviews, look for detailed feedback rather than just the star rating. Read both positive and negative reviews to get a balanced view.
Pay attention to recurring themes in the feedback, such as ease of use, customer support, and performance issues.
Pay attention to the date of each review. Sometimes plugins that were once highly rated can stop performing well over time. Even if a plugin still has a high overall rating, you will be able to see current issues in the most recent reviews.
Remember, no plugin is perfect, but a high number of consistent, positive reviews is a good sign.
Again, you can find all plugin reviews in the WordPress plugin repository.
#4 Plugin weight (lightweight plugins)
The weight of a plugin refers to how many resources it consumes. Lightweight plugins are designed to have a minimal impact on your site’s performance. They use fewer server resources, which helps keep your site fast and responsive.
Heavy plugins, on the other hand, can slow down your site, leading to longer load times and a poor user experience.
To determine if a plugin is lightweight, look at its description and user reviews.
Additionally, tools like GTmetrix or Pingdom can help you measure the impact of a plugin on your site’s speed. Generally, if the plugin description mentions being “lightweight” or “optimized for performance,” it’s a good sign 🙂
#5 Support and documentation
Good support and comprehensive documentation are vital for any plugin. Quality support means that if you encounter any issues, you can get help quickly.
Comprehensive documentation helps you understand how to use the plugin and make the most of its features.
Before installing a plugin, check if the developers offer support forums, FAQs, and direct support channels.
The WordPress plugin repository often includes a “Support” tab, where you can see how responsive the developers are to user inquiries.
Well-documented plugins typically have extensive guides, tutorials, and troubleshooting sections. A good documentation can save you a lot of time and frustration.
Personally, if I’m paying for a plugin, good support and documentation are a must. If the plugin is free, I will still have a look at the WordPress repository.
#6 Developer reputation and track record
The reputation and track record of a plugin’s developer are important factors to consider. Developers with a history of creating high-quality plugins are more likely to deliver reliable and well-supported products.
Look for information about the developer on the plugin’s page, including links to their other projects and user reviews.
You can also research the developer’s website and check for a professional presence.
Developers who are transparent about their work and actively engage with the WordPress community are generally more trustworthy.
Additionally, consider the developer’s response to feedback and their commitment to maintaining and improving their plugins.
#7 Compatibility with your blog theme and other plugins
It’s important to make sure that a plugin is compatible with your blog theme and other plugins. Incompatibilities can cause your site to malfunction, leading to broken features, layout issues, or even site crashes. Before you install a new plugin, check its compatibility with your current setup.
To test compatibility, you can read user reviews for any mentions of conflicts with popular themes or plugins.
Many plugin developers also list compatible themes and plugins in their documentation – sometimes they list them as “compatible with” and sometimes you can find a “not compatible” list.
Here’s an example of the Rank Math SEO Compatible Products List – I checked it to see if the plugin is compatible with my Elementor theme.
And since I use WP Rocket on my blogs, I wanted to know if there are any known issues with other plugins and themes. They have extensive documentation and a great support team, and I was easily able to find the list of plugins and themes that are not compatible with WP Rocket.
You can also easily Google it 🙂
If you are a bit more tech-savvy, you can use a staging site to test the plugin before deploying it on your live site. This allows you to identify any issues without affecting your blog’s functionality.
Whatever you do, I highly recommend creating a recent backup before you install any new plugin. To be honest, I use the big “Backup Now” button in Updraft Plus quite often 😃
Taking the time to evaluate plugins thoroughly will help ensure your blog runs smoothly and effectively. Remember, the goal is to enhance your blog without compromising its functionality.
I hope this helped and happy blogging! ☺️
