What is a WordPress Plugin?

WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems that are available online. However, WordPress is not a complete package. Not all possible functions are included within the main infrastructure and framework of the coding. This has to be added to your website through the use of files that are called WordPress plugins.

What are WordPress Plugins?

WordPress plugins are additions of code that add functionality to your website. They can be anything from a small bit of code that adds a cookie notice to your website to large additions that turn it into an eCommerce store or improve the SEO of your website,like with Yoast.

There are lots of WordPress plugins that can be added to your website. Some of these plugins do exactly the same thing, or something similar as other WordPress plugins. Therefore, you don’t need to install all the plugins on your website.

What are the Advantages of WordPress Plugins?

WordPress plugins allow you to adjust your website to ensure that it meets the functionalities that you’re looking to deploy on your website. This allows you to have all the functions you want without the coding for functions you don’t want. It also allows customizations within a framework that is used by numerous other websites.

By using this system, it allows you to have a more streamlined website that can help it load faster. For every second that it takes to load your website, you’re going to lose about 7% of your revenue. The average website can take between 8 and 11 seconds to load, by limiting the number of functions on a website, you can reduce the time and improve conversions and revenues on a website.

What are the Disadvantages of WordPress Plugins?

When it comes to building a website, choosing the plugins can cause some issues. For instance, some aren’t compatible with other plugins or themes. This can cause problems to your website as it will stop working. There can also be problems between plugins and themes. So you must choose carefully.

Another problem is that some WordPress plugins cost money. However, these are usually lighter on coding and make your website faster. But they can increase the costs for your website.

Finally, you can sometimes suffer from bloating on your website. The website should not have more than 11-12 plugins at most. The best websites have about 6-8 plugins on them.

Final Word: What is a WordPress Plugin?

A WordPress plugin is one of the main functions of a WordPress website. A good website will have several plugins that help to expand the functionality of the WordPress website. While some cost money others don’t and they all help build your website into the site that you’re looking to build.