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It can be very overwhelming to figure out what plugin to choose in a sea of different ones. It might not be as simple as picking the first one you see that fits your need. Making a careful choice to begin with might save you a lot of time later. So, we have compiled a few ways to make the process easier for you.
Plugins works as extension to the software you are using. They are a way for you to add features or applications to your website by simply implementing the plugin instead of having to do all of the setup yourself.
This allows you add things to your website that you maybe weren’t able or have time to do yourself. Creating a website is a big project so plugins are a way to take a few of the steps away from you.
Most websites are made using different plugins, so don’t be afraid to use them for yours. It is a great way to upgrade your site and make it the best possible for your users.
Another great part of plugins are that they tend to get updated and work on. Meaning that if something stops working correctly or the circumstances of a certain feature get changed then all you usually have to do is update the plugin.
There are usually also a lot of great help to find from the people who created them in the first place.
There are a lot of high quality plugins out there, but finding them aren’t always the easiest. Especially, if you aren’t completely sure where to start. There are a lot of things to consider before settling on the plugin that fits what you want.
This is generally something to sit down and consider before starting your search. What do you want or need from your plugin?
This a very important step as finding out what is crucial to your site will help you narrow down all that is available out there. Finding out which parts or features are essential to you will also help you think critically about the plugins you are looking at.
There are a lot of similar plugins out there but usually they have smaller things that sets them apart and this might just be what will help you in your decision.
How much money are you willing to spend every month on keeping the features on your site running? This is an important question you need to ask yourself.
Depending on the size and complexity of your website it might be hard to avoid paying anything. But there are a lot of good quality plugins out there for little to no money.
If you plan on running a business or a very professional looking and functioning site then it might be a good idea to invest a little bit of money every month to get the best possible site.
It will be a good idea to think about how much help you might need to understand or set up your plugins.
If you are practically a professional and know you won’t be needing a lot of help then you might have a little more freedom in your choices. But if you are a little unsure about how they actually work then it could be a good idea to pick a plugin from a larger or more established creator. The popular creator and plugins are more used and tested by more people. This will likely mean that a there will be a lot more discussions and guides to these plugins around the internet.
Choosing a popular plugin can make it a lot easier for yourself, but it doesn’t always mean that it is the best one or the one that fits you the best.
This one might be a bit obvious, but a great way to learn about a plugin is through the reviews. Now reviews aren’t always representative of everything about a product, but it is a great way to get a quick look at what you can expect from the plugin.
Are there a lot of problems that are presented in the reviews? A lot of praise? Possible solutions?
It is also e great way to see how active the creators are both in the comments of the review or with fixing the problems presented to them.
It is natural for plugins to get updated over time. The rules and norms surrounding websites and web development changes almost constantly, so the plugins need to change with it.
A great way to find out a lot about a plugin is to simply look at the updates. Does it get updated a lot or not at all. Are there constantly new problems that they have to fix? Or have they not updated in years?
It is a good way to at the very least find out if the plugin has been abandoned or not.
In conclusion, choosing a plugin isn’t a simple task and unless you want to redo it later on it is a good idea to put a little effort into finding the right one the first time.
But starting by thinking about the things above will help you narrow your search and prepare you for when you do start your search. But remember to always keep an open mind as you never know what is actually out there until you start to look.
