WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems on the Internet used by approximate one-quarter of websites world-wide. One of the reasons why this platform is so sought after is because of the plugins that can be installed to customize the experience. From engaging users with image galleries to data security, you can enhance the website through various installations. What should you consider for the coming years?
Malware Scanning
Some plugins will allow you to routinely check for malware intrusions. Right now, there are thousands of sites that have been hacked and are being used as platforms for phishing emails and identity theft. Some plugins will automatically scan for these kinds of problems and eliminate them as threats. However, you may still want to scrutinize your site and identify the exploit before it happens again.
Cloud Backups
Cloud backups of your site can help you recover in the event of an emergency in a short amount of time. In many cases, this backup is automatic and requires very little attention from the user. Using systems such as Dropbox allows you to access that information from virtually any computer system you log in from.
Comment Systems
While WordPress has a good system for comments already built in, plugins such as Disqus or LiveFyre provide even greater protection from spam. They also provide excellent security and an interface to monitor and maintain all comments on the blog. Some comment systems can even promote the comments on other sites to enhance traffic. If you have a bit of programming knowledge, you may even connect the comments to those in Facebook using API protocols.
SEO Tools
Search engine optimization plays a dominant role in how well your blog will perform on the Internet. Various plugins offer a wide range of tools including everything from keyword density to optimizing the underlying coding. However, you need to make sure you install a plugin that is up-to-date. Many changes have been implemented over the years, and an older plugin may not have everything you need for future success.
Social Integration
Adding your social media accounts to the blog doesn’t take much time when you use one of the many free social plugins available for WordPress. In most cases, all that’s needed is your profile’s web address. The system will do everything else such as add icons for the specific social site.
Social Media Sharing
Giving people a method in which to share your blog posts can help you generate traffic as well as improve your online reputation. There are plugins that offer several different styles of icons which can help give your site a semi-unique appearance. Some will even allow you to use your own images for a completely one-of-a-kind look and feel.
While many plugins offer “pro” versions to purchase, many of the aspects of developing a WordPress site are inexpensive. From the cheapest domain name registration to paying for a custom theme, websites don’t have to cost a lot of money to build. With the right plugins, you can enhance user experience while streamlining your back-end processes.