10 Must-Have WordPress Plugins

These Ten Plugins Matter

Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting out with WordPress, certain plugins have become indispensable for creating a website. In this post, we’ll explore the top 10 plugins that should be installed on every WordPress website you build or manage. For each category, we’ll list the first and second-place winners to showcase the top performers and runners-up.

These are our core plugins, installed for every customer. They provide essential functionality across all client websites.

1. SEO: Simplifies the process of optimizing your website for search engines. They automate many technical aspects of SEO and provides guidance on content optimization.
   First Place: Rank Math: Provides an all-in-in SEO solution that integrates seamlessly with WordPress.
   Second Place: The SEO Framework: A lightweight, minimalist automated SEO plugin without ads or upsells​.
2. Performance Optimization: These plugins can significantly improve website speed and load times by implementing caching and other optimization techniques.
   • First Place: WP Rocket: An easy-to-use, powerful caching plugin that significantly improves website performance and speed without requiring technical knowledge.
   • Second Place: LiteSpeed Cache Server-level caching and performance optimization that provides faster load times and enhanced site performance, especially when paired with a OpenLiteSpeed server.
3. Security: These plugins help protect WordPress sites from vulnerabilities, hacks, and malicious attacks.
   • First Place: Wordfence Provides WordPress security including firewall, malware scanning, and login protection and two-factor authentication.
   • Second Place: Sucuri A comprehensive website security solution focued on protection against hacks and malware.
4. Page Builders: These plugins dnable users to create complex, visually appealing website layouts without needing to code.
   • First Place: Elementor Drag-and-drop website building with advanced design capabilities that helps you create professional-looking websites.
   • Second Place: Kadence Provides lightweight, customizable themes and blocks for fast, flexible WordPress site design. Performance-optimized.
5. Form Builder: These are used to create interactive contact forms and surveys.
   • First Place: WPForms Simplifies form creation with a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface. It offers a wide range of pre-built templates for quick setup of various form types.
   • Second Place: Gravity Forms Enables creation of complex, interactive forms with advanced functionality. It offers powerful features like conditional logic and payment integration.
6. Backup: These safeguard your site’s data by creating regular, automated backups that can be easily restored in case of data loss or site crashes.
   • First Place: Updraft Plus Automated backups and easy restoration of WordPress sites using local or Cloud-based storage.
   • Second Place: BackupBuddy Provides complete backup, restoration, and migration solution, including scheduled backups.
7. Spam Protection: These filter out unwanted comments and form submissions, saving time and maintaining site integrity.
   • First Place: Askimet Filters out spam comments and contact form submissions. There is no second-place.
8. Analytics: These plugins help our customers follow their progress without going to Google Analytics.
   • First Place: Google SiteKit Provides unified access to Google Analytics, Search Console, and AdSense data directly in the WordPress dashboard.
   • Second Place: MonsterInsights Simplifies Google Analytics integration and reporting in WordPress
9. Image Optimization:
   • First Place: ShortPixel Optimizes and compresses images to improve website loading speed.
   • Second Place: Imagify Automatically optimizes and compresses images to enhance website performance and loading times.
10. Admin and Site Enhancements (ASE) Streamlines WordPress administration and improves site functionality through various customizable features and optimizations.

These 10 plugins are essential for our customers’ WordPress sites, offering proven functionality and significant benefits. Consider them for your own site.