Are you new to WordPress and can't decide on a plugin?
In this article, we will introduce recommended free plugins that you must have, and plugins that are convenient to have.
Required plugins and recommended plugins that are convenient to have
How to install the plugin and precautions
You don't need a lot of plug-ins from the beginning, and there's no problem if you put them in when you need them.
As the WordPress body and themes improve more and more, some plug-ins become unnecessary as the times change. So please take this opportunity to review it.
What is a plugin?
A plugin is a mini-program ( function extension ) that can add various functions to WordPress .
It is a mechanism that makes it possible to freely add necessary functions later by making the WordPress main body only a very simple blog function.
Plugins make writing articles very easy, help attract customers, and improve the safety and display speed of WordPress, so there is no reason not to use them.
Tips and notes on how to use the plugin
There are a few things you should know before installing the plugin.
Avoid too many plugins if possible
Depending on the function of the plug-in, there are heavy processing and light processing. For example, things that display slides and popularity rankings require heavy processing.
"AddQuickTag", which registers frequently used phrases and codes and calls when writing an article, is rather light.
"The weight and complexity of the processing performed by the plug-in" is one guideline, and it can be said that the more such plug-ins, the more likely it is to become slow.
I've asked several front-end engineers so far, but they all avoided saying "how many is good".
Tips for choosing safe plugins
Seems interesting! and it is NG to put more and more. Tips for choosing and precautions before and after installation are as follows.
- Avoid plugins that are outdated, installed, or have a low number of review stars
- Backup WordPress before installing or updating
- Plug-ins that are implemented in the theme to be used and have the same function are basically not included
- Remove unused plugins
- Free plugins with paid
I want to put only this! Recommended essential plugins
Install only the bare minimum at first, and then add as needed.
List of free essential plugins
Create a form: Contact Form7 / WPforms
Create table of contents for articles: Table of Contents Plus / Rich Table of Contents
Fast display by compressing image size: Smush /
Send notifications to Google about site configuration, updates, etc.: Google XML Sitemap
Plugin to backup your site: UpdraftPlus
Comprehensive plugin for speed: WP-Optimize
Plugin for security: SiteGuard WP Plugin
Let's look at them one by one.
1. Plugin for creating inquiry and application forms
Contact Form7
"Contact Form 7" for creating inquiry and application forms"Contact Form 7" is a popular standard plug-in. You can create a number of application forms and inquiry forms with automatic replies.
Advantages: Wide range of free options. Highly customizable.
Disadvantages: The setting screen is hard to get into.
Contact Forms by WPForms
This WPForms (W Forms) allows you to create forms intuitively, and it is overwhelmingly easy to create radio buttons and pulldowns with many options. The famous Contact Form 7 above is actually difficult for beginners, so here is the recommended form.
Advantages: Intuitive and easy to make. Easy to set up, recommended for beginners.
Disadvantages: File uploads and forms for phone numbers are only available in the paid version.
Recommended Plugins Contact Form7 / WPforms
Create an inquiry form
You can specify the automatic reply mail and the page after sending
WPforms is easy to create forms and suitable for beginners
2. A plugin that compresses images to make them lighter
Smush Image Compression and Optimization
"Smush Image Compression and Optimization" to lighten and optimize imagesImages are one of the causes of slow page loading. An image compression plug-in that reduces the weight (capacity) of images and puts them in an appropriate state. Received the Excellence Award in 2018 at the plug-in contest "Plugin Madness".
It is OK to use it just by activating it, but more detailed settings are possible.
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There are many articles recommending "EWWW Image Optimizer" for image compression, but I have the impression that it is old in terms of functionality and the compression rate is not high, so I recommend Smush.
Recommended plugin Smush
Compress images without degrading them
Lazy loading of images
Mass batch compression of images
Specify the maximum vertical and horizontal size of the image and automatically reduce it
Detect images that slow down your page
Compress images not in media library
Automatic compression when uploading to media
Unlimited compression
Deletion of image EXIF data
3. Plugin to notify Google of blog update notifications
Google XML Sitemaps
"Google XML Sitemaps" to inform Google of the structure of the article
A plugin that allows Google to accurately recognize your blog. By outputting a data file (XML sitemap) to be notified to Google and correctly conveying it, it will be easier for search users to reach you.
To use, just install and activate. You can leave the settings as they are.
Note
- Since WordPress 5.5 (released in August 2020) will come standard with XML maps, this plugin will no longer be necessary.
- *The sitemap URL of this plugin is "sitemap.xml", and the file name of the standard WordPress one is "wp-sitemap.xml".
- Don't forget to register "wp-sitemap.xml" in Google Search Console.
Recommended Plugins Google XML Sitemap
Output an XML sitemap that tells Google the structure of your blog and how often you update it.
It is necessary to register with Google Search Console as a set (your domain/sitemap.xml)
4. A plugin that automatically backs up your data
UpdraftPlus
"UpdraftPlus" that automatically backs up WordPress A plugin that saves (backs up) WordPress data manually or automatically at regular intervals.
A little while ago, "BackWPup" was a standard recommended backup plugin, but restoration is a little complicated. UpdraftPlus is overwhelmingly easier to use and recommended.
Recommended plugins UpdraftPlus
Automatically backup to off-server locations such as Google Drive and Dropbox
Very easy to restore from backup data
Back up databases, images, plugins, themes, and more individually or as a whole
5. plugins to speed up wordpress
There are various speed-up plug-ins, but here we will introduce "WP-optimize", which can be said to be a comprehensive speed-up plug-in.
WP-Optimize
WP-Optimize is a comprehensive speed-up plug-in that can take measures against the causes of slow WordPress. Developed by the same company as the popular backup plugin UpDraftPlus. Use the function "reSmush.it" service to lighten the image.
Recommended pluginWP-Optimize
clean the database (automatically)
Page caching (temporarily stores data for fast display)
Lightweight CSS, Javascript and HTML code
Image compression (reSumsh.it service)
6. Plugins that protect WordPress from attacks
SiteGuard WP Plugin
A security plugin that protects WordPress from various attacks. The author is security He is a Japanese corporation that develops software, so it is highly reliable. Usage is basically OK as it is installed. Operation is about ON/OFF.
Recommended plugin SiteGuard WP Plugin
bad login
Unauthorized access to the admin page (/wp-admin/)
comment spam
Note
After installation, the function to change the login URL is ON by default, so it is safe to turn it OFF after installation.
Recommended plug-ins that are not essential but useful to have
From here on, it's not essential, but if you use it, you can dramatically increase efficiency and create attractive screens.
Recommended plug-ins for improving the efficiency and convenience of blog writing
Classic Editor - can be the old article editing screen
TinyMCE Advanced - You can increase the menu on the article editing screen
Plugins that make your blog or site look attractive
Black Studio TinyMCE Widget - Visual editor for widgets
Shortcodes Ultimate - Easily create buttons, tabs and more
WordPress Popular Posts - Ranking popular posts
Word Balloon - a plugin that displays conversation balloons
Page Builder by SiteOrigin - Layout builder for landing pages and more
I want to use it as needed! A little convenience UP plug-in
Duplicate Posts - Duplicate posts
Search Exclude - specify the articles you want to exclude from the results of the self-internal search
Broken Link Checker - Notifies you of broken links
Aurora Heat Map - Visualize user behavior with heat maps
WP Mail SMTP by WPForms - Secure Email Sending from WordPress
Redirection - automatic redirection when page URL changes
WP Rollback - Revert plugin theme version
Recommended plug-ins for improving the efficiency and convenience of blog writing
Classic Editor
Classic EditorOfficial WordPress plugin. Those who find it difficult to use the block editor (article editing screen) from WordPress 5.0 will be able to use the previous editor.
Recommended plugin Classic Editor
Return the WordPress article writing screen (editor) to the previous screen
Supposed to be supported at least until 2020
TinyMCE Advanced
A plugin to increase the number of menus on the article editing screen and make writing easier. It can be used with both the new block editor (WordPress 5.0 or later) and the old editor Classic Editor.
Recommended plugin TinyMCE Advanced
It displays a menu such as text decoration on the editing screen of article writing
Can be used in both block editor and classic editor
Plugins that make your blog or site look attractive
It is a plugin that can be used to make the screen seen from the user side sharp and eye-catching.
Black Studio TinyMCE Widget with Visual Editor for Widgets
A plugin that allows you to use a visual editor for widgets. The degree of freedom of expression of the sidebar increases.
Recommended Plugin Black Studio TinyMCE Widget
Widget that creates a sidebar and uses a visual editor just like writing a blog post
Easily add images and videos to your sidebar
Shortcodes Ultimate -Easily create parts such as buttons and tabs
A plug-in that can call parts such as buttons and accordion-style parts that open when clicked. Especially for those who are using overseas themes or TCD themes, this is a must. If you are using themes AFFINGER5, JIN, The Thor, SANGO, STORK, etc., similar functions are already implemented, so you don't need it.
Recommended Plugins Shortcodes Ultimate
LightBox that displays an enlarged image by clicking the image
Slider that can slide images
An accordion that allows you to close and open sentences, useful for long Q&A, etc.
A button that allows you to create a button of your favorite color without using an image
Images and text can be split horizontally into two or three.
Tab function that can show information compactly by switching
Arbitrary color border, box frame decoration with background color
Lists using icons instead of bullet dots
icon display
Dividing line that can be colored arbitrarily
Horizontal member introduction frame
speech bubble customer voice
QR code
Adding shadows to box frames, etc.
A marker that can freely specify the color
Bar graphs that show progress, pie charts that show percentages, etc.
WordPress Popular Posts - Ranking Popular Posts
A standard plug-in that displays the articles viewed on the site in a ranking format. You can choose the period of the ranking, such as daily, weekly, monthly. Set from widget.
Recommended plugin WordPress Popular Posts
Display popular article ranking
Maximum display number
Selecting the target measurement period
You can specify the target page as a post page (blog) or a fixed page.
Ability to specify posts to exclude
Specify/exclude tags, authors, categories, etc.
Page Builder by SiteOrigin - can be used for landing pages and more
It is convenient to use it for the landing page made with a fixed page. Elementor is famous for layout plugins, but this old plugin is simpler and easier to use.
Recommended Plugin Page Builder
Create visuals that put text on top of a background image
You can put a full-width background color, an image, etc.
Can be laid out side by side with any number of divisions
You can specify whether the page that uses the layout builder is a post page or a fixed page
Post widgets normally used only for sidebars, can be used for static pages
button, slide
Price comparison table, etc.
I want to use it as needed! Plug-in for a little convenience UP
Duplicate Page - You can duplicate posts and pages
Duplicate Page -You can duplicate posts and pagesA plugin that can duplicate post pages and static pages. It is convenient when you want to copy and edit a part to create variations.
Recommended Plugin Duplicate Page
Choice of block editor or classic editor
You can choose the status of the duplicated page (draft/public/private/hold)
You can choose the screen to be displayed after duplication (corresponding duplicate page, list of posts)
You can specify the words to be added after the title of the duplicated page (eg -bk will be "method of -bk")
Search Exclude - Allows you to specify articles to exclude from search results within your site
A plug-in that allows you to exclude pages that you do not want to be included in your site's search results, such as "Thank you for your application." I noticed that and hurriedly installed this pluginš¤
Recommended Plugins Search Exclude
For those who have a search form on the site
Exclude articles and posts that you do not want to be displayed from the site search results by checking
No impact on SEO
Exclusion check is possible from quick edit of article list
Broken Link Checker - Notifies you of broken links
A plug-in that notifies you of broken links in articles by email. It is convenient for sites that have been operating for many years because the URL of the linked site may change or the page may disappear after some time has passed since the article was written. You don't have to put it in from the beginning.
Recommended Plugin Broken Link Checker
Check for broken links and missing images in posts, pages and comments
Can be set to avoid link errors in search engines
The list of broken links can be viewed from Tools > Link Errors on the management screen.
Link correction can be edited on the link error list page without opening the posting page
WP Mail SMTP by WPForms - Secure Sending from WordPress
Inquiries and applications from WordPress forms are sometimes "not sent". This plugin is a plugin to ensure that you receive emails from WordPress. It is safer if you put it in.
Recommended plugins WP Mail SMTP
Avoid the risk of troubles where applications do not arrive from WordPress
A plugin that uses SMTP to deliver emails sent from WordPress forms to your own mail server
You can use SMTP of Gmail and rental server
Redirection - Automatically forward when the page URL is changed
A plug-in that allows you to easily set up a "301 redirect" that automatically redirects people who have accessed the old URL to the new URL in order to prevent broken links to that page when the URL of the page is changed.
Recommended Plugin Redirection
Settings are in "Tools > Redirection"
Can import CSV, .htaccess and JSON files
Various conditions for automatic forwarding (redirecting) can also be set.
Track 404 (page not found) errors on your site
Redirection official page
WP Rollback plugin
A free plugin on the WordPress official site, or a plugin that allows you to revert your theme to any previous version. You can put it back in a new one.
If the plugin does not match the version of WordPress itself, or if something goes wrong, you may be able to solve it by reverting to the previous version. This has helped me at times.
Recommended Plugin WP Rollback
Targets free themes and plugins registered on the official website that can be searched within WordPress
Purchased items and items distributed outside the official website are asymmetrical even if they are free.
Backup before using