WordPress websites are extremely flexible, but cannot do everything. To unlock a site’s full potential in terms of functionality and customisation, Plugins can be installed. This makes it possible to tailor a website to do exactly what you need it to do. With over 50,000 WordPress plugins to choose from, the possibilities are countless.
What do Plugins do?:
Plugins are bits of software or code that gets uploaded to expand the core functionality of your WordPress website. They allow you to customise your website to ensure it acts and reacts exactly how you want it to. Plugins enable your website to do things that it usually would not be able to do.
How do Plugins Work?:
You can compare a WordPress site to a phone on factory settings. All phones come with pre-installed functions and applications that are necessary for it functions properly. The Plugins that you add, are like the apps you can install to tailor your phone to your liking.
This being said, if you install too many, the speed and functionality of your website will be affected. Just like a phone can start to lose performance when too many apps are downloaded, the same can happen when installing too many plugins. This is why it’s important to install only a limited amount that fit your needs.
Plugin Security and Maintenance:
“What is the difference between free and paid-for plugins” is another question that we get asked regularly. The only main difference between them is that when purchasing a one, you receive access to support if a problem arises. They are also more secure. This is why it is very important to download free Plugins from an accredited source, such as WordPress.org. If they are not secure, you can risk your website being hacked.
Needless to say, if you need to add in a little bit of customisation to your website, there’s almost always a Plugin that can help you achieve what you want to achieve with your website.