7 Must-Have Plugins that Should Lead Your WordPress Strategy this 2016

WordPress is undeniably one of the best Content Management Systems (CMS) and blogging platforms. Not only is it simple and easy enough to be used by the non-tech savvy, it is also flexible and capable enough for veterans to create a triple-A website.

Perhaps one of its greatest features is the vast library of plugins that empower the functionality of a website. There are plugins for creating visual content, building contact forms, integrating security, and just about everything else that webmasters need. WordPress plugins alone can also facilitate the monetization of your site, which is the ultimate goal of most site owners regardless of industry.

That said, here are seven must-haves in your WordPress tool belt to proliferate your success:

1. GetResponse

A WordPress blog’s authority can be measured not just by the number of unique visitors, but by the number of active followers as well. GetResponse is an all-in-one tool that helps you gain newsletter subscribers to maintain brand awareness and nurture leads down the “sales funnel”. Some of its main features include an email builder, landing page builder, and marketing automation features that are tailored to specific users. Keep in mind that email marketing is one of the fundamental pillars of doing business online. It helps you keep in touch with your audience in a personal level and increases the exposure of new content.  

2. All-in-One WP Security & Firewall

Your website is an important investment; and you should protect it as such. The All in One WP Security & Firewall plugin is, by far, one of the most popular security tools for WordPress. Its comprehensive protection solution includes administrator account protection, login security, anti-malware, database security, and a reliability that’s backed by the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the WordPress community. It is also a low-footprint plugin so it does not affect your site’s performance in any way.

3. VaultPress

Aside from installing a security plugin that protects your site from malware, you should also create regular backups. This strategy will help you recover quickly from data loss and other security breaches. They serve as a failsafe in case hackers manage to find loopholes in your web security. Fortunately, you can rely on backup services like VaultPress to regularly sync your site’s content with a remote server. You can then focus on developing the rest of your site as Vaultpress protects your digital assets in the background.

4. 123 Contact Form

Keep in mind that user experience all boils down to communication. Naturally, websites need to offer engaging content and valuable information to be appreciated by the online audience. But you also need to offer users a way to communicate back for a more meaningful web experience. A free form builder like 123 Contact Form has everything you need to make this happen. Using the drag-and-drop interface, you can create and roll out fully-functional contact forms in three easy steps. You can also take advantage of advanced features such as JavaScript, captcha, and third-party integration with popular email marketing software.

5. WooCommerce

A successful blog can drive in substantial revenue with ad earnings alone. However, you can bump up your income by creating an online store section. WooCommerce has everything you need to start selling digital or physical goods from your WordPress site. Just like WordPress, WooCommerce is a comprehensive platform in its own right. It has a ton of extensions you can choose from. It also has all the essentials—from payment options to inventory management.

6. CrazyEgg Heatmap Tracking

Not getting the results you want? When developing a WordPress website, you should expect to encounter hiccups and a few failures along the way. That’s why ongoing performance monitoring and optimization are essential to continually improve your WordPress website. Fortunately, heatmap tools like CrazyEgg offer a much faster and simpler way to track the performance of your site. It cuts through the number crunching and uses a visual chart that represents how users interact with your page elements. Aside from heatmaps, you also get detailed reports using their standalone heatmap service from their main website.

7. Rating Widget

If there’s one thing that can unlock more conversions, it’s the trust that exists between you and your target audience. Remember that trust fuels every conversion decision. Before they invest something valuable, such as their contact information or cash, they must first be confident that they’re dealing with a legitimate brand first. To help increase their trust, you can use Rating Widget for WordPress to allow “star ratings” to your pages, comments, or individual posts. Not only is it easy to set up and use, it also comes with real-time analytics and a host of other features to turn ratings into actionable insights.

Conclusion

Do you use any of the tools mentioned above? Remember that these are only some of the time-tested tools that WordPress pros use for a profitable website. If you have suggestions such as additional plugins, alternatives, or general tips, feel free to share them in the comments below!