Top 10 Quality WordPress Plugins You Might Not Be Using

With more than 45,000 items available in the main directory, plugins are a popular and essential part of running a WordPress site. However, the sheer number of options, including additional free and premium plugins from independent websites, can be a problem as site owners run the risk of getting distracted by unnecessary add-ons that don’t enhance their website.
While the following plugins are less common, they are all just as useful as many of the popular plugins.

1.   UpdraftPlus

A hacking or server issue could see you lose all your valuable website content. To avoid this issues, backing up all files is vital. UpdraftPlus is a plugin that backs up your data to Dropbox, Google Drive, Rackspace, and other services, while also offering restoration with a single click.

2.   WP Rocket

Visitors experiencing a slow-loading site will usually abandon the page, harming conversions and SEO results. WP Rocket is a plugin that speeds up your site through caching and file compression. You don’t need to be technical to run it, as the configuration process is created to be user-friendly.

3.   UberMenu

A simple menu layout is not enough for many websites. Sites with lots of content can suffer from a complex navigation system that is not helpful to visitors. UberMenu helps prevent this confusion with a flexible plugin. Make use of columns, tabs, maps, images, and more within your custom, responsive menu.

4.   Visual Composer

Most WordPress themes require some degree of customisation to please you or your clients. Visual Composer is a drag and drop editor that makes customisation straightforward and non-technical. Without any coding skills required, Visual Composer lets you easily add elements to your site, including content blocks, social media buttons, testimonial boxes, and image galleries, all in the format you require.

5.   Hide My WP

One of the problems associated with WordPress is the threat of malicious attacks. Hackers look for WordPress sites with old themes, outdated plugins, or weak passwords and try to gain access. Hide My WP masks the site code to make it appear that you are not using WordPress, while acting as a firewall to any potential threats.

6.   Slider Revolution

Sliders have been popular for many years, but they have had to adapt to new browsing behaviour. Visitors may be looking at your site on a laptop, tablet, or phone, so your slider needs to be configured seamlessly. Slide Revolution is an effective plugin which offers a wide variety of content options that work across all devices.

7.   Bookly

Businesses that rely on bookings for services such as hotels, salons and dentists, need a system that works effectively for themselves and their customers. Bookly is a responsive booking plugin that has enough functionality for complex businesses, but is also easy to use. Among the many features, Bookly can integrate with Google Calendar and the major payment processors to handle all your bookings.

8.   HIVO Digital Asset Management

Do you spend and huge amount of time uploading, downloading, re-sizing, cropping and editing photos and videos? Not anymore. HIVO is a digital asset management platform pushing the boundaries of how businesses and the people that work in them store, manage and collaborate on digital assets. Integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, HIVO is a smart way to store, manage, collaborate, review and share digital files. HIVO’s WordPress plugin allows you to search your entire media library within WordPress and seamlessly link all versions of your media in WordPress posts and pages without having to download and re-upload the assets. Genius!

9.   SumoMe

In order to make the most of your traffic, it’s important to track your visitors, analyse their actions, and optimise for greater conversions. SumoMe contains a great number of tools that make the most of your traffic. Various email tabs, bars, and boxes can lead to more subscribers, while a heatmap and analytics tool can help you to understand what is working.

10.   OptinMonster

Every successful business understands the need for lead generation. While there are various ways to obtain and convert leads, email still remains one of the most successful options. OptinMonster is a premium plugin that lets you create attractive optin forms, whether as floating boxes, sidebar forms, or lightbox designs. OptinMonster has more functionality than the average optin form, while also integrating with the major email services.

The average website doesn’t require all these plugins, but the right ones can certainly enhance a site. While not all of these options are free, it’s worth investing a small amount for the knowledge and support a plugin can offer. Ultimately, when developing a website, you are looking to create the most attractive, functional, and user-friendly site, so a quality theme and a collection of appropriate plugins will ensure you give your visitors a positive experience.

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