7 Wordpress Plugins I install on all websites (2024)
Summary
TLDRIn this video, web designer Reno shares his top seven essential WordPress plugins for smooth website operation, including admin and site enhancements, the classic editor, independent analytics, manage WP worker, Elementor Pro, and solid security. He also discusses the importance of proper website development and hosting for speed optimization, and mentions bonus plugins like ACF for custom fields and White Label CMS for branding. Reno emphasizes the value of efficient website building and the role of hosting in website speed.
Takeaways
- 🛠️ Reno, a web designer and no-code developer, shares his top seven plugins for enhancing website functionality and performance.
- 🔧 'Admin and Site Enhancements' is a new plugin that consolidates many previous plugins, providing features like content duplication and media replacement.
- ✂️ 'Classic Editor' is still a must-install for Reno to avoid the Gutenberg editor, which he finds less user-friendly for page and template creation.
- 📊 'Independent Analytics' offers a GDPR-compliant alternative to Google Analytics, providing a simple dashboard for tracking website traffic.
- 🛡️ 'ManageWP Worker' allows Reno to manage multiple websites from one dashboard, facilitating easy login, backups, and plugin updates.
- 🏗️ 'Elementor' and 'Elementor Pro' remain Reno's preferred page builders, offering extensive customization options for most projects.
- 🔒 'Solid Security' is Reno's choice for website security, providing a lighter alternative to other plugins like Wordfence.
- 🚀 'LiteSpeed Cache' is Reno's go-to caching plugin, especially when used with hosting services that utilize LiteSpeed technology.
- 🖼️ Reno no longer uses image optimizer plugins, opting to optimize images outside of WordPress for better control and performance.
- 🌐 SEO plugins are not included in Reno's list as he now offers SEO as a separate service, focusing on custom solutions for clients who request it.
Q & A
Why does Reno recommend installing the 'Admin and Site Enhancements' plugin?
-Reno recommends the 'Admin and Site Enhancements' plugin because it combines the functionalities of many plugins he used before. It offers features like content duplication, media replacement, and the ability to customize the WordPress admin interface by disabling items from the admin bar and dashboard widgets.
What is Reno's stance on the Gutenberg editor and why does he install the 'Classic Editor' plugin?
-Reno prefers the 'Classic Editor' plugin over the Gutenberg editor because he finds the Gutenberg editor stressful due to its block-based interface. He prefers the traditional input fields and installs this plugin to maintain a familiar editing experience, especially for clients who only need simple text and images for their blog posts.
Why is 'Independent Analytics' a good alternative to Google Analytics for some of Reno's clients?
-Reno suggests 'Independent Analytics' as an alternative to Google Analytics because it is GDPR compliant, which is beneficial for EU members. It provides a simple dashboard overview of visitor statistics without requiring an account setup and integration like Google Analytics.
How does the 'ManageWP Worker' plugin help Reno manage his websites?
-The 'ManageWP Worker' plugin allows Reno to easily log into any website, perform backups, and schedule automatic plugin and WordPress updates. It also offers features like sending reports to clients and managing multiple websites from one dashboard.
Why does Reno consider Elementor and Elementor Pro as his page builder of choice?
-Reno prefers Elementor and Elementor Pro because they offer robust integration with his workflow, including the use of Crocoblock. Despite competition, Elementor remains his top choice for page building due to its features and the Pro version's additional functionalities that are often required for his projects.
What is Reno's opinion on the importance of hosting in website security and performance?
-Reno believes that a good hosting company is crucial for website security and performance. He suggests that most security issues can be prevented by the hosting company itself rather than relying solely on security plugins. He also emphasizes the importance of investing in quality hosting for faster website performance, mentioning the benefits of CDN offered by larger hosting companies.
Why did Reno switch from using a security plugin like Wordfence to 'Solid Security'?
-Reno switched to 'Solid Security' because he finds Wordfence too bloated and slow. He prefers a lighter plugin that still provides effective security without slowing down the website. He also mentions that 'Solid Security' was formerly known as 'iThemes' and has improved in appearance and functionality after a rebrand.
What is Reno's advice on website speed optimization and why did he choose 'LiteSpeed Cache' as his caching plugin?
-Reno advises that website speed optimization should not rely solely on plugins but should be built into the website's development. He chose 'LiteSpeed Cache' because it is made by the same company that provides the LiteSpeed technology used by his hosting company, Hostinger, ensuring better compatibility and performance.
Why does Reno no longer use an image optimizer plugin and what does he recommend instead?
-Reno no longer uses an image optimizer plugin because he optimizes images outside of WordPress using tools like img2go.com or bulkresizephotos.com. He recommends these tools for resizing and compressing images before uploading to WordPress to maintain smaller file sizes and improve website performance.
What is Reno's approach to SEO plugins and why are they not in his default list of plugins to install?
-Reno offers SEO as a separate service and only installs SEO plugins like Rank Math SEO or Yoast SEO if a client specifically requests it. He does not include them in his default list because he prefers to focus on teaching efficient website building practices that inherently improve SEO, rather than relying on plugins.
Outlines
🛠️ Essential WordPress Plugins for Website Enhancements
Reno, a web designer and no-code developer, introduces seven essential WordPress plugins for enhancing website functionality and performance. The first plugin highlighted is for admin and site enhancements, which consolidates multiple functionalities, including content duplication and media replacement, into one. It also allows customization of the WordPress admin bar and dashboard widgets. Reno suggests that this plugin has become indispensable for his work. He also mentions the importance of using the classic editor plugin to avoid the Gutenberg editor, which he finds less user-friendly for page and template creation. The paragraph concludes with a teaser for two bonus plugins.
📊 Alternative Analytics and Site Management Plugins
Reno discusses his preference for 'Independent Analytics' as a GDPR-compliant alternative to Google Analytics, providing a simplified dashboard view for website traffic. He also addresses the need for a site management plugin, 'ManageWP Worker', which facilitates easy website access, free monthly backups, and automatic plugin updates. The paragraph also touches on the importance of choosing reliable hosting for website security and speed, suggesting that a good hosting service is more effective than relying solely on security plugins. Reno briefly compares 'Solid Security' with 'Wordfence' and 'Security Optimizer', favoring the former for its lighter approach.
🏆 Top Page Builders and Security Plugins
Elementor and Elementor Pro are identified as Reno's preferred page builders, chosen for their robust integration with Crocoblock and the necessity of Pro features in most projects. He also discusses the evolution of security plugins, moving away from 'IThemes' to 'Solid Security' after a rebrand. Reno advocates for the importance of proper website development and hosting choices over relying on plugins for security. He also mentions 'Lightspeed Cache' as his current choice for speed optimization, emphasizing the plugin's compatibility with hosting services that use Lightspeed technology.
🖼️ Image Optimization and Additional Plugins
Reno explains why he no longer uses an image optimizer plugin, opting instead for external image compression and resizing tools before uploading to WordPress. He recommends websites like 'imagetoo.com' and 'bulkresizephotos.com' for image optimization. The paragraph also addresses the absence of an SEO plugin from his list, as Reno now offers SEO as a separate service. He briefly introduces 'ACF Advanced Custom Fields' for custom post types and fields, and 'White Label CMS' for customizing the WordPress admin area, advising against unnecessary plugin installations to maintain website cleanliness.
👋 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In the concluding paragraph, Reno summarizes the discussed plugins and invites viewers to learn more through his course, hinting at a link in the description for interested individuals. He thanks the audience and signs off, indicating the end of the video.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Page Builder
💡Plugins
💡Admin and Site Enhancements
💡Classic Editor
💡Gutenberg Editor
💡Independent Analytics
💡ManageWP Worker
💡Elementor Pro
💡Solid Security
💡Lightspeed Cache
💡SEO Plugins
Highlights
The necessity of plugins beyond a page builder for smooth website operation.
Introduction of seven essential plugins for website enhancement.
The merging of plugins and the reduction to seven from a previous list of ten.
The Admin and Site Enhancements plugin as an all-in-one solution for multiple functionalities.
Content duplication feature within the Admin and Site Enhancements plugin.
Media replacement feature for efficient image updates across the website.
Customization options for WordPress admin bar and dashboard widgets.
The Classic Editor plugin as a preference over the Gutenberg editor.
Independent Analytics as a GDPR-compliant alternative to Google Analytics.
ManageWP Worker for easy website management and free monthly backups.
Elementor and Elementor Pro as the preferred page builders for web design projects.
Solid Security as a lightweight security plugin alternative to Wordfence.
Light Speed Cache as the current choice for speed optimization plugins.
The importance of proper website development over relying on speed optimization plugins.
Hosting's impact on website speed and the benefits of using a reputable hosting company.
The shift to external image optimization instead of using a plugin for image resizing.
The decision to offer SEO as a separate service rather than using a plugin by default.
ACF Advanced Custom Fields for creating custom post types and fields.
White Label CMS for customizing the WordPress admin area for clients.
Transcripts
[Music]
just a page builder alone isn't enough
to make your websites run smoothly so
here are my
set seven plugins that I install on all
websites right now by the way welcome
back if you're new here my name is Reno
I'm a web designer and a no code
developer a few years ago I made this
video about the 10 plugins I use now I
only install seven because some plugins
have merged they have more functionality
so we need less plugins which is always
good so let's let's start off with the
list of seven plugins and then at the
end I will give you two bonus plugins
that I install sometimes depending on
the project we're going to start off
with admin and site enhancements it's a
relatively new plugin but I cannot live
without it anymore because this plugin
combines many plugins that I used before
if you install it you will get this new
Option over here
enhancements then you will see this
simple menu and I always turn on a few
things for example content duplication
which will give you the nice duplicate
option over here to duplicate a page or
a post back in the day I always used to
install something like this duplicate
page or duplicate Post in order to get
the same functionality but it's built in
here media replacement which will allow
you to replace images inside of your
media library and then it replaces it
throughout the whole website so you
don't have to go into your page builder
and then click and replace everywhere
you just replace it straight from The
Source it is a little bit hidden though
you have to click on edit more details
then scroll down and then you have the
option over here to replace the media so
if the plugin developer is watching this
video please make it a little bit more
obvious maybe with a big button over
here to make it a little bit easier to
find they also have some options to
customize how WordPress looks because
you can disable things from the admin
bar over here which I've done which then
makes this top bar really clean
and you can also disable dashboard
widgets which are the widgets you can
find on the dashboard over here so if
you guys want me to make a separate
video about this plugin then let me know
for now let's move on to the second one
classic editor I still always install
the classic editor as many people do as
you can see by the installation amount
because if you don't have this installed
and you go to your pages and you click
on add new then you will get the
Gutenberg editor which for some reason
stresses me out because I don't see the
normal input Fields I know there's a lot
more possible with Gutenberg because you
have a lot more blocks to choose from
when you're creating a Blog but for
pages and templates I use a page builder
anyways and for blog posts uh most of my
clients just want simple text and images
so then they don't really need it so
unless a client requests to have more
options inside of their blog post then I
do not install classic editor but that
has never happened to me so I always
keep it active and for the people with
sharp eyes I know that there is an
option to also disable this inside of
admin side enhancements but I have found
this one to not work perfectly so that's
why I still use the normal classic
editor a new one is independent
analytics which is an alternative for
Google analytics this plugin is gdpr
compliant so for EU members this is
really nice it just gives you a little
overview like this on your dashboard
which is enough for most clients
um it just shows you the visitors the
views and you can also go to the
dashboard where you will find a lot more
information it actually looks really
good so you don't have to go to Google
analytics set up an account and connect
it like with other plugins like this one
exact metrics which I still use on many
websites because some clients just want
Google analytics but if they don't
specifically ask for it just install
this one it's enough and then if they
ask more you can always install another
plugin but I love this one it's so
simple and it just looks really good the
next one in the list is manage WP worker
that is the plugin to connect a website
to your managewp dashboard where all of
my websites are this allows me to log
into any website really easily it allows
you to make uh backups for free once a
month and you can even if you want make
your plugins update automatically on the
website they have this feature over here
called scheduling you can enable
scheduling and then say every Monday on
this time it should perform uh plug-in
updates you can even perform WordPress
updates but if you click on Save changes
this website will now be updated
automatically uh in terms of the plugins
they have a lot more options here for
example sending reports to your clients
about analytics it's just great I did
make a video about it I will link it in
the cart or in the description so it
doesn't do a lot on your website it just
connects it to your dashboard so that
you have all your websites in one place
okay then my page builder of Choice is
still Elementor and Elementor Pro in the
last 3 years a few competitors have hit
the market so Elementor has a little bit
of competition which is actually good
because I think it will push them into
the right direction if they see what
other people want but Elementor is still
the king of page Builders at this point
I love their integration with Croco
block which I still use a lot so I
almost always install Elementor and
Elementor Pro because most projects
Quire things that are in Pro and it
rarely happens that I only have to use
the free version but I will because it
will save me a license which is always a
good thing the next one is solid
security and this was called I themes
before they rebranded their whole
company I think solid WP just bought
them I don't know what happened there
but it's different now it actually does
look better and before I show you solid
WP I do want to say that Cy ground also
also has a security plugin which is
called security Optimizer which is also
free it works better if you are a cyron
customer because then you have more
features but it's also a great plug-in
already so I would say test both of them
as you can see their rating is exactly
the same and they also have around 1
million installs so both of these
players are great I know word fense is
still the most popular one on WordPress
but I don't like it I think it's too
bloated it just works a little bit too
slow I want something a little a bit
lighter so that's why in the past I I
worked with IES uh I did use their pro
version I don't do that anymore I now
think that the free version is enough
why well because I've learned that most
security problems can actually be
prevented by the hosting company and not
by the plugin itself so your hosting
company should prevent the hacker to
actually come into your WordPress adding
a plug-in is nice but it's actually one
step too late so that's why you should
not be too cheap when you're buying
hosting and just buy from a global brand
that is trusted like for example cyr
which has a very good reputation in the
markets in terms of security but also
company like hostinger these companies
are popular for a reason it's not just
because they offer something great it's
the whole deal security Optimizer from s
looks like this solid security also
looks really good but for now let's
continue with the next plug-in light
speed cash this is right now now my
speed optimization plug-in of choice
I've learned a lot about website speed
in the last year and I just want to say
a few things please do not think that
any of these speed Optimizer plug-in
will solve a website that is built in a
bad way what I mean by that is that
people don't know how to build
efficiently they don't know how to work
with Dynamic content how to work
globally how to work with images they
install way too many plugins and then
they hope that a plug-in like this will
will solve all of their problems that's
not how it works you should really focus
on learning how a website should be
built in a proper way so that this is
just a nice little add-on that will make
it a little bit faster instead of hoping
that it will solve bad development that
being said hosting is also a big factor
many people buy cheap hosting from some
unknown company because they can get a
good deal it's fine but don't expect
their service to be fast if you want a
fast website you should also invest in
hosting because the bigger hosting
companies they have for example CDN
which is multiple servers around the
world and then your website loads from
the place that is the closest to where
you are so that anywhere in the world
your website loads fast smaller hosting
companies don't have that feature and
therefore it's just slower so so I just
wanted to say those things there's a lot
more technicality uh involved with cash
which I am learning right now but I can
tell you one thing if you're hosting
company uses light speed technology then
please use this plugin as your caching
plugin because this is made by that same
company for example hostinger uses light
speed technology so this one is really
good if you're using hostinger but if
you're using S ground well then why not
use their Optimizer they have their own
speed Optimizer which obviously works
better with their servers so again I'm
learning more about cash and as always I
will share everything I know on YouTube
but if you already want to learn how to
build websites in an efficient way so
that your website will stay fast well
then you can check out my course because
that's where I show how to do that there
will be a link in the description and
also a little discount for subscribers
so now a question why do I not use a
image Optimizer plugin anymore and that
is because I do that now outside of
Wordpress that does not mean that an
image Optimizer plugin is bad because
many people simply don't optimize their
images and then they just upload it then
an Optimizer plugin is great but if you
know how to resize and compress from
your computer why use an XR plugin if
you can just upload it in the correct
size and a very small file size to your
WordPress so I want to show you one
thing and that is that there are
websites for example like this one image
too.com where you can just upload an
image or even multiple images like this
these images by the way are way too big
as you can see 5,000 pixels and 1.7
megabyte which is way too much for a
website you can then go in here and then
you can put the quality down which
actually will not destroy the image at
all and then you can also do resizing so
you can say for example I want this
image to be
25% of the height and width it
originally was and the compression will
be applied and then if you convert it
you can now see that this image has
become 100 80 kiloby so we went from 2.6
megab to 1.8 which is 20 times smaller
and look it's still super sharp so so
please just don't drop your big megabyte
images inside of your WordPress use a
website like this this one is really
good I will link it down below this one
is also really nice bulk resides
photos.com both are free to use by the
way great tools and why is there not an
SEO plugin in this list any more that is
another question which I need to tackle
because in the past I did promote rank
MAF SEO and also Yo's SEO which are the
two most popular SEO plugins in
WordPress these both plugins are still
great Yos SEO does a little bit more in
the background but rank MAV offers some
things for free that are paid inside of
yast again both of them are good but I
offer this now as a separate service so
only if my clients request like hey I
want my website to rank high in Google
then how I say okay but I'm going to
charge you extra to optimize your
website for SEO that's why it's not in
my default list anymore but that does
not mean that I don't do SEO for my
websites so I wanted to get that out of
the way now let's tackle the bonus
plugins yeah which I sometimes install
the first one is ACF Advanced custom
Fields the most popular custom Fields
plugin in WordPress which now finally
also offers custom post types in the
past I did use a lot uh of this plugin
custom post type UI which is very
popular it was not that great to be
honest but it did the job uh for free
which was great and then I combined that
with ACF to have custom fuels right now
this whole functionality is built into
ACF so you don't need custom post type
anymore but if you need Pro features
from ACF that's where ACF Pro becomes a
little bit more expensive because right
now they don't have a lifetime anymore
which means that if you want it for
unlimited websites because this is
something you use on a lot of websites
you're going to pay 250 per year they
don't have a lifetime option so
personally I still like to use kroo
block because kroo block has jet engine
which is exactly the same well not
exactly but very similar to ACF Pro and
they offer it for a lot cheaper but they
also do have a lifetime deal if you want
it this package I promoted a lot in the
past I still do this is the price of 3
years of ACF Pro but you have it forever
not only that you get a lot more
products from Croco block as well for
example smart filters which is a
functionality that is great for listing
websites when you're working with
Elementor or jet search I love their
products but for this list I just wanted
to focus on jet engine or ACF sometimes
it happens that I just use ACF and don't
install jet engine that's only when I
know it has has to be really simple like
a title and a description and an image
then I don't need to use a license from
my KOCO block package because the normal
version of ACF is free and jet engine is
not so yeah that's my answer for uh so
yeah that's my answer for custom post
types and custom fields and then the
last one is a customizer plugin for your
WordPress I already showed you that you
can disable some things with the uh
admin and sight enhancement plugin which
is great but if you want to add some
things to your website like a little
look logo in the top over here then I
recommend white label CMS it's not the
best though but it does the job it gives
you some options to add a logo over here
add a logo to your login page so only
install that if you know your client is
going to log to your website and you
want to give them a nice experience but
never add a plugin like this if it's not
needed because you want to keep your
website as clean as possible and that's
kind of like the the theme in this video
then for now I hope that you learned
something and and again if you're
interested in my course all of the
information is in the description okay
thanks guys and see you next time
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