TLDR: Essential WordPress plugins for 2024: Admin/site enhancements, Classic Editor, Independent Analytics, ManageWP, Elementor, Solid Security, LightSpeed Cache, with a focus on efficient design and external SEO services.
This article is a summary of a You Tube video “7 WordPress Plugins I install on all websites (2024)” by Rino de Boer
Key Takeaways:
- Admin and Site Enhancements Plugin: Combines functionalities of multiple plugins, enabling features like content duplication and media replacements directly from the source.
- Classic Editor Plugin: Preferred over the Gutenberg editor for simplicity in blog posts and page templates, although it’s less versatile than Gutenberg.
- Independent Analytics Plugin: A GDPR-compliant alternative to Google Analytics, providing essential visitor data directly on the dashboard.
- ManageWP Worker Plugin: Connects websites to a ManageWP dashboard for easy login, free monthly backups, and automatic plugin updates.
- Elementor and Elementor Pro Page Builders: Remains the top choice for page building due to its extensive features and integration with CrocoBlock.
- Solid Security Plugin (formerly I Themes): Provides light and efficient security options, emphasizing the importance of good hosting for preemptive security measures.
- LightSpeed Cache Plugin: Stressed as a supplementary tool for speed optimization, not a fix for poorly built websites. Its effectiveness depends on the hosting service’s technology.
- No Image Optimizer Plugin: Advocates for external image optimization before uploading to WordPress, reducing reliance on in-WordPress image optimization plugins.
- SEO as a Separate Service: SEO optimization is offered as an additional, chargeable service, not included by default through plugins like Rank Math SEO or Yoast SEO.
- Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) and CrocoBlock: Preferred for creating custom post types and fields, with CrocoBlock being a more cost-effective alternative to ACF Pro.
