I’m working on a fan site with about 15 posts and niche content. I’d like to keep plugins to a minimum, ideally 3-4. It’s been 10 years since I last used WordPress, so I’m not sure what’s essential these days. What would you recommend?
The number of plugins isn’t as important as their quality and how you use them. Without knowing what tasks you need them for, it’s hard to recommend anything specific. Plugins should solve a problem or add functionality you need.
It really depends on the site’s purpose. If you’re building your own theme, ACF, Yoast, and ACF Content Analysis should cover most of your needs.
I recently switched from Yoast to RankMath. Yoast felt heavy on the database, while RankMath offers better image SEO, social tools, and even includes redirections and 404 monitoring. It’s a solid choice. Also, if you’re not using Gravity Forms yet, I highly recommend it. The add-ons like Gravity Wiz and Gravity View make it incredibly versatile for all kinds of projects.
Like others have mentioned, it depends on your goals and how much you want to customize. Are you building a custom theme or using a pre-made one? That makes a big difference. Also, WordPress has changed a lot in the last 10 years, especially with the addition of Gutenberg.
ACF Pro, W3C, Yoast, and Contact Form 7 would be my picks for a simple setup.
Only add plugins you really need, since too many can slow down your site. Here are some suggestions:
SEO: Yoast SEO, RankMath, All-in-One SEO
Image Optimization: Smush, Imagify
Forms: WPForms, Contact Form 7
Backup: UpdraftPlus, All-in-One WP Migration
Cache: LiteSpeed Cache, WP Super Cache
Security: Limit Login Attempts Reloaded, WPS Hide Login
@Bowie
Am I supposed to pick just one plugin from each category? Thanks for the list!
Blane said:
@Bowie
Am I supposed to pick just one plugin from each category? Thanks for the list!
Exactly. These are just examples for each category. Think about what your site needs and test a few options before deciding. You only need what fits your specific goals.