My 9 ESSENTIAL WordPress Plugins For 2023
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 พ.ค. 2023
- Here are my 9 Essential WordPress Plugins updated for 2023 and my new workflow.
Congratulations on building your WordPress website! Now that it's complete, what's the next step?
To help you enhance your website's functionality, I have compiled a list of 9 essential WordPress plugins that I install on all of my sites. Additionally, I have included some notable mentions to provide you with even more options.
GenerateBlocks - jo.my/xotgcy
SEOPress - jo.my/seopress
WPVivid Backup -jo.my/vividpro
HappyFiles - happyfiles.io/
Perfmatters -jo.my/kxeyt1
Ultimate Dashboard Pro -jo.my/udp3](jo.my/udp3
ACF - www.advancedcustomfields.com/
iThemes Security - wordpress.org/plugins/better-...
Block Visibility (if using GB) - wordpress.org/plugins/block-v...
-- Honourable Mentions --
Autoptimize - wordpress.org/plugins/autopti...
WPCompress - wpcompress.com/
ShortPixel -
Flowmattic - jo.my/flowmattic
-- Video Links --
Perfmatters The Admin Bar - • How To Configure Perfm...
ACF Playlist - • Advanced Custom Fields...
WPVivid: • How To Backup Your Wor...
00:35 - Generate Blocks
01:36 - Perfmatters
02:35 - Autoptimise
03:05 - Block Visibility
04:00 - Advanced Custom Field (ACF Extended/Pro)
05:20 - SEOPress (Pro)
06:04 - WPvivid Backup
07:11 - HappyFiles (Organizer)
08:09 - Ultimate Dashboard (Bricks Builder)
09:06 - iThemes Security
10:02 - FlowMattic
11:04 - WP Compress & CDN / Short Pixel
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► THE TOOLS I LOVE ◄
If you like what we do and would like to support us, please consider using these affiliate links when purchasing any of the plugins covered in our tutorials. Thank you for your support.
► EXCLUSIVE WPTUTS DISCOUNTS ◄
✅ WPVivid Backup Pro: jo.my/vividpro (use WPTUTS20 for 20% off)
✅ Project Huddle: jo.my/etafyp (WPTUTS for 20% off - Exclusive)
► MY PREFERRED HOSTING PROVIDERS ◄
✅ CloudWays: jo.my/1feeng8
✅ SiteGround: jo.my/sgwptuts
► WORDPRESS VISUAL PAGE BUILDERS ◄
✅ ELEMENTOR PRO: jo.my/1s0t2s2
✅ Brizy Pro: bit.ly/2Ji97r8
✅ GenerateBlocks: jo.my/xotgcy
✅ DIVI 3 Page Builder: bit.ly/2HiiDcE
► WORDPRESS THEMES ◄
✅ GeneratePress Premium: bit.ly/2Ydn1SE
✅ Blocksy: jo.my/y67ten
✅ DIVI Theme: bit.ly/2G8JMiA
✅ Astra Pro: bit.ly/2zruoKn
► WORDPRESS TOOLS ◄
✅ SMART SLIDER 3: bit.ly/2G0G1vB
✅ CSSHERO: bit.ly/2qbrRl6
► WORDPRESS PLUGINS ◄
✅ SEOPress Pro: jo.my/seopress
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00:35 Generate Blocks
01:36 Perfmatters / 02:35 Autoptimise
03:05 Block Visibility
04:00 Advanced Custom Field (ACF Extended/Pro)
05:20 SEOPress (Pro)
06:04 WPvivid Backup
07:11 HappyFiles (Organizer)
08:09 Ultimate Dashboard (Bricks Builder)
09:06 iThemes Security
10:02 FlowMattic
11:04 WP Compress & CDN / Short Pixel
Was just going to ask WPTuts to post this in the Description. Tks for doing this!!!!!!!!!
How do you install them? Do you just search for them in the WordPress Add New sector?
Thank you
Thanks for this updated video Paul. It is always good to see what tools others are using for website management.
Many thanks Paul. A lot very nice tools to add to the toolbox.
You really are an inspiration, great job, really !
This was great. Thanks mate
Crisp and to the point. Thank for the video Paul. Eager to know how you find FlyingPress compared to Perfmatters
I haven't tried FlyingPress - I'll have a look at it. ;)
Thanks Paul! I'm surprised that Crocoblock's tools didn't make your list. I like them better than ACF. I've been amazed by their functionality AND their customer support.
Mainly because for a lot of my use cases they either aren’t supported as widely or are overkill for my needs.
I’d still use tools like JetEngine or JetSmartFilters for the right projects, but this list is my ‘most used’ toolset. 😁
Thanks Mate! Matomo ethical Web Traffic Tracking is also a very good Plugin
LOVE Flowmattic. Big Shortpixel user as well.
Hello and thanks for the great recommendations. As you mention GeneratePress, a block theme that doesn't allow full site editing, I would really like to know your opinion about FSE:I suppose you already treated this subject, would you mind pointing me to the right video(s)? Thanks!
Time Stamps Please. Its 2023.
Thanks for this 😉
I am really looking forward to the tutorilas with acf and frontend editing - hopefully with elementor
No Elementor will be included as the content is builder agnostic - you can use whatever tools you want to make it look good. ;)
Great content! Thank you! I was recently exploring alternatives to Elementor and came out with Oxygen. Have you tried it? What is your ooint of view? Thank you again
Hi Paul thanks for the video, would be possible to do a tutorial for Perfmatters setup.?
Possibly - but to be honest, I would recommend checking out the video Kyle did with the developer who goes through each function and the best practices. That would be a more detailed and featured video than I could create. :)
Elementor is a must for me.
I'm looking for good simple gallery plugin for photographer website with load more buttons etc. Any recomendations? On my radar is Essential Grid Gallery WordPress not tested yet. /* Compatible with bricks or via shortcodes
Just wondering if what you think about WP Rocket. Is Perfmatters definitely an improvement on WP Rocket?
You always rocks 💓 love your every videos.
I basically use these plugins according to requirements :
1. Elementor
2. Gravity Form
3. All in one Security
4. Wp All in one migration or updraft
5. WP Rocket or Litespeed cache (Depends)
6. Unlimited elementor addon
7. Akismet for spam protection
8. WP mail smtp (Always)
9. Advanced custom field
10. Astra theme and Astra pro plugin
Should I try bricks builder? Or Elementor is okk no need? I mostly use Elementor and Astra.
Great list! :)
If you're happy with your stack and it's doing what you need it to do, I don't see the need to switch to Bricks. Its a grat tool, but it means a lot of changes to your current tool set and a lot of disruption in your work flow. :)
@@WPTuts Yes right, I was work on Wp bakery page builder before using Elementor and it took time to set. But market have lots of page builder always confused what to use what is best 😛 I hope you understand me
I just wanted to say you make great videos Paul. And so pleased you don't include background music. Thank you.
I like that too ❤
Hello to you!
I wanted your help.
I have always followed you on your TH-cam channel where you share our knowledge about creating a WordPress website. Thanks for your work. Thanks to you, we are creating websites.
I have a client (an organization) who wants me to create a website for them. He wants to be able to pay for his subscription himself.
I already have a Hostinger subscription and this is where I host the websites of my clients.
How can I handle this case?
Thanks for your help!
Hi, Can you please tell me where i can get a plugin that put a tag(label) on my site? like a levis tag on a jeans
I believe your choices. But i wanna know your opininon between nicer backend dashboard or front end solution?
It really depends on the project, use case and end user. Where possible, it makes sense to provide a custom frontend solution but budgets don't always allow for that.
Please sir, any thing to use repeater fields at acf as free....
Is there a tool for conditional multistep? Conditional logic is better described as conditional fields. I need conditional steps i.e. the next step, section etc is determined by a selection such as a radio field, checkbox, action, text box completed or page e.g. landing page.
If so
Hi there - went looking for flowmatic but couldn't find the plugin ?
I've been using the free version of WP-Optimize, would you recommend autooptimize over that?
If it's working for you and you're getting good results, stick with what you know. :)
Really nice, thanks for the insight, so the first plug-ins are completely replacing the use of Elementor ?
Is there something you miss from elementor and Elementor related plugins ?
I started to use elementor and crocoblock thinking it would cover most of the use case but crocoblock feels pretty complicated for what it does… WDYT ? 😊
Basically, yes. I haven't used Elementor on a project in over a year and don't see that changing anytime soon. While it is getting better, I just don't have a need for it as a builder right now. If I wanted to use something more powerful than GP/GB I'd 95% use Bricks Builder.
As for miss things from Elementor - there are some things that make working with dynamic content more logical - but that's about it really.
@@WPTuts Ok very cool to know, I might take a look and see if I prefer to build sites that way too then, thank you for the guidance :))
Crocoblock library is great. But you might need plenty of addons, which can be quite expensive. Unless you use Jupiter X theme that allows you to download their main add-ons for free.
However, JetEngine + JetSmart Filters are not working well together (the grid loads very slowly). :/
@@allankilic Good to know that I’m not the only one who experiences the slow filtered JetEngine grids. Hope someone works on this.
I'm really curious to understand why Paul doesn't recommend Crocoblock's plugins. Is it due to their reliability or support? In this video, JetEngine replaces at least two of the recommended plugins. I'd like to hear your comments about this suite of plugins, as I work a lot with them, but I've already found myself quite distressed with the same ones."
I think you’re missing the point of the video. These are MY essential plugins/tools.
JetEngine is a great plugin, but overkill for many of my use cases and isn’t supported by the likes of GeneratePress.
Paul, any particular reason you choose ithemes security over Wordfence?
It’s just the one I’ve used for many years and have found it a good option. 👍
Hello, I'm new to wordpress. I just want to know though, if I buy a plugin to use to my first Wordpress website can I still use it to a new or completely different Wordpress website? I can't see answers on google.
It depends on the license you purchase. For example, Elementor has licenses for 1 site, 3 sites, 10 sites, etc..
@@WPTuts ohhh okay now i get it. Thank you!
Does block visibility work with generateblocks?
Yes. It will work with most of not all Gutenberg blocks. 👍
@@WPTuts awesome, thanks!
Thank you for that list. But: Are you sure, Happy Files is fast? I do have a website about coffee table books with more than 1,000 posts and each post (=coffe table book) is a folder/tag and several images. And it is damn slow to create a folder and to upload an image. We need such a structured media library in particular when you have that many images and posts. But it is a pain in the as to work with Happy Files in those cases. Thomas couldn't help me with that.
I can't say I've had any issues, but that's not to say it's a perfect tool. I can only speak from my own experiences. :)
Video notes:
1. Generate Blocks
2. Perfmatters / Autopimize
3. Blocks Visibility
4. ACF (ACF Pro)
5. SEOPress
6. Wp Vivid Backup and Migration
7. Happy Files
8. Ultimate Dashboard pro
9. iThemes Security
10. Flowmatic
11. Wp Compress
12. Short Pixel
All in the description.
@@WPTuts yeah, but some people on the TH-cam mobile app can't see descriptions
@@godwinn.chibuike5630 good point. 👍
It's difficult enough learning how to use wordpress, but learning how to use another 9 plugins as well makes this sound impossible. A friend of mine has his own website, last year when wordpress updated, his site went down. It took him ages to work out which plug-in was causing the problem. It turned out that 3 of his plug-ins were not compliant with the new wordpress and even a month later one plugin had still not become compliant as the developers were so slow. Is it possible to build a stable wordpress site without so many plugins?
Of course, just use what you need. There’s no obligation to use any of you don’t need them.
I am going now to check your essential plugins because I am using alternatives. 😅
For ACF I am using Jet Engine.
For building now I am using Elementor but I will start playing with Blocks or Bricks.
For Backup I am using All In One Migration with Ftp extention but I think Vivid is better.
For security I have setup Imunify360 in my server so I do not know if an extra plugin is needed, of course I have Two Factor and Acitivity Log plugin to feel more secure.
For SEO I use Rank Math Pro I think it is a great plugin but I will test SEO press I didn't even know that.
For last I will check Ultimate Dashboard I never used a dashboard customizer I always feel that makes the dashboard heavier but I will check it out. 😊
It's all good. We all have our preferred tech stacks and that's cool. :)
iThemes Security is no longer around... has it changed to Solid Security? And is it just as good?
Yes, it's now rebranded to SolidWP and is still around.
Time Stamps?
Another awesome video!
For security i use All-In-One Security (AIOS) and even they got a huge install numbers for some reason it's rarely referred. Instead ACF use JetEngine (got the lifetime deal).
Since last week i got lifetime WPVivid and i'm totally impressed with it. (thank you)
Starting now using WP Umbrella instead ManageWP.
Nice stack - I haven't tried WPUbrella - I'll have to take a look at it. :)
@@WPTuts WP-Umbrella is good! Also very nice developers behind it.
Do you not use Elementor 🥺
Very rarely.
@@WPTuts Understood. Thank you for the reply!
Did Ultimate Dashboard Pro ever have a lifetime deal?
I don’t remember them having one.
I always install ooohboi steroids for elementor !!!
Do not quite agree for this list as an webagency myself. At least mention RankMath Pro and LiteSpeed Cache.
Why? These are MY choices - if you need alternatives, that's cool. BUT, that would be YOUR list of essentials. 😉
I notice this list (although quite good as a list) is mostly pointing at your affiliate links. You do not mention this in your video. Would you come up with the same list if they were not affiliate links. I think these days we need to be totally transparent about 'recommendations' - to ensure that they are not vested in earning commission.
Of course there is nothing wrong with earning commission, after all it does not affect the end-users cost and helps you keep your channel going. When I see a channel with over 15k views I realise of course it is making money from views and subscribers in any case, the commission links are the 'icing on the cake'. Having said that I think you should be completely open about your 'interest' in these plugins; whether or not they are the top ones in your estimation. There are of course a LOT of plugins out there.
I would like to see a open and 'honest' review of free plugins that have no commission attached to them, by budding authors who are just giving their plugins away, but at the same time helping the community.... perhaps another video sometime...?
Just for clarity, I've paid for the plugins listed above and continue to do so (where applicable - i.e. not LTD). You'll also see that during the video I refer to the free versions of the majority of the plugins as feature packed and often more than enough for most use cases.
Finally, I use ALL of these plugins in personal and client projects and am happy to pay for licenses to support the hard work that goes into each and every one of them. As the title says, these are MY essential plugins. I'm not telling anyone they should change what they use in favour of mine - in fact, I generally say to 'stick with what you know and what is working' in favour of changing to my preferred tools.
Would I still recommend them if I didn't have affiliate links? Absolutely! 50% of the those listed in the video don't have affiliate plans and I make zero from them and have never worked with them in a commercial capacity to get any type of renumeration.
If you know me and the channel, you will know that I champion free plugins and themes as well as many commercial plugins that have no affiliate schemes attached to them. For example, Bricks Builder is one I've been championing since it's initial release over 18 months ago and not made a single penny from them.
I hope this clarifies my position and my recommendations (which I 100% stand behind).
P.S. I've worked with many brands to help promote their products, give feedback on areas that could be improved and helped them gain thousands of additional downloads and exposure via the channel for no financial recompense from them.
Again, I would suggest you explore the channel and you'll see many videos on 100% free plugins and themes.
@@WPTuts It was only a comment, I hope you take it in the manner it was intended. I have (viewed) your channel since inception (as I have been a developer now for over 45 years) and follow a clutch of YT channels I like - yours is amongst these select few.
I have seen a trend over the last couple of years for high subscriber sites to recommend things that they are either (a) and affiliate or (b) something they like and have been sent as a freebie. It's a kind of payback.
I realise you have more integrity than this. Many new folk to WP suffer from Plugin'itis as they go from pillar to post with top ranking channels recommending this and that... until their next "top 10 plugins / themes / etc." which is normally about a month later when they have run out of other ideas and have been given another load of freebies... AGAIN please don't take this personally as I know you are not in this bracket. Keep it up mate - if you publish of course; your are always open to "feedback"... ;)
You missed CodeSnippets Paul... There should be one plugin for inserting scripts.
I don't use it on every site, so that's one of the reasons it's not included here. ;)
Ooops, directly noticed this is nothing for me 😞
Aww @PicSta.. lol
@@WPTuts Sorry Paul, sometimes you can't serve them all, hehe. Anyway, good video as always
seo is not working
GeneratePress and Generate Blocks! Really!
If you would have mentioned Bricks or Elementor, I would have given credence to your other recommendations, but sadly that was not the case.
These are MY essential tools. If you prefer Bricks or Elementor, that’s cool.
Maybe make your own video about YOUR essential tools and wait for someone to come along with a daft comment about how your list doesn’t include something THEY think is more important! 🤦♂️
Haha, you seem salty.
I watch your videos and give credence to your recommendations but this one was, for lack of a better word, off putting. Cheers.
@@John.Rearden not salty at all. The point of the video was to answer the question I get asked repeatedly about what tools I use and recommend. This is exactly that and for a lot of people, it's similar to their stacks.
Sure, Bricks is a fantastic builder and for the right projects I would 100% use it. As for Elementor, sure, it's getting better but still has too much reliance on 3rd party tools for me right now.
Your monthly/yearly cost must be thru the roof sheesh 😂
Why? Most of these have amazing free versions that are perfect for the majority of projects.
If paid versions are required, that’s the cost of doing business.