Our 6 favourite plugins: Must-haves for any WordPress website

Choosing the right plugins can elevate your website’s performance, usability, and SEO. At Future, we use tools that streamline processes, improve user experience, and optimise site performance. In this article, we’re sharing our top six WordPress plugins and why they’re essential for modern websites.

Gravity Forms: simplifying user interaction

Gravity Forms is one of the most powerful form-building tools available for WordPress. From contact forms to surveys, it offers endless customisation and functionality.

Key features:

• Drag-and-drop interface.
• Advanced conditional logic for dynamic forms.
• Customisation – Change the layout and display of the form with custom CSS
• Anti-spam features
• Integration with third-party tools like PayPal and Mailchimp.

How to get the most out of it:

• Use Gravity Forms for tailored user interactions, such as customer feedback or event registrations.

Avoid:

• Overloading forms with too many fields, which can deter users from completing them. Or leading users to fill the form with random information.

FacetWP: Advanced filtering made easy

FacetWP takes filtering to the next level, offering dynamic filtering options for e-commerce, blogs, and directories. We mostly use FacetWP for filtering posts on our client sites. It’s very straightforward to implement and the speed is second to none.

Key features:

• Speedy filtering using AJAX.
• Works with most WordPress themes.
• Great documentation
• Custom filters for taxonomies, custom fields, and post types.
• Compatibility with popular builders like Elementor and Bricks Builder

How to get the most out of it:

• Use FacetWP to enhance product filtering for e-commerce websites.
• Ensure filters are intuitive and align with user behaviour.

Avoid:

• Creating overly complex filters that confuse users.

Learn more about FacetWP’s advanced filtering options

Advanced Custom Fields (ACF): Extending WordPress functionality

Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) is an essential plugin for developers looking to customise WordPress beyond its default capabilities. It provides a user-friendly way to add and manage custom fields, making it perfect for building custom websites. This means for clients they can easily add content they like without having to edit the theme or touch any code. The client sees a simple to use WYSIWYG editor allowing easy changes.

Key features:

• Create custom fields for posts, pages, and custom post types.
• Seamless integration with WordPress themes and plugins.
• Flexible content management for unique client requirements.

How to get the most out of it:

• • Use ACF to create custom layouts, dynamic content, and tailored user experiences.
  • Ensure fields are well-documented and organised for easy updates.

Avoid:

• Overusing custom fields, which can complicate backend management.
• Neglecting to validate and sanitise user input to avoid vulnerabilities.

Have a look at some of the bespoke sites our Web Design team made using ACF

WP Migrate: Seamless website transfers

When you need to migrate a WordPress site, WP Migrate makes the process smooth and stress-free. We use this plugin everyday at Future as we are constantly updating or creating sites. It wouldn’t be a good idea to make any changes to live sites so we keep all development sites secure and make any changes on there. A must have plugin for anyone who’s making changes to sites they manage.

Key features:

• Full database and file migrations.
• Compatibility with multisite networks.
• Selective migration for specific tables or files.

How to get the most out of it:

• Use WP Migrate for hassle-free development-to-live site transfers.

Avoid:

• Neglecting backups before migrations, which can result in data loss.

Yoast SEO: Optimising your content

Yoast SEO is a must-have plugin for boosting search engine rankings and ensuring content is optimised for keywords and readability. There’s a reason it’s the most popular WordPress SEO plugin, it includes advanced SEO features that it packages down into a simple, intuitive plugin.

Key features:

• Keyword optimisation with suggestions.
• Readability analysis for user-friendly content.
• XML sitemap generation

How to get the most out of it:

• Target specific keywords in your content.
• Regularly update content to maintain relevancy.

Avoid:

• Keyword stuffing, which can negatively impact SEO rankings.

Learn more about SEO best practices here

Converter for Media: Speed up your site

Speed is critical for both user experience and SEO, and Converter for Media ensures your images load quickly by converting them to WebP format. You can see the changes immediately, with this plugin your website will be noticeably faster.

Key features:

• Automatic conversion of images to WebP.
• Significant reduction in file sizes without quality loss.
• Seamless integration with existing media libraries.

How to get the most out of it:

• Use Converter for Media to improve load times and Core Web Vitals scores.

Avoid:

• Using uncompressed images, which can slow down site performance.

Why plugins matter for web development

At our web design agency, we choose plugins that enhance functionality without compromising performance. Whether you need optimised SEO, advanced filtering, or seamless migrations, selecting the right tools can make or break your website.

FAQ Section: Our favourite plugins

Q: Why is GravityForms better than free alternatives?

A: Gravity Forms offers advanced features like conditional logic, third-party integrations, and customisation options that free plugins often lack.

Q: How does FacetWP improve e-commerce websites?

A: FacetWP provides fast, dynamic filtering options, allowing users to find products or content easily.

Q: Is WP Migrate suitable for non-technical users?

A: While WP Migrate is user-friendly, professional support from a web developer can ensure error-free migrations.

Q: Can Yoast SEO guarantee better rankings?

A: Yoast SEO helps optimise content for search engines, but rankings depend on multiple factors, including competition and domain authority.

Q: Why should I convert images to WebP?

A: WebP images reduce file sizes significantly, improving site speed and user experience without compromising quality.