WordPress Plug-in Tips

Posted on May 24, 2007

WordPress, largely due to its huge user base has become a fairly robust blog app. Even for some sites it works well as a limited Content Managed System. As of late there has been an increased proliferation of Plug-ins that make it easy, even for the newbies to web publishing to custom configure their site. Plug-ins however have their pluses and minuses.

Tips for Using Plug-ins

  1. Don’t use more plug-ins that are necessary. Plug-ins like any other addition to your page slow the load time. Most of your users are probably on broadband, but I’ve seen all too often bloggers overload their site to a noticeable degree.
  2. Trust your friends not the coder. There are some really great solutions developed by brilliant folks out there. If they are solid someone will pick-up on it, use it and tell the world about it. Go with proven solutions.
  3. Use traditional scripting when possible. I’ve noticed that some of the plug-ins developed are bloated and have seen some take my site down when applied. When possible I find a script that I can apply directly to the code rather than a plug-in. Those tend to be lighter and less problematic. Scripts usually involve placing some code in the header and a piece of code in the location to apply the affect on the page.

Alternate Example to a Plug-in

Last night I was mucking around with Jaiku and decided it was time to go the Jaiku way over Twitter. (Still posting to both but I like Jaikus stability and features). I found a plug-in to display latest Jaiku posts. The plug-in took my site down until I deactivated it. There were three things I noticed about the plug-in.

  1. It wanted my Jaiku API code which is really not necessary with an RSS feed. This should have been my first tip-off that the guy didn’t think through his app.
  2. The code was bloated. More code means slower load time.
  3. He was a marketing guy doing coding. No offense here, I’m a designer and marketer as much as a coder which is why I don’t develop plug-ins, hehe.

I did a little more research and found a really light solution from PluggedOut Development that required placing a script in the header and a small piece of code in the side bar. It was light, non-invasive and developed by folks who know what they are doing. Works really well and I am one happy camper.

Recommended Plug-ins

  1. Akismet - protection against spam. This is a no brainer. It comes already loaded, works amazingly well and is non-invasive to your users.
  2. Global Translator. This plug-in boosts traffic from around the globe and is nicely configurable for layout. If you want to be more reachable to the world outside strong native speaker, use this plug-in.
  3. WP-Print. This plug-in really shouldn’t be necessary but the designers of WordPress and tempate builders rarely think about making the site print-friendly which is really a no brainer in my book. Print-friendly pages largely involve dropping-out unnecessary elements on the page.

Plug-ins That Work OK

  1. FCKEditor - Replaces the WordPress Editor buttons. It’s a little klunky, but better than the one pre-installed.
  2. Sociable - This plug-in is ok, but I might ditch it with just some hardcoded icons and links. It’s an alternate way have folks bookmark your site.
  3. Inline Ajax Comments - This plug-in looks cool but I’m thinking of ditching it. Not really sure if how much of an added benefit to the site.

Why Be More Conservative with Plug-ins and Buttons

  1. Page loads lighter as I already indicated.
  2. Many blogs look tacky with bright colors that cloud your message.
  3. You are promoting other sites often without real benefit back to the purpose of your site.
  4. You won’t win readership by cool effects, unless you are a generator of those effects.
  5. Only use them if it makes your site more user-friendly or effective.

Keep your site light, focus on generating original content and apply good design principles to your site and you will win readership and respect from folks.

Peace out.

Filed Under Plug-ins, Web and Tech Helps, WordPress, Blog Tip |

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Comments

6 Responses to “WordPress Plug-in Tips”

  1. kellypea on May 24th, 2007 11:03 am

    I’ve been thinking about all those buttons, so I’m glad you brought them up. I do enjoy perusing the buttons others have in their sidebars because I learn a bit more about what’s out there, what helps, and what doesn’t. And just reading about plug-ins makes me cower considering the little experience I’ve had with them. I’ve been putting off the theme change, and am getting bored with it, so have to dive back in again. Plus WP has a new version. Gotta start reading about that b/c I guess it handles the plug-ins more effectively.

  2. admin on May 24th, 2007 4:17 pm

    Kelly, take it one day at a time. You’ll get it. It’s easy to consume a lot of time w/ site configuration. Hang in there.

  3. Random Magus on May 24th, 2007 4:36 pm

    Hi. I’m like totally clueless when it comes to all this technical stuff… but have decided that my next degree will be in web designing…

  4. admin on May 24th, 2007 5:14 pm

    Random Magus, There’s a lot of demand for really good designers who have either a great grasp of communication or technical know-how. You will do well.

  5. jameswillisisthebest on September 8th, 2007 4:15 pm

    This is my first post
    just saying HI

  6. Phil on September 8th, 2007 5:16 pm

    Hey James, thanks for stopping by.

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