WordPress Plugins – 5 Tips for Choosing the Best One
August 3, 2010
So you’re knee deep in customizing your WordPress blog and you need a function in it that requires you to add a plugin to it. You search the plugin directory and are given a list of many. Which one do you choose? Which one will be and have what you’re looking for?
1. Look at the average rating displayed in yellow stars for each plugin and compare them with all of the plugins listed.
2. Check the last Updated date. How old is it?
3. Click on the name of the plugin. You should see a pop-up like window open with the details of the plugin such as Description, Installation, FAQs, Screenshots etc. Review all of it. I’ve found great insight to the plugin in the description, FAQs and it’s nice to see the screenshots.
4. Check the compatibility version listed in the right hand side column. Is it older than the version you are using for your WordPress blogsite?
5. And finally review the comments made by others “See what others are saying” (in the lower right hand corner) who used it before you to see what they thought of it.
Plugins can cause great havoc if they are not compatible with your WordPress version or perhaps they don’t ‘play nice’ with other plugins once they’re installed. You should be able to find that information if you take a little time to research it first. And if all else fails once it’s installed just deactivate the plugin until you can find a solution.
Most plugins have their own website page so it’s also good to note this when it’s installed so you can contact the developer if future problems arise that cannot be solved by the directory listing.
Choosing your WordPress Theme Wisely
June 1, 2009
So you’re ready to pick a theme for your WordPress blog. Where do you look? What do you look for?
All these questions seem to fly right out of your head (not to mention the time) as your eyes flow over the numerous choices that you have in paid-for and free themes. But be careful! Because what your eyes feast on today; could be what they’re sore from looking at tomorrow.
Now I’m not talking about being tired of looking at the theme. I’m talking about customizing the theme and getting it to function the way you thought it would when you first looked at it. Not everything is as it seems when first looked at. The best advice I would give anyone about choosing a theme would be to find one with the layout that is closest to what you are are looking for as in most cases the colors/graphics can be changed. You need to carefully read the description of the theme and find out what comes with it. It may be required to add some plugins that you didn’t think you had to.
The next piece of advice which is equally as important is check out the forums where these themes are offered. What are other people saying about the theme? Is it difficult to work with? Is there a common issue that most people are suffering with? This also applies to the plugins. Read or find out as much as you can to see if it’s going to be worth the time it will take you to work with it.
You’ll be glad you did and you’ll be better informed as to what kind of theme you’re really working with.
