What is a WordPress Plugin?
ByWhen you first get your WordPress website installed, it will come with a standard set of features. But when you add plugins, then your website becomes unique to you, and gives your site the ‘bells and whistles’ to make it really sing.
Plugins add Fun & Functionality
So what is a ‘Plugin’?
A WordPress plugin is extra software code that you can easily add to your website from within your admin area that give you extra functionality, such
as extra Search Engine Optimization, or a fancy way to print out your web pages. Many plugins are free, in fact most of the one’s I use are free. But sometimes you may want to pay for a premium plugin that is more advanced and complex than some simple free ones.
My favorite premium plugin is a fantastic one called WishList Member. Wishlist member is a plugin that will turn your website into a membership site. It’s the system I’m using for my Spring Website Creation Workshop Program.
“Plugins are tools to extend the functionality of WordPress. This article contains a list of plugins by category, and links to other plugin repositories. The core of WordPress is designed to be lean, to maximize flexibility and minimize code bloat. Plugins offer custom functions and features so that each user can tailor their site to their specific needs. WordPress Plugins are available from several sources. The “official” sources for WordPress Plugins are: Official WordPress Plugins Repository”
Here are just a few of the Plugins I LOVE:
WishList Member by Stu McLaren and Tracy Childers: http://www.WishListQueen.com (my link for it)
Print This by Lester Chan: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-print/ (thanks to Stu McLaren for telling me about Lester Chan!)
Wp Polls by Lester Chan: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-polls/
Quick Page/Posts Redirect by Don Fisher: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/quick-pagepost-redirect-plugin/
Subscribe to Comments by Mark Jaquith : http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/
If you find a plugin that is free, that you really love, then click on their donate button and help support these wonderful plugin authors who give their time to contribute to the world of WordPress.
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Thanks Christina,
Great info as usual…
I love the colors on this blog… Looks great.
Duane,
Glad you like it! I’m big into colors and images. I teach with images all the time!
This is great information, thank you! During the call yesterday I began to make a “to-do list”. One of the items was to search for a membership plugin! You must have read my mind.
Always grateful for what you bring to students and alumni.
Christina,
You will want to get the WishList Member plugin, (my link is http://www.wishlistqueen.com )
It’s a very cool plugin that let’s you use wordpress to create a variety of different membership sites.
I’m using it for the Spring Website Creation Workshop members area!
I have been enjoying your emails and learning so much. I am such a newbie to all of this but I must say I kind of get it because of the way you explain. I am just getting my feet wet not really sure I need a website but at least thoughts are turning as I just learned today that after 16 years I am getting laid off in a month.
I do have a question for you…..I have seen many blogs and some have the best pictures throughout their writings. Where do these pictures come from that bloggers use? I have always wondered that but am so new to this that I don’t have a clue.
Thanks,
Linda Sue
Linda,
So glad you like my content. I really enjoy teaching WordPress.
There are a variety of places to get graphics. I like http://www.istockphoto.com a lot! They have nice graphics and I often only pay $10 for an image that I can use multiple times. Royalty free.
Christina you’ve done it again. I love this post especially because I’ve been looking for a membership plugin. This one sounds very easy to use and that’s what I need. Thanks again.
Yvonne,
yes you can go to http://www.wishlistqueen.com (that’s my link for wishlist member) and watch the videos on it BEFORE you buy!
Hi Christina
Thanks again for very useful info for a newbie like me. I enjoy your posts as the clarity is always awesome, helping greater understanding!
I am in the United Kingdom, and due to the time difference the live calls are not convenient! Sigh!
Huge thanks though for all the help – and looking forward to the March course when the details come through.
Kaye
Kaye,
is a 7pm eastern call doable for you in the UK?
or how about a 3pm eastern call?
What time in Eastern works well for UK folks?
Hi Christina
In the UK we are usually 8hrs ahead of California and 5hrs ahead of New York.
I am in Provence France with the grand-babies now and another hour gets added on! Aarrgghh!
Thanks for enquiring though
Regards
K
I am in love with the super popup plugin. I wish it had more features but I like its simplicity.
Jae
Jae,
I’ve never used that super popup plugin. I Will check it out!
Christina,
Where did you get the cute tv frame for your video up on the right? It’d work perfectly with my “all business is show business” theme.
Tsufit
Author, Step Into The Spotlight!
http://www.spotlightbook.com
Tsufit,
That graphic was custom made by a graphic designer. Yes I LOVE your Step into the Spotlight book! I own it
What about creating columns in your post? I want to compare online/offline info for a couple of categories. I downloaded a plugin, but I can’t figure out how to activate it in my post? Any ideas?
Thanks so much.
Phyllis, are you in my workshop? These are the kind of in depth questions I answer in one of my Website Creation Workshop Webinars.
Without knowing the plugin I can’t answer you
Do you have a plug-in for your opt-in box?
Rhonda,
I use Aweber (http://www.autoresponderqueen.com is my link for them)
they are the email system/service that lets me do blog broadcasting so that when I post to the blog, you get an email.
That opt in box I coded by hand, but aweber has lots of plug and play ones that are easy for you to setup
I just love using WP plugins, they make my site very useful for it’s features. I often look for more plugins that will make my site improve, just like those ones you posted here.