Things to Consider Before Adding a Plugin to Your Website

January 24, 2025
|In Websites, Tips and Tools
|By Alex Georghiou Frankart
Plugin Blog
 

One of the advantages of a WordPress website is the compatibility and easy integration of plugins. Popular plugins can add functionality and enhance the user experience — all while making your workflow easier.

However, it’s important to proceed with caution before adding a plugin. Some plugins can cause more harm than good, leading to security vulnerabilities, performance issues or compatibility challenges.

Here are three key factors to consider before installing a plugin:

Plugin Conflicts

One of the most common issues with plugins is conflict with your site’s existing theme or existing plugins. Even if a plugin seems compatible with your platform, updates to either the plugin or your theme can lead to unexpected errors. These conflicts can cause features to malfunction or, in the worst case, break your site entirely.

Security Vulnerabilities

Plugins are often targeted by hackers because they can introduce security holes. If a plugin isn’t regularly updated or maintained, it could leave your site vulnerable to cyberattacks. Always check the plugin’s update history and user reviews before installing, and make sure it’s from a reputable source.

Site Performance Impact

Plugins can slow down your website by adding unnecessary code or consuming too many resources. Overloading your site with too many plugins can result in longer loading times, which can negatively impact user experience and SEO rankings.

Before adding any plugin, make sure you do some homework to protect your site.

  • Start by making sure you understand the problem you’re trying to solve. Are you looking to boost SEO, add e-commerce functionality or improve website speed? Keep that goal in mind to help you narrow down options and avoid installing unnecessary plugins.
  • Be sure to check reviews and ratings. Popular plugins like Yoast SEO, WooCommerce, and Contact Form 7 have thousands of reviews and high ratings for a reason. Look for plugins with a strong track record of reliability, positive feedback, and regular updates.
  • Consult your developer. They can evaluate the plugin, assess compatibility, identify potential security risks and fully understand the impact on site performance.
  • Before you install any plugin or run any updates, make sure you’ve made a backup. That way if something goes wrong, you can easily revert to a clean copy of your site.
  • Test the plugin on a staging site before deploying it live. This way you know if the plugin plays nicely with your site before you try it in your live environment!

If you’re unsure about a plugin or need advice on how it might impact your site OR if you’re tired of relying exclusively on plugins and want a website more tailored to your particular needs, contact our team. We’re always happy to help!