WordPress Tutorials, Themes and Plugins https://speckyboy.com/category/wordpress/ Design News, Resources & Inspiration Tue, 19 Dec 2023 13:05:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 What’s Slowing Down Your WordPress Website? https://speckyboy.com/whats-slowing-down-your-wordpress-website/ https://speckyboy.com/whats-slowing-down-your-wordpress-website/#respond Mon, 11 Dec 2023 13:47:22 +0000 https://speckyboy.com/?p=156027 Troubleshooting slow page loads on your WordPress website? Here are a few simple tips to help identify and address performance issues.

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We all want top-notch performance from our websites. But it’s not always easy. We live in the age of content management systems (CMS) like WordPress. And potential bottlenecks are everywhere.

WordPress websites consist of a theme and plugins. And they rely on a database. That makes diagnosing slow page loads difficult. There are so many places to look.

What’s more, poor performance can appear out of the blue. A software update or a change by your web host could be the culprit. But how can you be sure?

We’re here to help! Here are a few tips for diagnosing a slow WordPress website. They’ll help you spot common (and not-so-common) performance issues.




Start With What You Can See

The first step is to assess what you see when your website loads. What you find could help you determine the next step.

Observe your website and think about the following:

Where Is the Slowness Occurring?

Poor performance can come in many forms. For example, it could be a sitewide issue. But it could be localized to a single page. Or maybe you’re only noticing sluggish behavior in the dashboard.

Make note of where you are (and aren’t) experiencing problems. This can help you narrow down potential causes.

Are There Any Obvious Signs?

Sometimes the problem is right in front of you. Elements such as image sliders or videos can slow down a page. Or you might notice that third-party content (like a social media widget) is loading slowly.

There are no guarantees. But you might gain insight into the slowdown. If not, there are still plenty of things you can do.

A visual inspection may help you identify website performance issues

Use Some Helpful Tools

Several tools are available to help you diagnose a slow website. Performance scanners like Google’s PageSpeed Insights will provide a laundry list of potential issues.

But the reports can be a bit dense. Thus, finding key factors in poor performance isn’t straightforward.

Here, we’ll focus on a few other tools worth checking out:

Web Browser Developer Tools

Your web browser’s developer tools include powerful features. They’re the place to catch page load errors. And they can display critical information about what’s happening behind the scenes.

Modern browsers come packed with advanced developer tools. For our purposes, we’ll concentrate on the console and network panels.

Console

Let’s start with the browser console. This tool provides a real-time view of errors and warnings. It’s a handy listing of any issues impacting a page.

Perhaps the biggest telltale sign is a 404 Not Found error. That indicates a specific resource couldn’t be loaded. This could be a script, image, stylesheet, or font. The web server is wasting precious time looking for something that can’t be found.

The console will also fill you in on JavaScript errors and security notices. These can also get in the way of a faster page load.

The browser console tool displays a variety of error messages

Network

The network tool provides a listing of each request made. It provides context about what’s happening while the page loads.

For instance, you can see the amount of data transferred and the time it took. This helps you see which resources are weighing down a page.

In addition, HTTP response codes will point out blocked or missing resources.

The browser Network tool displays useful information for identifying bottlenecks

Query Monitor

Performance issues directly related to WordPress can be difficult to diagnose. That’s where Query Monitor comes in. This free plugin provides a glimpse of how the CMS works in both the front and back ends.

Query Monitor shows you things that browser developer tools can’t. And it does so with a well-organized user interface. It adds a menu within the WordPress admin bar.

Among the information you’ll find:

  • Database queries (with the ability to point out slow queries);
  • PHP errors and warnings;
  • A list of all enqueued scripts and styles;
  • HTTP API requests;
  • Server version information;

It’s a great tool for finding problematic PHP code and slow database queries. Query Monitor’s ability to point to specific items makes troubleshooting easier.

And the available add-on plugins allow you to dig even further. They can help with WooCommerce shops, BuddyPress/bbPress installs, and more.

Query Monitor can help you find the proverbial needle in a haystack.

Query Monitor is a WordPress plugin that displays performance-related information

You’ve Found the Culprit – Now What?

Hopefully, the tips above helped you identify the problem. What to do next?

Making performance tweaks is a topic of its own. Much depends on the source of your issue. However, there are a few universal steps to take.

First, be sure to repair any errors. Patch up any problematic PHP. Replace or remove references to missing resources. Remove third-party content that is taking too long to load. Consider this the low-hanging fruit in the process.

Next, look at how your theme and plugins are impacting performance. If you have outdated items installed, it may be time to replace them. The good news is that there are usually plenty of options within the WordPress ecosystem.

Finally, take a look at your web hosting arrangement. A slow file or database server is a drag on any website. Implementing tools like object caching or content delivery networks (CDN) can be difference-makers.

Be sure that your site has adequate storage, processing threads, and memory. A lack of resources is one of the most common performance issues you’ll face.

By addressing all three areas (code, theme/plugins, and server), you’ll be able to make significant performance gains.

Kick WordPress Performance up a Notch

There could be myriad reasons why your WordPress website isn’t performing well. Anything from a poorly-coded plugin to a buggy server could be to blame.

Sometimes you’ll get lucky and the root cause will be apparent. But you’ll more likely have to do some sleuthing to get to the bottom of it.

There are tools to help you pinpoint any problems. It starts with your browser’s developer tools. But you can also use WordPress-specific items like Query Monitor. Together, they’ll paint a clearer picture of what’s slowing down your site.

From there, you can take any necessary steps to boost speed. The process isn’t always easy. But it all starts with gathering the right information.

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The Pros & Cons of Customizing WooCommerce https://speckyboy.com/pros-cons-customizing-woocommerce/ https://speckyboy.com/pros-cons-customizing-woocommerce/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:36:34 +0000 https://speckyboy.com/?p=155489 It's great that you can make WooCommerce your own. But customization comes with risks, so here are some tips to help you along the way.

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WooCommerce is the most popular eCommerce solution for WordPress. The free plugin boasts over five million installations. It’s versatile and can be used to sell both physical and virtual goods.

The plugin follows the WordPress tradition of being extensible. It’s possible to change the look and functionality of the shopping cart. Plus, there’s a massive number of available extensions.

There are pros and cons to this, though. It’s great that you can make WooCommerce your own. But customization comes with risks.

So, how far should you go? Here are some tips for customizing WooCommerce. Along the way, we’ll explore the potential downsides of doing so.




Different Ways to Create a Custom Experience

First, let’s review the different options for customizing WooCommerce. There are three separate approaches, each with their pros and cons.

Think about the future before choosing a method. Be sure that you’ll be able to maintain any customizations you make. Otherwise, things can get messy down the road.

Overwrite the Plugin’s CSS

Style tweaks can be made by overwriting the plugin’s CSS. You can identify specific CSS classes by using your browser’s developer tools. Then, it’s a matter of changing the relevant styles and placing them in your theme.

This method works well for minor changes. For example, changing the color of the “Add to Cart” button.

Want to take things further? You can also disable the default stylesheet. This method is for those who want to rewrite styles from the ground up.

WooCommerce does change its CSS occasionally. Thus, you’ll want to keep up with any changes. You may need to adjust your custom styles accordingly.

Use Hooks & Filters to Modify WooCommerce’s Behavior

WooCommerce includes plenty of hooks and filters for developers. They allow you to modify the plugin output and add custom functions.

Hooks offer several possibilities. You could use them to make small tweaks. Or you might leverage them to create a fully-functioning extension.

This method is also easier to maintain. Updates to WooCommerce don’t impact hooks as often. And you can place code in a custom plugin to keep it organized.

Override the Plugin Templates

There are occasions when overriding a WooCommerce template is unavoidable. The plugin includes templates for every part of the front-end display. And they’re logically organized. It gives you fine-grain control over the process.

But it should probably be a last resort. WooCommerce updates templates frequently. As such, you’ll need to stay on top of changes.

The plugin will warn you if a template is outdated. In this case, you’ll have to grab a fresh copy and make the necessary changes.

There are multiple ways for developers to customize WooCommerce.

Making Smart Woocommerce Design Decisions

Yes, it’s possible to rip apart the look of WooCommerce. But should you? That may be a more difficult decision than you think.

It may not be to everyone’s taste. But there’s nothing inherently wrong with the way WooCommerce looks. And its popularity has benefits.

Users may be familiar with Woo’s established design patterns. That could make the shopping experience more intuitive. There’s some risk in disrupting that flow.

With that, changes to colors, typography, and branding make sense. You’ll have a shopping cart that matches your aesthetic. And you’ll continue to provide customers with a time-tested UX.

It’s possible to create a custom look that maintains Woo’s strength. And it doesn’t have to look like a default installation.

Radical changes can still be a success. But starting from scratch should be carefully considered.

The default WooCommerce layout is familiar to users.

Adding Custom Functionality to Your Cart

There are a myriad of ways to add custom functionality to WooCommerce. An industrious developer can build an extension. Or you can choose from the array of free and commercial products.

This capability is what makes WooCommerce so powerful. It can sell pretty much anything. Expanding its functionality can be done with a few clicks.

It’s worth keeping a few things in mind, though. First and foremost, WooCommerce extensions are WordPress plugins. And they come with the same potential risks.

If a WooCommerce extension is essential to your store, choose wisely. Look for a plugin that is well-maintained and supported. The wrong choice could cost you dearly.

Also, think about why you want a particular extension. Does it provide key functionality? Will it improve the user experience?

Move on if you can’t answer “yes” to either of these questions. No one benefits from more technical debt.

There is a large ecosystem of extensions for WooCommerce.

Always Look to the Future

If you take one thing away from this article, let it be this: Keep the future in mind when customizing WooCommerce.

Everyone wants to have a successful online store. It starts with building a website that is stable and secure. From there, it’s about optimizing the user experience.

Therefore, any customizations should fit this mold. And not all tweaks are of equal value. Just because WooCommerce is extensible doesn’t mean you have to max out on changes.

You’ll also need a plan for any additions you make. They all require some level of maintenance. It should be a factor in your decision-making.

WooCommerce is every bit as flexible as WordPress. Make sure that you’re using it to your benefit!

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10 Free Plugins for Customizing the WordPress Dashboard https://speckyboy.com/customizing-wordpress-admin/ https://speckyboy.com/customizing-wordpress-admin/#respond Sun, 08 Oct 2023 07:49:26 +0000 https://speckyboy.com/?p=95375 These free plugins feature practical customization solutions for lessening the WordPress learning curve for new users and saving admin time.

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The WordPress administration area (aka the Dashboard) can be customized in many ways. Menu items can be added, hidden, or rearranged. Access to settings can be set for specific user roles. Custom widgets can be added to help guide or pass important information on to users.

No matter what kind of tweaks you’re looking to make, there is most likely a WordPress plugin available to make it a reality. Let’s explore 10 WordPress plugins you can use to personalize the Dashboard to meet your needs.



White Label CMS

A stock installation of WordPress doesn’t feel very personal. That’s why White Label CMS exists. It allows you to integrate your brand into various areas of the back end.

It starts with a custom login page, then moves on to the admin header and footer areas. But it doesn’t stop there – you can also choose which admin menus to display, and create a completely custom dashboard. As a bonus, it also works with page builders such as Beaver Builder and Elementor.

White Label CMS

Remove Dashboard Access

Remove Dashboard Access offers a solution for those who want to keep certain user roles from accessing all or parts of the back end. This is great for membership sites, where users typically have a front-end profile (optional back-end profile access is possible).

In addition, the plugin lets you redirect users to a custom URL and display an optional message on the login screen.

Remove Dashboard Access

Widget Disable

Widget Disable works on both the front and back ends of your WordPress website. It allows administrators to easily turn off access to specific widgets.

With regards to the dashboard, it’s a great way to remove clutter for your site’s users. Too often, plugins litter the screen with widgets that are little more than advertisements. Widget Disable helps to make for a cleaner back-end experience.

Widget Disable

Catch IDs

There are times when you need to access the ID of a particular post, page, category, or user. Catch IDs is a simple plugin that makes this information readily available.

Once installed and activated, the ID number is displayed within the various admin content and user listings. Oh, and it also works for media attachments!

Catch IDs

Admin Columns

Admin Columns is a commercial plugin (with a free version) that enables to you add custom columns to page /post listings and more.

There are over 160 columns to choose from. For example, you can easily add a featured image column to the post listing. Not only can you display various columns, but you can also sort and filter posts by them as well. It works with all content types and can integrate with lots of plugins, including Advanced Custom Fields and WooCommerce.

Simple History

Simple History doesn’t add some major functionality to the WordPress dashboard. But it sure is helpful. A widget is added to the dashboard home page that shows you which users recently added or updated posts when a widget has been added or removed or even uploaded an image to the Media Gallery.

It also tracks things like plugin activations, user profile updates, logins, and more. Very useful for administrators who want to stay on top of whom is doing what.

Simple History

Admin Menu Editor Pro

While somewhat similar to Adminimize, Admin Menu Editor Pro does have some unique features worth checking out. For instance, not only can you hide dashboard menu items in general or by user role, you can create your own items as well.

Those custom menu items can point to any internal or external URL. The plugin also lets you move individual items to different submenus, change titles and even icons. A free version is also available.

Admin Menu Editor Pro

Custom Dashboard Widgets

The WordPress dashboard can get a little cluttered. Custom Dashboard Widgets helps alleviate some of that clutter by allowing you to replace all the standard home page widgets with simpler versions.

Consisting of a label and a FontAwesome icon, each widget can be displayed or hidden based on a user’s role. You can also add your own custom links as well.

Custom Dashboard Widgets

Ultimate Dashboard Pro

Ultimate Dashboard Pro lets you take control of the WordPress dashboard homepage. You can easily disable any and all default widgets, as well as those from third parties.

Create your own simplified widgets with either text-only or icon-based options. The plugin is compatible with WordPress Multisite. A free version is also available.

Nested Pages

A seemingly ignored part of WordPress is the cumbersome approach to managing large amounts of pages or posts. Nested Pages is a plugin that aims to fix this by turning listings into interactive tree-style menus.

It also allows you to add pages in bulk, right from within the page listing. The slick drag-and-drop interface helps to make repositioning content less stressful. A native WordPress menu is also created and updated to match your nested structure.

Nested Pages

Make it Your Dashboard

The main idea behind tweaking the WordPress administration area is to improve your workflow. By adding helpful information and streamlining what gets displayed (and to whom it’s displayed), we’re making site management that much easier.

The plugins above feature creative and practical ideas for lessening the learning curve for new users and saving administrators loads of time.

If these plugins don’t help, you could try these 20 Snippets & Hacks to Help Make WordPress Easier for Your Clients.

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How to Build a 404 Page with the WordPress Site Editor https://speckyboy.com/404-page-wordpress-site-editor/ https://speckyboy.com/404-page-wordpress-site-editor/#respond Thu, 05 Oct 2023 07:57:55 +0000 https://speckyboy.com/?p=154220 We show you how the WordPress Site Editor can help you build a custom 404 page. Don't take your 404 page for granted!

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A great website has many ingredients. But some tend to fly under the radar. The venerable 404 page is a prime example.

Web designers spend hours perfecting a site’s layout, functionality, and content. However, we don’t always pay attention to the 404. Why is that?

It’s easy to take the 404 page for granted. It’s often hidden for one. We may not think of it until we stumble upon the page.

Content management systems (CMS) like WordPress make them even less visible. That’s because themes often come with preconfigured templates. We may not think to review what’s there.

That could be a missed opportunity. The 404 page is a place to help users navigate your website. They may look elsewhere if they can’t find what they need. And WordPress block themes open the door to customization. You can add features without touching code.

Let’s explore how the WordPress Site Editor can help you build a custom 404 page.



Start with a WordPress Block Theme

To start, you’ll need to install a copy of WordPress. You can use a local site or a web hosting account.

Next, it’s time to activate a block theme. However, a fresh install of WordPress will do this for you. The bundled default themes now work with the Site Editor.

We’ll use the Twenty Twenty-Three default theme for this demonstration. But you can use any block theme you like. The WordPress theme directory has several available for download.

Even better is that a basic 404 page doesn’t require plugins. WordPress includes enough blocks to build a functional page.

Edit Your 404 Template in the WordPress Site Editor

Now that we have a WordPress block theme, we can focus on our 404 page. Let’s start by navigating to Appearance > Editor inside the WordPress admin.

Next, we’ll click on the Templates link in the sidebar.

This screen displays all of the templates that come with your theme. The Twenty Twenty-Three default theme comes with a 404 template listed as Page: 404.

What if your theme doesn’t come with a 404 template? It’s possible to add a new theme template using the Site Editor. Just be sure to keep the WordPress template hierarchy in mind.

Assess the Template

Our 404 template is a bit sparse. It consists of a paragraph block and a search field. Both items are helpful. But we can do better, right?

A quality 404 page is there to guide users. Remember that they arrived here by mistake. The link they wanted to visit isn’t available.

What can we do to improve this page? We can think of a few additions that would make a positive impact.

The original template contained only a search field and some descriptive text.

Add Some Helpful WordPress Blocks

First, we’ll add a Page List block. This one provides a map of content for users to navigate. We love that the list shows parent and child relationships.

Adding the WordPress Page List block.

Maybe our visitor was looking for a blog post? Let’s add a Latest Posts block that shows six recent articles.

We can also include a button that links to the Blog page. Users can click it to gain instant access to our archive.

Adding the Latest Posts block with a button linking to our Blog page.

Let’s narrow things down a bit as well. Our blog has several categories and tags. We can use the Categories List and Tag Cloud blocks to add direct links to them. We’ll also use the Block Editor to create a multi-column layout.

Adding the Categories List and Tag Cloud blocks.

What if our visitor still hasn’t found what they need? We’ll add a Cover block that encourages them to contact us.

A Cover block contains a call-to-action.

It seems like we’ve covered all the bases. Our 404 page will serve as a launch point for users to find desired content.

The finished version of our 404 page template.

Helping Users Find Their Way

We’ve taken a basic 404-page template and turned it into a hub. And we did so with native WordPress blocks. A few minutes was all it took to enhance the user experience.

There’s always room for more enhancements, though. You could add some third-party blocks to help users navigate. And a live search feature would improve the core WordPress function.

All told, the Site Editor simplified the template-building process. It didn’t require us to write code. And it offers plenty of layout options.

Don’t ignore your website’s 404 page. Improving it is worth the effort. And the WordPress Site Editor makes it easier than ever.

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Top 20 Free WooCommerce Plugins for WordPress https://speckyboy.com/wordpress-free-plugin-woocommerce/ https://speckyboy.com/wordpress-free-plugin-woocommerce/#comments Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:12:47 +0000 http://speckyboy.com/?p=72631 This collection of free WooCommerce extensions will add some powerful features to your WordPress store without costing a penny.

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WooCommerce has become an incredibly popular eCommerce solution for WordPress. The WordPress.org Plugin Repository reports that WooCommerce has over five million active installs. And with developer WooThemes having been acquired by Automattic, WooCommerce is positioned to be the top choice for those looking to sell online well into the future.

A very nice aspect of WooCommerce is that you can get all kinds of new functionality through its many available extensions. While most of the official extensions will cost you some money, various free plugins are available to add more features to your store. Here is a collection of free WooCommerce plugins that we think you’ll enjoy.

If you’re new to WooCommerce, we have previously published a guide that will help get you up and running quickly. And if you’re looking for WooCommerce compatible WordPress themes, we have published a collection of those here.



Mailchimp for WooCommerce

Email marketing is such a big part of eCommerce these days, and MailChimp for WooCommerce can help. It populates your Mailchimp audience with purchase data, allows new users to opt into your list, and even sends abandoned cart reminders.

Mailchimp for WooCommerce

Product Feed PRO for WooCommerce

Drive sales via other essential channels with Product Feed PRO for WooCommerce. The plugin will create product feeds for use with Google Shopping, Facebook, and more. There are no product or feed limits, and you can tweak which attributes are included.

Product Feed PRO for WooCommerce

WooCommerce Blocks

WooCommerce Blocks has brought the eCommerce plugin into the Gutenberg era. This makes it super easy to display specific products or categories anywhere on your site with the block editor.

WooCommerce Blocks

FiboSearch – Ajax Search for WooCommerce

The ability for customers to quickly find what they’re looking for is crucial. FiboSearch adds helpful “live” search capabilities powered by Ajax. Search by product title, description, or SKU. Product images and pricing are included in the results.

FiboSearch – Ajax Search for WooCommerce

Custom Product Tabs for WooCommerce

If you have specialized information that applies to one or more products, Custom Product Tabs for WooCommerce is worth a look. It offers the ability to create new custom content tabs that can be applied on a per-product or multi-product basis.

Custom Product Tabs for WooCommerce

Customer Reviews for WooCommerce

Positive reviews make a big difference. With Customer Reviews for WooCommerce, enhancing the built-in product review functionality is simple. The plugin will add images, voting, ratings, and send review reminder emails. It also integrates with Google Shopping and enables a question-and-answer section.

Customer Reviews for WooCommerce

Table Rate Shipping Method for WooCommerce

Shipping is always one of the most challenging facets of eCommerce. Table Rate Shipping lets you create a simple shipping formula based on cart total or weight. There’s plenty of flexibility here – putting you in control of shipping costs.

Table Rate Shipping Method for WooCommerce by Flexible Shipping

Sequential Order Number for WooCommerce

Getting the WooCommerce order numbering system to play nicely with your internal data can be a pain. Sequential Order Number for WooCommerce lets you customize things with sequential numbering, a custom prefix/suffix, custom lengths, and more. Admin order search functionality makes it a breeze to find a specific order within the back end.

Sequential Order Number for WooCommerce

WooCommerce Cart Abandonment Recovery

When a customer abandons their cart, it doesn’t have to be the end of the road. WooCommerce Cart Abandonment Recovery helps by sending an automated, timed sequence of reminders. It can even generate custom coupon codes that provide an incentive for coming back to your shop.

WooCommerce Cart Abandonment Recovery

YITH Essential Kit for WooCommerce #1

YITH Essential Kit for WooCommerce #1 is a collection of plugins that add valuable features to your WooCommerce install. There are plugins for AJAX Search/Product Filtering, Comparing Products, Image Zooming, Quick Views of Products, Infinite Scrolling, Wish/Wait Lists, Advanced Reviews, Multi-Vendor Carts, Tab Manager and a whole lot more.

YITH Essential Kit for WooCommerce #1

Fast Simon

Fast Simon for WooCommerce Search provides cloud-based auto-complete search functionality to your WooCommerce Store. The free version is suitable for stores with up to 200 sessions.

Fast Simon

Smart Manager for WooCommerce

Stores with a lot of products can be a pain to edit. Smart Manager for WooCommerce lets you edit products, variations, customers, coupons, and orders in a fast, easy-to-read table interface.

Smart Manager for WooCommerce & WPeC

WooCommerce Checkout Manager

With WooCommerce Checkout Manager, you can add, remove, reorder, and require fields during the checkout process.

WooCommerce Checkout Manager

WooCommerce Coupon Shortcodes

Encourage your customers to make purchases using coupons with WooCommerce Coupon Shortcodes. The plugin includes shortcodes for conditionally displaying available coupons and other useful coupon-related information.

EU/UK VAT Compliance Assistant for WooCommerce

EU/UK VAT Compliance Assistant for WooCommerce is a set of tools that takes the pain out of complying with the EU’s VAT law.

WooCommerce EU VAT Compliance

WooCommerce PDF Invoices & Packing Slips

Enhance your site’s customer service with WooCommerce PDF Invoices & Packing Slips. You have the ability to attach PDF invoices to WooCommerce emails, customers can download their invoice via their account page, and the templates are customizable.

WooCommerce PDF Invoices & Packing Slips

Order Delivery Date for WooCommerce

Some products (like gifts or flowers) may require the customer to pick a desired delivery date. Order Delivery Date for WooCommerce adds a date-picker field to the WooCommerce checkout to allow customers to choose a delivery date.

Order Delivery Date for WooCommerce

AfterShip – WooCommerce Tracking

Customers love to receive their order tracking info, and AfterShip – WooCommerce Tracking provides an easy way to add this information.

AfterShip – WooCommerce Tracking

WooCommerce Digital Signature

If your customers need to provide a signature before purchasing or downloading your product, WooCommerce Digital Signature can add that capability to your site.

WooCommerce Digital Signature

WooCommerce Multilingual

WooCommerce Multilingual works in conjunction with WPML to translate your store’s pages to a host of different languages.

WooCommerce Multilingual


The ability to extend WooCommerce means that you can build an online store with just about any functionality you need. Plus, the fact that there are so many great free extensions available means that you can add top-notch features without having to invest a lot of money.

Hopefully, you’ve found at least a few extensions here that will both improve your store’s functionality and boost sales.

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10 Free Plugins to Help Improve WordPress Content Creation https://speckyboy.com/improve-wordpress-content-creation/ https://speckyboy.com/improve-wordpress-content-creation/#respond Thu, 28 Sep 2023 06:58:51 +0000 https://speckyboy.com/?p=87653 A collection of free plugins for adding advanced content creation features that will allow you to create complex content within WordPress.

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WordPress has a lot of great features for making content out-of-the-box. The Gutenberg block editor is really helpful for setting up layouts, but sometimes you need more advanced options. This is where the wide range of plugins available can be a big help.

Whatever site you have, there’s probably a plugin that can make it easier to add and edit content in a more advanced way. This means you can create content that’s just right for your needs without much extra work.

To give you a hand, here are ten free WordPress plugins that can help you make better and more complex content. These plugins can be a game changer for your site, making creating the kind of content you want easier.


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8 Essential Free & Premium WordPress Plugins for 2023 https://speckyboy.com/essential-wordpress-plugins-2023/ https://speckyboy.com/essential-wordpress-plugins-2023/#respond Mon, 25 Sep 2023 07:13:43 +0000 https://speckyboy.com/?p=154279 This collection features eight essential WordPress plugins for small business owners and web designers. They're all leading products in their particular areas.

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WordPress is a content management system built so that anyone from small business owners to professional web designers can easily learn to work with and use it. Its core code is a powerful framework that provides essential elements and features for creating any type of website.

You’ll often need to rely on WordPress plugins to add functionality, customize appearance, and optimize performance. In case you just started with WordPress, plugins are independent pieces of code that can be added to a WordPress website to satisfy a user’s specific customization needs.

There are currently over 60,000 useful WordPress plugins. More are added to the list daily by WordPress developers worldwide.

Having the right set of essential WordPress plugins and tools at your fingertips can help you start your online business or build the websites that your clients need. This collection has eight essential WordPress plugins, all leading products in their particular areas.

Brizy – “No-Code” Website Builder for Agencies & Web Pros

Brizy No-code website builder for agencies web pros

Here’s something you should be aware of. Once you go Brizy, nothing else will ever feel easy. Whether the design team intended that to happen or not, once you start using Brizy, no other website theme builder will feel as comfortable to work with.

Brizy is easy to use, it’s powerful and fast, and it’s free. A Pro version is also available.

  • You can start with a blank page and let your imagination guide you. With Brizy’s drag and drop page builder, you can create any page in minutes.
  • Or you can import from Brizy’s selections of pages, blocks, and popup designs, or choose from the 150+ high-converting pre-made templates.
  • There are also 36+ powerful elements ranging from post elements and content, archives, and breadcrumbs to sidebars, shortcodes, and pagination.
  • Customize any part of your WordPress site with Brizy’s global colors and fonts.

You can also build a blog exactly how you want to. It’s easy to do, and no code is required. Click on the banner to get started with Brizy for free today.

wpDataTables – Tables & Charts WordPress Table Plugin

wpDataTables Tables Charts WordPress Table Plugin

wpDataTables is a power-packed WordPress tables plugin designed to simplify data management and visualization. It enables you to create interactive and responsive tables, charts, and graphs from multiple data sources effortlessly.

Whether you’re a data analyst, business owner, or web developer, wpDataTables empowers you to make data-driven decisions with ease with features that –

  • allows you to create interactive and responsive Data Tables and Charts.
  • Make your task simpler with its Advanced Data Filtering techniques.
  • Provide frontend Table Editing and Sorting for ease in table and chart building and maintenance.
  • accept data from Multiple Data Sources and in multiple formats.
  • Highlight key data using Conditional Formatting.
  • Streamline and speed up both interface and the process using AJAX loading pagination.

You can learn much more about wpDataTables by clicking on the banner.

Amelia – Appointment & Event WordPress Booking Plugin

Amelia Appointment and Event WordPress booking plugin

With Amelia, you can automate your bookings, manage schedules, streamline customer interactions, track payments, and monitor KPIs, all from a single platform.

Amelia is easy to set up and use and can give you an immediate return on your investment in addition to replacing error-prone processes and making appointment bookings easy and stress-free for clients, management, and employees.

  • Amelia can schedule and manage individual and group bookings, recurring appointments, and packages of services. Clients can book appointments online 24/7.
  • Amelia manages ticket sales and events bookings and maintains calendar views of all bookings.
  • Real-time notifications and appointment reminders are automatically sent to clients.
  • Displays and other key content can be customized to suit your brand and the needs of your clients.

Click on the banner above to learn more about what Amelia could do for your business.

LayerSlider – Best WordPress Slider Builder Plugin

LayerSlider Best WordPress Slider Builder Plugin

Choosing LayerSlider to add sliders to a website is a wise choice. It is also the best choice for creating image galleries, popups, landing pages, animated page blocks, and parallax and scrolling scenes.

LayerSlider is the only WordPress plugin you’ll ever need for your creative work for several reasons:

  • You can make anything from simple sliders and slideshows to popups and animated rich web content.
  • You can create jaw-dropping animations to stand out from the crowd and amaze your audience with unique effects.
  • You can easily create shiny new websites or spice up existing ones by giving them a modern look and feel that will impress clients and visitors alike.
  • LayerSlider is easy to use and offers a cost-effective solution to the problem of making an expensive-looking website for a fraction of the supposed price.

LayerSlider is an excellent choice for anyone.

Slider Revolution – WordPress Slider Plugin

Slider Revolution WordPress slider plugin

If you want to inject a healthy dose of spice and flair into a website, consider adding Slider Revolution to your web design toolbox.

Slider Revolution is more than a WordPress slider plugin. Slider Revolution is a visual creation tool for WordPress, and…

  • It comes with 250+ pre-built templates that can make a site look like it took months and many dollars to design.
  • Offers cutting-edge website animation effects that are accessible to beginners who don’t need to know how to code.

Over 9 million users trust Slider Revolution.

XML Sitemap Generator for Google – WordPress Plugin

XML Sitemap Generator for Google WordPress Plugin

The XML Sitemap Generator for Google plugin allows you to improve SEO rankings by creating sitemaps for pages, news, video, HTML, and RSS feeds. XML Sitemap Generator also supports custom post types and taxonomies and ensures your content is being indexed by search engines.

  • XML Sitemap Generator supports all types of WordPress-generated pages as well as custom URLs.
  • You can include images and videos in your sitemap using the Google XML Sitemap Generator plugin.
  • The Google XML Sitemap Generator plugin is compatible with WooCommerce.

XML Sitemap Generator for Google is open-source software and is free to use.

WP Maps Pro – Advanced WordPress Plugin for Google Maps

WP MAPS PRO Advanced WordPress Plugin for Google Maps

Are you planning on adding Google Maps to your WordPress site? It’s not that difficult. WP Maps Pro lets you spice up your website with stunning Google maps.

The plugin effortlessly displays posts, pages, and custom post types on Google Maps, including locations, extra fields, and taxonomies in customizable info windows. With WP Maps Pro, you can…

  • Choose from various map types such as roadmaps, satellite views, terrain, and hybrid options.
  • Include custom markers with icons, labels, and info windows, highlight significant locations, and provide essential details for your visitors.
  • Tailor your maps to match your website’s aesthetics using customizable markers, colors, and styles.

Essential Grid – WordPress Grid Plugin

Essential Grid WordPress grid plugin

400,000 happy customers will tell you that Essential Grid is, by any measure, the best WordPress grid plugin on the market for injecting new life into your websites.

With Essential Grid, you can create stunning grid layout options that range from boxed layouts to full-width or full-screen layouts with even, masonry and cobble grid items.

  • You have 50+ customizable grid templates to select and build your gallery from.
  • Fast, responsive, and fully customizable grid designs are also at your fingertips.
  • You can feed your galleries with social media content like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.

WordPress is a highly flexible CMS for website creation. One of the main reasons for this flexibility is the wide variety of plugins available for adding features and functionality to your site, some of which we covered in this collection.

Our list of essential WordPress plugins in 2023 included must-have plugins and great options for specific types of WordPress sites that can help you develop a state-of-the-art website either for you or for your clients.

The wide range of functionality that the above plugins offer will be able to meet a variety of website projects.

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10 Free WordPress Plugins to Help with Legal Compliance https://speckyboy.com/free-wordpress-plugins-legal-compliance/ https://speckyboy.com/free-wordpress-plugins-legal-compliance/#respond Sun, 17 Sep 2023 00:50:35 +0000 https://speckyboy.com/?p=89251 A collection of WordPress plugins that will help your website meet any legal compliances you need to follow.

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When running a business online, it’s important to make sure you follow the laws of your area, country, and internationally. The laws can differ depending on where you are and what kind of website you have. Thankfully, WordPress plugins can assist you in meeting these legal requirements.

Remember, these suggestions are not a replacement for real legal advice. If you have specific questions, it’s best to ask a professional who knows the law.

To help set you on the right legal track, we have a collection of WordPress plugins that can help with many of the different legal aspects of running a website. We’ve organized them by category to make it easier for you to find what you need. These plugins can be a big help in making sure your website is on the right side of the law.


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6 Best WordPress Plugins to Optimize & Speed Up Your Website https://speckyboy.com/wordpress-speed/ https://speckyboy.com/wordpress-speed/#respond Tue, 12 Sep 2023 22:33:16 +0000 https://speckyboy.com/?p=95796 With these plugins, you will be able to quickly speed up and optimize your WordPress website to be in tip-top error-free shape.

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Websites running WordPress can slow down for any number of reasons. It could be anything from bloated code, a rogue plugin, or poor hosting performance. Figuring out what’s slowing you down is hard enough, and harder still is that some methods for increasing speed (caching plugins, for instance) are full of cryptic settings.

It can all add up to something of a nightmare in diagnosing and fixing what would seem to be a simple problem.

That’s where we’ve come in to help. There are tools out there to help simplify the process of satisfying your need for (WordPress) speed. Below, we’ve compiled a collection of plugins that don’t require a rocket science degree.

They will, however, help you build a blazing-fast site. Plus, we’ll offer tips for getting the most performance out of your WordPress website.


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10 Free Plugins for Adding Functionality to WordPress Widgets https://speckyboy.com/free-wordpress-widget-plugins/ https://speckyboy.com/free-wordpress-widget-plugins/#comments Tue, 12 Sep 2023 14:06:17 +0000 https://speckyboy.com/?p=93369 We have a selection of free plugins that will vastly improve the flexibility, interactivity, and functionality of your WordPress widgets and sidebars.

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Using sidebar widgets can add extra convenience and functionality to your WordPress website. Widgets offer various functions that help users navigate, share content, and get valuable information.

Now, there are even more options for using and setting up widgets on your site.

Here’s a collection of ten free widget plugins for WordPress. These plugins increase the flexibility and functionality of widgets and sidebars.

We’ve also included some specific widgets that will be really useful for your users. These plugins can make your website more user-friendly and enhance the overall experience for your visitors.


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