The WordPress plugin - cure of all website ills! There isn't a problem they can't fix!

You have a problem? Check.
Need your site to act differently? Check.
Design tweak? Check.
Redirect? Check.
Footer link? Check!
Hangover? Check! (OK maybe not…I wish)

Sometimes it feels like there is no problem a WordPress plugin can't fix! In fact sometimes, we don't even add plugins to fix problems. We add them because they are cool, or shiny or even better NEW. If our site is sweet with 5 plugins, then it will KICK ASS with 50!

Right?

Well….maybe. But more likely, you have Plugin addiction. WordPress plugin addiction is no joke. What starts out as recreational plugin use, can quickly turn ugly and lead to things like website downtime, slow load times and in some cases…fatal errors.

Luckily, eProfits wants to help you. While we usually suggest some sort of a twelve step program to beat addiction, we have created a SIMPLE 3-step program to help break you of your WordPress plugin addiction.

Step 1 - Self Awareness: It is time to take a hard look at your website. I know it might be hard, but take a good long look at your website. Is every plugin you have dedicated to a must have enhancement? Which plugins could your website survive losing? Which plugins are more for your ego than your visitors enjoyment? if a plugin isn't 100% needed, then consider dropping it. Really assess what features you can and can't live with and only keep those you couldn't live without. Be harsh!

Step 2 - Eliminate Duplication: Do you have plugins that kind of do the same thing? Why? Take a look through your plugins, and see which ones you really need. I have seen sites with Yoast SEO plugin and SEO All in One. Choose one! Delete the other. If you can find a plugin that will do the job of 2 or 3 of your other plugins - use that one instead. A high number of plugins will slow your site down, and potentially break it. If you can get the same things done with 4 plugins instead of 8, then make some changes!

Step 3 - Upgrade: Alright, if you had a serious plugin addiction, you will now have a much smaller list of plugins. Now it is time to go through this list and make sure your plugins are up to date. of course, you will want your WordPress to be the most current version, and you want the same for your plugins. New versions of plugins are usually more reliable than older ones. Bugs have been addressed and any compatibility issues with a new version of WordPress are usually fixed. If you have cut down to only necessary plugins, then upgrading is the last step to take on your road to recovery. Also remember, to delete any unused plugins during this phase.

Hopefully, at this point you are cured of your plugin addiction. using too many plugins can be the downfall of your website. They are alluring for sure, but try to stick to necessary ones.

Just like just about everything else that is fun - moderation is key.