top options for wordpress in 2017When anyone starts talking about WordPress, the conversation always leads into services and plugins. WordPress has built a reputation around high quality so it’s natural to assume that you can get the very best for your website. With so much available, we want to tell you today about the best of the best in terms of plugins and services so that you can make the most informed decision possible.

Hosting Options

Before even having your WordPress site in the works, hosting is important! Choosing your webhost is going to be like running through a buffet of digital options. What you need and your budget is going to weigh heavily on your decision and it’s highly recommended you compare hosts to see a clearer picture. Things to look for are:

  • Cost
  • Review rating (if you are using a comparison chart)
  • Is there 24/7 support available?
  • Do they support WordPress?
  • Do they offer shared hosting?
  • Do they offer VPS hosting?
  • What are they known for? (customer service, best for business, etc.)
  • What is their uptime and speed?

BlueHost and HostGator are tried and true companies that have had excellent reviews in regard to their service. However, SiteGround is currently considered the best of the best.

SEO Made Easy

If you are new to the world of websites and the thought of SEO makes you worry, don’t fret! SEO plugins on WordPress can make your work that much easier. To date, Yoast SEO is the leading SEO plugin. It is incredibly easy to use and makes SEO fun. You can easily track who is coming, where they are coming from, and how search engines are working for you. The other fantastic aspect is that it will tell you the readability of your page or post. When it’s readable, people want to stay.

Hackers Beware

Security is a major concern in an age where hackers are around every corner. Wordfence Security is the plugin that has been deemed “the most downloaded WordPress security plugin”. The web application firewall works hard to keep you from getting hacked. And in the event that you were hacked, it notifies you immediately and works with you to fight off the intrusion, all with real time updates. This plugin is also multi-site compatible and offers cellphone log in so that you can be connected anywhere and at any time.

Woo Your Way in to Sales

When it comes to sales, you need to be on top of your game. WooCommerce is the top-rated sales plugin for e-commerce on WordPress. They offer a wide range of free and premium WordPress extensions to add flexibility to your e-commerce site. They also offer:

  • Ability to work with physical and digital goods
  • Variations to products
  • Instant downloads for your shoppers
  • Ability to sell affiliate goods
  • Shipping options of all kinds
  • Supports drop shipping

There are also premium (paid) options so that you can offer memberships, subscriptions, and bookings as well. When it comes to payment options, WooCommerce has you covered. You can accept everything from cash on delivery to bank transfers, Paypal to any major credit card. There are also 140 region-specific options that you can add, such as Authorize.net or Stripe. Maximizing your store capabilities goes through the roof when you opt for WooCommerce.

Using WordPress makes every website owners dream come true. No matter what your goal is with your site, you will succeed with WordPress and the many stellar options that are available in terms of service and plugins. The sky is truly the limit!