What Is The WordPress Plugin: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Plugins are an important component that supporting in increasing the functionality of WordPress, making WordPress website even more powerful. In this tutorial, you know what the WordPress plugin is, what it does, and the frequently asked questions when using the WordPress plugin.

About WordPress Plugin

In computer engineering, a plugin (also known as an add-in, an add-on, or an extension) or an add-on is a set of support software that adds specific features for larger application software.

If supported, the plug-in allows customizing the functions of an application. For example, plug-ins are commonly used in web browsers to play videos, scan for viruses, and display new file types. Examples of two widely known plug-ins include Adobe Flash Player and QuickTime. The plugin does not work automatically if the main application software is not running.

A WordPress plugin is a piece of code created to attach (plug) into the original code of the WordPress website. Simply speaking, it is an extension of the website, used to adjust and improve the main function of that WordPress website.

Using plugins is more effective than directly editing the native WordPress code because it is time-consuming, requires experience, and knows how to program. Using the plugin is very easy because you can quickly download, quickly install or remove to handle the large amount of code that plugin can do.

With the plugin, you don’t just “enter” the new code into the original WordPress code. When you see these changes are no longer valid, you can “export” that code by disabling this plugin.

The great thing is that there are thousands of pre-programmed plugins just waiting for you to attach them to your WordPress website. Using a smart plugin not only increases the functionality and experience of the website, but it also improves your entire workflow, helping you handle your work more efficiently.

What Can the WordPress Plugin Do?

Plugins turn a simple WordPress blog into any website with all sorts of functionalities that can be thought of. In just a few steps, the plugin will turn your site into an online store, a magazine, a portfolio, a school system … any type of website.

Isn’t that great? For example, to create an online store – WooCommerce is your best friend. Want to turn your site into a reservation system? Select Bookly now.

Or you are a photographer and want to present your work on the website? Envira Gallery plugin is a perfect choice.

Some plugins can “transform” your site, others work behind the scenes. You will not see the interface changes but these plugins have the ability to optimize the way the website works.

For example, WPSmush to compress images, W3 Total Cache to speed up WordPress website by caching, and WordFence to increase security.

Some Common Plugin Types

Currently, the number of plugins is incalculable, according to preliminary statistics from WordPress, there are several thousands of plugins being provided and supported for WordPress.a

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