What are the Steps to Create a Plug-in?

Steps to create a plug-in: Plug-ins are extensions added to the WordPress site used to add specific features and functionality to any website. In WordPress, these plug-ins are written in PHP language and with its help, you can insert any feature in your website without writing any code. There are over +54 thousand plug-ins available that can easily be installed and uninstalled and some are available free of cost along with premium choice (paid). 

               You can choose the right plug-in for your website by checking its compatibility with the latest available WordPress, the last update, review, and rating. 

Without plug-ins, there are certain things that WordPress cannot do such as building an online community, eCommerce, forms, etc. 

Steps to create a plug-in:

As you know that plug-ins are build via codes so you need to know to program very well. Here are the steps that will help you via writing a code in the code editor for creating a plug-in:

• Set wpconfig.php file in the root directory.
• Make sure that you set WP debug through global settings to true e.g. define (‘WP_DEBUG’, true).
• In the WordPress installation folder select WordPress Content and then create a folder by assigning the same name that you have written on your plug-in. Here the important note is to make sure that you have a unique name for your plug-in. 
• Open the new folder and create your first PHP file with the exact name of the plug-in folder and start building the program.
• To recognize your plug-in define global settings so that WordPress will recognize your extension.
• Add URI, description, version, author, the license you can choose any and text-domain.
• Create another file for the security feature. 

How to Install a WordPress Plug-in?

Installing a plug-in can get easy when you proceed step by step and to make it more convenient here are 3 methods for installation:

1. Plugin Directory:

• In the WordPress directory select Plugin > Add New a page full of free plug-ins will appear.
• Select the plug-in which will work best for your website and then install it. 
• After installation makes sure that you activate it so that the selected plug-in goes live on your page.
• Once activated a demo or step-by-step instruction will be provided and after following that, the plug-in is formed.

2. Upload Plugin: 

• This method after purchasing the plug-in from the site you need to upload it first.
• Go to the Plugin in WordPress directory > Add New > Upload Plugin.
• You can either choose the file or drag it into the box and click install now.
• Here you have two options; you can activate the plug-in or return to the plug-in installer.
• There you can check the current status of your plug-ins and can activate, deactivate or delete them.

3. FTP client:

• Choose any FTP client and then from the website go to the Plugins > HTML > WP Content > Plug-ins.
• Under Plug-ins you will see the zip file of the purchased plug-in that you have downloaded from the website.
• Unzip the file by extracting it and then open the folder. 
• In the folder, you will see subfolders.
• Go to FTP client and refresh the page the plug-in folder will be available there.
• Right-click and upload the folder. By doing this all the files will get uploaded into My Plug-ins on your website.
• Go back to the Plugins in the WordPress directory and you will see the current plug-in is automatically uploaded and not activated. 

Best Plugins for your WordPress Website:

The plug-ins are the most important and powerful tools that help your website rank on SEO but using a lot of plug-ins is going to slow the loading time of your website. This is why instead of having all of the plug-ins you need to choose the right ones and here is the list of some:

1. WP Forms: The most user-friendly contact builder with drag and drop options with contact forms, subscriptions, payment forms, surveys, order forms, polls, etc.
2. Pretty Links: Used to create short links for your website in WordPress.
3. All in One SEO: The most popular plug-in used to gain visitors for your website.
4. Official Facebook Chat: A page used to interact with visitors on the website.
5. Google Workspace: Created by Google this plug-in is a suite for applications such as documents, spreadsheets, email, etc.
6. SEMRush: To improve marketing and business strategy this tool is used. 
7. WordFence: This plug-in is used to secure your site.
8. WPML: To create a multilingual website on WordPress this plug=in is used.
9. Monster Insights: A Google Analyst plug-in to check the traffic on your page.
10. WooCommerce: A most popular tool to create an online store.
11. WP Rocket: A caching plug-in that automatically turns on settings like gzip compression, cache page, and pre-loading with optional features.
12. White Label CMS: This creates a login screen, menus, side-bars, logos, etc for your website.
13. Contact Form 7: Another contact form that is most popular in use.
14. bbPress: Create discussion for your website through the plug-in.  

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