Plugins for Woocommerce – how to choose, what to watch out for and how not to overdo it.

WooCoommerce is a free plugin that will allow you to run your own online store on the WordPress platform. It offers a number of basic functions that are essential to its operation. However, this plug-in alone is not enough. To develop your e-store, then you need to install additional solutions to improve the functionality of the site.

Are additional plugs a necessity?

The obligation is not there, but without them it will be difficult to run a store on WordPress in the long run. With plug-ins, you can customize your site to meet your individual needs and customer expectations. A well-functioning, transparent and intuitive online store is the basis for attracting new customers and keeping old ones. Of course, we realize that choosing the right plug-ins can be difficult, as there are many options available on the market. In this article, we will discuss what to look for when choosing WooCommerce plugins to make sure they meet your requirements.

Define your needs.

First of all, think about what the plug-in is supposed to do and write out your expectations in keywords. For example, if you need a plugin that will help you organize returns and complaints, then write out such words as refund and return. The search engine in WordPress works best in English, and it’s better to stick to this language, as Polish solutions are not abundant on the platform. You will then receive a list of all plug-ins that match your query. The best way is to use the official WordPress directory, which you can find at https://wordpress.org/plugins. However, remember to check the plugin’s popularity and user reviews before installing it. You can do this by visiting the plugin’s official page on the WordPress platform or by browsing online forums and blogs where users share their experiences.

Of course, there may be a situation where one plug-in does not have all the features you want. In this case, it is worth installing a couple of solutions that will complement each other, so that you still get the effect you originally wanted

I have chosen a plug-in – what next?

Once you are sure that a particular plug-in meets your needs and has good reviews and comes from a verified source – test it. The basis is that it should be compatible with the latest version of WooCommerce. This software is constantly being developed, so updates appear quite frequently, so you should pay special attention to the compatibility of a particular plug-in. If it is not compatible with the current version, this can lead to errors, which puts the site at risk. It is equally important to test the solutions you install when you intend to deploy several plug-ins to your store. If this is the case, check that they work well together. After all, you don’t want poorly chosen extensions to spoil the functionality of the site and thus negatively affect its reception by customers.

Less is better.

We realize that the number of plug-ins and the capabilities that grow with them can overwhelm, while creating a temptation to use as many as possible. We warn against it! Avoid over-installing unnecessary plug-ins, as this can slow down your store. However, this is not the only risk associated with downloading more and more. It is the plug-ins that are the weakest link in a website’s security chain. In early 2023, there was a massive hacking attack on the popular cookie consent plugin.

Of course, attempts are being made to reduce the threat, but situations like this show that it really pays to limit the number of installed plug-ins and restrict yourself to those that are proven and valued by users. Most often, these are the ones that are kept up-to-date and their security features are at a high level. It is also worth noting whether there is technical support available for the extension. After all, when we run an online store, we are responsible for the security of our customers’ personal information, and the money they send us. Therefore, carefully select new solutions for your website.

Everything under control.

We have postured a bit, but we don’t want to leave you with the belief that it is better not to move any plugs. Absolutely not! It’s just worth using them with your head and not throwing yourself at every new solution without making sure it’s safe. When choosing any plug-in, answer three questions for yourself: Can I implement this solution without this plugin? Is it essential for my store? Does it come from a trusted source? This will help you approach the subject rationally and avoid the rookie mistake – installing everything that falls into place, because it will make your store suddenly the best on the market. Remember that sometimes simple solutions are just as effective if you can use them properly.