Learn the pros and cons of Jetpack, one of the most popular WordPress Plugins available.

1. The Highs & Lows of Jetpack
April 15th, 2014
#WPCME

2. What is Jetpack?
• Jetpack is a WordPress Plugin.
• Jetpack is the 2nd most downloaded
WordPress Plugin of all time.
– Over 9 million downloads!
– Averages 30,000 downloads PER DAY.

3. What is a WordPress Plugin?
From the Codex:
“A WordPress Plugin is a program, or a set of one or more
functions, written in the PHP scripting language, that adds a specific
set of features or services to the WordPress weblog, which can be
seamlessly integrated with the weblog using access points and
methods provided by the WordPress Plugin Application Program
Interface (API).”
TL;DR: WordPress Plugins are small programs, that
you can add to WordPress to add, modify, or
enhance WordPress features.
Like an app, but for WordPress.

4. Why is Jetpack So Popular?
• Jetpack is provided by Automattic.
– Their other works include WordPress.com, WordPress.org,
Akismet, WordCamp, etc…
• Many hosts pre-install Jetpack when you install
WordPress.
• Jetpack adds nearly 30 features to vanilla WordPress,
including many WordPress.com features.
– Users can turn features on and off at will.
• It doesn’t hurt that it’s free, either…

5. Popular Features
• Social Media Integration
– Publicize, Jetpack Comments, Social Sharing, G+
Profile
• Social Features
– Email Subscriptions, Likes, Gravatar
Profiles, Notifications, Contact Form
• Customization
– Widget Visibility, Extra Widgets, Custom
CSS, Mobile Theme

6. Cool Extras
• Spellcheck
• Stats
• Related Posts
• Photo Galleries
• Markdown

7. So What’s The Catch?
• Bloat
– Many unnecessary, unused options
– 6.5 MB in size
– Requires extra scripts & stylesheets
• Auto-activation of modules
• You need a WP.com account to activate it.

8. Should You Use Jetpack?
• Jetpack is a good option for:
– Personal Bloggers
– Small Businesses/Business Blogs
– WordPress Beginners/Migrators
• Jetpack may not be suited for larger
businesses.

9. Jetpack Alternatives
• The Entire Suite
– Slim Jetpack
– Jetpack Widget Visibility &
Others
• Stats
– Google Analytics
– Jetpack Lite
• Social Media
– Disqus
– IFTTT
– NextScripts
– ZillaLikes/Social/Share
– Subscribe2
• Contact Form
– Contact Form 7
– Gravity Forms
• Others
– Galleries
– G+
– Shortcode Embeds

10. Afterthoughts
Next Presentation:
Building Mobile Friendly WordPress Websites
May 15th, 2014
Questions? Comments?
Email: info@kyrieelayne.me
Twitter: @kyrieelayne
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