Plugins add features and functions to WordPress websites. Plugins provide flexibility and extensibility by adding things like contact forms, lightboxes, sliders, and backup capabilities. Widgets are sections of content or navigation that can be placed in sidebars or footers, and some widgets are provided by plugins. While plugins add functionality, they can potentially slow down a site if too many are used, and may require updates to remain compatible. The document provides examples of specific plugins like Exifography, Taxonomy Converter, Post Table of Contents, and Recipe Markup.

1. Introduction to
WordPress Plugins
If WordPress can’t do it,
it will be able to soon!
kristarella.com

2. Plug-what now?
• Plugins are addons for WordPress that
add features and functions to your
website
• For example...

3. Contact Forms
Lightboxes
Sliders
Backup

4. What are widgets?
• and how are they
different to plugins?
• The word widget
comes from “Window
Gadget”
• In WP Widgets are
extra sections of
content or navigation
• Often placed in the
sidebar or footer
• Some widgets are
plugins, but not all
plugins are widgets
• i.e., you can install
a plugin to provide
your website with
new types of
widgets
• plugins can do lots
of other things too

5. Pros & Cons of Plugins
✔
• Plugins keep
WordPress from
becoming bloated
• Provide flexibility &
extensibility
• Provide choice
• e.g., Mailchimp,
Aweber, Campaign
Monitor
• Open Source (GPL)
✘
• Too many might slow
your site down
• Might need to be
updated to stay
compatible
• May be dependent on
plugin developer for
updates

6. Exifography
• Enables import of
extra metadata from
photos
• Displays photo
metadata (EXIF) in
posts & pages
Available on WordPress.org
by kristarella

7. Taxonomy Converter
by kristarella
• Built from Category to
Tag Converter
• Copy or convert any
taxonomy term to
another taxonom(y/
ies)
Available on WordPress.org

8. Post Table of Contents
by kristarella
• Automatically detects
headings &
subheadings in posts
& pages
• Lists ToC linked to
each heading

9. Recipe Markup
• Automatically detects
ingredients list &
directions in recipe
posts
• Creates needed
markup for rich
snippets in Google
by kristarella