If you have a WordPress website hosted on cheap WordPress hosting in India, you have probably installed numerous plugins over time to address specific needs.
- Need to back up your website? Install a backup plugin.
- Need to add security? Install a security plugin.
- Need to cache your content? Install a caching plugin.
- Need to optimize your images? Install an image optimization plugin.
Before long, your dashboard may have at least 20 different plugins activated, and you cannot even remember what half of them do. This leads to an important question: do I need all these plugins, or will my best WordPress hosting platforms cover some of these?
The short answer is that some plugins are necessary. However, most plugins exist because users need more services beyond what their hosting company is offering.
Plugin is not required for each task
Plugins increase the functionality of a website by providing a feature that is not included in WordPress. However, not every business need should be accomplished within WordPress.
There are two types of plugins: functional and infrastructure.
Functional plugins add features that can be utilized right on the website, such as contact forms, search engine optimization, reservation systems, and e-commerce. These are part of the website’s functionality.
Infrastructure plugins perform services that are primarily backend-related, including caching, backing up, scanning for security issues, improving performance, and delivering email.
Most of these types of infrastructure-related services are handled by renowned web hosting providers. Hence, choose your provider smartly.
Performance optimization doesn’t need plugins
One of the most frequently added modules to WordPress sites is caching plugins.
While caching plugins help in sites’ performance, they also add to your site’s webhook complexity. Hence, server-level caching is often faster than using a WordPress plugin. It puts less strain on your server and uses fewer scripts. Because you aren’t using a plugin, there is also less chance of things breaking or clashing on your site.
If your hosting provider has built-in caching, then you may not need to install a separate cache plugin.
The same goes for the performance enhancement area. If your web host has been configured correctly and is performing optimally, then you don’t need any types of performance improvement plugins.
Backup and security
Website owners need control over their backups and security plugins; that is why these plugins are popular.
Many quality hosting providers already provide backup services (automated), security from firewalls, and malware scanning (at the server level) automatically. Security at the infrastructure level is completely separate from your website’s content. This means that even if your WordPress site gets hacked, your security services will keep working to protect you.
In simple terms, if your provider offers security tools, then avoid installing plugins. As both will do the same job twice, and cause them to clash and break your site.
Don’t add multiple plugins
Plugins add code and database queries and create problems with compatibility. Usually, one or two plugins will not create any issues; however, the potential for problems grows as more plugins are added.
Including excessive plugins increases the risks of:
- Slow loading pages
- Plugin conflicts
- Unsynchronized updates
- Security issues
Also, a few plugins mean easier website maintenance and stable performance. In many cases, a website is slow because of a bloated plugin stack rather than WordPress being heavy. Plugins that are minimal perform better than continually adding more to the stack.
Hosting quality vs. Plugin dependency
If you are using a very basic hosting environment, you may have to rely on plugins to fill the gaps left by the lack of features.
For example, plugin optimization is required for better site performance. Also, if your server security is weak, you will need security plugins. However, if you are hosted by an optimized WordPress hosting provider, you will have features built in, such as the following:
- Caching built-in
- Auto updates
- Daily backups
- Security monitoring
- Staging environments
A quality hosting environment will make WordPress lighter and allow for easier management of the site.
How to evaluate your plugin list
Always take a systematic approach to remove any undesirable plugins.
Every time you are considering deleting a plugin, ask yourself:
- Does this plugin add any visible value to the end user?
- Is this something that could be accomplished at the host level of your website?
- Is the plugin redundant with another plugin in your current inventory?
- Is this plugin still being maintained and receiving regular updates?
If you are using multiple plugins for similar tasks, consider implementing one to do them all.
Also, don’t forget to look into what your current hosting plan includes. Some of the plugins you are paying for may already be handled by your hosting provider. The objective is to find balance and implement common-sense practices.
Concluding Note
Plugins are one of the strengths behind WordPress. However, having more than one plugin on your site does not ensure it will perform better.
Some functionalities are best suited for being configured as part of WordPress itself. Conversely, some functionalities are the responsibility of your host (at the infrastructure level).
Knowing these differences can help you to reduce the complexity of your system. When your hosting and plugins work together instead of fighting each other, your website will be faster and much more reliable. You’ll also spend less time fixing “bugs” and more time growing your business.