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Author: Christopher Morris

  • 11 Best Text to Speech Tools in 2023 (Free and Paid)

    Text to Speech tools are becoming commonplace on our computers and the applications we use daily. They’ve made their way into Operating Systems, AI production environments, and as a general utility for visually impaired users of computers. More and more text-to-speech (TTS) applications are hitting the market every month, making it hard to know which one to trust and commit to. Most TTS software can be used in a variety of ways. In this post, we’ll review and compare the best text-to-speech tools out there, so you can find the right one for your needs.

    What is Text to Speech?

    Text to speech is a type of technology that takes document text and converts it to an audio format. It is used as an assistive technology for speech synthesis, making text discernable through audio. For this reason, TTS is sometimes referred to as read-aloud technology. Artificial intelligence has made text-to-speech technology even better in recent years with the rise of AI voice generators. With some software, this audio output quality generated from ASCII text sounds remarkably close to human voices. Some software can even mimic (or clone) a particular voice.

    This sort of change (from robotic-sounding TTS to natural-sounding speech) has massive implications for audio/video production, audiobooks, and accessibility. Below, we’ll show you the best TTS technology and how each can be used for your business. You can also see our article on the best text to speech plugins for WordPress if you need that technology directly on your WordPress website.

    The Best Text to Speech Tools

    1. Murf

    Murf best text to speech tools - Homepage April 2023
    Murf is a powerful AI-driven text-to-speech tool that helps you convert your text into natural-sounding audio with a wide range of voice options. It is an online SaaS that allows you to enter text and apply realistic AI voices to create audio. And it can also convert audio speech files to text files.

    Key Features of Murf:

    • Over 120 natural-sounding voices (ranging from basic voices to premium)
    • Supports 20+ languages for text-to-audio conversion
    • Can transcribe spoken voices from audio or video formats
    • Full HD audio export quality
    • Collaborative editing environment, perfect for teams

    Murf AI Project Editor

    Best For:

    Murf is one of the best TTS platforms for content creators, e-learning professionals, and businesses looking for a versatile, easy-to-use text-to-speech solution. Collaborative editing environments mean multiple users can edit and perfect your markdown text to generate the best possible speech.

    Pricing: Free plan (up to 10 minutes of generated speech) with paid plans starting at $19/mo per account user

    Get Murf

    2. Descript

    Descript - Homepage April 2023
    Descript is a comprehensive audio and video editing software with an integrated text-to-speech feature, offering a seamless workflow for content creators. The whole platform is built differently than your typical TTS platform. Descript works by importing audio files and then converting them into text. Sound basic, right? The power of Descript’s platform is that it allows users to edit the text (in a Google Doc-like environment), which also then edits the original audio file. This means you can edit your audio like you’d edit a document draft. Remove filler words, fix misspoken text, and fix other audio mishaps—all without re-recording.

    Key Features of Descript:

    • Remove filler words from audio files and videos like magic
    • Overdub voice cloning technology to create true TTS audio files
    • Automatic transcription of your videos and audio
    • Full-featured audio and video editor (more than TTS, it also helps creators create in every format)

    Descript Remove TTS filler words

    Best For:

    Descript is perfect for podcasters, video creators, and professionals who require transcription and editing capabilities alongside text-to-speech features. Its Overdub voice cloning technology allows you to create realistic and customizable voiceovers using your own voice. You can also select pre-made voices to get started even more quickly. And it all works in a browser or desktop application.

    Pricing: Free plans (1 hour a month) with paid plans starting at $15/mo per account user

    Get Descript

    3. Speechify

    Speechify - Homepage April 2023
    Speechify is an intelligent text-to-speech tool designed to help users read faster and retain more information, making it ideal for multitaskers and those with reading difficulties. Unlike the previous two products, Speechify is an assistive TTS application meant to read text to personal users—not create marketing collateral for businesses (though they have a voiceover solution for creating audio/video voiceovers). Users love Speecify’s human and natural-sounding voices. It transforms how they interact with text on the web and on their computer.

    Key Features of Speechify:

    • Works via Chrome extension, iOS/Android apps, desktop
    • Set a reading voice and speed for any text for optimal comprehension
    • Take pictures of text and have it read to you using optical character recognition (OCR)
    • Library for saving documents for cross-device listening
    • Have web pages read aloud to you while you sit back and soak it in
    • Support for 20+ languages

    Speechify TTS Audio Player

    Best For:

    Speechify is great for students, professionals, and individuals. Whether you prefer audio over written text or you struggle with dyslexia or other reading difficulties, Speechify can help you improve your reading comprehension. Its integrations with popular apps and browsers ensure you can listen to any text anytime and anywhere with Speechify.

    Pricing: Free plan with a paid plan at $139/yr. An Audiobook subscription starts at $199/yr

    Get Speechify

    4. Listnr

    Listnr - Homepage April 2023
    Listnr is an AI voice generator with a hearty text-to-speech platform that helps you turn your written content into engaging podcasts and audio files using high-quality AI-generated voices. Its text editor allows users to put in the text they want to be turned into audio and adjust things like voice, accent, speed, and add pauses.

    Key Features of Listnr:

    • Wide range of realistic AI-generated voices (600+)
    • Supports multiple languages and accents (100+)
    • Audio file export and podcast hosting (with embeddable audio widget)

    Listnr’s podcast hosting capability sets it apart, making creating, distributing, and managing your audio content easy.

    Listnr Best Text to Speech tools

    Best For:

    Listnr is ideal for bloggers, marketers, and content creators looking to expand their audience reach through audio and podcasting. It’s one of the better-priced TTS software out there, and it allows 1,000 words with a free trial plan.

    Pricing: Free plan, with paid plans starting at $19/mo

    Get Listnr

    5. Synthesia

    Synthesia - Homepage April 2023
    Synthesia is an innovative AI video generation platform that allows you to create video content using text-to-video and virtual avatars. This goes beyond just outputting audio. It can turn text into a virtual talking head for more engaging videos.

    Key Features of Synthesia:

    • Customizable virtual avatars to create realistic-looking “people” for your videos
    • Turns your text transcripts into videos with your avatar speaking your written words
    • Packaged as a Web app so that everything is computed in the cloud (saving you system resources)

    Best For:

    Synthesia is perfect for businesses and content creators who want to create engaging videos without needing professional actors or complex video production. This can dramatically increase efficiency since you do not need to rely on humans for every stage of development.

    Pricing: Plans start for as cheap as $30/mo with custom enterprise pricing available

    Get Synthesia

    6. Speechelo

    Speechelo - Homepage April 2023
    Speechelo is another cloud-based text-to-speech app that provides lifelike human voices from written text. It’s an attractive option because it has a one-time purchase price that you can use for all your voiceover a TTS needs.

    Key Features of Speechelo:

    • 30 Realistic AI-generated voices
    • Support for multiple languages and accents
    • Low, one-time payment

    Best For:

    This tool is excellent for those looking for entry-level TTS software. It’s a low-cost solution that outputs better-than-expected speech.

    Pricing: $100 one-time payment (with frequent sales lower than that)

    Get Speechelo

    7. Notevibes

    Notevibes - Homepage April 2023
    Notevibes is an AI voice generator offering natural-sounding AI-generated voices, suitable for audiobooks, e-learning, and video narration. It is popular for hobbyists and commercial use if using the right plan.

    Key Features of Notevibes:

    • Over 225+ natural-sounding voices
    • Supports 25 languages, dialects, and accents
    • Customizable audio settings and voice effects

    Best For:

    Notevibes is ideal for those who need high-quality audio for web courses, video narration, or audiobook production. But, for all of that, you will need the commercial plan. The individual plan lets you create text-based audio content for personal use only.

    Pricing: Starting at $19/mo for personal use and $99/mo for commercial use

    Get Notevibes

    8. Fliki

    Fliki - Homepage April 2023
    Fliki is an AI-driven text-to-speech platform that generates realistic human-like voices, making it easy to convert written text into high-quality spoken content. It’s created by the makers of one of the best AI writing tools, Rytr. They’re known for creating functional, AI-driven products.

    Key Features of Fliki:

    • AI-generated human-like voices based on inputted text
    • 75 languages and 900 accents to choose from
    • Stock media library for creating visuals for overdubbed video content
    • Powerpoint to video and AI art

    Best For:

    Fliki is excellent for content creators who need realistic text-to-speech audio for simple video creation. They have some of the lowest prices around, making it a perfect first tool to try. Anyone needing commercial rights to audio and video material partially created with AI should check Fliki out.

    Pricing: Limited free plan with premium plans starting at $8/mo

    Get Fliki

    9. FreeTTS

    Freetts - Homepage April 2023
    FreeTTS is a free text-to-speech converter that is great for generating natural-sounding voices in multiple languages and accents, perfect for those on a budget. It’s a simple website with a text box and a submit button (but you’ll have to put up with endless banner ads). When text is submitted, it’ll create a simple audio file for your use.

    Key Features of FreeTTS:

    • Free to use
    • Supports multiple languages
    • Easy-to-use interface

    Best For:

    FreeTTS is ideal for students, educators, and individuals seeking a cost-effective text-to-speech solution. It won’t be profoundly useful, but it is something to try if you are interested and see what is possible.

    Pricing: Free to use (Ad supported)

    Get FreeTTS

    10. Synthesys

    Synthesys - Homepage April 2023
    Synthesys is another AI video + text-to-speech platform using AI technology to generate human-like voices. It enables users to create engaging and natural-sounding audio content and virtual avatars created through Text to Video (TTV) technology. Virtual avatars on Synthesys are called “Humatars.”

    Key Features of Synthesys:

    • Deep learning AI-generated voices
    • High-resolution video and audio output
    • API for creating workflows that use TTS and TTV at scale
    • 140 languages and 374 voices, or upload your own voice

    Best For:

    Synthesys is perfect for anyone creating content (video or audio) and who wants to rely less on human narrators or actors. It is one of the more trusted platforms on the list and has a solid reputation (and a money-back guarantee).

    Pricing: Starts at $35/mo for voiceovers and $45/mo for videos. Combining both starts at $65/mo

    Get Synthesys

    11. Lovo

    Lovo - Homepage April 2023
    Lovo is an AI-powered voice generator that offers realistic voices and customization options. Aside from languages and accents, it also provides users with tones that affect how the voice sounds (serious vs. amazed).

    Key Features of Lovo:

    • Over 400+ AI-generated voices
    • Support for 100+ languages and accents
    • Easily control phoneme level, word emphasis, and pauses in natural places
    • 25+ emotions for modulating the tone of the generated speech

    Best For:

    Lovo is excellent for content creators who need a streamlined way of making high-quality spoken audio. Especially if you need different voices, languages, and emotional ranges. The text editor also makes it easy to build more authentic-sounding voiceovers with simple commands.

    Pricing: Free plan with paid plans starting at $25/mo

    Get Lovo

    Best TTS Tools FAQ

    What is the best text-to-speech software?

    Overall, Murf is the best text-to-speech tool on our list. It is reliable even for the most complicated voiceover creation environments with many voices and languages supported. The price is reasonable, and it scores good marks from reviewers.

    What is the best text-to-speech software for YouTube?

    Descript is excellent at removing filler words and other faux pas in post-production. Synthesia is great for creating life-like AI avatars through text to video technology.

    What is the most realistic text to speech?

    Lovo creates some of the most realistic text to speech audio on the market. Its editing interface lets users easily add realistic-sounding elements to the generated voices, such as natural pauses, word emphasis, and overall tone (excited or tired).

    How Does Text to Speech Work?

    Text-to-speech (TTS) is a technology that converts text into human-like speech. It is used in various applications, such as audiobooks, e-readers, and voice assistants. TTS technology has improved significantly in recent years. TTS systems are now able to produce speech that is very natural and human-like. This has made TTS a valuable tool for a variety of applications.

    TTS breaks down the text into phonemes, which are just the building blocks of spoken language. From there, AI-trained models can apply things such as rhythm, stress, and pitch for the strung-together phonemes. Lastly, this is all converted to some form of audio file that a listener can play back.

    What is Text-to-Speech Software?

    TTS software is a tool that reads text aloud. It can be used to help people who have difficulty reading or to make content more accessible to everyone. It can also be used to create audiobooks and narrated videos (voiceovers).

    What is the Best Text to Speech Tool?

    Want to use only the best? Use this chart to compare the best text-to-speech tools. Then check our recommendations below.

    Text to Speech Tool Starting Price Free Option
    🥇 Murf $19/mo ✔️ Visit
    🥈 Descript $15/mo ✔️ Visit
    🥉 Speechify $139/yr ✔️ Visit
    4 Listnr $19/mo ✔️ Visit
    5 Synthesia $30/mo ❌ Visit
    6 Speechelo $100 ❌ Visit
    7 Notevibes $19/mo ❌ Visit
    8 Fliki $8/mo ✔️ Visit
    9 FreeTTS / ✔️ Visit
    10 Synthesys $35/mo ❌ Visit
    11 Lovo $25/mo ✔️ Visit

    Overall, Murf is the best text-to-speech tool on our list. It has a large user base and is suitable for all types of speech creation. Descript is an unbelievable platform for teams that want to be able to edit their audio and video files by removing and adding words in a text document. It, by far, has the most innovative approach to TTS.

    Speechify is a top text-to-speech software for personal productivity. It can turn text-based content into enjoyable audio by simply highlighting text and pressing play. It’ll change how you interact with written content online and dramatically increase your reading comprehension (especially if you read along with the generated voice).

    Want to be amazed by other AI technology? Check out the best AI rewriting tools and our top selection of AI chatbots. Both types of tools could increase your business’ productivity for a low cost.

    Feature image via mix_vector / shutterstock.com

    The post 11 Best Text to Speech Tools in 2023 (Free and Paid) appeared first on Elegant Themes Blog.

  • WordPress vs ClickFunnels: An In-Depth Analysis (2023)

    There have been platforms for building websites, landing pages, and sales funnels for quite some time now. For many, the choices come down to WordPress vs ClickFunnels, two powerful platforms that help people build websites that get more conversions on their digital properties.

    WordPress is the most flexible CMS on the market and can be adapted (with themes and plugins) to create sales funnels and landing pages optimized for lead generation. ClickFunnels (and its major update ClickFunnels 2.0) is a popular sales funnel builder that has grown to become an all-in-one platform for building a website. It has built-in tools for funnel marketing that include a funnel builder, LMS (for online courses), eCommerce, affiliate site builder, email marketing, and CRM. This makes it hard to compare with something so modular as WordPress.

    In this post, we’ll review how ClickFunnels and WordPress compare in price, usability, customization, eCommerce, and more, so you can find the right marketing funnel platform for your website.

    WordPress vs ClickFunnels: Pricing

    Pricing is a big deal for websites. WebFX has calculated the average cost for a professionally built small-business website at $2,000 to $9,000 with annual costs of between $400 and $1,200. And it’s easy to justify those figures when you recognize all the mission-critical features baked into a modern website. Ideally, you’d want to minimize the costs associated with a website or funnel builder while retaining the features and general capability. How do these two web platforms stack up on price?

    How Much Does WordPress Cost?

    WordPress is open-sourced software, meaning the core technology is free to use. However, there are costs associated with using it. At a minimum, you’ll spend around $20/yr on a domain (Namecheap) and from $5/mo to $75/mo on web hosting (you can get both of these with a trusted provider such as Siteground). Web hosting prices vary depending on the provider and the hosting you choose, such as shared hosting vs VPS hosting or dedicated hosting. These are the ante for working with WordPress (and any website platform, SaaS or self-hosted).

    Aside from the costs associated with hosting and domain registration, you can also purchase premium themes and plugins. This is where you can transform a powerful blogging CMS into a full-fledged funnel builder.

    With options like WooCommerce + WPFunnels, FunnelKit, or CartFlows, website owners can bring sales funnels, in all their glory, to WordPress. Some even have free options for those just starting in this world. CartFlows, at the time of this writing, cost only $79 per year for their starter plan. Compare that with ClickFunnel’s $147 per month price tag.

    Maybe add a premium WordPress theme (Divi has a one-time cost under $300), a contact form plugin like Gravity Forms (for $59 per year, a caching plugin like WPRocket (for $59 per year), and a mix of other free or low-cost plugins. With the domain, hosting, and these example plugins, powering a WordPress sales funnel would cost less than $250 per year with an additional one-time payment of less than $300. All that is the cost of only four months on ClickFunnels’ Basic plan.

    ClickFunnels also allows the creation of membership sites, courses, and CRM/Email marketing campaigns. WordPress, of course, can also do those things with the right free/premium tools. See our top recommendations for membership plugins, CRM plugins, and LMS plugins for WordPress sites.

    How Much Does ClickFunnels Cost?

    ClickFunnels is a platform that offers three plans for businesses to choose from based on scaling needs.

    ClickFunnels Pricing Page April 2023

    The Basic plan includes the foundational features of ClickFunnels at $147 per month. It provides one website, 20 funnels, one admin user, one domain, three courses, 1,000 students, and 10,000 contacts. Users get unlimited workflows, pages, products, email sequences, and basic analytics.

    The Pro plan includes everything in the Basic plan but with higher usage limits and additional features. For $197 per month, users get one website, 100 funnels, five admin users, and usage on three domains. The plan also includes 15 courses, 10,000 students, and 25,000 contacts. Additional features in the Pro plan are the ability to create an affiliate program, API access, ShareFunnels, Liquid Theme Editor, and CF1 Maintenance Mode Plan.

    Lastly, the Funnel Hacker plan includes everything in the Pro plan but with even higher limits and advanced features. For $297 per month, users get three websites, unlimited funnels, 15 admin users, usage across nine domains, and advanced analytics. The plan also includes 200 courses, 20,000 students, and 200,000 contacts.

    It’s important to note that while ClickFunnels does have a monthly cost, it is an all-in-one solution for creating sales funnels, which can save you money and time compared to creating funnels with multiple tools and platforms. It offers this simplicity and packaging for a higher cost. The Basic plan would cost about $1,524 per year with the annual payment option.

    Thankfully, ClickFunnels does offer a free 14-day trial, so you can try it out beforehand.

    WordPress vs ClickFunnels: Ease of Use

    Ease of use is where things can get interesting. It all depends on your experience with funnel building which is pretty different from creating a typical website. If you’re new to this concept, then it may be difficult either way you go. We’ll explore this in a little more detail below.

    WordPress Ease of Use

    WordPress offers excellent ease of use when creating a basic website or blog. The platform’s simple interface allows users to easily create and edit pages, posts, and media without much technical knowledge. However, setting up WordPress is more involved than many beginners expect. Finding the right hosting and domain registrar and installing WordPress, a theme, and plugins require some experience (at least good guidance). But it isn’t that hard.

    WordPress’ block editor and core settings are very easy to use, and there are plenty of resources online to get you up to speed. Although building marketing funnels in WordPress involves more integrated tools, you still have more flexibility to build funnels using your favorite drag-and-drop editor or visual page builder.  For instance, with Cartflows, you can select a page builder like Divi to use for your funnel-building process.

    CartFlows Installation and Setup

    Funnel Builders on WordPress do present more of a learning curve (especially for those that aren’t tech-savvy). This is the same as if you started with ClickFunnels. You’d have to learn how the program works—and for WordPress, we recommend trying either WPFunnels, FunnelKit, or CartFlows. Building eCommerce-powered sales funnels for products or courses is more challenging than creating a business website. You should expect that building a funnel will be a little more complicated (in WordPress or a dedicated sales funnel builder).

    ClickFunnels Ease of Use

    ClickFunnels has an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to use for beginners. The platform offers a range of templates and prebuilt funnels, which can be customized to fit your specific needs. ClickFunnels also provides a visual editor that allows you to design and edit your funnels in real-time without any coding required.

    ClickFunnels Simultaneous Edits

    ClickFunnels also has all the tools you’ll likely need built-in. This includes eCommerce capability, funnel builders, and email marketing. This is nice compared to WordPress since you don’t have to figure out individual plugins that can do these tasks and then double-check that they all work seamlessly together. On the other hand, this also means that you are 100% bought into the ClickFunnel ecosystem—if they miss one or two features, you’re stuck with that.

    WordPress vs ClickFunnels: Customization

    Customization is a big part of many website-building platforms. It’s hard to know what your website will need in a couple of years, but you need to trust that your website technology will grow with you. Both WordPress and ClickFunnels offer a range of customization options, but as we’ll see, they look very different.

    Customization in WordPress

    WordPress is a highly customizable platform with endless possibilities for design and functionality. Unlike website builder platforms like ClickFunnels, WordPress offers a vast array of tools, resources, and people to help you create the website you want. With its theme repository containing thousands of free themes, as well as premium themes and page builders (including Divi), you have almost limitless options for design customization and extendibility.

    Divi, premium WordPress website builder plugin

    In addition to themes, WordPress has over 50,000 free plugins available for use. These plugins can add a wide range of functionality to your site, including forms, social media integration, eCommerce features, email marketing, and much more. You can also use free and premium plugins to create custom functionality unique to your site.

    WordPress 60000+ Plugins

    Moreover, those with coding skills can take customization to the next level by extending and modifying existing themes with simple CSS tweaks or more advanced PHP coding. With WordPress, you can make your website your own and stand out from the crowd.

    Customization in ClickFunnels

    ClickFunnels has limited customization options. It does come with prebuilt funnels and templates for creating things easily, but you are limited to what the Clickfunnels team has developed themselves. Impressively, the tools it has built span funnel building, CRM, and eCommerce. So, it isn’t like they don’t have any tools—you are just restricted to what they’ve built.

    ClickFunnel’s integrations allow for greater customization and flexibility with frequently used tools. For instance, it has integrations with popular SMS and email marketing services and a few payment processors. But since it is a closed ecosystem, integrations are sparse. When comparing the 3rd party integration potential of ClickFunnels vs WordPress, you quickly notice that there are far fewer options with ClickFunnels.

    WordPress vs ClickFunnels: Publishing Tools

    When it comes to publishing tools, WordPress is the de facto platform for publishing and blogging. It offers a wide range of features and customization options that cater to bloggers and content creators.

    WordPress CMS

    The WordPress CMS features an editor that you can use for creating and publishing content. The editor is intuitive and user-friendly, with various formatting options and the ability to add images, videos, and other media. Additionally, WordPress allows you to schedule posts in advance, which is helpful for bloggers and businesses that want to maintain a regular publishing schedule.

    WordPress also integrates with third-party tools, such as Google Analytics, SEO plugins, and social media sharing plugins. These tools allow you to analyze your website’s performance, improve your search engine optimization, and increase your social media presence.

    WordPress’s Block Editor is an advanced system for creating and displaying content. It goes well beyond a typical WYSIWYG editing environment. Blocks of all sorts can be used to create rich content that thrills visitors.

    The WordPress Block Editor

    ClickFunnels Publishing

    ClickFunnels primarily focuses on building sales funnels, offering limited publishing tools compared to WordPress. In ClickFunnels 2.0, a new Blog feature lets users create and publish blogs. It provides a simple editing interface that looks like a modern-looking 2015 WordPress editing interface with limited WYSIWYG editing.

    Blog Editor in ClickFunnels 2.0

    WordPress vs ClickFunnels: Security

    WordPress and ClickFunnels both provide features and tools for website security. However, they do differ in how they approach security and how much control you have over these features.

    WordPress Security

    WordPress is a self-hosted platform, meaning you are responsible for ensuring the security of your website. While WordPress is a secure platform, its customizable nature makes it vulnerable to attacks. If one plugin or theme is vulnerable, it can open up your whole site to nefarious actors.

    However, numerous security plugins available for WordPress can enhance its security. These plugins offer features such as malware scanning, firewalls, and login protection. WordPress regularly updates and patches to address known vulnerabilities and secure the platform. And the best plugins are routinely updated to ensure patches come out quickly before being exploited.

    However, it’s important to note that ensuring the security of a self-hosted WordPress website requires more work and attention compared to using a SaaS platform like ClickFunnels. You are responsible for setting up and maintaining security measures, such as SSL certificates and backup plugins.

    ClickFunnels Security

    ClickFunnels is a SaaS platform, which means that the platform’s team handles the security of your website. It offers a range of security features, including SSL encryption and two-factor authentication. These features help to ensure that your website and data are secure.

    A SaaS platform like ClickFunnels can offer peace of mind regarding website security, as you don’t have to worry about setting up and maintaining security measures. However, it’s important to note that SaaS platforms can still be vulnerable to attacks, and choosing a reputable and reliable platform that prioritizes security is essential.

    WordPress vs ClickFunnels: eCommerce

    Regarding eCommerce, both WordPress and ClickFunnels offer their features and considerations.

    WordPress eCommerce

    With its integration with various eCommerce plugins like WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads, WordPress has become a robust platform for creating online stores. Building an online store and adding products to it using WooCommerce is hassle-free. Once you install the plugin, new menu items are added to your WP admin dashboard. You can create and categorize products, just like you would create a new Post or Page. WooCommerce supports multiple payment gateways by default, including EFT, PayPal, and Stripe.

    WooCommerce features

    One of the benefits of using WordPress and WooCommerce is the flexibility it offers. You have full control over the design and functionality of pages used in the buying process (shopping cart, checkout, etc.).You can customize your online store with thousands of plugins and themes to meet your specific needs and preferences.  For example, Divi has powerful eCommerce Modules that make building a custom online store possible.

    ClickFunnels eCommerce

    ClickFunnels comes with eCommerce functionality, making it possible for you to set up and manage an online store without leaving the platform. However, customization options are limited compared to WordPress. While you can add products and collect orders, you can’t create a completely customized eCommerce experience.

    ClickFunnels Advanced Analytics for eCommerce

    One of the benefits of using ClickFunnels for eCommerce is the convenience it offers. The platform is designed to optimize your online store for conversions. ClickFunnels takes care of eCommerce setup and maintenance, allowing you to focus on managing your online store within the platform.

    FAQ

    Is WordPress better than Clickfunnels?

    Both WordPress and Clickfunnels have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them depends on your needs and preferences. WordPress offers a high degree of customization and flexibility, while Clickfunnels is specifically designed for creating sales funnels and optimizing your website for conversions.

    Can you use Clickfunnels with WordPress?

    Yes, it is possible to use Clickfunnels with WordPress. You can use Clickfunnels to create and integrate sales funnels into your WordPress website. To do this, you can use Clickfunnels’ WordPress plugin or embed the Clickfunnels funnel directly into your WordPress website using an embed code. This integration allows you to take advantage of Clickfunnels’ powerful funnel-building capabilities while still using WordPress for your website’s design and functionality.

    Can Clickfunnels replace your website?

    While Clickfunnels is a powerful platform for building sales funnels, it is not designed to replace your entire website. Clickfunnels primarily focuses on creating sales pages and funnels optimized for converting leads into customers. While you can use Clickfunnels to create a website, it may not be as comprehensive as a website built with a content management system like WordPress. Therefore, if you need a website with a wide range of functionalities beyond just sales funnels, it’s better to use a content management system like WordPress, which offers more flexibility and control over your website’s design and functionality.

    Does WordPress have a funnel builder?

    WordPress does not have a built-in funnel builder, but there are various WordPress plugins that can be used to create sales funnels. Two popular options are WPFunnels and FunnelKit.

    These plugins provide users with comprehensive funnel-building capabilities that are specifically designed for WordPress websites. If you already use WordPress for your website and want to keep everything within the platform, WPFunnels and FunnelKit are good options for your funnel-building needs.

    Conclusion: Is ClickFunnels Better than WordPress?

    We recommend that you try WordPress if you need extreme customization or want better pricing than using ClickFunnels. Setting up WordPress for building sales funnels might be more work than with ClickFunnels, but that work can be considered true sweat equity that saves you from ClickFunnels’ high price tag. This is especially ideal for those starting who probably aren’t fully monetized. Why pay extra when you are still building your business? That said, it wouldn’t hurt to take advantage of ClickFunnel’s free trial to see if it is a better fit.

    WordPress vs ClickFunnels

    Let’s look at a quick comparison of the platforms and where each excels.

    Feature WordPress Clickfunnels
    Ease of Use Relatively easy to use, but has a steep learning curve, especially with all the customization options 🥇Winner
    Intuitive drag-and-drop interface, easy to use connect tools
    Customizability 🥇Winner
    Highly customizable, with thousands of plugins and themes for just about any need    		 Less customizable, with limited design options
    eCommerce Support 🥇Winner
    Fully integrates with WooCommerce, and other eCommerce tools    		 Built-in eCommerce functionality that’s limited to what ClickFunnels provides
    SEO Friendliness 🥇Winner
    Extremely SEO-friendly, with numerous plugins available for optimization (many are free)    		 Offers basic SEO tools, but not as comprehensive as WordPress
    Pricing 🥇Winner
    Open-source and free to use, but requires hosting, domain, and sometimes premium solutions    		 Subscription-based with various pricing tiers and features, but overall priced high since you are paying for multiple tools
    Integration 🥇Winner
    Most 3rd party tools that you’d want to use have a WP plugin or connect with hundreds of other plugins with integrations    		 Offers integrations with some tools, but not as extensive as WordPress
    Get Started with WordPress Choose ClickFunnels

    The Best Way to Get Started with WordPress

    Are you thinking about using WordPress? If so, we know it can be challenging to know where to start. Here is a quick guide to help you create the ultimate WordPress toolkit:

    1. Hosting: You’ll want a great host. We recommend SiteGround and Pressable.
    2. Theme: We recommend our very own Divi Theme. It’s the most popular theme in the world for a reason!
    3. Funnel Builder: We recommend you try WPFunnels or FunnelKit for building WordPress funnels.
    4. SEO: Make sure your website is optimized for search engines using Rank Math (its free plan is better than ClickFunnels SEO tools).
    5. Performance: Get WP Rocket or another speed optimization plugin to ensure your site is blazing fast.

    What’s your experience with WordPress or ClickFunnels been like? Obviously, both are great platforms, but how have they worked for you?

     

    Featured image from WordPress.org and ClickFunnels

    The post WordPress vs ClickFunnels: An In-Depth Analysis (2023) appeared first on Elegant Themes Blog.

  • 13 Best Live Chat Software in 2023 (Free and Paid)

    Giving exceptional support on a website has never been more crucial. As more websites become transactional, your visitors need more help to make the decisions you want them to make. That’s where live chat software can make all difference. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of the best live chat software solutions that cater to various business needs. Whether you’re a startup, small business, or large enterprise, discover the perfect live chat tools to elevate your customer support game and keep your visitors returning for more.

    13 Best Live Chat Software

    13 website chat platforms that can help you manage growing support demand and improve your brand through support.

    1. LiveChat

    Livechat.com - Homepage April 2023
    LiveChat is a Poland-based live chat and help desk solution that allows businesses to communicate with customers in real time. It is the flagship product, but the same company also develops HelpDesk, KnowledgeBase, and Chatbot (one of the top AI chatbots).

    Key Features of LiveChat:

    • Ticketing system for managing longer support queries
    • Advanced reporting and chat transcripts
    • Chat routing based on interaction intent and automatically segment new leads
    • Omnichannel messaging across many supported services
    • eCommerce integration to create a conversational shopping experience (watch that boost your chat ROI)

    LiveChat Customer List

    Best For:

    Companies that could see themselves using the whole ecosystem of tools, from live chat and AI chatbots to a helpdesk and knowledgebase. These integrated tools can make larger eCommerce and SaaS operations more efficient while improving customer experience (CX). eCommerce stores stand to benefit from reduced churn and better retention rates.

    Pricing: Plans starting for as little as $24/mo

    Get LiveChat

    2. HubSpot Live Chat

    Hubspot Live Chat software - Homepage April 2023
    HubSpot is a leading CRM platform for helping businesses grow. It is known for being one of the best platforms for marketing automation, with a suite of tools for managing sales, support, and more. But did you know it also offers a live chat solution?

    HubSpot’s live chat is a tool that allows businesses to connect with website visitors in real time. It can answer questions, provide support, and generate leads. HubSpot’s live chat is easy to use and integrates with other HubSpot products, such as HubSpot CRM and marketing automation tools.

    Key Features of HubSpot Live Chat:

    • CRM, CMS, and Marketing integrations
    • Qualify, and then route leads to the right team
    • Chat conversations are stored in CRM so future agents can get customer context fast
    • Slack integration so you can help customers where you work

    HubSpot Best Live Chat Software

    HubSpot’s seamless integration with its own CRM makes it an ideal solution for businesses already using HubSpot’s suite of tools. The CRM integration allows for better tracking of customer interactions and improved customer support.

    Best For:

    Businesses already using HubSpot for CRM should look no further for basic live chat—though it does leave much to be desired in conversational AI. Those looking for a live chat solution and a CRM integration can solve two problems with one unified platform.

    Pricing: Free live chat solution with paid CRM plans starting at $20/mo

    Get HubSpot Live Chat

    3. Tidio

    Tidio Live Chat software - Homepage April 2023
    Tidio is a live chat tool and AI chatbot that helps businesses turn passive visitors into active buyers. It’s a user-friendly live chat widget with impressive AI chatbot abilities.

    Key Features of Tidio:

    • AI bot that classifies user intent, understands queries even if misspelled words are used, creates FAQ responses based on website content, and a writing assistant that is trained on your customer satisfaction data
    • eCommerce integration to automate offers, discounts, and recommendations based on store and visitor data
    • AI learns your business communication over time to be able to answer even more customer questions while you take a break
    • WordPress/WooCommerce plugin for easy integration and setup

    Tidio is a user-friendly live chat solution with an impressive array of chatbot functionalities that cater to businesses of all sizes. The visual chatbot builder allows for easy customization of basic chatbots to suit specific business needs. Tidio+ comes with conversational AI (but at a much higher monthly price tag).

    Best For:

    Great for any business. They have plans that support any scale of business. Tidio can grow with you and provide you with the tools you need.

    Pricing: Free, with paid plans starting at $20 per month

    Get Tidio

    4. LiveAgent

    "<brLiveAgent is a live customer chat software that helps businesses provide customer service to users and visitors. It is easy to use and can be customized to fit the needs of any business.

    Key Features of LiveAgent:

    • Universal inboxes for chat, email, and even phone support support
    • Knowledgebase and forum solutions built-in
    • Workforce management tools like time tracking, call queueing, and interaction routing/transfer

    LiveAgent’s universal inbox feature simplifies customer support by consolidating communications from various channels into one centralized location. This makes it easy for support agents to manage and respond to customer inquiries no matter how they come in.

    Best For:

    LiveAgent is for businesses that rely on a scaled and effective customer support operation. Large support teams handling complex queries over multiple channels can rely on LiveAgent.

    Pricing: Free plan available, and business plans starting at $12/mo per agent

    Get LiveAgent

    5. Zendesk Chat

    Zendesk - Homepage April 2023
    Zendesk Chat is a live chat software solution that helps businesses provide 24/7 customer support. It is easy to set up and use and scales seamlessly with businesses of any size. People love it for its robust and scalable live chat solution with AI-powered chatbots and advanced analytics. Plus, Zendesk is a go-to provider for anything “customer support.”

    Key Features of Zendesk Chat:

    • AI-powered chatbots (called Answer Bot)
    • Rule or Condition-based bots for routine conversations and answers
    • Conversation analytics, CSAT scoring, and customer journey views
    • Out-of-the-box integrations with 3rd party tools and a broader CX platform
    • Async web chat that works across channels (start a conversation in Facebook Messager, finish it on any supported channel)

    Zendesk Chat is a robust and scalable solution that is especially beneficial for larger enterprises seeking advanced chatbot capabilities. AI-powered chatbots enable businesses to provide efficient and personalized customer support. It offers a variety of tools, including proactive chat, canned responses, offline forms, customizable branding, and integration abilities.

    Best For:

    Large enterprises seeking a live chat solution with advanced chatbot features and scalable functionality.

    Pricing: Plans start at $49/mo per agent

    Get Zendesk Chat

    6. Zoho Desk

    "</a

    Zoho Desk Live Chat is a customer service tool that allows your chat support team to work on support tickets and chats efficiently. You probably know Zoho from its very popular CRM and dozens of connected tools, but it offers even more. Note that live chat is only available in their “Enterprise” plan, but smaller businesses stand to benefit from the standard plan’s help center, email ticketing, and social media connections.

    Key Features of Zoho Desk:

    • Multichannel support (Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and WeChat)
    • Workflow and Macros for automatic ticket management
    • Improve customer satisfaction by giving faster and more personalized support
    • Time-saving snippets for repeated phrases
    • Gather customer feedback to improve your processes

    Best For:

    Zoho Desk’s customer service and support approach is appropriate for different scaling needs. The lowest-priced plans omit reasonable things and focus on async communication channels. The higher plans assume more people-power and allow access to tools like live chat and telephone support. If you are a smaller business looking only for live chat, look at Olark (next up).

    Pricing: Live chat plans start at $50/mo, but there are cheaper plans

    Get Zoho Desk

    7. Olark

    Olark - Homepage April 2023
    Olark is a small but loved live chat software that helps businesses service their customers quickly. With Olark, you can chat with visitors on your website in real time, answer their questions, and so much more.

    It enables you to organize the data you’ve collected from your users within Olark or your preferred CRM. It also has a WordPress plugin.

    Key Features of Olark:

    • Customizable chatbox design with pre-chat forms for faster resolve times
    • Automatically trigger chat messages based on web events (location, referring URL, and browsing behavior)
    • Searchable chat transcripts to uncover trends
    • Live dashboards, analytics, and management tools
    • All plans have all the features (that’s worth looking at)
    • Co-browsing addon lets you control the customer’s screen

    Best For:

    Small to medium-sized teams seeking a no-nonsense, easy-to-use live chat solution for engaging with their customers.

    Pricing: $29/mo per agent

    Get Olark

    8. Social Intents

    SocialIntents - Homepage April 2023
    Social Intents is a live chat solution for businesses using Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, and Webex. It helps companies interact with customers using a familiar collaborative tool that employees already know how to use.

    Key Features of Social Intents:

    • Website chatbot with deep integration to other tools your team uses every hour of every day
    • Pre-qualify leads based on rules and data
    • Quick replies based on routine questions
    • No “per agent” pricing, so you just pay for the tech (Basic plan and up)
    • Pro and Business plans have access to ChatGPT API and Dialogflow chatbots

    Best For:

    Social Intents is a versatile live chat solution built for social teams. It’s not quite as feature-rich as customer support-oriented chat solutions, which makes Social Intents stand out. Colleges, government organizations, and clubs can use Social Intents to create a natural channel for communication with their members.

    Pricing: Plans start at $49/mo

    Get Social Intents

    9. Tawk.to

    Tawk.to - Homepage April 2023
    Tawk.to is a free live chat tool with one of the most attractive pricing models on the market. It offers unlimited messaging, ticketing, and agent seats and includes iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac OSX apps for free. They are also expanding into CRM, chat payments, and phone support.

    Key Features of Tawk.to:

    • 100% free (they only make money through professional services and logo removal)
    • Live chat, knowledge base, and ticketing features are baked in
    • Mobile and desktop apps so you can help your customers no matter which device you’re at
    • WordPress plugin for easy integration

    Tawk.to is an affordable, feature-rich live chat software ideal for small businesses and startups. The 100% free pricing structure makes it accessible to companies of all sizes, while the customizable chat widget ensures a seamless user experience.

    Tawk.to best live chat features list

    Best For:

    Small businesses and startups seeking a cost-effective live chat solution with all the features.

    Pricing: Free with professional services starting at $1/hr

    Get Tawk.to

    10. Botsify

    Botsify is an AI live chat solution that aims to help you reduce your work so you can focus on growing a business. It works perfectly with WordPress via an official Botsify plugin or a JavaScript snippet you can manually add to your website.

    Key Features of Botsify:

    • AI-driven chatbots to handle nuanced talks using natural language
    • Turn Botsify into a lead generation and booking agent that gets your customers to the next step
    • Website chatbot that connects with other live messaging services like WhatsApp
    • AI bot chat with agent fallback when a human touch is necessary

    Botsify’s AI-driven chatbots are designed to provide efficient and personalized customer support. And because it works so well with other popular platforms, it is easy for businesses to use Botsify in their existing workflow.

    Best For:

    Businesses that seek an AI-driven live chat solution with powerful chatbot capabilities and seamless integrations. Agencies love using Botsify because of the Whitelabel abilities and the dedicated teams for chatbot development.

    Pricing: Plans start at $49/mo for the DIYers

    Get Botsify

    11. Intercom

    Intercom - Homepage April 2023

    Intercom is a business messaging platform that helps companies connect with their customers across multiple channels, including website live chat. Intercom’s live chat service is easy to use and customizable, so you can create a chat experience that fits your specific needs. It’s what we use here at ET!

    Key Features of Intercom:

    • Conversational AI bots
    • Real-time insights and outcome reporting
    • Gather context and customer intent by integrating with other data and enrichment tools in your tech stack
    • Workload management so your team stays busy but not overwhelmed

    Intercom’s targeted messaging feature enables businesses to deliver personalized and relevant communication to their customers. Custom chatbots and real-time insights help companies to provide an efficient and seamless customer support experience.

    Best For:

    Businesses seeking an all-in-one customer messaging service with advanced chatbot abilities and powerful integrations. We started using Intercom quite a while ago, which helped our business. Watch this 2017 clip where Mitch Skolnik discussed how we first implemented Intercom. If you are interested in it, check out our introduction to Intercom.

    Pricing: Plans start at $74/mo

    Get Intercom

    12. LivePerson

    LivePerson Live Chat software - Homepage April 2023
    LivePerson is a conversational AI platform that offers live chat, chatbots, and (soon) voice AI solutions to help businesses automate customer support and eCommerce chat sales. The service provides a unified workspace for agents and supervisors to manage all conversations, and it offers a variety of tools to improve customer engagement and agent performance.

    Key Features of LivePerson:

    • Cutting-edge conversational AI that sounds as natural as a human
    • Omnichannel support to message customers wherever they are
    • Detailed analytics that gives you an understanding of every area of the platform’s running
    • Create intent-based conversational AI automations to give the bots some human genius

    LivePerson’s AI-powered conversational commerce platform is designed to enhance customer experience and drive sales. Omnichannel support allows businesses to connect with customers on their choice channels, while advanced analytics provide valuable insights to optimize the customer experience.

    Best For:

    Enterprise companies looking to enhance customer experience and drive sales through an AI-powered conversational commerce platform.

    Pricing: Contact LivePerson for pricing details

    Get LivePerson

    13. Podium

    Podium - Homepage April 2023
    Podium Webchat is a text-based live chat tool allowing you to connect with visitors in real-time. With Podium, you can answer questions, schedule appointments, and close deals with real, friendly interactions that are quick and convenient. It’s a unified messaging platform for businesses designed to simplify communication and improve online reputation.

    Key Features of Podium:

    • Optimized for conversions so live agents can win more deals
    • Online review gathering and management
    • Webchat and texting combined for out-of-this-world conversions
    • Made to feel human and not like those bots you keep hearing about

    Podium is a unified messaging service that simplifies communication and improves local businesses’ online reputation. It has centralized messaging and various communication channels, such as webchat and texting, to help companies to engage with customers more effectively.

    Best For:

    Businesses seeking a proven messaging platform to streamline communication and improve online reputation.

    Pricing: Starting at $289/mo for 1000 contacts and 3 team members

    Get Podium

    Best of the Best Live Chat Software FAQ

    What is live chat software?

    Live chat software is a tool that allows businesses to communicate with their customers in real time. It is a popular way to provide customer support, answer questions, and resolve issues. Live chat software can be integrated with websites, so customers can easily contact a representative without having to leave the page they are on. It can also be used to send out surveys, collect feedback, and promote products or services.

    What is the best live chat software for small businesses?

    LiveChat.com is the best all-purpose live chat solution available today while being affordably priced for low to medium budgets. It boasts a ton of great features and has an extensive ecosystem of sister products that can easily accommodate even the most demanding businesses as they continue to grow and expand.

    How do I choose a live chat software?

    1. Define realistic live chat needs
    2. Do product research
    3. Read reviews from users
    4. Try out demos and free trials
    5. Compare prices and feature match
    6. Make a decision and try to grow

    Which is better between Live Chat and Conversational AI?

    Live chat and conversational AI effectively provide customer support, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. Live chat is better for providing immediate assistance with complex issues, while conversational AI is better for handling simple inquiries quickly and efficiently.

    Here is a more detailed comparison of live chat and conversational AI:

    Live Chat

    • Pros:
      • Real-time interaction with a human agent
      • Ability to handle complex issues
      • It provides a personal touch that customers appreciate
    • Cons:
      • It can be expensive to staff live agents
      • Agents can be busy, leading to long wait times
      • Not always available 24/7

    Conversational AI

    • Pros:
      • Available 24/7
      • Can handle a high volume of inquiries
      • Inexpensive to operate
      • Can learn and improve over time
    • Cons:
      • Not as good at handling complex issues as live chat agents
      • It can sometimes be difficult to understand
      • Not as personal as live chat

    What is the best free live chat software?

    Tawk.to is the best free live chat software. It offers a wide range of features, including chat widgets, canned responses, and visitor tracking. Tawk.to is also easy to use and set up, making it an excellent option for businesses of all sizes.

    What is the Best Live Chat Software?

    Ranking Product Starting Price Free Option
    🥇 LiveChat $24/mo No Visit
    🥈 HubSpot Live Chat Free Yes Visit
    :🥉 Tidio Free Yes Visit
    4 LiveAgent Free Yes Visit
    5 Zendesk Chat $49/mo No Visit
    6 Zoho Desk $50/mo No Visit
    7 Olark $29/mo No Visit
    8 Social Intents $49/mo No Visit
    9 Tawk.to Free Yes Visit
    10 Botsify $49/mo No Visit
    11 Intercom $74/mo No Visit
    12 LivePerson Custom No Visit
    13 Podium $249/mo No Visit

    LiveChat.com is the best all-purpose live chat software at a small business price point. It has great tools and sister products supporting almost any business as they grow. Whether you only want live chat or want to look into bots and a help desk, it has you covered. If you are looking for a live chat solution that integrates with a more robust suite of tools for managing your business and customers online, Hubspot Live Chat is a great choice. For those who want live chat with impressive AI, Tidio will provide a great user experience for customers.

    If you want something a little more advanced, look at the best AI chatbots on the market today.

     

    Featured Image by semprong / shutterstock.com

    The post 13 Best Live Chat Software in 2023 (Free and Paid) appeared first on Elegant Themes Blog.

  • WordPress vs HTML Websites (2023)

    Debating how you should build your next website? Both HTML and WordPress websites have their upsides and potential drawbacks. We’ll help you compare WordPress vs HTML websites in this article so you can decide for yourself.

    WordPress vs. HTML: What’s the Difference?

    Static HTML Websites

    HTML, or Hypertext Markup Language, is the backbone of the internet and the foundation of all websites. Before the days of WordPress and other popular website builders, websites were built from the ground up using mostly HTML (with CSS and JavaScript to add style and functionality). These sites are often referred to as static HTML sites because the pages and content created in HTML are hard-coded exactly how it is to be rendered. That’s why creating and updating large static HTML sites can be more time-consuming, complex, and costly than modern methods.

    Example HTML and Rendering

    You can create static HTML sites that are suitable for small-scale projects, personal pages, or simple landing pages. They will require CSS (for styling) and JavaScript (for interactivity), and more in most cases. Larger (more complex) static HTML websites will require more complex programming to incorporate the functionality we take for granted with other solutions like WordPress.

    WordPress Websites

    WordPress simplifies the process of building websites by providing software (including the WordPress editor) that allows non-developers to build a website without having to know anything about HTML, CSS, or JS. Unlike static HTML sites, WordPress site content (the HTML that ultimately gets rendered for the browser) is generated dynamically from a database with each page load. This allows site owners to make site-wide changes from one of the best content management systems (CMS).

    WordPress’s CMS simplifies website creation with a streamlined dashboard and seemingly unlimited extendability.

    WordPress dashboard

    Users can add a theme and plugins to get tailored design and functionality. The easy-to-use visual block editor gives you full control over your entire website on the front end.  And with powerful page builders like Divi, designing templates and site elements can be done more efficiently using no or little code.

    WordPress is a robust platform that can create various websites, including blogs, business websites, e-commerce stores, portfolios, and more. Its user-friendly interface and extensive range of themes and plugins make it easier to build and customize websites without any coding knowledge. You could create an advanced eCommerce store in an afternoon with WordPress that could take weeks with HTML (unless you are using pre-made templates and JS libraries).

    Learning Curve and Ease of Use

    When it comes to website building, WordPress provides a straightforward approach with its dashboard, ability to add plugins, and drag-and-drop builder, streamlining the process for anyone to create and manage a website. However, HTML may be sufficient for making a static site that won’t require frequent updates.

    WordPress Learning Curve

    WordPress is a user-friendly platform designed to make website building accessible for everyone. Yes, even those without coding knowledge. Its visual block editor simplifies web page design. You can create pages, posts, and even reusable site templates with it.

    The WordPress Block Editor

    The platform’s admin dashboard is intuitive and easy to navigate. It allows users to easily manage website content without requiring extensive coding knowledge. To get a basic understanding of WordPress, users must familiarize themselves with the dashboard and settings. This includes learning to add and customize themes, install plugins, and create pages and posts using the block editor. Also, understanding website structure basics like menus, headers, and footers helps create a well-organized website.

    Basic HTML and CSS knowledge can help users further customize their website beyond what the pre-built themes and plugins offer. However, coding knowledge is unnecessary to take full advantage of what WordPress offers.

    With tens of thousands of plugins and themes available, users can extend their website’s functionality and design in any way they choose.

    Static HTML Website Learning Curve

    In contrast, if you are wanting to build a static HTML website, you’ll need a deep understanding of HTML and CSS to build and style the website and make it visually appealing. You’ll need to learn more complex languages like JavaScript to add interactivity and advanced features (but this isn’t necessary for simple sites).

    Example HTML Webpage

    This can be a steep learning curve for those without coding experience. To gain a basic understanding of HTML, you must learn the language and its syntax, including understanding the structure of HTML tags and how to use them to format text and create basic page layouts.

    To style your HTML website, you must also learn CSS, which allows you to apply visual styles to your HTML code. Some popular CSS frameworks like Bootstrap help jump-start this process, but you will still have much to learn in order to implement the framework and make changes. Various resources are available for individuals to learn HTML and CSS, including online courses and tutorials from platforms W3Schools, books on web development, and YouTube tutorials.

    W3Schools to Learn HTML, CSS, and More

    Online communities such as forums, social media groups, and coding bootcamps are also available resources.

    WordPress vs Static HTML Customization Options

    Customization is a crucial aspect of website building. HTML and WordPress provide different options for customization. HTML offers complete control over every part of the website, while WordPress offers pre-built options that can be customized through themes and plugins.

    WordPress Customization

    WordPress provides an ecosystem of themes, plugins, and integrations that make it easy to customize your website. Users can choose from thousands of free and premium themes to suit their website’s purpose and style. In addition to themes, WordPress provides an extensive range of plugins for various purposes.

    Users can browse and install plugins from the WordPress plugin repository or third-party providers, making adding features without coding knowledge easy.

    WordPress 60000+ Plugins

    Some of the best plugins that make running a website accessible than using static HTML are:

    • eCommerce plugins to enable you to create simple or advanced online stores.
    • Page builders that help you build beautiful websites without any code.
    • Form plugins to collect any data or submissions from your website visitors.
    • SEO plugins to help your site rank because what good is it if it just sits there?

    Static HTML Website Customization

    Customizing a static HTML website requires the website creator to have complete control over the design and structure of the website. While HTML templates are available for purchase, editing them requires knowledge of HTML, CSS, and other web-based programming languages.

    Template Monster HTML Template Marketplace

    Template Monster Marketplace for Starter HTML Templates

    Front-end development skills are necessary for customizing an HTML website beyond its basic structure and design. Adding advanced features and interactivity to a static HTML website can be challenging and time-consuming without the appropriate skills.

    JavaScript is often required to add dynamic functionality, such as animated menus, pop-up windows, and real-time form validation. However, Learning JavaScript requires a significant investment of time and effort. It is a complex programming language that requires understanding programming concepts beyond HTML and CSS.

    WordPress vs Static HTML: Hosting

    Both WordPress and HTML websites require web hosting to make them accessible on the internet. Web hosting to the service that stores your website files and makes them available online. Hosting providers offer various plans with different features, pricing, and performance levels to suit the website owner’s needs.

    Hosting requirements differ between WordPress and static HTML websites. Static HTML websites require fewer server resources and can often be hosted with basic shared hosting plans that cost less. The HTML files themselves are usually accessed via FTP software and edited using a text or code editor of your choice.

    CyberDuck FTP Client

    WordPress websites are dynamic, generated on the fly using PHP and a database, and typically require more server resources. Because of this, most WordPress hosting platforms include features like specialized caching, automated backups, and optimized server configurations to improve performance and security.

    Many hosting providers offer one-click installers for WordPress, making it easy for users to install and set up WordPress quickly. These installers create a WordPress installation, including the necessary files and a pre-configured database. Our hosting guide covers everything you need to know about finding the right host.

    WordPress vs. HTML: Which One Should You Choose?

    When deciding between building a website with WordPress or HTML, it’s important to consider your specific needs and level of expertise. Suppose you’re looking for a user-friendly platform that offers a wide range of customization options and simplifies the website-building process. In that case, WordPress is the better choice, especially for beginners. On the other hand, if you have coding experience and prefer complete control over your website’s design and functionality, or if you only need a simple static website, then HTML may be more suitable.

    WordPress vs HTML FAQs

    Which is better HTML or WordPress?

    WordPress is better for most websites, especially if they require adding new content, integration with other tools, and interactivity. HTML is preferred when a website is not changing often, and you have the HTML + CSS skills to make it happen.

    Is WordPress replacing HTML and CSS?

    WordPress does not replace HTML and CSS but rather provides a no-code way of creating websites without touching HTML or CSS.

    Is it worth learning HTML anymore?

    If you desire to learn HTML, it is an excellent starting skill for front-end development. Whether you build static HTML sites or use a CMS like WordPress, this will be a helpful skill. HTML is just the beginning, though. You’ll also want to learn CSS and JavaScript to do more in web design.

    Do professionals use WordPress?

    Website owners and creators of all kinds use WordPress—including professional web designers. It is a reliable CMS with millions of users who help make it a better platform every day.

    What is Static-HTML?

    Static HTML refers to a website built using HTML files that comprise a whole page of a website. These websites are called “static” because their content remains fixed and does not change unless the developer manually updates the file’s code (unlike CMSs that use databases and dynamic content).

    Static HTML websites do not have any server-side processing or dynamically generated content. As a result, they are simpler and load faster. They may have fewer security concerns compared to dynamic websites built with content management systems (CMS) like WordPress or server-side scripting languages like PHP.

    Does caching a dynamic page create a static HTML file?

    Caching a dynamic page can effectively create a static HTML file of that page. When you cache a dynamic page, the server generates and stores a static HTML version of that page. This cached version is then served to visitors, reducing the need for server-side processing and database queries, which results in faster page load times and reduced server load.

    It’s important to note that caching a dynamic page does not permanently convert it into a static HTML file. The dynamic aspects of the page still exist, but the caching mechanism helps improve performance by serving a static version to visitors whenever possible.

    In most cases, WordPress is the preferred option for building a new website due to its ease of use, extensive customization options, and educational resources like this blog to help you learn everything you need to know. It’s scalable and can grow with your needs, making it an excellent choice for businesses and individuals. However, if your website project is small and you want to learn the fundamentals of HTML design, go for that.

    How to Get Started with WordPress

    Leaning towards choosing WordPress? We know it can be difficult to know where to start. Here is a quick guide to help you create the ultimate WordPress toolkit:

    1. Hosting: You’ll want a great host even if you go with HTML. We recommend SiteGround and Pressable.
    2. Theme: Our very own Divi Theme gives you advanced design customization for every part of your website. It’s the most popular theme in the world for a reason!
    3. SEO: Make sure to optimize your site for search engines using Rank Math. They’ve got a great free version as well.
    4. Performance: Nothing is worse than a slow website. Keep your website running fast with WP Rocket or any of the best speed optimization plugins.

    Now you’re ready to start building with WordPress!

    Featured Image via Sammby / shutterstock.com

    The post WordPress vs HTML Websites (2023) appeared first on Elegant Themes Blog.

  • 16 Best AI Chatbots in 2023 (Reviewed and Compared)

    Artificial intelligence (AI) powered chatbots are revolutionizing how we get work done. You’ve likely heard about ChatGPT, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. Millions of people leverage all sorts of AI chat tools in their businesses and personal lives. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best AI chatbots and what they can do to enhance individual and business productivity.

    What Types of AI Chatbots Are There?

    AI Chatbot platforms are built on some fantastic technology. Large Language Models have a knack for following complex instructions without breaking a sweat. Most AI bots are text-based, but some can generate images, video, code, and audio or even solve complicated math. They’re used in all sorts of applications, like image generators and article rewriting tools.

    They help humans with just about anything related to information gathering, pattern-making, and generally tedious tasks. Because of these unique features, they can fill many holes in business and personal productivity.

    Popular Use Cases for Business Chatbots

    • Chatbots schedule appointments and meetings, reducing the effort needed for staff and increasing efficiency.
    • Businesses can utilize chatbots to engage with website visitors, collect contact information, and qualify leads, resulting in easier identification of potential customers.
    • Chatbots can be used on company websites as live customer service agents. By directing users to relevant documentation, guides, and frequently asked questions (FAQs), chatbots enable customers to find the answers they need quickly.
    • Employees benefit from chatbot assistance in locating information, completing tasks, and accessing company resources, which leads to improved productivity and efficiency.
    • Chatbots also gather customer feedback, conduct surveys, and collect valuable insights and even come in WordPress chat plugins.

    How You Can Use a Personal Chatbot

    • Personal chatbots can be valuable research assistants, delving into topics of interest and providing suggestions for further exploration.
    • Chatbots can enhance the experience by offering conversation prompts, vocabulary lessons, and grammar tips when learning a new language.
    • Personal chatbots ensure you have various entertainment options by recommending movies, music, books, or events tailored to your interests and preferences.
    • Meal preparation becomes more enjoyable and efficient with chatbots that suggest recipes based on dietary preferences, provide cooking instructions, and assist in planning weekly meals.

    The Best AI Chatbots

    1. Writesonic (Botsonic + Chatsonic)

    Writesonic AI Chatbots Homepage April 2023

    Writesonic is a leading AI-powered platform that performs many tasks to help businesses with efficiency and creativity. Backed by Y Combinator, it has gotten a lot of attention and development. It offers different products using the same underlying AI technology to save businesses money. We’ll focus on two AI chatbot tools by Writesonic: Chatsonic and Botsonic. We’ll go over the key features and then explain who the whole Writesonic platform is for.

    Writesonic Library of Use Cases

    Chatsonic is an AI-powered chatbot by Writesonic that is a powerful ChatGPT alternative. It is built on top of GPT-4 but introduces other proprietary technology to bring even more capabilities for those used to the text-only output of ChatGPT. Botsonic is another integrated product from Writesonic that can create conversation AI experiences for your website users. It can connect your sales and support data to develop AI automated conversations with your customers and leads.

    Writesonic’s free plan includes 10,000 monthly words and access to nearly all of Writesonic’s features (including Botsonic and Writesonic)

    Key Features of Chatsonic:

    • Connected to the internet using Google Search technology
    • Generate AI art and images in the same chat flow
    • “Personality Avatars” can be set to help with different tasks (math teacher, translator, general AI, etc.)
    • Chrome extension to bring AI to all the places you write
    • Enter prompts using a voice command (you speak, and it listens)
    • Can cite sources (but still need to verify)

    Key Features of Writesonic:

    • No-code, website chatbot builder
    • Built leveraging GPT 4, arguably the most advanced AI model on the market
    • Brand customization is available and allows for changing chat window colors, logo, and avatar
    • Simple embed script + API that makes it usable on almost any website

    Best For:

    Chatsonic is ideal for businesses needing AI-powered personal assistants. Its personality avatars make it adept at performing specific tasks while still being able to do just about anything. As helpful as ChatGPT has been for teams, Chatsonic tries to be even more valuable by doing what it can’t. Botsonic is perfect for website owners who offer online customer support. Powered by GPT 4, Botsonic can leverage your customer support material and provide dedicated support to your customers 24/7.

    Pricing: Free plan with paid plans starting at $19/mo (30% discount for non-profits and students)

    Get Writesonic

    2. Chat by Copy.ai

    Chat by Copy.ai Landingpage April 2023
    Chat by Copy.ai is a versatile chatbot that works like ChatGPT but has access to more data and is trained for marketing and sales tasks. But it is also great as an all-purpose AI that can help with creativity, solving problems, and any writing task. Chat by Copy.ai is built for the workplace, and paid plans can be used across teams, starting with five users per account.

    Key Features of Chat by Copy.ai:

    • Access to the web so it can talk back with live information
    • Prebuilt prompts to save you time and get consistent results for routine queries
    • Go from a chat conversation to a long-form editor to create content with your AI assistant

    Chat by Copy.ai Screenshot

    Best For:

    Chat by Copy.ai is perfect for businesses looking for an assistant-type chatbot for internal productivity. It is built for sales and marketing professionals but can do much more. Since it can access Live-data on the web (and through API), it can be used to personalize marketing materials and sales outreach.

    Pricing: Free plan available with paid plans starting at $49/mo

    Get Chat by Copy.ai

    3. ChatBot

    ChatBot by LiveChat Homepage April 2023
    Chatbot by LiveChat is an AI chatbot provider focused on allowing businesses to provide excellent customer service using a live chat widget. It enables companies to create web chatbots and reduce dependencies on a 100% human support team. Its robust integration capabilities make it easy to incorporate into existing workflows and communication channels, including social media.

    Key Features of ChatBot:

    • Integrates with several chat services (WhatsApp, SMS, Email, etc.) to create a unified support platform
    • Provides customer support based on the integrated HelpDesk and can create support tickets
    • Display product cards in chat to develop leads and even customers through Conversational AI
    • Tag visitors for powerful marketing and CRM segmentation campaigns
    • Ten high-powered SaaS integrations + Zapier

    AI ChatBot Stories

    Best For:

    ChatBot is an ideal solution for businesses that want a customer-facing virtual chatbot solution for sales and customer support. It integrates with LiveChat’s other products, LiveChat and HelpDesk, to offer a 306-degree support system for any business. If your business is poised to scale into the major leagues, the LiveChat ecosystem is something to consider.

    Pricing: Starting at $65/mo

    Get ChatBot

    4. Jasper Chat

    Jasper AI Chat Page April 2023
    Jasper Chat is an AI chat platform built into one of the best AI writing software tools on the market. It is a prompt or command-based AI chat tool—put in a query or prompt, and Jasper will get to work. Built into Jasper Chat is a refining experience where you can slightly modify your prompt to optimize for a preferable generated output. It’s an ideal AI assistant with an easy-to-use chat interface.

    Jasper AI Chatbot

    Key Features of Jasper Chat:

    • Jasper is trained on data from as late as 2021, so it is behind the ball compared to Chatsonic
    • Quickly transfer chat outputs into Jasper’s long-form editor
    • Built for business use cases like marketing, sales, and business writing

    Best For:

    Jasper Chat is a decent chat assistant that can help you with writing tasks. Not the most advanced AI chatbot on our list, but it will likely mature as the rest of the Jasper platform has.

    Pricing: Starts at $24/mo for Jasper subscription, including Jasper Chat

    Get Jasper Chat

    5. Tidio+

    Tidio - Homepage April 2023
    Tidio is a customer service chatbot platform. Most of its plans help people build traditional chatbots based on workflows, but with their Tidio+ plan, users can get the power of AI incorporated into advanced chatbots that help reduce customer churn and improve retention.

    Key Features of Jasper Chat:

    • Tidio+ comes with unlimited chat interactions
    • Chatbot can handle conversations with customers but fallback onto live agents for a human touch when needed
    • It comes with a ticketing system when solutions will take a little bit of time
    • Ran from the cloud allowing operators to interact with customers on mobile device apps or using desktop applications

    Best For:

    Tidio is great for any business that has either a chat-based customer support organization or an inbound sales team. It integrates with major website platforms, including WordPress, as well as several popular messaging channels so you can deploy high-level chat solutions where ever your customers are. The AI tool is best suited for customer support for any business and automated sales chat with connected eCommerce stores.

    Pricing: Tidio+ starts at $329/mo, with non-AI chatbot plans starting Free

    Get Tidio+

    6. Liveperson

    Liveperson Homepage April 2023
    LivePerson is an advanced conversational AI chatbot platform. They built their platform to improve the old “rule-based” chatbot model that was limited to providing programmed responses based on keywords entered by the user. This was clunky and didn’t fit the nature of how language works. The new Conversational AI technology by LivePerson is much more powerful. It is based on natural language understanding (NLU) and natural language processing (NLP) to handle complex interactions and deliver natural-sounding responses. This allows companies to enhance customer experience, engagement, and support.

    Key Features of LivePerson:

    • Conversational AI technology for natural responses
    • Past AI chat interactions power and inform future conversations—Liveperson is always learning your business needs
    • Understands user intents to craft the best possible responses
    • Can connect with eCommerce platforms for conversation commerce experiences powered by AI chat

    Best For:

    LivePerson is for enterprise-sized businesses that want to leverage conversational bots across their business. It can be used in customer and eCommerce sales support and provide a casual chat experience across multiple mainstream messaging platforms.

    Pricing: Pricing not available; contact Liveperson for a custom quote

    Get LivePerson

    7. You.com

    You.com AI Search Engine Chat April 2023
    You.com is an AI-based search engine that also has a chatbot (YouChat) connected to it. Its powerful search algorithms enable it to understand conversational user queries and deliver accurate, context-aware answers. It can also interact with the prompter as it surfaces web results and creates custom answers in chat.

    Key Features of You.com:

    • Advanced AI-powered search capabilities
    • Context-aware chat responses
    • A great alternative to Bard or Bing AI
    • Includes AI search tools for generating various types of content including images, videos, code, and more.

    Best For:

    You.com is excellent for anyone surfing the web, especially those trying to avoid the obvious search giants (Google, Bing) and use something else.

    Pricing: Free search engine

    Try You Chat

    8. Ada

    Ada Homepage April 2023
    Ada is a customer experience-driven chatbot platform that streamlines support processes while delivering personalized interactions. The platform’s AI technology enables it to understand complex user requests and respond conversationally. It can connect with your operational technology to create a deep and relevant customer experience.

    Key Features of Ada:

    • Cross-channel AI chat conversations
    • Measure performance and iterate on how your chatbot works over time
    • No-code chatbot builder that is easy to deploy on a website
    • Multilingual (50+ languages) so you can deliver customer support at scale more accessible than ever
    • Integrates with 28 platforms (from eCommerce to appointment booking and more)

    Best For:

    Ada is the perfect solution for businesses that want an integrated chat solution that can pull from multiple business-critical data sources. Have it connect with your order management solution, helpdesk, or booking software to automate business processes at scale.

    Pricing: No public pricing; contact for a customized quote for your business

    Get Ada

    9. Laiye Conversational AI

    Laiye AI Chat Homepage April 2023
    Laiye Conversational AI is another cutting-edge AI chatbot solution that excels in automating customer service and sales processes. The platform offers comprehensive tools for designing, training, and deploying AI chatbots across multiple channels.

    Key Features of Laiye Conversational AI:

    • The AI assistant can collect information and qualify a customer before sending them to a human agent
    • Multi-channel deployment and integration so you can help people on your website and beyond
    • Real-time analytics and performance tracking to see just how much time and money you are saving
    • Rates and learns from its conversations, so it gets better at supporting your unique customers over time
    • SaaS and On-site versions of Laiye are available to fit the most complicated use cases that enterprises have

    Best For:

    Laiye is an enterprise AI chatbot and automation platform for businesses delivering support at scale. This platform should only be considered for large companies with large budgets. These companies stand to benefit from a lot of cost savings once deployed.

    Pricing: No public pricing is available; contact Laiye directly for a customized quote

    Get Laiye Conversational AI

    10. Botsify

    Botsify AI Chatbot Homepage April 2023
    Botsify is an easy-to-use chatbot platform that allows small-to-medium-sized businesses to create, deploy, and manage AI-powered chatbots for customer support and engagement. It is built to help automate sales processes and customer support and balance growing workforce needs with AI.

    Key Features of Botsify:

    • Multilingual AI chatbot
    • Whitelabel platform for agencies to offer chatbot building services
    • Integration with popular messaging apps and platforms
    • Integrates with WooCommerce and other eCommerce platforms
    • Agent fallback for when AI has done its job, but it is time for a human to step in

    Best For:

    Botsify is an excellent option for smaller businesses. It has most of the tools they’d need at pricing that matches their budgets. They offer a do-it-for-you development team that can help build you an AI-automated chatbot for business and help deploy it.

    Pricing: Starting at $49/mo for 5k chat interactions

    Get Botsify

    11. Bard

    Bard Homepage April 2023
    Bard is an innovative chatbot platform that leverages advanced natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) technologies to deliver engaging and intelligent conversations. Built by Google, Bard aims to be a helpful collaborator with whatever you bring to it. The platform focuses on providing human-like interactions and understanding complex user queries.

    Key Features of Bard:

    • Advanced NLP and machine learning capabilities
    • It acts as a personal assistant where you can ask it to follow prompts
    • Trained with internet data newer than ChatGPT

    Best For:

    Bard is perfect for anyone wanting help with anything that comes to mind (that can be expressed in text, at least).

    Pricing: Free to use

    Try Bard

    12. ChatGPT

    OpenAI's ChatGPT Homepage April 2023
    ChatGPT is the AI-driven chatbot of the hour. Created by OpenAI, it excels in providing contextual and meaningful conversations across various industries and topics. It is easy to use for countless personal and professional tasks like planning events, writing emails, and generating code. The paid version is based on GPT-4 which is trained on 45 gigabytes of data, making it one of the most prominent and valuable Large Language Models (LLMs). Paid users of ChatGPT have access to GPT-4 in its chat, but GPT 3.5 is available for all users (free and paid).

    ChatGPT Code Output Example

    Key Features of ChatGPT:

    • State-of-the-art AI models that are used as a base technology for many of the tools mentioned in this article
    • Context-aware conversationalist that remembers what has previously been stated to inform current responses
    • The gold standard of basic chat functions with very sophisticated responses
    • It can help write and fix multiple coding languages

    Best For:

    ChatGPT is a great companion assistant. This AI chatbot is great for fleshing out ideas and performing text-based tasks. It is usable in almost any domain with enough context and prompt engineering.

    Pricing: Free to use with the paid plan at $20/mo; API access costs are separate

    Try ChatGPT

    13. Zendesk Answer Bot

    Zendesk Answer Bot Homepage April 2023
    Zendesk Answer Bot is an AI-powered chatbot solution built into the popular Zendesk ecosystem of products. As another customer support-focused AI, Zendesk Answer Bot is excellent at taking support materials in Zendesk and leveraging those in conversational live chats with customers.

    Key Features of Zendesk Answer Bot:

    • AI-driven support automation that works 24/7
    • Bots can triage interactions and transfer customers without manual sorting
    • Multiple messaging channels such as Slack, website, and Facebook Messenger
    • Can collect personalized customer data for segmentation and issue tracking

    Best For:

    Zendesk Answer Bot is perfect for businesses already using Zendesk products and looking to enhance their customer support processes with an AI-powered chatbot solution.

    Pricing: Pricing is based on chat resolutions starting at $1 per resolution

    Get Zendesk + Answer Bot

    14. Landbot

    Landbot AI CHatbot Homepage April 2023
    Landbot is a versatile chatbot platform that enables businesses to create engaging, interactive chatbots for customer support, lead generation, and more. Their core product is more of a traditional chatbot though they’ve launched Landbot AI as a beta experiment for their chatbot platform.

    Key Features of Landbot:

    • No-code chatbot flow builder
    • Wide range of customization options and integrations
    • It can be used for customer support and lead generation

    Best For:

    Landbot is ideal for businesses with more minor chatbot needs. This can include wanting to automate your business’s most common customer interactions. Its intelligent chatbot features are in their infancy but will show a lot of promise once they are out of beta.

    Pricing: Free plan with 100 monthly chats and paid plans starting at $39/mo

    Get Landbot

    15. Drift Conversational AI

    Drift Homepage April 2023
    Drift Conversational AI is an effective enterprise chatbot platform that delivers personalized, engaging interactions to drive customer engagement and generate leads. The platform uses advanced AI technology to understand user queries and respond based on connected data sources. It goes beyond a chatbot by providing advanced landing pages and engagement options that bring even more data into your business.

    Key Features of Drift Conversational AI:

    • Real-time, AI-driven customer interactions via chat
    • Schedule meetings automatically by connecting Google or Microsoft calendars
    • Use conversational engagement to gather actionable data and to de-anonymize critical data
    • Conversational landing pages that sell and interact

    Best For:

    Drift Conversational AI is for enterprises wanting to bring conversational bots to live chat and marketing flows. It excels at filling a CRM with actionable data through automated conversations. It’s a high-growth platform for large-scale businesses.

    Pricing: Starting at $2,500/mo

    Get Drift Conversational AI

    16. Socratic

    Socratic - Homepage April 2023
    Socratic is an AI chat app that helps students with their learning goals. It uses AI to understand questions submitted by a wondering student and matches that query with the best online resources to help find an answer or to dig further into the topic. Users will need to download the Android or iPhone app, type a question into the chat, and surf the supplied resources related to the question. It works like a specialized version of Google Search, only completely tailored toward common learning objectives.

    Key Features of Socratic by Google:

    • Free chat app available on Android and iPhone platforms
    • Step-by-step help with math problems so you can break them down instead of giving the answers
    • Provides practice test questions so you are prepared for any subject with realistic questions
    • Surfaces helpful content and sources (including videos and diagrams) to help you learn complex concepts

    Best For:

    Socratic is for life-long learners and students. It’s best used for general academic subjects, and your mileage may vary when you get into graduate-level academics focusing on very narrow topics. If you are looking for a study partner, Socratic is always available and can even tutor you in a wide range of subjects. This is best for students who want to learn more efficiently and not just those who want to get the correct answers without putting in the work.

    Pricing: Free

    Get Socratic

    Conversational AI Chatbot FAQ

    What is the best AI chatbot?

    Many other chatbot services use ChatGPT’s underlying technology (GPT 3.5 and GPT 4). ChatGPT itself is one of the best personal chatbots out there. If you are using an AI chatbot for business, Writesonic and Chat by Chat.ai are some of the best to consider.

    Which AI chatbot is right for you?

    If you need AI-powered writing software + chatbots, check out Writesonic. Small businesses can try Botisfy or Zendesk Answers Bot for customer support, while enterprises may prefer Drift or Ada. For personal chat AI, try Socratic for students or ChatGPT/Bard for general use.

    What is an AI chatbot?

    AI chatbots are software applications that use artificial intelligence to simulate human-like conversations via messaging applications. These chatbots can understand natural language and respond to user inquiries, making them valuable tools for providing customer support and sales assistance around the clock without human intervention. Whether integrated into a website or used as standalone applications, AI chatbots can help businesses engage with customers conversationally and interactively, improving customer satisfaction and overall experience. With the ability to handle a wide range of inquiries, from basic FAQs to complex product and service inquiries, AI chatbots can be a valuable addition to any customer support or sales team.

    What is the Best AI Chatbot?

    There are all types of AI chatbots available online. Here’s a quick overview of our top choices.

    Tool Languages Starting Price Free Plan
    🥇 Writesonic 24 $19/mo ✔️ Yes Visit
    🥈 Chat by Copy.ai 27+ $49/mo ✔️ Yes Visit
    🥉 ChatBot 48 $65/mo ❌ Trial Visit
    4 Jasper Chat 30+ $29/mo ❌ Trial Visit
    5 Tidio+ 8 $329/mo ❌ Not w/ AI Visit
    6 Liveperson 28+ Must Request Quote ❌ Trial Visit
    7 You AI Search English Free ✔️ Yes Visit
    8 Ada 100+ Must Request Quote ❌ No Trial Visit
    9 Laiye Conversational AI 2 Must Request Quote ❌ Trial Visit
    10 Botsify 100+ $49/mo ❌ Trial Visit
    11 Bard English Free ✔️ Yes Visit
    12 ChatGPT 100+ Free ✔️ Yes Visit
    13 Zendesk W/ AI Bot 18+ $1/Resolution ❌ Trial Visit
    14 Landbot 5+ $39/mo ✔️ Yes Visit
    15 Drift Conversational AI 100+ $2,500/mo ✔️ Yes Visit
    16 Socratic 6 Free ✔️ Yes Visit

    Our Recommendations

    Writesonic arguably has the most comprehensive AI chatbot solution. Not only is it a powerful AI writing software, but it also includes Chatsonic and Botsonic—two different types of AI chatbots. All of these are available in its free plan.

    For businesses wanting to bring conversational AI to their support and sales operations, Botisfy and Zendesk Answers Bot are both within reach for most small businesses. Enterprises will want to look at Tidio+ or Drift/Ada.

    There’s no doubt that personal Chat AI is helpful as well. We recommend Socratic for students and ChatGPT or Bard for general-purpose AI chatting.

    Looking for other tools to increase productivity and achieve better business results? Check out all our recommended tools for website owners.

    Featured Image by Irina Strelnikova / shutterstock.com

    The post 16 Best AI Chatbots in 2023 (Reviewed and Compared) appeared first on Elegant Themes Blog.

  • 11 Best Content Management Systems in 2023

    Choosing a Content Management System (CMS) for a content operation is a “make or break” decision. It’s not easy to commit to one and then switch to another. The best content management systems will give you room to scale your operation and be simple enough for your writers to utilize it fully.

    CMS solutions go beyond static website builders—they are adaptable enough to manage all the complexities of pushing content at scale. This article explores the best CMS platforms that small and large businesses use to see digital success.

    The Best Content Management Systems and Software

    A CMS ought to perform all the expected content and media management tasks. Still, it should also have extendibility, give complete control over SEO, and provide incredible site speed— all at reasonable costs.

    We’ve gone through all the top picks and have come up with this list of CMS software you can use to create your next content website. We haven’t listed every possible option out there. Instead, we have selected a few leading CMSs that fit specific use cases to help you make an informed decision. This way, you can better understand how to choose a CMS yourself.

    We’ll start with the all-time leader of CMSs — WordPress.

    1. WordPress

    WordPress Homepage April 2023
    WordPress is by far the most popular Content Management System (CMS) for building websites of all types, used by over 43% of all websites. The core technology (WordPress.org) is free and open source which has helped it grow rapidly over the last twenty or so years. It also has a huge following and support from users, developers, and companies that build WordPress products to fit every need imaginable.

    Although WordPress Core is free, it does require other things to make it competitive. It’ll require hosting, speed and security plugins, and a flexible theme (more details at the end of this post on how to get started with WordPress). The customization capabilities in WordPress go far beyond just the visual design of the website. Users can add functionality to their site with plugins for tasks like contact forms, social media sharing, eCommerce, and integrations with thousands of SaaS, marketing, and productivity platforms. The flexibility of WordPress allows users to build precisely the websites they have in mind and not be held back by a set-in-stone CMS.

    Key Features of WordPress:

    • Vast customization capabilities with thousands of themes and tens of thousands of plugins to do just about any task (many are free)
    • Easy to manage content for any website you want to build, including online stores, blogs, and membership sites
    • SEO-friendly CMS that gives you more options for complex SEO tasks and technical setups
    • Massive, supportive community with plenty of groups to join and get help from (like our Divi Users group)
    • Content portability that can easily be transferred to a different WordPress site or as data files to take elsewhere—control over your data is in your hands

    WordPress 60000+ Plugins

    Best For:

    WordPress is a great CMS for businesses with unique website needs because it allows complete freedom to build any website with thousands of themes and plugins for added features. Additionally, it is designed for SEO and has a supportive community. However, it does require web hosting, and users are responsible for managing security and backups. With the proper plugins, those are all manageable items to get done.

    WordPress is also a great option for first-time website creators since it is built to make website building easy.

    Pricing: WordPress is free to use, but users will need to pay for hosting and any premium themes or plugins they choose to use.

    Get WordPress

    2. Hubspot

    HubSpot CMS is geared toward marketers and sales organizations who use paid or organic content as a significant inbound channel. It allows businesses to integrate marketing and CRM infrastructure inside a CMS fully. It helps you get customer information with inbuilt reporting, set up marketing automation, and tap right into HubSpot CRM without having to set up any 3rd party integrations.

    HubSpot CMS Page Builder

    HubSpot has built-in SEO tools and marketing attribution, which help businesses optimize their web content and properly collect customer data for later marketing. HubSpot empowers businesses to make data-driven decisions and improve their online presence, ultimately converting more customers. Check out our detailed HubSpot overview for more.

    Key Features of Hubspot:

    • HubSpot CMS Hub offers built-in SEO and marketing attribution tools to optimize web content easily
    • CMS Hub has built-in security features, including a global CDN and Web Application Firewall, to protect your site from attacks
    • The platform seamlessly integrates with HubSpot’s marketing, sales, service, and CRM tools to streamline workflows
    • HubSpot Asset Marketplace offers over 3,500 free and paid templates to change the appearance of your site

    HubSpot CMS Analytics

    Best For:

    HubSpot CMS is a comprehensive content management system that allows marketers and business owners to link their marketing and sales activities easily. It is recommended for businesses of all sizes seeking a unified CMS and CRM solution. Small companies, as well as larger ones, rely on Hubspot. They have excellent help resources and videos to get you on your way.

    To see how Hubspot compares to WordPress, see our breakdown of WordPress vs. Hubspot.

    Pricing: Hubspot’s CMS starts for as little as $25/mo with scaling prices well over $300/mo

    Get Hubspot

    3. Shopify


    Shopify is a popular eCommerce CMS that includes basic content management for posts. It is one of the go-to eCommerce website platforms along with WooCommerce. Its sole purpose is to make selling online easy.

    Shopify is powerful as an eCommerce CMS but relatively weak regarding pages and blog posts. Most people starting with the platform are delighted with the selling features but are left wanting better CMS features for traditional content (outside of product information).

    Shopify Product Management

    Key Features of Shopify:

    • Built-in payment processing and shopping cart system
    • Easy-to-use interface with 24/7 support
    • Ability to manage product display, stock, coupons, and orders
    • App marketplace with over 5,700 free and paid apps to extend the functionality
    • Ideal for first-time shop owners and small businesses looking to sell online

    Shopify’s built-in payment processing and shopping cart system makes it incredibly easy for businesses to set up an online store and accept payments quickly. This, combined with its user-friendly interface and tech support, makes it an excellent option for first-time shop owners and small businesses looking to start selling online without the technical know-how or resources required to build a custom e-commerce solution from scratch.

    Shopify’s themes are made using their programming language, Liquid, similar to PHP. This can be a drawback because custom coding requires learning Liquid and limits the number of web developers who can work on your theme changes. However, Liquid is widely used and adopted.

    Best For:

    Shopify is an ideal CMS for e-commerce sites, especially for first-time shop owners or small businesses looking to sell online. It offers a user-friendly interface with payment processing, apps with more features, and customer support. However, customization options are limited, and bigger plans can be expensive.

    To see how Shopify compares to WooCommerce, see our breakdown of WordPress vs. Shopify.

    Pricing: Shopify’s pricing ranges from $39/month with transaction fees per eCommerce transaction

    Get Shopify

    4. Webflow


    Webflow is an all-in-one software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform for building and hosting your website. All of the features are built-in, so you don’t have to worry about finding a host or installing extra plugins for things like SEO, security, eCommerce, etc.

    The best feature of Webflow CMS is its visual editor. This editor allows you to create and edit content without any coding knowledge. You can drag and drop elements to make your pages and use the built-in tools to style your content. The visual editor is intuitive and easy to use though a design background is helpful.

    Webflow Content Management System

    Key Features of Webflow:

    • Complete control over site design
    • Offers built-in security features like SSL certification and 2FA
    • Hosting comes with the platform (just like Wix or Squarespace)
    • Ideal for experienced designers who want to create custom sites rapidly

    Best For:

    Webflow is an ideal content management system for experienced designers as the whole design system is built to bring CSS to a no-code environment. It has well over a hundred starting templates for agencies designing quickly for customer sites and has all the web design features to iterate new concepts quickly. It reminds us a bit of Divi for WordPress.

    To see how Webflow compares to WordPress, see our breakdown of WordPress vs. Webflow.

    Pricing: Webflow’s pricing ranges from $12/mo but starts at $29/mo for CMS features

    Get Webflow

    5. Contentful

    Contentful is a headless CMS that allows you to manage your content in a central location and deliver it to any device or channel. It offers a range of features and integrations to help developers create and manage their digital content strategy.

    Contentful’s “content model editor” works like custom post types in WordPress, where you can create content types and fields. For example, you could create content models for an editorial story-telling or for product reviews based on the type of content and structure you want to have for either.

    Contentful Content Model Home

    Key Features of Contentful:

    • Enterprise-level headless CMS with tools to create, edit, and manage content
    • Allows for the creation of a unique content model tailored to the specific project’s design and function needs
    • API-first platform that enables integration with any tech stack and can deliver content to any digital channel
    • Security features provided by Amazon Web Services and built into Contentful
    • Adaptable to all digital platforms, from web browsers to mobile apps

    Best For:

    Contentful is a cloud-based CMS for bigger businesses with technical resources. It’s perfect for developers who want to use an API-first CMS to push content to different channels, but it may not be easy for most businesses.

    Pricing: Contentful’s pricing ranges from $300/mo for its basic CMS plan

    Get Contentful

    6. Adobe Experience Manager Sites


    Adobe Experience Manager Sites is a cloud-based CMS that offers a wide range of features, including content management, collaboration, and analytics. It is a good choice for businesses that need a feature-rich CMS to power digital content on apps and websites. It integrates seamlessly with the rest of the Adobe Experience Cloud ecosystem.

    The best feature of AEM Sites is its ability to create personalized user experiences. AEM Sites use various technologies, including artificial intelligence, to understand user behavior and preferences. This information is then used to deliver more relevant content to each user.

    AEM Sites CMS

    Key Features of Adobe Experience Manager Sites:

    • Flexible CMS that adapts to different channels like mobile Apps (Apple, Android, etc.) and websites
    • Scalability with machine learning and AI-powered Digital Asset Management (DAM) tool
    • Advanced user access controls, helpful video analytics, and intelligent searching

    Best For:

    AEM Sites is a great CMS for big organizations that want to deliver personalized content experiences across multiple channels. AI powers it and has an efficient data collection system, but licensing and setting up are expensive.

    WordPress tools like AppPresser can help you turn your website into an App for multi-channel content distribution.

    Pricing: Adobe Experience Manager Sites’ pricing is not public, and you will need a quote from Adobe

    Get Adobe Experience Manager Sites

    7. Magnolia CMS

    Magnolia is a headless CMS that offers a wide range of features, including content management, collaboration, and analytics. It is a good choice for businesses that need a powerful and feature-rich CMS.

    Magnolia’s modular architecture and open APIs make adding new features and functionality easy. Its flexible content model allows you to create and manage content in a way that makes sense for your business.

    Key Features of Magnolia:

    • Flexible and customizable with modular architecture and Java customization options
    • Built for managing multi-site, multi-language, and multi-channel digital experiences
    • Includes AI-powered content search and smart tagging for centralized taxonomy
    • Offers out-of-the-box functionality with options to customize and tailor workflows, create server filters, and more
    • Supports traditional web pages, interactive apps, digital signage, and any digital channel for content management

    Publishing Pages Magnolia CMS

    Best For:

    Magnolia is a great CMS for businesses that manage multiple sites, channels, and endpoints. It offers good default features, but you can customize it as you need. Magnolia’s modules can be interchanged, and you can customize Java for workflows, server filters, and the interface. It’s ideal for omnichannel experiences and is favored by many marketers. It also uses AI features to help create content, making it easier for users to find (and add personalization).

    Pricing: Magnolia’s pricing is not public, and you will need a quote from Magnolia

    Get Magnolia

    8. Joomla


    Joomla is a free-to-install, open-source CMS that’s similar to WordPress. Many would consider it behind WordPress’s usability, but many people love it. Joomla is tailored more toward developers rather than the average user. It can be challenging to use, and it isn’t easy to learn the UI and settings.

    Post and page editing uses a standard WYSIWYG editor that virtually all CMS platforms are getting away from. Upgradable Joomla page editors can be added for a more modern editing experience.

    Key Features of Joomla:

    • Offers a middle ground between the ease of use and price of WordPress and the versatility of Drupal
    • It has more out-of-the-box features than most open-source CMS systems, allowing users to build complex sites
    • It provides excellent tools for managing users, making it a popular choice for membership-type sites

    Joomla Add Article to CMS

    Best For:

    Joomla is suitable for larger companies and technical individuals who need a more advanced CMS with features and flexibility for building complex sites, like eCommerce stores or membership-type sites. Still, it requires a steeper learning curve than WordPress and provides user management tools.

    To see how Joomla compares to WordPress, see our breakdown of WordPress vs. Joomla.

    Price: Free CMS platform that requires hosting

    Get Joomla

    9. Ghost


    Ghost is a publishing platform focused mainly on publishing, specifically for digital content creators who’d tend to otherwise monetize their content through Medium, Substack, or Patreon. Instead of taking the approaches of any of those platforms, Ghost is a CMS that lets you control every aspect of your business website with the added benefit of great monetization tools that come standard.

    Creators can charge for their content through a customizable membership or offer it free. The CMS distributes content via web and email using the inbuilt newsletter feature. Ghost is a CMS with a single purpose, so learning tends to be easier. All the tools are there to help you post and make money.

    Ghost Content Management System Posts

    Key Features of Ghost:

    • Ghost is designed for creators and offers a content editor using cards (like WordPress blocks)
    • The CMS platform has excellent support for SEO
    • Ghost is an excellent choice for running a paid online journal or content hub, as it allows creators to charge for their content
    • Easily share content through a variety of channels, including your website and email newsletters

    Best For:

    Ghost is an ideal CMS platform for bloggers, podcasters, and journalists, focusing on easily managing members and content. Users who need more customization may find it lacking compared to CMS platforms like WordPress though many will find the simplicity freeing. It’s also not easy to self-host (at least not now), so site owners would use their optional hosting.

    To see how Ghost compares to WordPress, see our breakdown of WordPress vs. Ghost.

    Price: Starting at $11/mo (based on audience size)

    Get Ghost

    10. TYPO3


    TYPO3 is a free and open-source CMS known for its flexibility and scalability. It is a good choice for businesses seeking a customizable and open-source CMS platform. It’s more of a developer-focused platform with steep entry points. It boasts a relatively extensive extension library, with many extensions costing extra. Unfortunately, that pales in comparison to WordPress’ plugin selection.

    TYPO3 CMS Multi-lingual Pages

    Key Features of TYPO3:

    • The CMS is highly customizable, with over 6,000 extensions and the ability to hire developers to extend it further
    • It is easy to modify user permissions and customize security features, which provides greater control and tighter security
    • TYPO3 is best suited for enterprise-level websites but requires advanced technical skills to set up and maintain

    Best For:

    TYPO3 is an open-source CMS designed to build enterprise-level sites and is best suited for enterprises that want a fully customizable site. It’s also useful for intranet sites (internal company sites) and websites.

    Pricing: TYPO3 is free to use, but users will need to pay for hosting and any premium templates or plugins they choose to use.

    Get TYPO3

    11. Drupal

    Drupal - Homepage April 2023
    Drupal is a complete CMS that targets the same demographic as WordPress does. Like WordPress, it is free, open-source, and easily installed through most web hosting providers. It tends to be more technical than WordPress but easier than Joomla (two of the most prominent open-course CMSs).

    It is highly configurable and can create many websites, from simple blogs to complex eCommerce stores. It’s often touted as one of the safer security choices among open-source CMSs.

    Drupal CMS management

    Key Features of Drupal:

    • Configurable using modules (45,000+) and thousands of themes
    • Considered one of the most secure open-source CMS software
    • This platform is an excellent choice for developing intricate websites with personalized features, particularly if you have a technical background

    Best For:

    Drupal is ideal for developers and businesses with significant technical resources to build a highly customized site that can handle large volumes of data and heavy traffic. It offers a wide range of highly configurable modules and themes, with the highest reputation for security among open-source platforms. However, its steep learning curve and high cost of building and customizing sites make it less user-friendly for beginners than other CMS platforms.

    To see how Drupal compares to WordPress, see our breakdown of WordPress vs. Drupal.

    Price: Free CMS that many hosting companies provide an easy install option for

    Get Drupal

    CMS Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the most widely used content management system?

    WordPress is the most popular Content Management System (CMS) that is used by an astonishing 40% of the websites on the internet today. It’s a highly versatile platform that provides users with an easy-to-use interface and a great range of features and customization options, making it the go-to choice for many website developers.

    What are the different types of CMS?

    Some content management systems are open-source (which you self-host) and others are cloud-based (hosted by another company). CMSs may also have different specialties for different types of content or different types of technology that they connect with.

    What do you use a content management system for?

    A content management system (CMS) is a software application that helps you create, manage, and publish content on a website or app. CMSs are designed to make it easy for people with little or no technical experience to create and update content without relying on a web developer. Though developers often help set up the whole system.

    What is the best content management system for websites?

    WordPress is the best content management system for the average website. It is simple enough for most people to learn to use and is able to be customized by using plugins and themes.

    What is the Best Content Management System?

    The three best CMS platforms are WordPress, HubSpot, and Shopify.

    WordPress and its vast customization abilities and massive community (and market share) make it an excellent choice for almost any website and business.

    With its connected marketing and sales platforms, HubSpot creates a compelling case if you are okay with opting for a closed system with limited outside customization.

    Finally, Shopify is ideal for first-time shop owners and small businesses looking to sell online. The platform makes it easy to set up a shop and connect all the relevant marketing tools using simple wizards. However, we prefer WordPress + WooCommerce.

    CMS Logo CMS Software Starting Price Free Plan
    1 WordPress Logo WordPress Free* ✔️ Yes Start
    2 Hubspot Logo Hubspot $25/mo ✔️ Yes Visit
    3 Shopify Logo Shopify $39/mo + Trans. Fees ❌ Trial Visit
    4 Webflow Logo Webflow CMS $29/mo ❌ Trial Visit
    4 Contentful Logo Contentful $300/mo ✔️ Yes Visit
    6 Adobe Experience Manager Sites Logo Adobe Experience Manager Custom Pricing Only ❌ Trial Visit
    7 Magnolia Logo Magnolia Custom Pricing Only ❌ Trial Visit
    8 Joomla Logo Joomla Free* ✔️ Yes Start
    9 Ghost Logo Ghost $11/mo ❌ Trial Visit
    10 TYPO3 Logo TYPO3 Free* ✔️ Yes Visit
    11 Drupal Logo Drupal Free* ✔️ Yes Start
    All CMS platforms require a domain. See Namecheap for a good domain registrar.

    *Free CMS but requires separate hosting.

    But are there other choices to consider? When building a website, there are tons of options. You might not need an entire CMS, either. We’ve compared WordPress with other top website-building platforms to help you choose between them.

    How to Get Started With WordPress

    Are you thinking about using WordPress? We believe that’s a great choice! WordPress gives you the freedom to create just about anything. But where do you even start? Here’s a quick guide:

    1. Hosting: You’ll want a great host. That’s key. We recommend SiteGround and Pressable. Both offer competitive plans for any situation.
    2. Theme: We recommend our very own Divi Theme. It’s the most popular theme in the world and will help you create custom content pages and archives for all that content of yours.
    3. Security: Keep your website secure with iThemes Security.
    4. SEO: Make sure your website is optimized for search engines using Rank Math on our top SEO tools list.
    5. Backups: In the case that disaster strikes, you’ll want to use BackupBuddy to keep regular backups of your data.
    6. Performance: Nothing is worse than a slow website. Keep your website running fast with WP Rocket.

     

    Featured Image by Ashan Randika / shutterstock.com

    The post 11 Best Content Management Systems in 2023 appeared first on Elegant Themes Blog.

  • 13 Best AI Writing Software in 2023 (Compared)

    AI writing software has exploded in popularity and effectiveness over the last few years. Coming out of its novelty stage, AI writing has become mainstream, with hundreds of capable software solutions flooding the market and innovating in a space that didn’t exist a few years ago.

    The AI writing assistant software market is expected to grow at a rate (CAGR) of 26.94% from 2023 to 2030, reaching a market size of $6.464 billion by 2030. – VerifiedMarketResearch.com

    AI writers and assistants are not going anywhere, so it is best to research early on and find the best tools disrupting the writing industry. We will walk you through the best AI writing software on the market and highlight what each is best suited for.

    How AI Can Help Your Writing Workflows

    AI writing platforms provide various solutions, which makes sense considering all the different types of writing and writing tasks people encounter daily. For instance:

    • There are copywriting AI tools to help your marketing strategy by generating high-quality content for marketing, product descriptions, and sales copy.
    • There are AI tools for rewriting existing content so your content remains fresh and relevant.
    • SEO AI tools can use Natural Language Processing (NPL) based on keywords to help create quality SEO content. All the best SEO tools already use AI to help with advanced SEO techniques.
    • Story and creative writing software quickly generate innovative ideas and help write illustrative content.
    • And there are proofreading AI tools (like Grammarly) that offer spelling and grammar checks and plagiarism checkers to ensure content is fit for publishing.

    Suppose you’re someone in charge of writing or editing multiple types of content (brand, ads, long-form, stories, PR). In that case, you’ll probably benefit from having various AI writing assistants. With that in mind, let’s explore some of the best.

    The Best AI Writing Tools

    AI can speed up virtually any writing task. By selecting the right one, you should easily be able to increase your editorial output (no matter what type of content you create). We’ve done some un-bias research to show you the best AI Writing Apps you can choose from today. Take a look at these AI writing tools that can eliminate writer’s block and the fear of the blank page.

    1. Rytr

    Rytr - Homepage April 2023

    Rytr is an AI-powered writing platform with one of the largest footprints of all AI writing tools on the market. It’s an all-purpose AI tool that is handy for any diversified marketer. It has copywriting frameworks, templates for blog writing, and use cases for creating product descriptions. You will never write quite the same again after using this.

    Rytr uses AI technology to create high-quality content quickly and easily. Users can generate content for various applications and industries, including marketing, eCommerce, and more. The easy-to-use interface makes it easy to start, even for users without previous AI writing (or writing!) experience. They’ve also launched Rytr Chat, which allows human writers to write prompt-based commands to generate specific content that can be easily added to its long-form editor.

    Key Features of Rytr:

    • AI-generated content with support for over 30 languages
    • 40+ templates and use cases that eliminate the need for writing detailed prompts
    • Easy-to-use interface with a long-form editor and dark mode
    • Chrome extension that brings the power of AI to your favorite apps like the WordPress editor and emails
    • Semrush integration to get accurate keyword research suggestions when using Blog Idea and Blog Outline templates

    Best For:

    With over 5.5 million writers using Rytr, it’s hard to imagine someone who wouldn’t benefit from its AI writing platform. If you’ve never used an AI tool, this is one to start with—free plans are available, and it has the cheapest paid plan out of all the tools on this list. It’s the perfect tool for anyone looking to have AI improve their writing productivity. Whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, or part of a larger team, Rytr is an essential tool for any writer looking to boost their efficiency and streamline their workflow.

    Pricing: Free plan available with its starter plan at as little as $9/mo!

    Get Rytr

    2. Jasper

    Jasper is another wildly popular AI writing platform (originally called Jarvis). It is home to some of the most powerful AI tools for writing long-format content, SEO content, blog posts, sales emails, and more. It also provides training, courses, and conferences around its feature set that get a lot of traction among AI users. Jasper is probably among the more respected brands known for constantly iterating on their world-class AI solutions.

    Jasper’s built for the more extensive operations among us. Generative content produced by Jasper is high quality, with plenty of tools that make the whole platform sparkle.

    Key Features of Jasper:

    • Integrates with other powerful tools like Surfer SEO, Chrome extension, and Grammarly
    • Incredible documentation, support, and training made by the company
    • AI-generated art included with each plan
    • “Boss Mode” and business plans for greater output and collaboration across teams
    • It has access to the internet, so it can write on news that happened this morning

    Best For:

    Jasper is best for businesses that need to automate various internal functions (like marketing, sales, support, and more). It’s relatively expensive, but you pay for its quality and editing workflow.

    Pricing: Starting at $59/mo with a limited free trial

    Get Jasper

    3. Sudowrite

    Sudowrite - Homepage April 2023

    Sudowrite is an AI writing software built exclusively for stories and all content that uses even a little storytelling. It does not have the recipes/templates that some other platforms have but instead focuses more on a writing workflow than the parts and pieces of a particular work.

    Sudowrite gives you a draft, suggestions, editing advice, and more tailored toward creative and descriptive writing. While most other AI writing software focuses on business use cases and blogs, Sudowrite goes against the grain and offers something truly unique.

    Key Features of Sudowrite:

    • “First draft” takes a simple prompt and turns it into 1000 words
    • It gives auto-complete, styled suggestions in a toolbar that are easy to add and relevant to your context
    • Use “Describe” to add more captivating language and “Expand” that adds natural content to slow the pace of sections of writing

    Best For:

    Sudowrite is best for creative professionals in branding and PR. It is also meant for storytellers of all kinds (poems, books, scripts) and delivers.

    Pricing: Starting at $19/mo for 30,000 words

    Get Sudowrite

    4. WordHero

    Wordhero - Homepage April 2023

    WordHero is another all-purpose AI writing tool particularly suited for business purposes. Launching on AppSumo with a lifetime deal with unlimited words, it’s quickly come into its own.

    WordHero best suits on-the-fly content generation that you’d paste into a Word document, Slack channel, or marketing campaign. Its long-form editor works well but could benefit from better UX and file organization.

    There’s a dedicated and loyal user base that uses WordHero and constantly suggests improvements that the team takes into consideration. So it is likely the platform will continue to improve.

    Key Features of WordHero:

    • Template-based AI outputs that can be attached to its long-form editor or give on-the-spot outputs
    • Better than Rytr at generating blog introductions and conclusions
    • Generate unlimited content (subject to their fair use policy)
    • It supports over a hundred languages tying it for first on our list

    Best For:

    Like Rytr and others on this list, WordHero is best for those in business or marketing. It creates excellent blog section content and does a good job with copywriting frameworks and product descriptions. It does not currently have advanced integrations, so it’s ideal if this is the only AI writing tool you expect to use in your workflow.

    Pricing: Starting at $49/mo

    Get WordHero

    5. Article Forge

    ArticleForge - Homepage April 2023

    Article Forge is an AI writing software built for long-form content creation. Put in a keyword, select some basic parameters like length, and Article Forge will forge ahead with a fresh piece of generated content.

    Article Forge’s power comes from its ability to create a lot of content simultaneously. That is also its sticking point which places more responsibility on humans to read, edit, and substantiate what the AI-generated. However, it’s a refreshing change of pace from other AI tools that build content sections at a time until you’re done.

    Key Features of Article Forge:

    • Generate high-quality, long-form content with a single click
    • Built-in SEO optimization
    • Ability to add negative or excluded topics that Article Forge will attempt not to use
    • Automatically creates content and content headings that naturally flow
    • Content guaranteed to pass copy-scape

    Best For:

    Article Forge is best for more extensive content operations that want to increase their editorial output dramatically. Great for creating supporting content (clusters) in quick succession. It still takes work to edit and fact-check the output correctly. It also scores high marks on all major review sites, which tells us they are doing something right.

    Pricing: Starting as low as $27/mo

    Get Article Forge

    6. ClosersCopy

    Closerscopy - Homepage April 2023

    ClosersCopy is one of the more celebrated general-purpose and marketing AI content writers on the market. It specializes in sales and marketing copy but is also very good for blog content using its long-form editor.

    ClosersCopy’s ability to create and share frameworks means that there are even more possibilities and use cases for using AI to write niche content. Frameworks specially train ClosersCopy AI to do a particular writing task (such as AIDA copywriting or creating a product description). Most AI writing software limits users to the frameworks (often called use cases or recipes) to what is officially released by the platform. ClosersCopy gives users control over sharing their best frameworks that others can benefit from. It has put together its AI tools into a unique pricing model that many will find compelling.

    Key Features of ClosersCopy:

    • 700+ Frameworks (includes community-submitted Frameworks)
    • NPL-guided SEO insights inside the text editor (pulls from live search results)
    • Workflows string together ClosersCopy Frameworks into one generative output (ex., Blog Title -> Blog Outline -> Blog Introduction -> Blog Conclusion, all in a single Workflow)

    Best For:

    ClosersCopy is best for salespeople and marketers that need high-quality sales copy. Blog writers and affiliate marketers also benefit significantly from this software. For those looking for a more affordable option, Rytr has fewer features but a much cheaper rate.

    Pricing: Starting at $49.99/mo

    Get ClosersCopy

    7. Copy.ai

    Copy.ai - Homepage April 2023

    Copy.ai is a prevalent (over 6 million users) AI content generator specially tailored to writing AI blog content, social media posts, and email marketing copy.

    It offers innovative integrations and tools for sales and marketing professionals. This can dramatically increase an individual’s or team’s output with the help of AI for specific tasks. Its API for Linkedin, for example, can pull prospect info from a CRM or their Linkedin profile to help create a tailored cold-outreach message that is personalized and written with copywriting principles.

    Key Features of Copy.ai:

    • API connects with CRMs, LinkedIn, and other sales/marketing tools for uber-effective cold outreach
    • Chat by Copy.ai is a ChatGPT-like chat interface that is optimized for sales and marketing tasks and includes a prompt library
    • Pricing bases output on the number of AI generations instead of word or character count and gives you multiple generations per output, making it stand out from many AI writers

    Best For:

    Copy.ai is best for salespeople and marketers whether or not they work on a team. Teams stand to benefit from its Pro plan, which includes unlimited words, unlimited projects, and up to five user seats.

    Pricing: Free plan with Pro starting at $49/mo

    Get Copy.ai

    8. Frase.io

    Frase - Homepage April 2023

    Frase.io is a powerful AI writing tool that can help you with all aspects of your content creation process. It can help you create high-quality content that will engage and inform your readers, from researching topics to writing and editing your content. Whether you’re a blogger, a content marketer, or just someone who wants to write better content, Frase.io can help you take your content to the next level.

    With Frase’s advanced AI technology, businesses can create high-quality content quickly and easily. Additionally, the advanced SEO tools ensure that the content is optimized for search engines. Frase analyzes published content and provides actionable, AI-generated next steps that save valuable time.

    Key Features of Frase:

    • Create content briefs from SERP research in just “6 seconds” (and create content brief templates for the types of content you produce most)
    • The long-form editor that lets you write content or have AI take over at any point
    • Optimize your content for SEO using topic model NPL
    • Track the performance of content using a Google Search Console (GSC) integration to find content decay (and fix it before it becomes a problem)

    Best For:

    Frase.io is ideal for content marketers or teams who need their content to rank well in organic search. With GSC integration included in every plan, Frase is particularly useful for large content sites that rely on content decay warnings without manually checking each post every quarter.

    Pricing: Starts at $14.99/mo with Pro add-on for any plan being $35/mo extra

    Get Frase

    9. Writesonic

    Writesonic - Homepage April 2023

    Writesonic is an AI writing software that packs a lot of features into its platform. Its free plan gives 10,000-word access to its optimized GPT 3.5 platform, while its paid plans can be powered by GPT 4. Writesonic also has innovative products like Photosonic and ChatSonic that bring even more AI-powered tools to its customers.

    Writesonic’s advanced AI technology allows users to generate high-quality written content quickly and easily. The platform also includes various advanced editing tools, enabling users to fine-tune their content perfectly.

    Key Features of Writesonic:

    • AI copywriting tools for creating blog posts, landing pages, and more with 100+ templates
    • Collaborative editor (SonicEditor) that lets multiple team members jump in and spruce up a text
    • The landing page copy generator can also code out static landing pages along with the copy
    • Integrates with Surfer SEO and Zapier
    • All plans have access to ChatSonic, a GPT-4-styled chat solution with access to current trending topics (not just GPT-4 training data)

    Best For:

    Writesonic is a comprehensive platform for marketers and content writers with AI tools for several writing tasks. Its fast pace of innovation means that any user needing generative AI content, images, or chat interfaces would likely benefit from the platform. It’s one of the better all-purpose AI writing websites with a free plan.

    Pricing: Free plan with paid plans starting at $19/mo (30% discount for students and non-profits)

    Get Writesonic

    10. Surfer SEO

    Surfer SEO - Homepage April 2023

    Surfer SEO is the premier writing AI that can help you rank #1 on Google. It does this by analyzing the top-ranking pages for your target keywords and then providing you with suggestions on how to optimize your content. This can save you a lot of time and effort and help you improve your chances of ranking higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). You may have noticed how many other AI writers integrate directly with Surfer—that’s a testament to what Surfer SEO can do for you and your websites.

    Surfer SEO’s advanced AI technology allows businesses to optimize their online content for search engines quickly and easily. The platform includes various advanced SEO analysis tools, content optimization recommendations, and competitor analysis tools to help businesses improve their online presence.

    Key Features of Surfer SEO:

    • Create a content brief and outline based on already top-ranking SERP results
    • It gives you a content score based on SERP analysis, natural language processing, word count, # of images, and other key ranking factors
    • Plagiarism checker helps your site avoid ranking penalties that can sink the party before you arrive
    • Integrates with many top AI Writing Software (like Jasper, Rytr, and Writesonic) as well as Google Docs, Semrush, and WordPress
    • Grow Flow connects with GSC and acts as a content manager—handing out tasks and suggestions so your content quietly surfs to the top of the SERPs

    Best For:

    Surfer SEO, right now, is the go-to AI and NPL tool for SEO content writing. Likely, you want to pair Surfer with an advanced AI writer like Jasper or Rytr. Surfer SEO is the perfect companion for these fantastic tools and helps keep your AI content in the good graces of Google and other search engines.

    Pricing: $59/mo

    Get SurferSEO

    11. Scalenut

    Scalenut - Homepage April 2023

    Scalenut is another world-class AI writing assistance created explicitly for SEO and content marketing. It does this by analyzing the top-ranking pages for your target keywords and then providing you with suggestions on how to optimize your content. It can do this for one article or an entire cluster for a full-fledged content strategy that builds topical authority.

    Using Scalenut, businesses can automate their entire content lifecycle to streamline planning, keyword research, writing, and optimization. This is great for reducing the workload on human staff and improving overall efficiency while not replacing your team.

    Key Features of Scalenut:

    • Builds content strategies and keyword clusters using fast AI
    • Analyzes audience search intent and competitor articles in SERPs to find the best plan for each piece
    • AI-guided writing with real-time optimization, SERP stats, and content scoring
    • 40+ Marketing task templates for creating product descriptions to newsletter emails

    Best For:

    Scalenut is there for businesses looking to rapidly create content at scale to build topical authority and start winning in the SERPs. Lower pricing for SEO content than Surfer SEO, though with fewer integrations. It can be used by itself since it has plenty of AI content creation capabilities.

    Pricing: Essential plan starting at $39/mo for 100,000 AI-generated words

    Get Scalenut

    12. INK

    INKforAll - Homepage April 2023

    INK is an AI writing tool that can help you create high-quality content in minutes. Any paid plan allows the generation of unlimited words and images, making it an exciting platform to try out.

    INK’s Content Sheild adds a lot of protection so that you can use AI responsibly without wreaking havoc by garnering penalties on your content. It scans unlimited content, finds plagiarism, and detects if common technologies will likely mark the content as written by AI. Performing these checks gives you even more peace of mind as you schedule or hit publish on your Ink-guided content.

    Key Features of INK:

    • Content Sheild protects website reputations by making sure content is plagiarism free and likely to pass “Written by AI” detection
    • Create AI-generated images (512×512) based on text-based prompts to create visuals that match your content for less than stock image prices
    • Keyword research pulls search volume, trend, and CPC data into the platform to help you create data-backed clusters and individual pages

    Best For:

    INK is best for individuals and businesses needing unlimited content generation through 130+ marketing templates, a long-form editor, or fast paraphrasing. It’s also of great value with the addition of data-informed SEO tools and a plagiarism detector, and it generates AI images and written content.

    Pricing: Starting at $49/mo

    Get INK

    13. WriterZen

    WriterZen - Homepage April 2023

    WriterZen is a powerful AI-based SEO writing tool that stands out from many other platforms because of its data-based approach. Anyone creating SEO content for websites, landing pages, and authoritative blogs should consider adding WriterZen to their workflow.

    WriterZen’s AI-informed workflow helps you create content that enables you to score valuable organic traffic. Based on SERP data, WriterZen scores keywords on its “Keyword Golden Score” metric, which shows you the best ratio of keyword competition, traffic, CPC, and ranking difficulty. SEO-informed content gets a degree easier with WriterZen.

    Key Features of WriterZen:

    • Finds high-traffic/low-competition keywords to write content for
    • Create content outlines based on other top search results using advanced NPL analysis
    • Finds relevant keyword clusters to use from Google Keyword data and Google Suggest Database
    • Plagiarism and originality detection so you can be confident in the content you push to your sites

    Best For:

    WriterZen is built for content teams and websites pushing out a lot of SEO-optimized content. Bringing SEO tools into a writing platform speeds up content creation. It reduces the work of SEO analysis of content (though it doesn’t replace the need for skilled search specialists and SEO strategies).

    Pricing: Starting at $23/mo

    Get WriterZen

    What is the Best AI Writing Software?

    AI writing tools are rapidly evolving, with many tools specializing in specific purposes.

    Tool Languages Templates Models Starting Price Free Plan Updated 3/31/23
    1 Rytr 30+ 40+, Long form editor GPT 3.5 + Proprietary $9/mo ✔️ Yes Visit
    2 Jasper 29+ 50+, Long form editor GPT 3.5** + Others $59/mo ❌ Trial Visit
    3 SudoWrite 30+ Long form editor GPT 3 + Proprietary $19/mo ❌ Trial Visit
    4 WordHero 100+ 70+, Long form editor GPT 3.5** + Proprietary $89/mo ❌ Trial Visit
    5 Article Forge 20 Long form editor Proprietary Only $27/mo ❌ Trial Visit
    6 ClosersCopy 100+ 50+, Long form editor Proprietary + GPT 3.5 $49.99/mo ❌ Trial Visit
    7 Copy.ai 27+ 90+, Long form editor GPT 3* $49/mo ✔️ Yes Visit
    8 Frase 19 13, Long form editor Proprietary Only $14.99/mo ❌ Trial Visit
    9 Writesonic 24 100+, Long form editor GPT 3.5 + Proprietary + GPT 4* $19/mo ✔️ Yes Visit
    10 Surfer SEO 4 Long form editor, SEO Analyzer Surfer NLP $59/mo ❌ Trial Visit
    11 Scalenut English 40+, Long form editor, SEO Analyzer GPT 3 + Scalenut NPL $39/mo ❌ Trial Visit
    12 INK 20+ 130+, Long form editor GPT 3 $49/mo ❌ Trial Visit
    13 WriterZen 46 60+, Long form editor, SEO Analyzer GPT 3 $23/mo ❌ Trial Visit
    *GPT 4 only used in certain use-cases
    **GPT 4 planned usage

    Our Recommendations

    Rytr is an excellent starting point for those looking for a budget-friendly, all-purpose AI writer. Jasper (with Boss Mode) and Article Forge are worth considering if you need to produce long-format writing. For creative writing, Sudowrite is the standout tool. We’d also be remiss if we didn’t say that Surfer SEO is one of the best companions for an AI writer, and if your writer has an integration, definitely consider getting it.

    Are you looking for more amazing suggestions about the best business and marketing tools? Please take a look at all of our guides on the best software and tools.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Before we wrap up, let’s answer some of your most commonly asked questions regarding AI writing software. Did we miss one? Leave a comment below and we’ll reply!

    What is the best AI Writing Tool?

    Rytr is the ultimate AI writing tool, equipped with one of the largest AI writing footprints on the market. It provides a wide range of features, including copywriting frameworks, templates, and support for over 30 languages. With its easy-to-use interface, long-form editor, and dark mode, Rytr makes it effortless to generate high-quality content. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to streamline their writing process, and its affordable pricing makes it an accessible tool for everyone. Try Rytr today and experience a new level of writing efficiency.

    What is the free best AI writing tool?

    Writesonic is the best free AI writing tool, allowing 10,000 free words a month on their free plan. Rytr also offers a free plan with 10,000 characters of free generation per month. Rytr offers the lowest-priced program of all referenced AI writing software.

    What is the best long-form AI writing assistant?

    Jasper (with Boss Mode) and Article Forge are the best long-format AI article writers on the market.

    Featured Image via BestForBest / shutterstock.com

    The post 13 Best AI Writing Software in 2023 (Compared) appeared first on Elegant Themes Blog.

  • The Best SEO Tools to Grow Organic Traffic in 2023

    In today’s digital landscape, driving consistent traffic to your website can be a daunting task. However, ranking at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs) can be a game-changer, allowing you to attract qualified visitors, increase sales, and establish yourself as an authority. To achieve this, you need the best Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tools at your disposal.

    In this article, we’ll cover the best SEO tools available today, both free and paid, and explain how you can use them to grow your organic traffic.

    Why is SEO so Important?

    Search is the leading lead-generation tactic for the whole web. 68% of online experiences start with a query in a search engine. That outpaces organic social, social ads, and email marketing combined!

    68% of online interactions begin with search - BrightEdge 2019 Channel Report

    BrightEdge 2019 Channel Report

    That is why SEO is more important than ever before. But getting to the top of the SERPs is no small feat. And your competitors are probably already using SEO tools, making this a more pressing need. But before you start choosing tools, you need to know how they work together because no one SEO tool does it all. Especially if you use free SEO tools, you will have some coverage gaps in your data gathering and workflows that you’ll need to fill with other tools—eventually.

    How SEO Tools Can Help

    SEO is a vast ocean of terms, tools, and techniques. Getting comfortable with all the basics takes a lot of immersion. Thankfully, using the right SEO tools can make it much easier to implement fundamental and advanced SEO techniques into your overall strategy.

    With these tools, you can execute an effective SEO strategy that will cover essential tasks within each of the various types of SEO. These SEO essentials often include:

    • SEO Research – This is all the groundwork you do before touching your website. Competitor Research, Keyword Research, and SERP Analysis fall into this category.
    • On-page SEO – Content-related tasks that start to employ your hard-won research. Creating quality SEO Content and optimizing page titles, meta descriptions, SEO links, and heading tags cover a good chunk of on-page work. But we have a more detailed checklist.
    • Off-page SEO – Optimization efforts outside of your website, like getting backlinks and social media mentions that improve your website’s visibility, reputation, and authority online. However, it is important to make sure to do it the right way.
    • Technical SEO – Improving a website’s technical elements, including site speed, mobile SEO, and Core Web Vitals. It also involves implementing Schema markup through your site, usually with the help of a plugin.
    • SEO Reporting – Accurately tracking progress and learning the proper lessons from the data you collect so you can iterate on all the above steps.

    Below, we’ve provided a comprehensive list of all the best SEO tools you can use to accomplish these tasks and more. We’ve also taken the time to let you know the tasks each SEO tool is best suited for, so you can effectively combine them for maximum SEO results.

    The Best SEO Tools

    1. Semrush

    Semrush Homepage March 2023

    Semrush is easily one of the most recognizable SEO tools on the market today. It has created an imposing suite of tools to help you understand what is happening on Google. They are one of the only SEO platforms that truly gets near to being an all-in-one SEO toolkit (no SEO Pro uses only one tool, even for the sake of principle). Some of the high-level features it provides search engine marketers are deep keyword research, routine rank tracking, content analysis, and competitor analysis. They even go above and beyond to impress us with their Semrush WordPress Plugin and the ever-popular SEOquake browser extension.

    Key Features of Semrush, the Best SEO Tool on the Market

    • A swiss-army knife built with periphery tools for content marketing, social media, and advertising
    • Expert ability to track and report on every aspect of your SEO campaigns
    • Content analysis that scores content on difficulty, voice, keywords/NPL, and how it stacks up with competing content

    With Position Tracking, you can see how all your keywords are performing on a day-to-day basis. Track up to 5 projects (unique websites) in the Pro plan and each one’s keywords positions. Know precisely which changes you push are moving the dial.

    Best for:
    Semrush is a powerful SEO platform best suited for those serious about their SEO campaigns and willing to invest time into learning how to use it effectively. This SEO software is ideal for SEO professionals and agencies needing an industry-leading SEO tool. While Semrush is not cheap, those with mid-sized to large budgets will find it a valuable investment.

    Pricing: Starting at $119.95/mo with free trials available for select tools

    Semrush
    Starting Price $119.95/mo
    Number of Sites 5
    Keywords Tracked 500
    Best For Competitor Research
    Backlinks
    Technical SEO
    Keyword Research
    Position Tracking
    Trustpilot Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Read the reviews
    Get Semrush

    2. SE Ranking

    SE Ranking Homepage March 2023

    SE Ranking is another all-in-one SEO tool designed to help website owners track and plan for their website’s search engine success. The tool is well-suited for newer SEO specialists or those on a smaller budget, as it offers affordable SEO features.

    SE Ranking provides a variety of keyword research and analysis tools. This includes a keyword research tool that supplies data on search volume, competition, and other metrics to help users select the best keywords to target for their content. Additionally, the platform features a keyword position tracking function that enables users to monitor their website’s performance in search results over time.

    The website audit tool provides users with an in-depth SEO audit analysis of their website’s performance in search engines. This includes analyzing factors such as on-page optimization, technical SEO, and backlinks to identify areas for improvement and give tailored suggestions for optimization.

    Key Features of SE Ranking

    • Website audit tool for analyzing on-page optimization, technical SEO, and backlinks.
    • Keyword research and analysis tools, including a keyword research tool and keyword position tracking feature.
    • Backlink analysis tool for identifying high-quality backlink opportunities for your website.

    Best for:
    SE Ranking is a budget-friendly and user-friendly SEO tool that’s ideal for small business owners, bloggers, and website owners seeking to enhance their site’s search engine optimization. It has an intuitive interface and comprehensive features, such as keyword research, site audits, and competitor analysis, making it an excellent choice for those new to SEO or with limited technical experience.

    Pricing: $49/mo with a free trial. Try it out now

    SE Ranking
    Starting Price $49/mo
    Number of Sites 10
    Keywords Tracked 250
    Best For Position Tracking
    Site Monitoring
    Backlink Checker
    Competitor Research
    Trustpilot Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Read the reviews
    Get SE Ranking

    3. BrightLocal

    brightlocal Homepage March 2023

    BrightLocal is a bright spot on this list of best SEO tools if you run a small business and market to a local community. It takes all the guesswork out of Local SEO. BrightLocal is 100% geared to helping location-dependent businesses succeed with local search terms, map results, and “near-me” requests, along with managing your business’s reputation and citations (citations in local SEO are a good thing).

    The local rank tracking reports are top-notch. They track the most important keywords for your business and show you how they perform based on different locations searches can come from in your area. Search results may be different if someone uses your keyword at different parts of your city, for instance. It shows this information using a grid-like heatmap overtop a map of your service area/general location.

    Key Features of BrightLocal

    • Local rank tracking reports that keep you in the know about how your business is showing up in Local SERPs
    • Monitors reviews and provides tools to help showcase the best ones on your website
    • Build white-label reports if you offer local SEO services as an agency to your clients

    Best for:
    BrightLocal is an ideal tool for businesses that rely on local search results, including brick-and-mortar stores and service-based businesses serving a specific geographic region. It is designed to scale, with pricing plans available for businesses with a single location and those with multiple locations or franchises globally. With features like local search rankings, reputation management, and citation building, BrightLocal is a valuable tool for any business looking to improve its local search visibility and attract more customers.

    Pricing: Starting at $29/mo for up to 3 locations

    BrightLocal
    Starting Price $29/mo
    Number of Sites 3
    Keywords Tracked 10 per 5×5 Grid
    Best For Local SEO
    Citation Builder
    Reputation Reports
    Trustpilot Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Read the reviews
    Get BrightLocal

    4. SEObility

    SEObility Homepage Marche 2023

    SEObility is excellent for every essential SEO task, including website auditing, keyword analysis, on-page optimization, and link building. It also offers features for analyzing and monitoring backlinks and tracking search engine rankings. It’s one of the best beginner SEO tools you can get (similar to Ubersuggest) in that it will help anyone learn the basics of SEO without busting budgets. It even has a generous free tier that we couldn’t recommend enough.

    Key Features of SEObility

    • The free plan will crawl up to 1000 pages of one tracked website and will track 10 keywords
    • Tracks mobile and desktop keywords, CPC, and competitors (paid)
    • Monitors backlinks and helps you know where to try your hand with link building (paid)
    • Will monitor the health of your pages through on-page checks (free)

    This tool has the basics down pat—especially for keyword tracking and number of pages crawled. Paid plans start at a very reasonable $50/mo, which is way below Semrush and Ahrefs.

    Best for:
    SEObility is an excellent tool for beginners just starting with SEO and web admins who have never optimized their websites for search engines. It has excellent tools for you to learn the trade.

    Pricing: Free plan with paid plans offering more websites and keyword tracking

    SEObility
    Starting Price Free
    Number of Sites 1
    Keywords Tracked 10
    Best For Position Tracking
    Site Monitoring
    Backlink Checker
    Trustpilot Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Read the reviews
    Get SEObility

    5. Rank Math Pro

    Rank Math SEO Homepage March 2023

    Rank Math is the most feature-rich WordPress SEO plugin that helps website owners with a wide range of SEO tasks—directly from their website’s dashboard. According to W3Techs, WordPress is used on 43.2% of all websites. This makes WordPress and a plugin like Rank Math something that SEO professionals should be familiar with. Rank Math is designed to be very user-friendly while bringing all sorts of tools into your content creation workflows.

    Rank Math SEO Backend Dashboard

    Rank Math is especially useful for two reasons. It analyzes content as you create it and gives you tools for optimizing your content directly. Many SEO plugins can analyze content and make SEO suggestions, but Rank Math also allows you to change your content directly. It can suggest specific changes (like titles) in real-time with Content AI. And it can make sure your site is appropriately formatted for SEO (like schema, sitemaps, internal link suggestions, redirects/404 monitoring, and so much more).

    For a complete overview of its incredible features, see our extensive review of the Rank Math plugin.

    Key Features of Rank Math Pro

    • Onboarding flow that quickly sets up a whole website with all the essential SEO configurations (including adequately setting up metadata, breadcrumbs, and analytics)
    • Automatically submits for indexing all new and updated content to major search engines
    • Creates a powerful SEO dashboard on your website backend that monitors search traffic, keywords, and how well your content is  optimized (sitewide)
    • Content AI that analyzes all the key aspects of content against SERP needs for a specific KW

    Best for:
    Rank Math is a must-have tool for anyone serious about SEO and uses WordPress as their CMS. It integrates seamlessly with Divi, the most powerful WordPress theme, enabling you to create custom websites with an optimal SEO structure. Additionally, Rank Math offers a free version of its plugin, making it an ideal choice for website owners who are just starting with SEO and want to get started right away. If you have a WordPress website but no SEO tool yet, you need to stop reading this and install it now.

    Pricing: Free plugin with paid Pro options

    Rank Math Pro
    Starting Price $59/yr
    Number of Sites Unlimited
    Keywords Tracked 500
    Best For Position Tracking
    Site Monitoring
    Schema Generator
    Get Rank Math Pro

    6. Surfer SEO

    Surfer SEO Homepage March 2023

    Surfer SEO is an AI content tool that helps you create high-ranking SEO content. Its whole purpose is to help content creators with SEO mindfulness so you aren’t spinning your wheels, creating content that no one sees. It does this in stages by helping you with keyword research, then analyzing the SERPs of those keywords. After that, you start building your content with its content planner. Writers can then start writing their content and auditing other content with it. They create a seamless process from research to publishing that will help you rank.

    Surfer SEO is all about creating a workable content creation workflow that has an SEO-first approach. We love that you can create content briefs (for editors assigning out a lot of work) and analyze all your content against vital SEO /keyword metrics.

    Key Features of Surfer SEO

    • Surfer SEO “Grow Flows” that break content creation up into smaller, automated/low-effort tasks (talk about an ROI boost!)
    • Content creation workflow from research to clicking on “Publish”
    • Reports on the success you’ve had from content created in SUrfer SEO
    • Integrates with Semrush, Jasper AI, WordPress, and Google Docs

    Best for:
    Surfer SEO is an ideal tool for websites that produce a large volume of content. It is designed to streamline the SEO workflow for content creation, making it a valuable time-saving tool for individuals and teams alike.

    Pricing: Starting at $49/mo with a 7-day free trial

    Surfer SEO
    Starting Price $59/mo
    Number of Sites 2
    Article Edits 10
    Best for: Content Optimization
    Keyword Research
    Get Surfer SEO

    7. Mangools

    KWFinder Homepage March 2023

    Mangools is a suite of branded SEO tools that have names that are almost more popular than the company that offers them all (KWFinder and SERPWatch come to mind). It’s another all-in-one SEO platform that helps users research, create, and track all SEO efforts.

    Mangools keyword research tool (KWFinder) provides users with data on search volume, domain authority, keyword difficulty, and other metrics to help them identify the best keywords to target for their content. It’s one of the easiest-to-look-at keyword tools out there and gives you everything you need to know. You can even see what keywords competitor websites are ranking for and what position they rank at.

    Key Features of Mangools

    • Daily keyword research allotment with suggestions and views of what competitors are using
    • SERP analysis to see what’s ranking for what and some of the data points that contribute to those positions
    • Ability to lookup competitor websites to see where they are at in their SEO implementation

    Best for:
    Mangools is a trusted platform among organic search strategists. Although not as well-known as Semrush or Ahrefs, Mangools offers a comprehensive set of tools that provides a great all-in-one solution for reliable SEO tools. With a price point comparable to other budget-friendly options like SE Ranking and SEObility, Mangools is an affordable option for beginners looking for reliable SEO tools.

    Pricing: Starting at $49/mo with a 10-day free trial

    Mangools
    Starting Price $49/mo
    Keywords Tracked 200
    Keyword Lookups 100/day
    Best For Keyword Research
    Keyword Tracking
    Trustpilot Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Read the reviews
    Get Mangools

    8. Wincher

    Wincher Homepage March 2023

    Wincher is an SEO tool that specializes in keyword tracking and analysis to help increase your organic traffic. It makes it easy to find the right new keywords for your content. It makes it especially clear when it finds a keyword with decent search volume but low competition (the dream scenario). And you can use it to track the performance of those keywords using an intuitive interface.

    With features like keyword research, keyword gap analysis, position tracking, and site audits, Wincher helps improve search engine rankings and increases your qualitative traffic.

    Key Features of Wincher

    • Track your position rankings based on defined keywords
    • Discover keywords that you haven’t used so far
    • Reports and alerts to stay on top of keyword positions
    • WordPress plugin that integrates your website with Wincher

    Best for:
    Wincher is an excellent tool for beginner search engine marketers seeking a more comprehensive solution for analyzing keywords and tracking their content’s position. Its simple interface and focused feature set make it a great option for entry-level SEO or content marketers.

    Pricing: Starting at $39/mo with a free trial waiting for you

    Wincher
    Starting Price $39/mo
    Number of Sites 10
    Keywords Tracked 500
    Best For SERP Analysis
    Position Tracking
    Trustpilot Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Read the reviews
    Get Wincher

    9. Link Whisper

    Link Whisper Homepage March 2023

    Link Whisper is a WordPress plugin and Shopify app for internal link building. Internal linking is an essential practice for SEO as it helps search engines crawl your website and understand what your content is about (by relating it with other linked content). But it is hard to stay on top of, especially for large websites with tons of content—we know the struggle! Link Whisper makes managing internal links much easier since it can automatically apply links to your old content based on new content you are publishing (this is a huge time saver if set up correctly).

    Key Features of Link Whisper

    • Provides advanced suggestions for internal links you can create while you are in a page/post editor
    • Can connect with Google Search Console to bring in basic performance stats (not needed if you’re using a Google Analytics plugin)
    • Create automated internal linking campaigns that find instances of specific keywords and link them to a pre-defined page of your choosing

    Best for:
    Link Whisper is ideal for large WordPress and Shopify websites, particularly those with a hub and spoke or pillar/cluster content strategy. It is beneficial for websites that publish a large volume of content and need to stay on top of internal linking. With features like automated link suggestions and in-content linking, Link Whisper is a valuable tool for improving search engine rankings and driving more traffic to your site.

    Pricing: WordPress – $77/year for 1 site | Shopify – $7/mo for 1 site

    Link Whisper
    Starting Price $77/yr
    Number of Sites 1
    Best For Internal Link Building
    Internal Link Reports
    WordPress + Shopify
    Get Link Whisper

    10. Moz Pro

    Moz Pro Homepage March 2023

    Moz Pro is another all-purpose SEO tool designed to help website owners and digital marketers increase their traffic from organic search results. It has long been celebrated as one of the best SEO tools out there and has been running since 2004! Moz has a tremendous reputation in the SEO world, making their Pro tool something you should consider. If you’re a local business, MozLocal is also worth checking out, even though we are not directly reviewing its features here.

    Moz Pro is excellent at tracking page positions inside SERPs for defined keywords. It helps you know what is contributing to SERP boosts or fallen positions with tailored SEO Insights. And its competitor research tools (including MozBar) help you keep up with competitor changes.

    Key Features of Moz Pro

    • Offers comprehensive keyword research and analysis to optimize website content
    • It has a site audit tool that identifies technical SEO issues, such as broken links and missing meta-tags
    • Includes a backlink analysis tool to monitor backlinks and helps you disavow low-quality backlinks
    • Users can track their search engine rankings for specific keywords over time to monitor SEO efforts and improvements

    Best for:

    Moz Pro is an all-in-one SEO tool that’s ideal for any serious SEO professional looking to streamline their SEO workflow. It provides a comprehensive solution for improving search engine rankings and increasing traffic. Use it for keyword research, site audits, backlink analysis, and more. While the monthly pricing is higher than many budget SEO tools, it’s comparable to other industry leaders like Semrush and Ahrefs.

    Pricing: $99/mo for three campaigns/websites

    Moz Pro
    Starting Price $99/mo
    Number of Locations 3
    Keywords Tracked 300
    Best For Keyword Research
    Local SEO
    Competitor Research
    Get Moz Pro

    11. WooRank

    WooRank Homepage March 2023

    WooRank is an SEO tool that offers a range of features to help website owners and digital marketers improve their search engine rankings and drive more traffic to their sites. It’s a mid-tier total-SEO platform that does a whole lot well.

    WooRank’s competitor analysis tracks competitor keywords, technical specs, and position changes. All these help you better understand your competitors and how to outrank them.

    Key Features of WooRank

    • Users can track keywords with WooRank’s keyword tracking tool to monitor their website’s search engine rankings for those keywords
    • WooRank’s site crawl tool can crawl site pages to identify technical SEO issues that may hurt a website’s rankings
    • Compare website performance against competitors to identify areas for improvement

    Best for:
    WooRank is an ideal tool for website owners and marketers who want to improve their website’s SEO quality and ranking position across multiple keywords. With features like site audits, keyword tracking, and competitor analysis, WooRank provides a comprehensive solution for improving search engine rankings and driving more traffic to your site. While it is priced a little higher than other tools in this article, it can be a great fit for those looking for more advanced features.

    Pricing: $79.99/mo for one website

    WooRank
    Starting Price $79.99/mo
    Number of Sites 1
    Keywords Tracked 50
    Best For Keyword Tracker
    Page Technical Auditor
    Competitor Research
    Get WooRank

    12. Clearscope

    Clearscope Homepage March 2023

    Clearscope is an SEO content optimization tool that uses AI and natural language processing (NPL) to help content creators optimize content for search engines. Search engines attempt to catalog the whole internet and rely on NPL to understand its content semantically. Clearscope analyzes your content with similar methods to make sure that it is in line with what search engines expect (based on keywords and search intent). This all can happen in the SaaS application or for those with WordPress websites, on your site via the use of their plugin.

    Its content analysis is very actionable, often giving you explicit grades, comparison metrics, and other scores to let you know where your content is across several essential areas.

    Key Features of Clearscope

    • Analyzes the top-ranking pages for a given search term
    • Identifies the keywords, phrases, and topics most relevant to that search
    • Gives content suggestions based on the above findings

    Best for:
    Clearscope is an ideal tool for content-focused SEO professionals who are writing or editing content that needs to rank. While its price tag may be hefty for some, Clearscope is a valuable tool for optimizing content for search engines and driving more traffic to your site. Other tools like Scalenut, Dashword, and ContentPace may also be worth considering for those seeking more affordable alternatives.

    Pricing: Starting at $170/mo

    Clearscope
    Starting Price $170/mo
    Number of Users 1
    Content Reports 10
    Best For Content Optimizer
    Content Brief Creator
    Keyword Research
    Get Clearscope

    13. Ahrefs

    Ahrefs Homepage March 2023

    Ahrefs is last on our list but certainly far from the least. It is a premium all-in-one SEO tool that has been a market leader for many years. Ahrefs gives SEO experts every instrument needed to succeed in SEO. It can be daunting to new users, but that is because there is so much data inside the platform.

    Ahref covers every type of SEO task, including backlink audits, URL position ranking, competitor research, keyword research, site audits, and more.

    Ahrefs backlink profile is one of the best out there. It shows you a histo-graph of your backlinks and how many you’ve gotten in specific look-back timeframes (1 day, 7 days, etc.). The profile also includes the number of referring domains (with a breakdown of crucial info about those domains). And it also gives you high-level stats like URL rank, Domain Rank, and the number of organic keywords your site ranks for.

    Key Features of Ahrefs

    • Unlimited projects if they are verified with a site tag and five unverified projects (Lite plan)
    • Track page rankings across defined keywords broken into desktop and mobile searches (and see ranking history)
    • Keyword research through Ahrefs exquisite database using Keywords Explorer
    • You can add plan add-ons if you rely on specific tools more than others

    Best for:
    Ahrefs is a go-to tool for SEO experts. It offers reliable data and excellent filtering options to drill down to the data you need to rank for competitive topics. It’s a valuable investment for those looking to improve their SEO game. Along with Semrush, Ahrefs is a tried and tested solution that is widely used by SEO professionals.

    Pricing: $99/mo

    Ahrefs
    Starting Price $99/mo
    Number of Sites Unlimited Verified
    Keywords Tracked 750
    Best For Position Tracking
    Competitor Research
    Keyword Research
    Site Auditor
    Get Ahrefs

    SEO Tools FAQ

    What are the best SEO Tools for WordPress websites?

    Link Whisper, Semrush, Rank Math, and Surfer SEO are all great SEO tools for using with WordPress since they have plugins providing users with a range of features to optimize their website’s SEO. Their plugins bring the wide range of tools these platforms offer directly into your WordPress environment and consolidate where you have to go for performing SEO tasks.

    Can you do SEO for free?

    SEO is much harder but still possible to do with free tools and resources. When using free SEO tools, it is all about finding the right mix of tools that each cover an essential task. Start with a keyword research tool like SEObility or Ubersuggest’s free accounts. See all our recommended free SEO tools.

    Who uses SEO tools?

    • Business owners and marketers: SEO tools can help businesses and marketers improve their website’s visibility in search results, attract more visitors, and generate more leads and sales.
    • Website developers: SEO tools can help website developers identify and fix technical SEO issues, such as broken links and missing meta tags.
    • SEO professionals: SEO professionals use SEO tools for auditing websites, analyzing keywords, optimizing pages, building links, and more.

    Anyone who is looking to improve their website’s visibility in search results can benefit from using SEO tools.

    Why do SEO tools cost so much?

    SEO tools can cost a significant amount due to the resources required to develop, maintain, and update the software. They involve large data sets and are crawling millions of pages a day. Also, the value that SEO tools provide in terms of improving a website’s search engine rankings and driving more traffic and conversions can justify the cost for businesses that rely on organic search traffic to drive revenue.

    What are the Best SEO Tools?

    Semrush is the best all-in-one SEO tool. It offers all the essential features like keyword research, site audits, backlink analysis, rank tracking, on-page optimization, and competitive analysis. So it is a safe bet to start with if you want to get serious about SEO.

    SE Ranking is ideal for beginners looking for a more budget-friendly solution that packs a similar punch as SEMrush.

    BrightLocal is the best solution for Local SEO. It includes local search rank tracking, citation management, review monitoring, and more.

    Plugin Starting Price Free Option
    🥇 Semrush $119.95/mo ✔️ Visit
    🥈 SE Ranking $49/mo ❌ Visit
    🥉 BrightLocal $29/mo ❌ Visit
    #4 SEObility Free ✔️ Visit
    #5 Rank Math Pro Free, Pro $59/yr ✔️ Visit
    #6 Surfer SEO $59/mo ❌ Visit
    #7 Mangools $49/mo ❌ Visit
    #8 Wincher $39/mo ❌ Visit
    #9 Link Shisper $77/yr ❌ Visit
    #10 Moz Pro $99/mo ❌ Visit
    #11 WooRank $79.99/mo ❌ Visit
    #12 Clearscope $170/mo ❌ Visit
    #13 Ahrefs $99/mo ✔️ Visit

    Using the right combination of these tools can significantly improve website search performance and drive more traffic and qualified conversions.

    Need SEO tools you can use directly on your website? Check out the best SEO plugins for WordPress.

     

    Featured Image via Sammby / shutterstock.com

    The post The Best SEO Tools to Grow Organic Traffic in 2023 appeared first on Elegant Themes Blog.

  • 12 Best WordPress Speed Optimization Plugins & Tools (2023)

    Are you looking to speed up your WordPress site? The best WordPress speed and optimization plugins can help you optimize your site for faster performance. These plugins work by caching your website’s pages, optimizing your code, minimizing HTTP requests and so much more.

    In this blog post, we’ve put together a list of the best WordPress speed and optimization plugins. These can significantly enhance your website’s speed, performance, and SEO.

    What do WordPress Speed Optimization Plugins do?

    WordPress speed and optimization plugins perform several essential tasks to optimize website performance. Here are some of the basic tasks that these plugins can handle (not exhaustive):

    1. Caching: WordPress speed and optimization plugins help improve website speed by caching pages and other content. Caching saves a version of your website’s pages so it doesn’t have to load from the server.
    2. Minification: This process reduces the size of CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files by removing unnecessary characters without affecting functionality.
    3. CDN: A Content Deliver Network (CDN) reduces the server load by saving cached versions of your website on a reliable global network of servers
    4. Image optimization: Optimization plugins can help reduce the size of images without reducing their quality, resulting in faster loading times.
    5. GZIP compression: These plugins can make it easy to enable GZIP compression on your site. This compresses website files, making them faster to load.
    6. Browser caching: Browser caching improves website speed by storing frequently used files in visitors’ browsers (instead of doing it manually), allowing for faster load times.

    These tasks can be handled by all-in-one solutions that cover every base. There are also plenty of reliable plugins that handle one or two of these items.

    Why is Speed Optimization Important for WordPress?

    To state the obvious, speed optimization is important because it makes your website faster. Since WordPress is a dynamic CMS, it takes time to fetch and process data (using PHP) and render your website content to your user’s browser.

    How PHP works

    To help speed up the process, there are some optimizations that need to be implemented. And a faster website comes with some great advantages. It improves user experience and engagement, reducing bounce rates. And Google considers page speed as a significant SEO factor for ranking higher in SERPs.

    Even the best WordPress hosting providers running the latest version of PHP may be enough for speeding up your site. But, with the right plugin for SEO and speed optimization, your site will have a head start on the competition.

    12 Best WordPress Speed and Optimization Plugins

    We’ve put together a list of the best WordPress speed and optimization plugins that can significantly enhance your website’s speed, performance, and user experience. Here they are:

    1. WP Rocket

    WP Rocket Homepage Feb 2023

    WP Rocket has galvanized its reputation as the leading WordPress caching plugin on the market. It is an all-in-one WordPress performance plugin that provides users with all the caching functionality you’d expect, as well as a host of features you probably haven’t. WP Rocket is easy to set up and begins working right out of the box, optimizing your website’s performance with minimal configuration. WP Rocket is a premium caching plugin that offers a wide range of features, including performance optimization for e-commerce sites.

    Key Features for WP Rocket:

    • Cache preloading automatically regenerates the cache whenever you make changes to your site
    • The lazy loading feature delays the loading of images, videos, and other content until they are needed
    • Minifies your website’s HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files to reduce their size and improve website performance
    • Optimizes your website’s database by removing unnecessary data, such as post revisions, spam comments, and trashed items
    • Integrates with many Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) like Cloudflare, MaxCDN, KeyCDN, Amazon CloudFront, and its own CDN service

    WP Rocket File Optimization for CSS JS and HTML

    WP Rocket’s File Optimization feature optimizes CSS, JS, and HTML files, reducing their size and minimizing render blocking. The plugin’s minification automatically removes unnecessary characters from code and combines file types for efficiency. The plugin’s render-blocking ability ensures that your website loads faster by prioritizing important files over less important ones. And all it takes is a few checkmarks in the backend and testing to see how it is working.

    Best For: Those looking to get the best caching and all-in-one performance plugin to speed up their website with little setup. It’s easy to use and works well with pretty much any WordPress theme.

    Pricing: Paid plans start at $59 per year

    Get WP Rocket

    2. NitroPack

    Nitro Pack One Platform, All Speed Optimizations

    NitroPack is an all-in-one speed optimization solution that simplifies the process of optimizing your WordPress website. Unlike other plugins, NitroPack optimizes everything for you, making it an excellent solution for users who are not familiar with the technical aspects of website optimization.

    To get started, you just need to add your website and install the connector plugin, and NitroPack will begin optimizing your website automatically.

    Key Features of NitroPack:

    • Advanced cache mechanisms including browser and session-aware caching, device and cookie-aware caching, and more
    • Generates Critical CSS for each page, which is the minimal CSS required to render the above-the-fold content
    • Uses server-level caching to cache pages and other content
    • Includes a lazy loading feature for images that loads images as visitors scroll down the page
    • Optimizes and compresses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code to reduce page load times

    eCommerce cart cache

    With NitroPack’s Cache Cart feature, WooCommerce websites can improve their loading speed and create a more pleasant experience for shoppers.

    Best For: Nitro Pack is best for those looking for a powerful all-in-one speed optimization plugin that includes a CDN and advanced options for WooCommerce sites.

    Pricing: Free, $210 a year

    Get Nitro Pack

    3. WP-Optimize

    WP Optimize All-in-One

    WP-Optimize is another popular WordPress all-in-one plugin that helps website owners optimize and improve website performance. It has over a million active users with a 5-star rating. And it can easily handle caching, minification, image compression, and more. What sets it apart from others is that it has a built-in database cleanup feature that can easily replace other database optimization plugins. It also works seamlessly with UpdraftPlus for easy backups of your site and database.

    Key Features for WP-Optimize:

    • Database cleanup and optimization to improve site performance
    • Image compression to reduce file sizes and improve site speed
    • Lazy loading of images to further improve page load times
    • Removal of unnecessary post revisions, drafts, and spam comments to reduce database clutter
    • Integration with Cloudflare and other CDNs for improved performance
    • Dashboard notifications for critical issues, such as low disk space or database errors
    • Integration UpdraftPlus for easy backups

    WP Optimize database clean up settings

    The WP-Optimize plugin offers the option to schedule automatic cleanups, which allows you to automate the process of cleaning up and optimizing your WordPress database.

    Best For: WP-Optimize is best for those who want an all-in-one optimization plugin that is affordable, popular, and has the added bonus of database optimization included. It starts at a cheaper yearly price point than other solutions and includes image optimization as well.

    Pricing: Free, Paid plans start at $49 per year

    Get WP-Optimize

    4. Perfmatters

    Perfmatters Lightweight WP Performance plugin

    Perfmatters is an essential performance plugin that’s perfect for WordPress users who are looking for a lightweight solution to improve their website’s speed. This plugin works best as a tool you use with an all-in-one tool, such as WP Rocket or NitroPack. Perfmatters handles dozens of smaller tasks for WordPress websites that some of the all-in-one solutions aren’t optimized for. That makes it fit for those looking for the absolute best performance out of their websites and are open to using multiple tools together.

    Key Features for Perfmatters:

    • Disables unnecessary features that slow down your websites, such as emojis, Gravatars, and query strings
    • Includes a script manager that allows you to disable JavaScript and CSS files on a per-page basis
    • Control the frequency of the WordPress Heartbeat API, which can help reduce server load and improve website speed
    • Schedule automatic database optimization on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis
    • Change your WordPress login URL to protect it from bad actors
    • Host Google Analytics locally to avoid additional DNS lookups

    Perfmatters is for you if you…

    • Haven’t gotten as good of performance using an all-in-one tool as you’d like
    • Want to use Perfmatters for smaller tasks while leaving bigger tasks to other tools
    • Need a low-cost solution that fully takes care of the hardest issues (and maybe use a free caching plugin)

    Pricing: Free, Pro starting at $24.95 a year

    Get Perfmatters

    5. W3 Total Cache

    W3 Total Cache WP caching plugin

    W3 Total Cache is a powerful and exceedingly popular WordPress caching plugin designed for advanced users and developers. It offers a huge range of caching methods like browser caching, object caching, database caching, etc. that provide users with complete control over their site’s optimization. Though the interface is technical with many advanced configuration options, this plugin is the most feature-rich caching plugin available for free. The premium version goes above and beyond and has been a tried and true plugin for WordPress optimization for years.

    Key Features for W3 Total Cache:

    • Can cache specific parts of a page through fragment caching to speed up dynamic content and reduce the server load
    • Includes object caching, which stores frequently used data in memory to reduce the time it takes to load
    • Can integrate with reverse proxy servers to improve website speed and reduce the server load
    • Caches database queries and results to reduce the time it takes for your website to connect to the database
    • Enable WebP Image Conversion automatically

    Reverse proxy

    W3 Total Cache integrates with reverse proxy servers like Varnish to speed up websites and reduce server load. The reverse proxy server caches page content and serves it to new users, resulting in faster load times and less server processing for site visitors.

    Best For: NW3 Total Cache is a great free plugin that is best for those who want to be more hands-on with the setup process. It is one of the best freemium all-in-one plugins on the market with a steeper learning curve.

    Pricing: Free, Paid plan is $99 per year

    Get W3 Total Cache

    6. EWW Image Optimizer

    EWWW Image Optimizer

    EWWW Image Optimizer is one of many image optimization plugins on the WordPress market. It just happens to be one of the better solutions out there. EWWW offers a very specific type of website optimization by focusing exclusively on images. Images can be a large part of your website’s bloat and should be optimized for SEO and page speed. An automated approach using this plugin makes this sort of task effortless.

    Key Features for EWWW Image Optimizer:

    • Lossless image compression to reduce file size without compromising image quality
    • Ability to optimize images in bulk or at original upload to save time
    • Built-in image resizing feature to resize images to specific dimensions
    • Option to keep original images as backups for easy restoration
    • User-friendly interface for easy navigation and image optimization

    Bulk optimization with EWWW

    EWWW Image Optimizer offers bulk optimization for users wanting to optimize multiple images at once, instead of having to optimize each image individually.

    Best For: EWWW is a great solution for image-heavy websites that need a boost in speed. It can optimize and manage a large library of images with very little work.

    Pricing: Free, Paid plans start at $70 per year

    Get EWW Image Optimizer

    7. WP Fastest Cache

    WP Fastest Cache

    WP Fastest Cache is a free and user-friendly WordPress caching plugin that offers an ideal balance between features and ease of use. It works by reducing the load on your website and boosting overall website performance. This plugin is simple and straightforward to install and set up, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced developers who want a quick and easy caching solution. The free version is very popular

    Key Features for WP Fastest Cache:

    • Browser caching and GZip compression
    • Minification and concatenation of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files
    • Support for Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) such as Cloudflare, MaxCDN, and Amazon CloudFront
    • Automatic cache clearing on content updates
    • Lazy loading of images to improve page loading times
    • Mobile caching for faster page loading on mobile devices
    • Integration with Google Analytics for tracking cached pages

    Exclude from cache

    The WP Fastest Cache excludes feature allows users to specify which pages or sections of their website should not be cached. This can be useful for dynamically generated content or pages that contain personal or sensitive information.

    Best For: WP Fastest Cache is a great option for those who want a free caching solution that has a lot of key features and an affordable lifetime pro version.

    Pricing: Free, Paid plans start at $49 Lifetime

    Get WP Fastest Cache

    8. Autoptimize

    Autoptimize (AO) Pro

    Autoptimize is a highly popular free WordPress plugin for site owners looking to speed up their sites and improve their performance. It can handle basics like image optimization, aggregation, and minification. However, it does not do page caching, so it may be necessary to pair this plugin with a caching plugin or your host’s server-level caching (like Perfmatters).

    Key Features for Autoptimize:

    • Allows for asynchronous loading of JavaScript files by loading scripts in the background without delaying page rendering
    • Provides options to defer the loading of non-critical JavaScript files until after the page has loaded
    • Provides a critical CSS feature, which extracts and inlines the CSS required for above-the-fold content
    • Offers compatibility with other popular caching plugins, such as WP Fastest Cache and W3 Total Cache
    • Removes unnecessary whitespace, comments, and code bloat from files to reduce their size
    • Combines and optimizes CSS and JavaScript files to reduce the number of HTTP requests

    AO Pro Critical CSS

    In Autoptimize, the Critical CSS feature automates the creation of rules to ensure that the CSS is no longer render-blocking (one of the most common page speed test errors). This is done by analyzing the web page and identifying the critical CSS needed for above-the-fold content.

    Best For: Autoptimize is best for those who already use a caching plugin on our list but want to see even better results with things like critical CSS.

    Pricing: Free, Paid plan is $79 per year

    Get Autoptimize

    9. WP Super Cache

    WP Super Cache

    WP Super Cache is a popular and free caching plugin for WordPress, developed by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com and WooCommerce. This plugin is an excellent solution for website owners who want to improve their website’s performance by reducing server load time and providing a faster browsing experience to visitors. It’s built with experts and beginners in mind and has settings for each—meaning you can make use of the plugin as you need.

    Key Features for WP Super Cache:

    • Advanced settings for power users, including support for WP-CLI and REST API.
    • Serve cached pages to visitors who are not logged in or have not left a comment on the site.
    • Enable or disable caching for specific user agents, URLs, or referrers.
    • Set an expiration time for cached pages to ensure visitors receive the most up-to-date content.
    • Limit the size of the cache directory to prevent it from taking up too much space on the server.
    • Choose whether or not to cache 404 pages or pages with query strings.
    • Enable or disable caching for HTTPS requests.

    Garbage collection management by WP Super Cache

    WP Super Cache has a garbage collection feature that helps to manage the cache files and ensure that they do not accumulate excessively. This feature automatically deletes expired cache files, and it can be set up to remove outdated files periodically. The garbage collection process can be configured to run on a schedule, such as every hour or once a day, depending on the website’s caching needs.

    Best For: If you want a trusted plugin developed by the people behind WordPress.com, WP Super Cache is a safe bet. As a free plugin, it is built for any skill level, but it will require more technical knowledge to get the best results.

    • Need a plugin that is built for any skill level—more experience means you can get more optimization
    • Appreciate a free plugin with no premium, hidden features

    Pricing: Free

    Get WP Super Cache

    10. Litespeed Cache

    Litespeed All in One

    Litespeed Cache is a free cache plugin designed to optimize your WordPress site for faster loading times. What sets Litespeed Cache apart from other plugins is that it’s a server-level cache, which means that it can bypass PHP and database queries to speed up your website. This means, though, that to get the most out of the plugin, your whole hosting stack has to be running Lightspeed. Most WordPress installations do not run that, so if you’re not sure, you are better off choosing a different plugin.

    Key Features for Litespeed Cache:

    • Provides server-level full-page caching, which stores complete HTML pages and serves them to visitors without running PHP scripts
    • Advanced image optimization options, including WebP conversion, lazy loading, and adaptive images
    • Offers HTTP/2 Push, enabling the server to send additional assets to the client before they are requested, reducing site loading time
    • Includes browser cache functionality
    • Minifies and concatenates CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files
    • Automatically purges the cache for any page or post that is updated, ensuring visitors see the most up-to-date content
    • Offers an object cache that stores PHP objects in memory, reducing the time it takes to generate the object on subsequent requests
    • Employs DNS prefetching which improves page load times by resolving domain names in advance

    Litespeed Cache config presets

    LiteSpeed Cache (LSCache) provides a variety of presets that can be easily applied to your website to optimize its performance. The presets make it easy for website owners to quickly optimize their website’s performance without needing to understand the technical details of each feature. Users can also create their own custom presets based on their specific needs and requirements.

    Best For: sLightSpeed is best for those who want to speed up their websites on the website and server level with a unique server stack built for speed. So if you don’t mind using the LightSpeed hosting stack, this will be a great option for boosting site speed and performance.

    • Want a free optimization solution that is built for your infrastructure

    Pricing: Free

    Get Litespeed Cache

    11. Short Pixel

    Short Pixel compress and optimize images

    Short Pixel, like EWWW, is an image optimization platform. Images can be some of the biggest resource hogs on your websites if they aren’t taken care of properly. Short Pixel does everything for image optimization to ensure your website isn’t unnecessarily slowed down by them.

    Key Features for Short Pixel:

    • Reduce the size of images by compressing them without any visible loss of quality
    • Offers multiple compression algorithms including lossy, glossy, and lossless compression
    • Can also optimize PDF files, reducing their size without affecting the quality
    • Can automatically optimize new images as they are added to your website
    • Converts images to the WebP format
    • Resizes images on your website, reducing their dimensions and file size.

    Short Pixel PDF Compression

    With ShortPixel Image Optimizer, users can do a lot of things automatically. For instance you can convert PNGs to JPEGs, create WebP images for free, and optimize bloated PDFs.

    Best for: WShort Pixel is best for those who need image optimization in addition to other caching plugins. It is an efficient image optimization tool with a lot of great features that other all-in-one solutions lack.

    • Have some other caching/whole site optimization in place already

    Pricing: Free, $99 per year for unlimited credits on 1 site

    Get Short Pixel

    12. Asset Cleanup

    Asset Cleanup Pro

    Asset Cleanup is all about loading only what’s necessary for your site visitors. It does a good job at it as well. Most similar to Perfmatters and Autoptimize on this list, Asset Cleanup doesn’t handle caching so it is important to use even a free caching plugin with this. But it does a great job of helping you run a faster website that uses fewer resources.

    Key Features for Asset Cleanup:

    • Removes unnecessary scripts and stylesheets that may slow down page loading times
    • Offers advanced cleanup options, such as the ability to disable certain scripts and stylesheets on specific pages or posts
    • Removes unnecessary assets reducing the number of HTTP requests made
    • Combine and minify CSS and JavaScript files to reduce the file size
    • Removes unnecessary query strings from static resources to improve caching
    • Conditional asset loading based on device type (mobile, tablet, desktop)

    Homepage scripts management

    With Asset Cleanup, website owners can also choose to load specific scripts and styles only on certain pages, optimizing the website’s performance by reducing the number of requests and minimizing the amount of data that needs to be loaded.

    Best for: Asset Cleanup is best for websites that have a lot of scripts and stylesheets that need to be cleaned up and optimized for faster page speeds. It is a great companion plugin for top-tier caching plugins that can’t do what Asset Cleanup can do.

    Pricing: Free, Paid plans start at $49 per year

    Get Asset Cleanup

    More Free WordPress Speed Optimization Tools

    1. TinyPNG: uses smart lossy compression techniques to reduce the file size of PNG and JPEG images without compromising their quality
    2. GTMetrix: a web-based tool that analyzes the performance and speed of a website and provides recommendations for optimization.
    3. Pingdom: website monitoring and performance testing tool that tracks website uptime, page speed, and user interactions from various locations worldwide
    4. Sucuri Security: offers basic website security features, such as malware scanning, blacklist monitoring, security hardening, and security notifications. Additional website CDN performance and speed optimization are included with the paid version.
    5. PageSpeed Insights: analyzes the performance and speed of a website on desktop and mobile devices and provides suggestions for optimization based on industry best practices
    6. Optimole: a cloud-based image optimization service that automatically resizes and compresses images for websites, while delivering them through a global content delivery network (CDN) for faster loading times. It can also be used to serve WebP images for even better results.

    Built-in Hosting Provider Speed and Optimization Tools

    These hosting providers have built more than just a good hosting platform—they’ve also created optimization tools that integrate the best performance standards that you can get in the WordPress dashboard with server-side optimizations (like object caching) as well.

    1. SiteGround Optimizer: uses a combination of caching technologies, including Varnish, Memcached, built-in CDN, and Google PageSpeed to speed up website loading times and improve performance.
    2. WP Engine Caching: offers a built-in caching system, called EverCache, which uses advanced caching techniques, such as object caching and page caching, to deliver fast and scalable website performance
    3. Cloudways Caching: provides a custom-built caching system, called Breeze, which uses advanced caching techniques, such as database optimization, object caching, and CDN integration, to boost website performance and reduce page load times

    It is also worth noting that some themes and page builders like Divi have built-in speed optimization tools as well. For more, check out our ultimate guide to Divi (and WordPress) speed optimization.

    What is the Best WordPress Speed Optimization Plugin?

    Our top pick for speed optimization plugins is WP Rocket. It offers an all-in-one caching solution, with a user-friendly interface and advanced features such as lazy loading and database optimization. Another great all-in-one platform is NitroPack which automates the optimization process well and includes a built-in CDN and WooCommerce optimization. We also think WP-Optimize is one of the most powerful plugins for those looking for a more affordable option that also handles database cleanup and optimization.

    Plugin Price Free Option
    🥇 WP Rocket $59/yr ❌ Visit
    🥈 Nitro Pack $252/yr ✔️ Visit
    🥉 WP Optimize $49/yr ✔️ Visit
    4 Perfmatters $24.95/yr ❌ Visit
    5 W3 Total Cache $99/yr ✔️ Visit
    6 EWW Image Optimizer $70/yr ✔️ Visit
    7 WP Fastest Cache $49/yr ✔️ Visit
    8 Autoptimize $79/yr ✔️ Visit
    9 WP Super Cache Free ✔️ Visit
    10 Litespeed Cache (All in One) Free ✔️ Visit
    11 Short Pixel $99/yr ✔️ Visit
    12 Asset Cleanup $49/yr ✔️ Visit

    Ultimately, the best WordPress speed and optimization plugins for your website will depend on your specific needs and preferences. We recommend trying out a few different options to see which one works best for you. With the help of one or a deliberate combination of these plugins, you can boost your website’s speed and provide a better user experience for your visitors.

    The post 12 Best WordPress Speed Optimization Plugins & Tools (2023) appeared first on Elegant Themes Blog.

  • 9 Best WordPress Table Plugins (2023)

    Data tables continue to be an effective way to visually represent information on a website like product features, pricing, and other comparisons. But it can be tedious to build a table from scratch. That’s why it’s important that you have the best WordPress table plugin for the job. Table plugins can be powerful tools for creating tables with advanced functionality and better user experience to accurately showcase your data.

    We’ve gone through the hard work of finding the absolute best free and paid solutions for you, comparing key features, pricing, and more. Hopefully, you’ll find the best plugin for adding tables to your websites.

    Why Use a Table WordPress Plugin?

    Tables are an essential tool for displaying information on websites, as they allow website owners to organize and present data in a clear, skimmable format. They are often used in combination with charts to help visualize data.

    Tables can be used to showcase:

    • Product Features and Specifications
    • Pricing Comparison table
    • Schedules
    • Raw Data from Research
    • and any sort of information that can be organized easily by a row and column format

    By using a table plugin (not to be confused with a table of contents plugin), website owners can ensure that their visitors can easily understand the information being presented in one simple place. This leads to increased engagement and a better user experience.

    WordPress has a table block as a core feature of the WordPress editor to build a table from scratch. But the block is limited and difficult to style without custom code. This is where a table plugin comes to the rescue.

    The 9 Best WordPress Table Plugins

    Some of the plugins on this list are incredibly packed with features while others focus on specific edge cases. Determine your needs and compare features as you look through these excellent options.

    1. wpDataTables Pro

    wpdatatables WordPress table and chart plugin

    wpDataTables is a unique table builder plugin that creates visually appealing tables without needing any custom code. It provides a quick and easy solution for users who need to add tables to their WordPress website. It is a freemium plugin with essential functions present in the free version, but it truly shines when upgrading to the pro version.

    Key Features for wpDataTables Pro:

    • Easy import of data from external sources
    • Interactive tables that can be sorted, filtered, and searched
    • Conditional formatting of cells based on cell value conditions
    • User role permission for table editing
    • Export tables and charts to PDF or Excel
    • Include formulas as cell values
    • Integrates with Divi page builder for more design options

    wpdatatables Conditional formatting rules

    A standout feature for wpDataTables is its conditional formatting feature which allows you to highlight specific data points in your tables based on certain conditions, such as values greater than or less than a certain number. This feature can help make your data easier to understand and make it simpler for them to find the information they need from your tables. It saves time by letting values be automatically formatted based on conditions rather than manually formatting each cell.

    wpDataTables is for you if you…

    • Need a premium table solution for WordPress that does not disappoint
    • Will be pulling in external data to your tables and want to apply automation
    • Want an attractive table creator to please your site visitors

    Pricing: From $94 a year

    Get wpDataTables

    2. Ninja Tables Pro

    Ninja Tables WordPress table plugin

    Ninja Tables is an admiringly customizable WordPress table plugin that includes an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop table builder. The free version of the plugin is impressive and offers basic functions such as uploading data into tables, sorting, pagination, and basic filtering. Ninja Tables is a widely-used plugin that provides a user-friendly interface, making it easy for beginners to create stunning tables. It is also built by the same folks behind Fluent Forms and FluentCRM.

    Key Features for Ninja Tables:

    • Integrates with popular third-party services (like Mailchimp, WooCommerce, and Google Analytics)
    • Pagination controls for best site performance and user experience
    • Multiple value content types including text, images, and buttons
    • Features for large datasets including lazy loading and server-side processing

    Drag and Drop Ninja Table Builder

     

    Ninja Forms is ideal for creating visual (as opposed to data-rich) tables. The drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to add text, buttons, ratings, and custom HTML to individual cells. For data automation, importing, and validation, we still recommend our first choice above, wpDataTables

    Ninja Tables is for you if you…

    • Need an easy-to-use visual table builder
    • Want to build easy WooCommerce-enabled product tables
    • Enjoy other WPManageNinja products

    Pricing: From $79 a year

    Get Ninja Tables

    3. TablePress

    Tablepress WordPress table plugin

    TablePress is arguably the most widely used table plugin for WordPress with over 800,000 active installs. It is easy to use and is packed with features. It will only take a few minutes to get a fully functional table on your site that is searchable, filterable, and has pagination. The free version allows you to create unlimited tables with basic formulas and table options. You’ll have to upgrade to the pro version if you want front-end styling. It even integrates with the Divi page builder using TablePress Styler which allows TablePress users even more control over visually stylizing their tables.

    TablePress Divi Styler UI

    Key Features for TablePress:

    • Conditional formatting to highlight certain cells or rows, based on specific criteria or rules
    • Includes a built-in JavaScript library that allows you to add custom JavaScript to your tables
    • Users can filter and sort tables
    • Uses pagination to split large tables into smaller pages
    • Manipulate data in the table with features like merge, split, and duplicate cells
    • Seamless integration with Divi

    TablePress Editing Table UI

    TablePress offers some features that allow you to use mathematical functions and formulas in cells within tables (much like Excel). This gives you even greater flexibility and precision when working with complex data tables on your WordPress site. You have complete power to display your data and information to your visitors.

    TablePress is for you if you…

    • Want a Free, powerful table plugin
    • Don’t mind paying for better front-end style options.
    • Use Divi and are interested in advanced table styling using TablePress Styler
    • Enjoy a slightly lower-priced solution than the most expensive ones on this list

    Pricing: Free, Pro from $79 a year

    Get TablePress

    4. Visualizer

    Visualizer Table and Charts plugin

    Visualizer is a heavy-lifting plugin that lets you build both tables and charts. Developed by Themeisle, the plugin makes possible fully interactive tables, animated charts, and colorful diagrams. This is a great choice for those who need a little more than just tables on their WordPress website. Check out our full review of the Visualizer plugin and how to use it.

    Key Features for Visualizer:

    • Customize the content of your cells by choosing from a variety of content types, including plain text, HTML, images, and links
    • Easily rearrange the order of columns in your table using a drag-and-drop interface
    • Display a total row at the bottom of your table, showing the sum or average of each column
    • Make your table headers sticky, meaning they stay visible as users scroll down the table
    • Display summary information for each column of your table, such as the total or average of the values in the column
    • Create multi-level headers for your table to organize and group related data
    • Perform calculations on your table data, such as adding or multiplying values, to create more complex data sets
    • Connect tables to external data sources, such as Google Analytics or Facebook Ads, to automatically display real-time data
    • Add interactive tooltips to your table cells

    Visualizer Charts and Table Templates

    The key differentiator of Visualizer compared to other plugins is the ability to display data more visually. There are several types of tables and charts that you can build, even in the free version, with even more in the premium version of the plugin. This doesn’t pigeonhole you into one way of visualizing data but allows you to choose the best representation that will be important for your visitors’ user experience.

    Visualizer is for you if you…

    • Have a lot of data that needs to be visualized for your site visitors
    • Need quality tables built but also something that goes beyond them

    Pricing: From $129 a year

    Get Visualizer

    5. Post Tables Pro

    Posts Table Pro WordPress table plugin

    Post Tables Pro is a freemium table builder that is uniquely built to display your posts, pages, taxonomies, and custom post types. What makes this plugin unique is that it can pull the data from your existing posts in WordPress to be displayed in tables. This is an excellent choice for website owners with lots of content that want to organize and display posts in clear ways. But the plugin isn’t limited to just blog post content. You can pull data from custom post types, custom fields, and more.

    Key Features for Post Tables Pro:

    • Dynamically adds post content to tables
    • Can attach a search bar to search and browse entries
    • Integrates seamlessly with WooCommerce allowing the use of pricing and product tables
    • Can create anchor links that jump to a specific cell
    • Lightbox integration that displays images or multimedia content in a lightbox directly from your table

    Post Tables Pro Example Table

    The only real feature you need to know about to determine if you need it is that it uses your posts as a data source. This can be helpful for course creators, large websites, and any application where creating paginated, and filterable tables is desirable. If you need other types of tables created, this isn’t for you. But…

    Post Tables Pro is for you if you…

    • Want to display your posts, products, and custom post types in a table format

    Pricing: From $79 a year

    Get Post Tables Pro

    6. WooCommerce Product Table

    WooCommerce Product Table

    WooCommerce Product Table is another table plugin by Barn2 that can build tables for your WooCommerce product data. And it does it well. This differs from Post Tables Pro in that it is 100% focused on WooCommerce products and provides only the essential features that pertain to eCommerce websites.

    Key Features for WooCommerce Product Table:

    • Display basic and variable products in tables
    • “Quick view” allows customers to view detailed product information in lightboxes
    • Add dynamic add-to-cart buttons that work with your store settings
    • Display custom product fields in the table, such as SKU or weight, etc.
    • Compatible with multi-vendor marketplaces like WooCommerce Product Vendors, YITH WooCommerce Multi Vendor, and WC Vendors

    WooCommerce Product Table Specific Product categories

    The WooCommerce Product Table provides a range of options that allow you to customize the products displayed in the table. You can choose to display products based on a specific category, tag, custom taxonomy term, custom field, date (year, month, or day), or status. Additionally, you can show or hide specific products in the table based on their ID and exclude specific categories. And, every column can be filterable to help your customers find exactly the products that they are after.

    WooCommerce Product Table is for you if you…

    • Have a WooCommerce store and want more ways to display your product information
    • Trust and use other Barn2 plugins
    • Want to dynamically create product and pricing tables based on specific products in your store

    Pricing: From $49 a year

    Get WooCommerce Product Table

    7. TableMaker

    TableMaker for Divi

    TableMaker is another Divi Marketplace item that excels at the table-making experience. Divi theme users will love the ability to create tables with the advanced styling that is expected of the Divi editing interface. This is made by the same folks who created the Divi TablePress styler—so they know a thing or two about making WordPress-powered tables.

    Key Features for TableMaker:

    • Creates beautiful responsive tables in the Divi Builder
    • Include in table cells text, buttons, images, and icons
    • Enable accordion view for mobile devices
    • Enable sticky headers for tables when scrolling
    • Style, hide, or show the corners of your table
    • Use alternate row or column backgrounds using: tints, blend modes, or pure color.
    • Apply a hover effect to rows and columns within the table

    TableMaker responsive layouts

    TableMaker is one of the most powerful table builders for Divi. An impressive feature of the builder is the responsive feature. TableMaker adds several options to customize the table’s display on different devices. You can choose to enable table responsiveness, set the table breakpoint at which the table will display as blocks or accordions, and specify whether to break the table by columns or rows. Additionally, you can set the spacing between each block or accordion section.

    TableMaker is for you if you…

    • Use and love the Divi visual builder
    • Like the idea of the TablePress Styler but only want to install one plugin

    Pricing: From $39 a year

    Get TableMaker

    8. WP Table Builder

    WP Table Builder

    WP Table Builder is a well-respected drag-and-drop table maker for WordPress websites. It does multiple things well and is ideal for those displaying mixed media type tables (text, images, buttons). It can be used to create pricing tables, schedules, and even restaurant menus (but there are better restaurant menu plugins for that).

    Key Features for WP Table Builder:

    • Visual table editing experience that lets you see what you are building in real-time
    • Use formulas to perform calculations on table data
    • Pagination and sorting features for your tables
    • Copy and paste data from other sources, such as Google Sheets or Excel spreadsheets, directly into your table
    • Inline editing allows you to edit table data directly from your website’s frontend
    • Merge or split cells in your table to create custom designs and layouts.
    • Set conditions for table elements to show or hide depending on user input or data
    • Enhance site performance by enabling lazy loading for your tables, so tables will only load data as the user scrolls down the page

    WP Table Builder drag and drop builder

    WP Table Builder’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor enables users to easily customize their tables by adding or removing rows and columns, rearranging the table structure, and adjusting the table styling, all without needing any coding skills or technical knowledge. Adjust the size of each cell and add custom content, such as text, images, and videos, directly within the builder. Additionally, the builder lets you change the font, color, and background of each cell.

    WP Table Builder is for you if you…

    • Want a well-rounded table builder
    • Prefer a visual editing experience
    • Want to create multiple types of tables with ease

    Pricing: From $49 a year

    Get WP Table Builder

    9. Data Tables Generator

    Supsystic Data Tables Generator

    Data Tables Generator is a table and chart plugin for WordPress. It is also a freemium solution (offering a free and premium plugin). Like many on the list, it majors on the majors for a table builder and lets you add all sorts of data types to your tables.

    Key Features for Data Tables Generator by Supsystic:

    • Drag-and-drop interfaces for creating and managing your tables and charts
    • Customize the design of your tables and charts by choosing from a variety of styles
    • Edit multiple cells in your tables and charts at once, making it easy to update large data sets
    • Real-time collaboration of your tables and charts
    • Conditional formatting with the use of icons to indicate the status of data
    • Comes with data analysis tools to perform statistical analysis on your data and create pivot tables
    • Compare two or more tables side by side, making it easy to identify differences and similarities in your data

    Sorting, searching and ordering with Supsystic

    The Data Tablet Generator offers filtering, search, and pagination features that enhance table navigation and overall user experience. The pagination feature easily limits the number of displayed rows (at a single time). The search option is useful for tables with numerous columns and rows, and the table sorting option enables data to be displayed in the desired order.

    Data Tables Generator by Supsystic is for you if you…

    • Want a low-cost yet reliable table plugin for your WordPress website
    • Like real-time collaboration and data analysis tools for your advanced tables

    Pricing: From $49 a year

    Get Data Tables Generator by Supsystic

    What is the Best WordPress Table Plugin?

    If you want to create tables on your website that are both visually appealing and well-organized, then using a WordPress table plugin is essential. The best WordPress table plugins offer a blend of performance and user engagement to ensure your data is presented accurately.

    Plugin Price Free Option
    🥇 wpDataTables Pro $94/yr ✔️ Visit
    🥈 Ninja Tables $79/yr ✔️ Visit
    🥉 TablePress $79/yr ✔️ Visit
    4 Visualizer $129/yr ✔️ Visit
    5 Post Tables Pro $79/yr ❌ Visit
    6 WooCommerce Product Table $49/yr ❌ Visit
    7 TableMaker $39/yr ❌ Visit
    8 WP Table Builder $49/yr ✔️ Visit
    9 Data Tables Generator $49/yr ✔️ Visit

    wpDataTables is the main contender for those looking for a truly impressive and good-looking table builder for WordPress. It is highly customizable and works well with different themes and plugins, making it easy to use on any of your websites. And if you are looking to create more stylish tables (especially product tables) using an impressive UI, we recommend Ninja Tables.

    For Divi users, the TableMaker plugin brings the power of TablePress (free) to Divi’s intuitive and user-friendly builder. TableMaker is also the cheapest premium solution on our list!

    Looking for more great plugins? Check out our entire collection of the best plugins for WordPress.

    Featured Image via SpicyTruffel / shutterstock.com

    The post 9 Best WordPress Table Plugins (2023) appeared first on Elegant Themes Blog.