EDITS.WS

Author: Lindsay Pietroluongo

  • The Top 5 Most Common WordPress Hosting Problems and How to Fix Them

    There are hundreds of thousands of web hosts that meet WordPress’ minimum web hosting requirements. You want more than the bare minimum, though – you need a rich and trustworthy host that you can stick with for years to come. This article will cover the WordPress hosting problems most clients are nervous about.

    The post “The Top 5 Most Common WordPress Hosting Problems and How to Fix Them” first appeared on WP Mayor.

  • 15 Best WordPress SEO Plugins in 2023

    Despite how great your website may be, people won’t just stumble upon it accidentally (for the most part). You have to drive traffic to your site. In addition to paying for advertising, there’s also organic (i.e. non-ad) traffic to think about, which requires search engine optimization (SEO). There’s a lot to learn if you want to become an SEO expert, and no single method is going to cover everything there is to learn. However, some aspects are made easier on you by using the best SEO plugin for WordPress that caters to your specific needs.

    What Are SEO Plugins?

    In general, an SEO plugin will help you optimize your web pages so they’ll rank higher in search engines. Out-of-the-box WordPress already has a lot of SEO optimization features built in. You can write titles and headings, create metadata, add tags and alt text, customize URLs, and more. But SEO plugins make juggling these tasks – and other ones – much easier, especially if you’re not at an expert level yet.

    An SEO plugin isn’t going to guarantee that your content will rank higher with search engines. However, it will help you optimize your content for search engines so it has a better chance to rank highly. You still have to do the work, but it’s like having a coach there who already knows the field and can guide you through.

    14 Best SEO Plugins for WordPress

    The following plugins will help you implement an SEO strategy on your website. Some are simple, tackling just an element or two of SEO, while others are more comprehensive. Just about all of them, though, will clue you into audience and traffic stats so you can improve your content and boost engagement. And remember, the actual optimization is still up to you whether you use the best SEO plugin for WordPress or not – the plugin just holds your hand a bit as you make updates.

    1. Rank Math

    Rank Math SEO

    Rank Math’s leading feature is that it offers real-time insights that tell you about your posts so that you can optimize them as you write. On top of that, the SEO data that you can see on your dashboard includes the keywords you’re ranking for, the search impressions your website is getting, and errors that Google spots on your site. The plugin is speed-optimized, too, so it won’t impact the speed of your website.

    Rank Math also includes deep integration with Divi, bringing powerful SEO features right into Divi’s visual builder!

    Key Features of Rank Math

    • Integrates with Google Search Console to bring SEO info to your WordPress dashboard.
    • Snippet preview to optimize titles and metadata so SERPs won’t display errors.
    • Additional tools for 404 monitoring, link building, redirections, local and WooCommerce SEO, sitemaps, and more.
    • Integrates with Divi Theme

    Rank Math is for you if…

    • You’re a team of one that writes content, manages SEO, and is solely responsible for the health of your site.
    • You currently use multiple SEO plugins but are looking for a more compact solution.
    • You use Divi.

    Rank Math Pricing: Free; paid plans start at $59 per year | Learn More About Rank Math

    2. All in One SEO (AIOSEO)

    Best SEO Plugin for WordPress

    The All in One SEO plugin is primarily used for improving on-page SEO, and it’s best for local small businesses that have a high reliance on search. The plugin will analyze your entire site, alert you to errors and offer recommendations so you can improve SEO. Along with its sitemaps generation, AIOSEO helps make your website more present on the web, no matter which search engine is being used.

    Key Features of AIOSEO

    • SEO audit checklist to analyze your site.
    • Recommendations that guide you to improve SEO.
    • Sitemap generation and submission to various search engines.

    AIOSEO is for you if…

    • You’re a local or small business owner focusing on on-page SEO.
    • Your company relies on online searches, especially local ones.

    AIOSEO Pricing: Starts at $49.50 per year | Learn More About AIOSEO

    3. HubSpot

    Best Free WordPress Plugins for Business Websites

    You need good data to create an SEO strategy, and the HubSpot plugin’s main purpose is to collect and present that data. Analytics are shown on user-friendly dashboards that are easy to read. With the info you collect, you can figure out where to spend time improving SEO – and which areas are working just fine for now. Check out our guide on how to integrate Hubspot with WordPress.

    Key Features of HubSpot

    • Marketing performance analytics.
    • Monitor your site or a single page for web traffic.
    • Additional SEO tools, like email marketing, forms, and live chat.

    HubSpot is for you if…

    • You’re scaling a small business.
    • You use other HubSpot products, like its CRM.

    HubSpot Pricing: Free | Learn More About HubSpot

    4. Internal Link Juicer

    Internal Link Juice WordPress plugin

    Adding internal links to your post can be a pain, especially as your website grows. Internal Link Juicer is possibly the best SEO plugin for WordPress for automating internal linking so each post is optimized. Implementing a solid internal linking strategy is great for SEO. But it also makes it easier for visitors to find the content on your website and stay there.

    Key Features of Internal Link Juicer

    • Set anchor keywords for posts so that related internal content will be automatically linked to them.
    • Limit the number of links added to each post.
    • Block content that you never wanted to be linked to.

    Internal Link Juicer is for you if…

    • You have a large library of content and find it difficult to find the best articles to link to.
    • You want to view stats for your internal links.

    Internal Link Juicer Pricing: Free, $69.99 for Pro | Learn More About Internal Link Juicer

    5. MonsterInsights

    Monster Insights SEO

    MonsterInsights is one of the best Google Analytics plugins around. The plugin brings you Google analytics website performance data right to your dashboard. This lets you know how to improve your site so that the visitor experience can be enhanced. You’ll be able to see your Google Search Console reports on how people find your site and how they use it once they’re there. No code is needed to install the Google Analytics tracking script, either.

    Key Features of MonsterInsights

    • Tracks website analytics and performance.
    • Google Analytics is brought to the WordPress dashboard so you don’t have to open another site.
    • Content report shows the pages that are most visited.

    MonsterInsights is for you if…

    • You’re a marketer or stakeholder who wants to optimize your website for conversions.
    • You get overwhelmed by Google Analytics and want a more streamlined way to view the data.

    MonsterInsights Pricing: Starts at $99.50 per year | Learn More About MonsterInsights

    6. Schema and Structured Data for WP & AMP

    Schema and Structured Data for WordPress

    Rich snippets in Google display search results with additional content, like the author of a post, photos, pricing, or ratings. You need schema markup to customize how your content appears in rich snippets, though. The Schema and Structured Data for WP & AMP plugin helps you choose the schema to add for all sorts of content, including blog posts, news articles, product pages, and recipes.

    Key Features of Schema and Structured Data for WP & AMP

    • Auto-assign schema to 35+ types of content.
    • Manually select the markup to add to a post or page.
    • Exclude certain types of content and not include schema markup for them.
    • Supports AMP and AMP for WP for optimizing your site for mobile devices

    Schema and Structured Data for WP & AMP is for you if…

    • You have a blog, review site, or small business site that needs a better presence in SERPs.
    • You want an easy way to display multiple schema types in SERPs according to Schema.org guidelines.
    • You use AMP for WP or AMP by Automattic plugins

    Schema and Structured Data for WP & AMP Pricing: Free | Learn More About Schema and Structured Data for WP & AMP

    7. WP Meta SEO

    WP Meta SEO plugin

    If you’re redesigning your website and need a quick, efficient way to optimize the new pages, consider installing WP Meta SEO. It provides across-site optimization all at once instead of having to do it on each page. You can also use Google data to decide how to handle your keyword strategy.

    Key Features of WP Meta SEO

    • Meta information bulk editor.
    • Integrates with Google Search Console for keyword suggestion features.
    • Other SEO features include a redirection manager and a sitemap generator.

    WP Meta SEO is for you if…

    • You’re an entrepreneur in charge of content, SEO, and your website overall.
    • You want to speed up your workflow so you can focus on content creation.

    WP Meta SEO Pricing: Free or $49 for Pro | Learn More About WP Meta SEO

    8. SEO Press

    SEO Press WordPress plugin

    SEO Press offers a free WordPress plugin that provides all the necessary features to improve the SEO of your WordPress site. You can manage meta titles and descriptions, generate XML and HTML sitemaps, track your site’s visitors with Google Analytics, and optimize your social media presence, among other features.

    Key Features of SEO Press

    • Management of meta titles and descriptions
    • Generation of XML and HTML sitemaps
    • Integration with Google Analytics to track site visitors
    • Optimization of social media presence

    SEO Press Pro offers advanced features for optimizing your business’s WordPress site, including configuring WooCommerce SEO, targeting local audiences, generating video and news XML sitemaps, managing redirects, checking broken links, and monitoring 404 errors. The Pro plan also allows you to install the plugin on unlimited sites and includes 1 year of support.

    SEO Press is for you if…

    • You need an all-in-one SEO solution.
    • You want a plugin for managing SEO on multiple sites.

    SEO Press Pricing: Free or $49 for Pro | Learn More About SEO Press

    9. Ahrefs SEO WordPress Plugin

    Ahrefs SEO WordPress plugin

    Ahrefs is a leader in the world of website optimization, and the SEO WordPress Plugin focuses mainly on backlinks but also has a few other optimization features. Backlink analysis is powered by its backlink index…and that’s the largest one you can find online. You can get a good look at your backlink profile to uncover guest collaboration and partnership opportunities so that you can increase traffic to your site.

    Key Features of Ahrefs

    • Content audit tool offers recommendations as you create.
    • SEO analysis based on Google Analytics data.
    • Actionable insights on your dashboard.

    Ahrefs is for you if…

    • You’re a PR pro or a social media manager who needs to dig into data.
    • You want to know the website’s backlink profile.

    Ahrefs Pricing: Free | Learn More About Ahrefs

    10. Premium SEO Pack

    Premium SEO Pack plugin

    Premium SEO Pack has advanced SEO features that many other plugins don’t include. For example, it will give you insight into your internal linking structure. It also helps you maximize performance even if you have a lot of images on your site by making them more SEO-friendly.

    Key Features of Premium SEO Pack

    • Foundational tools include Google Analytics monitoring and sitemap generation.
    • Minifies CSS to help your site load faster.
    • Additional SEO tools include 404 checkings, page speed monitoring, and rich snippets.

    Premium SEO Pack is for you if…

    • You use your WordPress website as an image-heavy portfolio.
    • You use a lot of media on your site and don’t want to affect performance.

    Premium SEO Pack Pricing: Free light version or paid starting at $44 | Learn More About Premium SEO Pack

    11. Rankie

    Rankie

    Rankie is the best SEO plugin for WordPress to help you make wise optimization decisions. Its insights guide you to smartly modify your pages, without the need to go into Google Analytics or track everything (like keywords) on your own.

    Key Features of Rankie

    • Track target keywords to monitor performance.
    • Add the keywords that visitors are using to find your content.
    • Generate reports for a broader view of performance.

    Rankie is for you if…

    • You’re a marketing or SEO data analyst.
    • You want to know how both the SERPs and visitors feel about your site’s performance.

    Rankie Pricing: $21 | Learn More About Rankie

    12. Redirection

    Redirection

    301 redirects are an important part of an SEO strategy, allowing you to maintain what a page has achieved in the ranks without keeping it active on your site. You specify the new URL that the old page should link to and set up a 301 redirect so Google knows to look at another page instead of that one. The plugin’s URL manager lets you implement 301 redirects without having to use other redirect methods like modifying the .htaccess file or creating manual entries for each redirection.

    Key Features of Redirection

    • Create conditional redirects based on browser, IP address, login status, page type, or other conditions.
    • Change the site’s permalink structure.
    • Track 404 errors.

    Redirection is for you if…

    • You want to delete pages but they’re ranking highly.
    • You’re part of a development or marketing team that’s redesigning a website.

    Redirection Pricing: Free | Learn More About Redirection

    13. The SEO Framework

    The SEO Framework

    The SEO Framework plugin is a powerful SEO plugin that includes many useful features. What makes it unique is its automation. IT can show you SEO ratings (how well your pages are doing) based on your content and that of the competition, all while making sure your website speed stays fast. Their extension manager plugin gives your more functionality including the ability to guide you through the process of creating content with a focus on keywords and synonyms, automatically adding schema structured data to your articles, and much more.

    Key Features of The SEO Framework

    • Keyword targeting includes synonyms, which are aligned with how SERPs analyze content.
    • Colored scale shows you how close the content is to being optimized.
    • Extensions for the plugin add functionality, including local SEO and spam comment caching.
    • Built-in support for custom Social Sharing of content

    The SEO Framework is for you if…

    • You’re just getting started with writing SEO-optimized content.
    • You’re sick of trying to fit in awkward keywords and want to write more naturally.
    • You want an easy way to identify SEO errors automatically and make optimizations.

    The SEO Framework Pricing: Free | Learn More About The SEO Framework

    14. XML Sitemaps

    XML sitemaps

    A lot of SEO plugins will create XML sitemaps for you, but if that’s the only feature you need, then there’s no need to have all of the other features you won’t use. This is a super-simple plugin that will generate sitemaps and, if you want, let the SERPs know whenever your website has been changed in some way.

    Key Features of XML Sitemaps

    • Generates complete sitemaps.
    • Can also create HTML sitemaps.
    • Decide if you want the plugin to notify search engines every time there’s an update to your site.

    XML Sitemaps is for you if…

    • You have the rest of the SEO covered and only need to create sitemaps.
    • You want some control over when SERPs are made aware of site updates.

    XML Sitemaps Pricing: Free | Learn More About XML Sitemaps

    15. Yoast SEO

    Yoast SEO

    To many, Yoast is the absolute best SEO plugin for WordPress, powering many of the big sites you visit all the time. Once you set up Yoast on your site, it includes pretty much everything you need to optimize your site for SEO including content optimization to redirect management, SERP previews, XML sitemap creation, and more. It’s best known for its on-page insights feature that tells you how to include your target keyword and what you may be doing wrong in different areas, from the body copy to the metadata.

    Key Features of Yoast SEO

    Yoast SEO is for you if…

    • You have a team of writers and want to hold them all to the same quality level.
    • You’re not sure where you’re going wrong when writing content.
    • Want powerful SEO optimization site-wide and easy-to-access SEO page optimization when creating content per page/post

    Yoast SEO Pricing: Free; Premium is $99 per year | Learn More About Yoast SEO

    Final Thoughts on the Best SEO Plugins for WordPress

    While a plugin may not be necessary to optimize your pages if you have a good understanding of SEO and stay up to date with industry changes, using a quality SEO plugin can provide valuable guidance and help streamline the monitoring process, even for experts. Additionally, if your website starts experiencing a drop in rankings, an SEO plugin can track data and provide insight when it’s most needed.

    We suggest Rank Math for maximum value due to its extensive range of features for local, mobile, and WooCommerce SEO optimization, its intelligent sitemap and SEO audit features, as well as its seamless integration with Divi. In our view, its TruSEO on-page SEO evaluation is unparalleled. If you’re looking for a complete SEO solution for your WordPress site, you can’t go wrong with All in One SEO.

    Now that you’ve decided on the best SEO plugin for WordPress, let’s lighten the mood a bit. Here are seven fun (and weird) WordPress plugins.

    Featured Image via Sammby / shutterstock.com

    The post 15 Best WordPress SEO Plugins in 2023 appeared first on Elegant Themes Blog.

  • 15+ Best Free WordPress Plugins for Business Websites

    WordPress is undoubtedly impressive, but where it shines is as a content management system. For websites that have to go beyond being blog-centric, you may find that out-of-the-box WordPress is lacking. But, there’s no need to switch site builders. With the best free WordPress plugins for business websites, you can create a full-blown business website that caters to your customers exactly the way you need it to.

    What Are Free WordPress Plugins for Business Websites?

    Free WordPress plugins for business websites help you grow your website without spending more money than necessary. They cover various branches of business, from creating editorial calendars and talking in real-time with customers to making sure your website runs fast and is SEO-optimized. The purpose of business plugins is twofold. First, they automate some of your workload so you barely have to think about it. Second, they make it easier to carry out the work that still needs your focused attention.

    15+ Best Free WordPress Plugins for Business Websites

    There’s an almost endless amount of plugins for business websites, many free, some paid, and plenty with free versions that you can give a try before you upgrade for more features. In this article, we’ve rounded up the top free WordPress plugins for business websites so that you can upgrade your site without having to budget for it.

    1. Easy Appointments

    If booking and managing appointments is integral to your business, there’s no reason to rely on someone who has to answer the phone all day long. Instead, use a plugin so that visitors can book their appointments themselves at any time, even if your business is closed for the night.

    Key Features of Easy Appointments

    • Show your available time slots.
    • Send automated email confirmations and appointment reminders.
    • Set up booking for multiple locations, services and workers.

    Easy Appointments is for you if…

    • Your business relies on scheduled appointments.
    • You want to offer customers self-service for booking appointments.

    Easy Appointments Pricing: Free | Learn More About Easy Appointments

    Check out our best WordPress Booking Plugins for more free (and premium) options.

    2. Easy Digital Downloads

    Best Free WordPress Plugins for Business Websites

    If you’re only selling digital products, not physical ones, consider using Easy Digital Downloads (as opposed to WooCommerce, which we’ll talk about in a bit). This shopping cart plugin offers different options for customers to download files they’ve purchased. You can also create discount codes for products you’re trying to push.

    Key Features of Easy Digital Downloads

    • Create “Add To Cart” or “Buy Now” buttons.
    • Protect files so they can’t be shared after being purchased.
    • Process one-off payments or set up subscriptions.

    Easy Digital Downloads is for you if…

    • You’re only selling digital products, not physical ones.
    • You want to let customers sign up for a subscription.

    Easy Digital Downloads Pricing: Free with paid add-ons | Learn More About Easy Digital Downloads

    We also have more shopping cart plugins to check out.

    3. Editorial Calendar

    If your business website has a lot of content going up all the time, you need an editorial calendar to keep track of it all. This plugin lets you customize an overview of your publishing calendar, and it integrates with your WordPress dashboard so you can see it right when you log in.

    Key Features of Editorial Calendar

    • Reorganize posts with drag-and-drop functionality.
    • Quick-edit to update content and scheduling details.
    • Create multiple calendars to keep post types or topics separate.

    Editorial Calendar is for you if…

    • You have a lot of content across segmented topics to schedule.
    • You’ll benefit from quick access to the blog post tools you use a lot.

    Editorial Calendar Pricing: Free | Learn More About Editorial Calendar

    For more, check out these best editorial calendar plugins.

    4. Envira Gallery

    If your business website relies on a lot of images – maybe you run a photography studio or a retail shop – you’ll need a way to juggle all that media without sacrificing website performance. Envira Gallery lets you create galleries that are optimized for speed.

    Key Features of Envira Gallery

    • Responsive photo and video galleries.
    • Drag-and-drop photo gallery builder.
    • Add deep links, metadata and pagination to your galleries.

    Envira Gallery is for you if…

    • You have a media-forward business and need to showcase that on your site.
    • You want to share your media to social platforms.

    Envira Gallery Pricing: Free or Pro starting at $26 per year | Learn More About Envira Gallery

    We also suggest Soliloquy if you need to create image and video sliders – this plugin has pre-designed themes and templates, too.

    5. HubSpot

    Best Free WordPress Plugins for Business Websites

    HubSpot is a one-stop shop for a lot of the tools you need to run a business (and a business-oriented website) including a CMS like WordPress. You can manage your contacts, see how they’ve engaged with your company, connect via forms and live chat, monitor marketing performance – basically, you can do everything you need to stay in sync with your audience.

    Key Features of HubSpot

    • Must-have marketing tools, including email marketing, forms and live chat.
    • Forms and chat submissions auto-sync with the CRM so you can see details in the contact’s page.
    • Dashboards showcase marketing performance analytics.

    HubSpot is for you if…

    • You have a small business that you’re scaling.
    • You need a way to monitor traffic for your whole site or page by page.

    We’ve written an article on how to integrate HubSpot with WordPress.

    HubSpot Pricing: Free | Learn More About HubSpot

    6. myCred

    The myCred plugin is a points management system that lets you gamify your website. Gamification keeps visitor attention for longer and incentivizes certain actions. You create a points and rewards system for visitors, doling out digital prizes like badges and ranks – and also letting people use what they’ve earned toward real purchases.

    Key Features of myCred

    • Auto-deposit points on a preset schedule.
    • Points can be exchanged between members, which encourages engagement.
    • Website owner can add or deduct points from users.

    myCred is for you if…

    • You’re looking to increase the amount of time visitors spend on your site.
    • You want to encourage visitors to go to different pages or take specific actions.

    myCred Pricing: Free; membership starts at $149 per year | Learn More About myCred

    The myCred plugin is also listed as one of the best gamification plugins for WordPress.

    7. Print-O-Matic

    Best Free WordPress Plugins for Business Websites

    Some business websites have the need for print-friendly pages. For example, if you want customers to be able to print out directions for using your products or services, having a print-ready page is a must.

    Key Features of Print-O-Matic

    • Choose from five print icons.
    • Add custom text to printable pages.
    • Let users print an entire page or one HTML element.

    Print-O-Matic is for you if…

    • You want to offer visitors an easy way to print a page.
    • You have content that will be useful offline.

    Print-O-Matic Pricing: Free | Learn More About Print-O-Matic

    If Print-O-Matic doesn’t have the features you’re after, we have a few more options in this article.

    8. Quick and Easy FAQs

    Answering the same questions about your business over and over can eat up a lot of time. Creating a frequently-asked-questions page means that visitors can find answers to pressing questions themselves, leaving you free to handle more intensive troubleshooting.

    Key Features of Quick and Easy FAQs

    • Group FAQs by topic for better organization.
    • Edit backgrounds, border and text to create a customized FAQ page.
    • Choose from various styles to display the questions and answers.

    Quick and Easy FAQs is for you if…

    • You get a lot of the same questions over and over.
    • You have complex goods or services that require explainers.

    Quick and Easy FAQs Pricing: Free | Learn More About Quick and Easy FAQs

    9. Really Simple SSL

    Best Free WordPress Plugins for Business Websites

    Really Simple SSL is a super lightweight plugin that detects your website’s settings and configures it to be safer. (Learn more about HTTPS and SSL) Business websites that don’t have the basics of security covered won’t be trusted by visitors, and that can have a major impact on traffic and conversions.

    Key Features of Really Simple SSL

    • One-click solution.
    • Migrates your website to HTTPS.
    • Immediately redirects and updates all URLs to show that your site is secure.

    Really Simple SSL is for you if…

    • Have a website – all sites should have this basic protection.
    • You’re doing everything and anything to boost SEO.

    Really Simple SSL Pricing: Free or Pro starting at $29 | Learn More About Really Simple SSL

    These days you may not need a plugin at all. Learn more about how to get a free SSL certificate.

    10. RegistrationMagic

    Some business websites function as a business in themselves, allowing users to pay for VIP access to upgraded content and access. RegistrationMagic lets you onboard new members and decide which content they can see versus what non-members can see.

    Key Features of RegistrationMagic

    • Customize signup and registration forms.
    • Choose the payment methods you want to accept.
    • Block content from non-paying visitors.

    RegistrationMagic is for you if…

    • Your site has a members-only section for paying customers.
    • You want to ensure that non-members can’t access certain content.

    RegistrationMagic Pricing: Free | Learn More About RegistrationMagic

    We also like the WP-Members Membership Plugin if you’re looking for an alternative.

    11. SiteReviews

    Best Free WordPress Plugins for Business Websites

    If you have products or services that you want customers to review – or anything that you want reviews for, actually – consider installing this plugin. You have a lot of control over who can leave reviews, and when a new one comes through, you’ll get a notification. (We have a lot of other ratings and reviews plugins rounded up here, too.)

    Key Features of SiteReviews

    • Opt to require users to log in before leaving a review.
    • Prioritize reviews with high ratings.
    • Ban specific words, names, email addresses or IP addresses from leaving a review.

    SiteReviews is for you if…

    • You want control over who’s allowed to leave reviews.
    • You want a lot of choices when it comes to where reviews are displayed.

    SiteReviews Pricing: Free with paid add-ons | Learn More About SiteReviews

    12. WP Go Maps

    If you have a brick-and-mortar location (or several), integrating maps with your website is key for helping people get there. Markers show exact locations, and polygons give a broader view of the general area where your stores are located.

    Key Features of WP Go Maps

    • Choose from different themes or create your own.
    • Show different routes to your store.
    • Set map type (roadmap, satellite, terrain, hybrid).

    WP Go Maps is for you if…

    • You have one or more brick-and-mortar locations.
    • You want to show customers the areas where you deliver.

    WP Go Maps Pricing: Free; Pro starts at $39.99 | Learn More About WP Go Maps

    Check out these other Google Maps plugins, too.

    13. WooCommerce

    Best Free WordPress Plugins for Business Websites

    If you want to sell products online, WooCommerce is among the best (or the best) e-commerce platforms for WordPress sites. You have total control over how your store looks and functions, and you can sell pretty much anything you want, physical or digital, setting product variations as needed.

    Key Features of WooCommerce

    • Accept all major cards, cash on delivery and other payment methods.
    • Multiple shipping options, including shipping that’s calculated in real time and free shipping.
    • Add functionality with extensions and themes from the library.

    WooCommerce is for you if…

    • You need an e-commerce plugin that does it all.
    • You’ve never set up a shop before and will find the guided wizard useful.

    WooCommerce Pricing: Free | Learn More About WooCommerce

    You may also want to check out the Customer Reviews for WooCommerce plugin.

    14. WP Legal Pages

    To make your business website legit and legal, you need different types of text to protect your company – and to let visitors know how you’re protecting them, too. The WP Legal Pages plugin generates this text for you using your specific business information.

    Key Features of WP Legal Pages

    • Generate different policies, including a privacy policy, terms and conditions, affiliate disclaimers, etc.
    • Get geography-based copy that complies with local requirements.
    • Edit and update the pages however you need to.

    WP Legal Pages is for you if…

    • You have a business website, period – everybody needs this!
    • You run an e-commerce shop and need to clarify a returns-and-refunds policy.

    WP Legal Pages Pricing: Free or $39 per year for Pro | Learn More About WP Legal Pages

    15. Counter Number

    Best Free WordPress Plugins for Business Websites

    This plugin lets you add any counters to your website that you want, both serious and silly. Your visitors can see important stats about your business, like how many sales you’ve made, products you’ve created, clients you have, newsletter subscribers are signed up, cups of coffee you’ve consumed, etc. The fun stat(s) will communicate that you run a lighthearted and/or modern brand, but the real stats will instill a bit of FOMO and get potential customers to act.

    Key Features of Counter Number

    • Customize each entry’s icon, title and number.
    • Choose the font family and size, as well as colors.
    • Easy drag-and-drop builder.

    Counter Number is for you if…

    • Your stats are impressive enough to encourage visitors to take the next step.
    • You like to keep track of (and show off) your business’ successes.

    Counter Number Pricing: Free; Pro is $12 | Learn More About Counter Number

    Check out more fun and weird WordPress plugins here.

    Other Free Plugins and Tools for Business Websites

    There are a lot of other great free plugins out there for Business websites we’ve featured on our blog. Here are a some other important plugins and tools to check out:

    • Best SEO Plugins – Every business website needs a good SEO plugin. And there are some great free options that offer crucial SEO tools with their free versions including Rank Math and Yoast SEO.
    • Free SEO Tools – In addition to a good SEO plugin, businesses can take their SEO to the next level with some free options.
    • Testimonial Plugins – This list of testimonial plugins will give businesses a free option for showcasing testimonials in style.
    • Free WooCommerce Plugins – For WooCommerce stores, these free plugins give you additional WooCommerce features and functionality without the extra cost.
    • Lead Generation Platforms and Apps – Lead generation is crucial to any growing business. These options include free tools out of the box.

    Final Thoughts on the Best Free WordPress Plugins for Business Websites

    If you are just getting started, small businesses might benefit from a no-code solution by building a business website with Divi which has a lot of built-in features already. But for those looking to expand their existing business website with additional functionality, the free plugins covered in this article are a great start. Our best advice is to pick and choose the plugins you need based on what you’re missing, not what’s out there. You could end up adding bloat with plugins and features you don’t actually have a use for. WordPress can do a lot out of the box, so make sure you’re only installing plugins that will add to your experience or the user experience. And whenever possible, choose plugins that roll multiple features you want into one solution.

    Do you have a business plugin that you can’t live without? Tell us about it in the comments!

    The post 15+ Best Free WordPress Plugins for Business Websites appeared first on Elegant Themes Blog.

  • The Ultimate Guide to Hoteling Your Office Space

    While many of us have worked from home for years or are already familiar with hybrid office arrangements (come, go, stay, leave, sit, stand…), the notion of untraditional workspaces really took off during the pandemic. And even now, with a lot of companies returning to normal – or a new normal – there’s a lesson learned that carries over: alternative workspaces have benefits for employers and employees. There are drawbacks too, of course. Let’s go over all of it, with a focus on hoteling office space.

    What is a Hybrid Workplace?

    Hybrid office space

    Image via GoodStudio / shutterstock.com

    A hybrid office is one where there is a mix of in-office employees and remote employees. Those in-office versus remote employees may change, too, meaning in-office workers may opt to work from home or the road some days and vice versa. Plus, even where in-office employees work can change day to day depending on desk availability and what the worker needs (like a private office to hold meetings or a board room to work on a team project). To categorize and create processes for these changing needs, two styles of hybrid workplaces have emerged: hot desking and desk hoteling. Both are alternatives to having an assigned desk that you sit at every day.

    Hybrid Workplace Pros

    • Using real estate more efficiently makes hybrid workplaces cost-effective.
    • Desks aren’t personalized, so they stay clutter-free and minimalistic, which makes for a nice presentation.
    • Work-from-home employees can choose to come in some days and use a dedicated workspace.

    Hybrid Workplace Cons

    • Employees can’t personalize their space or always have their desk arranged exactly the way they like.
    • So many people sharing the same desk can lead to an exchange of germs.
    • Workers won’t always be able to sit near the colleagues they have to talk to for work purposes.

    Hot Desking

    hot desking office space

    Source: ClassicVector via Shutterstock

    In a hot desking workplace, the employee arrives at work and sits wherever a desk is available. If several workstations are available, the employee can choose which one they want to use, so long as it’s not reserved. Usually, the worker uses software upon arriving at the office to see which desks are free and claim one. Then, they can check out when they’re done so other workers see that the workspace is available again.

    Hot desking works well in two types of offices. If you have a small office with a limited number of workers, having everyone choose a desk as they enter won’t be too jarring. It’s also a reasonable system if a majority of your employees aren’t in the office most days and only come in on the rare days when they’re not in the field. In that case, they probably haven’t gotten accustomed to any one desk and only need the bare minimum to handle admin for the day.

    Pros and Cons of Hot Desking

    Pros

    • Employees end up sitting near people they don’t usually get to connect with. This can strengthen professional relationships and encourage collaboration.
    • Management doesn’t have to worry about who will sit where if a lot of employees pop in unexpectedly (assuming there are enough desks for everyone).
    • Workers appreciate the autonomy of choosing where they sit every day without having to pre-plan.

    Cons

    • Some workers may feel anxious when they don’t know where they’ll be sitting each day or if a desk will even be available.
    • It affects productivity when there aren’t any desks available and the employee has to decide whether to wait or go home.
    • Workers may feel that if they were important to the company, they’d at least have a space to work every day.

    Desk Hoteling

    desk hoteling office space

    Source: Iryna Alex via Shutterstock

    Desk hoteling takes a more methodical approach to the hybrid office. Employees reserve their desks or workstations ahead of time. The system is similar to booking a hotel room online. However, it’s even more advanced. You can see things like where the desk is, who has reservations surrounding it and which amenities it includes.

    desk hoteling reservation system

    Source: Envoy

    With the reservation system, workers can see which desks are available for the days and times they plan to be in the office. If they’re not happy with the selection, they can work from home on those days and go in on other days when their preferred desk is free. Like with hot desking, when the employee arrives at work, they’ll check in to their workspace, and they’ll check out when they leave.

    Desk hoteling is ideal for offices that struggle with space utilization. When there aren’t enough desks for all employees, you need a way to manage the space without interrupting the daily workflow. It’s also useful for offices that have some remote employees on a changing basis, as management will always know where workers are and how to reach them.

    Pros and Cons of Desk Hoteling

    Pros

    • Employees can design their workweek(s) ahead of time, which improves productivity and reduces burnout.
    • Make reservations for a full day, half-day or even hourly blocks.
    • This system works at any scale, whether you have a tiny office with 10 desks or multiple floors in your office building – or even multiple buildings.

    Cons

    • Setting up desk hoteling may be too much trouble for small offices that don’t have space or seating issues to solve.
    • Everyone will train to use the booking software, and there may be a severe learning curve for some employees.
    • Office arrangements will get confusing if the software has a glitch and is down for a period of time.

    How Hot Desking, Desk Hoteling and Traditional Workplaces Relate

    In the purest sense, neither hot desking nor desk hoteling allows for a worker to permanently claim a chair, desk or workspace as theirs. However, both types of workplaces rely on reservation software to keep the office running in a sensical way even as people hunt for a desk that’s open. That software will sometimes have features that allow employers or employees to allocate a certain workspace to specific workers or reserve the same workspace on a repeated or long-term basis. In those cases, some elements of hot desking and desk hoteling feel more traditional than others.

    Also note that neither of these hybrid setups is the same as meeting room booking. Even the most traditional of offices will usually have a system for reserving meeting rooms. If you opt to use booking software in a hybrid office, the features may include meeting room booking (and reservations for other areas of the office).

    How to Create Hoteling Office Space

    Hot desking is a lot more limited than desk hoteling, and some hoteling office space setups can incorporate a bit of hot desking when it makes sense. For our purposes, we’re going to focus on how to arrange a desk hoteling setup, as that’s the option that most employers are going to choose. With that in mind, here are 9 tips for creating a hoteling office space for your business:

    1. Make Sure This is the Right Decision for Your Office

    Don’t jump on the hybrid office bandwagon just because it’s trendy. Consider the following:

    • Are most of your employees in the office every day? And are they happy with that? If very few employees are going to be working remotely, it’ll be more trouble than it’s worth to set up hoteling office space.
    • How many of your employees handle sensitive information? Will they always need a more private desk setup, and if so, can you assign them a permanent seat or always ensure they can reserve one?
    • Do you have enough space to designate quiet areas? When you mix up who sits next to who, noise can become an issue, especially if some workers have to spend a lot of time on the phone.
    • Will you be able to provide office gear and equipment? Without having assigned workstations, you need a solution so that employees can have what they need without requiring them to bring it into the office every day.

    In order for it to be worthwhile, your office has to be a good match for desk hoteling.

    2. Anticipate Skepticism When Explaining the Vision to Employees

    Employees who have never been part of – or even heard of – desk hoteling are going to be skeptical of your plans. They may feel nervous about giving up a beloved desk, especially if they’ve worked there for years. Some may feel worried about cleanliness, privacy or how the social aspect of work will be affected. By simply knowing that doubt is coming, you can have answers and solutions at the ready.

    A smart approach is to explain your vision to your employees instead of simply telling them that things are changing and they have to accept it. When you frame the changes as a way to achieve company goals and improve the experience of your employees, they’re more likely to get on board. Valuing workers and getting them involved sparks loyalty.

    3. Assess the Space You’re Working With

    So much of this comes down to real estate. Consider the following:

    • Do you have/want enough space for everyone if every worker came in on the same day?
    • Are you trying to encourage a percentage of employees to work from home to limit how much real estate you need?
    • Do you want social distancing room between desks?
    • Should some desks be extra-close for collaboration purposes?

    In general, ask yourself what you have enough space for and what you want to do with that space.

    4. Create Zones for Different Types of Work

    Creating zones for different types of work is key to making hoteling office space beneficial for everyone. Some areas can be designated for louder work, like for teams that have to talk a lot when collaborating or salespeople who spend most of the day on the phone. Then there can be quiet zones for employees who need silence to concentrate. You can also limit who has access to certain spaces – for example, maybe interns are never allowed to sit near high-level creative or marketing teams for the sake of keeping strategies private.

    5. Put Effort Into Setting Up Attractive Desks

    Now that employees aren’t going to have their favorite items surrounding them, you have to make all that free desk space appealing somehow. Adding artwork, plants and interactive elements – like mini zen gardens – are welcoming without being overwhelming or too distracting. Also, make sure everyone knows that they have to completely clear out when they leave for the day – no leaving behind personal items or work that’s unfinished.

    Most importantly, keep desks clean. If you can’t hire a cleaning crew to disinfect desks between users, then provide employees with cleaning supplies and create a checklist to follow when they’re done with their shift.

    6. Choose Software That Standardizes the Process

    hoteling office space software

    Source: OfficeSpace

    In order to streamline the process of hoteling your office space, workplace management software can help keep you organized. When shopping around for the best hoteling office space software, make sure it covers the basics in an uncomplicated way:

    • The worker checks availability for a certain day and time slot, then reserves a desk.
    • Booking details are sent to the worker via email, confirming the reservation.
    • The system immediately updates to reflect the new information, ensuring others won’t accidentally double-book.
    • A reminder is sent to the worker via email before their visit.
    • When the worker arrives at the office at their scheduled time, they check in and find their reserved desk.
    • At the end of their shift, the worker checks out.

    On top of those fundamentals, the software you use can handle other needs. Which brings us to our next point…

    7. Think About the Specific Features You Need

    Every office has its own set of unique needs. Consider yours, and then find software to match. For example:

    • Booking for additional workstations, like standing desks, lounge areas or large tables for teams.
    • Booking for non-workstations, like parking, service elevators and equipment.
    • Calendar integrations with services like Google or Outlook.
    • Grace periods and auto-cancellations for missed bookings.
    • Integration for your HVAC system to adjust temperature based on if the space is being used.
    • Rules to manage who can access certain workspaces.
    • Sensors on desks that update the software with in-use/available statuses in real-time.
    • Visitor check-ins to have an eye on anybody who’s in the office.

    Even if the software you choose doesn’t have the functionality you need out of the box, ask if you can have it customized for you.

    8. Designate One Person Who’s in Charge

    It’s a good idea to designate one person to be in charge – you may even want to hire someone to fill this new position. Your employees are bound to have questions, and you’ll also want an eye on the comings and goings in your office. The person in this position should understand the reasons behind why you’ve chosen desk hoteling, and they should also have expert-level knowledge of the software. Plus, they should have the layout of your office memorized so they can direct people to their desks or find an employee when they need to.

    9. Learn From the Process

    It’s going to take some trial and error before your hoteling office space chugs along smoothly. Desk hoteling is going to have a big effect on your employees, so it’s important to be open to their opinions. By listening to how the changes are affecting them both positively and negatively, you’ll figure out where you need to tweak the system.

    Also, dig into the data that your software collects. You’ll be able to see usage trends to determine how well desk hoteling is working and how it’s being used. You’ll also be able to forecast future needs and prepare for times when the office is more empty or busier than usual.

    Wrapping Up

    Desk hoteling is an interesting way to run an office. Depending on your corporate culture, the needs of your employees and how much space you have to work with, it may be the perfect choice for your company. Or it may cause more headaches than it cures. If you think desk hoteling may be right for you, consider rolling it out slowly, sectioning off part of your office for the experiment and asking employees for feedback along the way.

    To dive further into how desk hoteling, check out our post on how desk hoteling can improve your office.

    If you are looking for help with software, check out these best hoteling reservation and booking systems

    Have you experienced desk hoteling in your company? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

    Featured Image via Ramcreative / shutterstock.com

    The post The Ultimate Guide to Hoteling Your Office Space appeared first on Elegant Themes Blog.

  • 5 Best Office Hoteling Reservation and Booking Systems

    Today, not every workplace employs the traditional working style of assigned seating. Hot desking (when employees show up to work and grab whatever desk is available) and desk or office hoteling (when employees can book their workspace ahead of time) are two types of hybrid office options that modern employers are adopting. Workplace management software strives to keep any and all types of alternative workspaces organized and predictable. There are a lot of great options out there, and we’re going to share a few of our favorites with you.

    What is Office Hoteling Software?

    Office hoteling software typically comes with an assortment of features to meet all workplace management needs. For example, for hot desking, the software will update the desks that are available versus used so employees can have an easier time grabbing a place to work. For desk hoteling, the software will let workers reserve space ahead of time and even on an ongoing basis. Users can reserve other types of spaces, too, like meeting rooms, service elevators, lounges and more.

    Workplace management software also gives a lot of control to supervisors. Thanks to data collection, managers can see usage trends and forecast future needs. Plus, rules exercise control over who can book workspaces in certain areas and the type of access those workspaces will have. Moreover, there are different views to choose from, including both a bird’s eye view of the floor plan and details about a specific workspace.

    5 Best Office Hoteling Reservation and Booking Systems

    As hybrid workplaces pick up in popularity, especially after COVID changed how companies operate, a lot of excellent software has emerged. For this article, we’ve picked our five favorites to get you started on your search.

    1. EMS Software for Desk Booking

    office hoteling

    EMS Software for desk booking lets workers book, update, change and cancel reservations using the web tool or mobile app. Filter available workspaces based on seating or space type, amenities, and equipment. Book all sorts of workspaces, too, from cubicles and offices to shared tables, standing desks, and even lounge seating, like couches.

    Create designated neighborhoods so that teams or departments can sit near one another. View a real-time floor plan to see the space that’s used and where everyone is working. See data about empty desks and cancellations so you can tweak your office space.

    Key Features of EMS Software

    • Set custom rules to manage who has access to certain workspaces.
    • In-building kiosks let employees reserve a workspace at the last minute or check in when they arrive.
    • The Room Sign App displays bookings on a tablet to show availability and also allows workers to book or change a reservation.
    • Calendar integrations with Google and Outlook help employees keep their work schedule organized.

    Source: EMS

    EMS’ workplace management software is straightforward, offering all of the features you need to control how the office is used. Kiosks, display signs, and integrations add a few niceties that other software may lack, too. Visitor management also makes it possible to keep an eye on everyone who’s coming and going beyond your regular staff.

    EMS Software is for you if…

    • Your company is social distancing and needs to limit room capacities.
    • Visitors factor into your office’s space management.
    • You want to integrate desk hoteling software with your HVAC to automate heating and cooling based on how the office space is being used.

    EMS Software Pricing: By Request Only | Learn More About EMS Software

    2. Envoy

    office hoteling

    With Envoy’s hot desk booking software, you can set which desks are available, unavailable or permanently assigned. By assigning amenities to workstations, workers can see what they’ll have access to and choose accordingly. And while the software is geared toward hot desking, it’s for office hoteling, too, as there’s an in-advance reservation system.

    Teammates and neighborhoods can be designated so that workers who need to be near each other can be. Teammates can be assigned by function or project, and built-in flexibility lets them still choose their seats within a neighborhood.

    Key Features of Envoy

    • Access via the mobile app allows for on-the-go booking.
    • Desk utilization data helps managers plan better based on past and current usage.
    • Inclusion of a health questionnaire prior to letting workers book desks maintains a safer workplace.

    Source: Envoy

    The mobile app, workspace maps, and various reservation options make it easy for both supervisors and workers to use Envoy. The software is ideal for workplaces with various and changing hybrid needs, from hot desking and desk hoteling to social distancing and team-based projects.

    Envoy is for you if…

    • You have a hot desking office with some employees who want a permanent workstation.
    • Social distancing is still a factor, and your workplace has to change availability based on health ordinances.
    • You want to incorporate deliveries, visitors, and entire rooms in your workplace management software.

    Envoy Pricing: $3 Per Desk Per Month | Learn More About Envoy

    3. OfficeSpace Desk Booking Software

    office hoteling

    OfficeSpace’s desk booking software is for various types of hybrid offices, from those that use hot desking to ones that prefer desk hoteling. The desk hoteling functionality lets employees book workspaces in advance and see which workers are in the office. Plus, anything in the office can be turned into a bookable space, not just desks.

    Sections and seats can be allocated to create neighborhoods so certain teams can be located together. OfficeSpace works on desktop and mobile, as well as touchscreen kiosks, and it can also be integrated with Microsoft Teams and Slack. Supervisors can see historical and real-time booking data and approve or decline requests as needed.

    Key Features of OfficeSpace

    • Intelligent search lets employees look for workspaces based on location or feature.
    • Booking settings let managers limit advance bookings and enable multi-day and recurring bookings.
    • Free Addressing uses sensors to update the status of desks in real-time.
    • The Insights Hub lets you see seating trends so you can adjust how space is used and forecast demand.

    Source: OfficeSpace

    Free Addressing is particularly helpful if your workplace uses hot desking. Employees don’t need to reserve a space ahead of time but you can still automatically monitor which desks are being used. Overall, OfficeSpace is ideal if your workplace uses a few different types of desk booking options.

    OfficeSpace is for you if…

    • There are more than desks and workspaces that need to be reserved.
    • Your workplace has a few types of hybrid workspace options.
    • The hot desking Free Addressing feature will be helpful.

    OfficeSpace Pricing: By Request Only | Learn More About OfficeSpace

    4. Skedda

    office hoteling

    Skedda has all the workplace management features you’d expect, like floor plan views, self-service reservations and mobile access. But where it shines is with its ability to create automated booking rules and policies, even complex ones. With permissions management, supervisors have micro-level control over what can and cannot be booked.

    Also, while it may not sound major, another benefit of Skedda is that users can use their existing login information. That means that your workers won’t have to juggle yet another login and password combo just to reserve a desk. With user tags, they’ll get a customized experience once they’ve logged in, too.

    Key Features of Skedda

    • Custom, interactive floor plans mean easier, more organized booking for everyone.
    • Mobile-friendly software that can be accessed from anywhere.
    • Integration with Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 for well-rounded scheduling management.

    Source: Skedda

    Skedda is one of the best workplace management systems available, especially if you’re acclimating to a hybrid workplace. There are several features that make the software more pleasant for management and employees to use by simplifying and automating processes.

    Skedda is for you if…

    • Your company has advanced booking needs and specific requirements.
    • This is your first go at trying out desk booking for your office.
    • There are multiple floors in your building that need booking services across all of them.

    Skedda Pricing: Starting at $50 Per Month | Learn More About Skedda

    5. Tango Reserve by AgilQuest

    office hoteling

    Tango Reserve by AgilQuest is cloud-based desk booking software with mobile access so the software can be used from anywhere. Employees can view workspace availability, filter by amenities, and immediately book a desk, and they can also use the software to see who’s in the office and locate coworkers.

    Managers can control who has access to certain spaces and when they can be booked. You can also set business rules – for example, create a grace period for missed bookings and then auto-cancel after a certain duration has passed. Analytics and reporting help you understand how space is utilized and determine if the office needs more or less space.

    Key Features of Tango Reserve

    • Three interfaces — desktop, mobile app, or lobby kiosk — so people can reserve from home, on the go, or when they enter the building.
    • Three view options to see the entire Floorplan, view a List of available workspaces, or find availability for workspaces on the Calendar.
    • Set recurring reservations with no end date, and copy previous reservations when employees have preferred workstations.
    • Digital desk signs display info about who has booked the desk and when it’s booked for, as well as if the workspace is in need of cleaning services.

    Source: AgileQuest

    Tango Reserve prioritizes teamwork, giving users the ability to create their own team to keep up with what those closest to them are doing. Preferred and recurring reservation options are also helpful to streamline the process for users. Plus, with the ability to book other amenities, the software can keep everything in the office running smoothly.

    Tango Reserve is for you if…

    • You’re still employing social distancing in the workplace.
    • Some departments need to sit together and will create a neighborhood of desks.
    • There are additional amenities and services to book, like room setups and breakdowns, equipment, lockers, parking, and service elevators.

    Tango Reserve Pricing: Must Contact Company | Learn More About Tango Reserve

    Final Thoughts on the Best Workplace Management Software

    While many office hoteling software options share similar features, the one you choose for your office will depend on your specific needs and personal preference. Even if each software package has the same 10 features, that stand-out 11th feature can be the one to push you to choose it. Think carefully about the extras that you need or that will make your office run smoother. And at the same time, don’t overpay for software with a bunch of features you’ll never have to use.

    Since we’re on the topic, check out our article about how desk hoteling can improve your office workspace.

    Featured Image via GoodStudio / shutterstock.com

    The post 5 Best Office Hoteling Reservation and Booking Systems appeared first on Elegant Themes Blog.