7 WordPress Plugins We Love

WordPress plugins are a bit like kitchen gadgets. Some are indispensable (a good bread knife, a reliable coffee machine), while others clutter your drawers, promising the world but delivering very little (looking at you, grape cutter!).

If you're running a WordPress website for your business, you don't need a bloated site weighed down by unnecessary add-ons. You need a handful of carefully chosen plugins that enhance functionality, improve efficiency and ultimately help you get more done without unnecessary complexity.

Here’s our no-nonsense list of seven WordPress plugins we love. These are useful, well-supported and worth their weight in gold (or at least in server resources).

1. Yoast SEO – Because good content deserves to be found

You might have the best website in your industry, but if no one can find it, it’s not working hard enough. Enter Yoast SEO. This plugin helps you fine-tune your on-page SEO, ensuring your content ticks all the right boxes for search engines.

Why we love it:

• It’s easy to use, even if you’re not an SEO expert.
• The real-time suggestions help optimise content as you write.
• It handles technical SEO elements like sitemaps and meta tags without needing a developer.

Best for: SMEs looking to improve their organic search visibility without hiring a full-time SEO specialist.

2. Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) – Take control of your content

WordPress is flexible, but sometimes you need a bit more structure. Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) allows you to add custom fields to your posts, pages, and products, making your content management far more organised and efficient.

Why we love it:

• It makes WordPress more user-friendly for non-developers.
• You can create custom fields for anything – team members, testimonials, case studies, and more.
• It integrates well with other plugins, making your site more flexible without overcomplicating things.

Best for: Businesses that want more control over content layout without custom coding.

3. Gravity Forms – The form builder that actually works

Forms are a must have on most websites. Whether it’s a contact form, lead generation form or event registration, you need a tool that won’t break or frustrate users. Gravity Forms is hands-down one of the most powerful form builders for WordPress.

Why we love it:

• Drag-and-drop form building that’s genuinely easy to use.
• Conditional logic lets you create smart forms that change based on user input.
• It integrates with CRM tools, email marketing platforms and payment gateways.

Best for: Businesses that rely on lead capture, bookings or user submissions and need a reliable solution.

4. WooCommerce – The go-to for selling online

If you’re running an eCommerce business (or planning to), WooCommerce is the most popular WordPress solution for a reason. It turns your site into a fully functional online store with everything you need to manage products, payments and shipping.

Why we love it:

• It’s highly customisable and works with almost any theme.
• It supports multiple payment gateways and shipping options.
• There’s a huge ecosystem of add-ons, so you can tailor it to your needs.

Best for: SMEs looking to sell products or services online without moving to a separate eCommerce platform.

5. Redirection – Fix broken links without the hassle

Broken links aren’t just annoying for users – they’re bad for SEO. Redirection makes it easy to manage 301 redirects and track 404 errors, helping you keep your site running smoothly.

Why we love it:

• It’s simple to use but incredibly powerful.
• Automatically detects URL changes and creates redirects for you.
• Keeps your site’s user experience and SEO in top shape.

Best for: Websites that go through regular updates, especially if pages are being moved or removed.

6. HubSpot WordPress Plugin – Smarter marketing, without the overhead

If you’re already using HubSpot for your CRM and marketing automation, this plugin is a no-brainer. It helps you integrate forms, chatbots and analytics directly into your WordPress site without the need for complex coding.

Why we love it:

• Free CRM functionality built right into WordPress.
• Live chat and chatbots help capture leads in real time.
• Marketing automation tools that streamline follow-ups and nurture campaigns.

Best for: SMEs that want an all-in-one marketing and CRM solution without jumping between multiple platforms.

7. TranslatePress – Make your site multilingual without losing your mind

If your business serves international customers, offering multiple languages on your site can be a game-changer. TranslatePress makes it easy to translate content directly from the front end of your site.

Why we love it:

• You can translate posts, pages, and even plugins without touching the code.
• It works with SEO-friendly URL structures, so your translated pages can rank in search results.
• Supports both manual and automatic translations (via Google Translate or DeepL).

Best for: Businesses looking to expand into international markets without rebuilding their site from scratch.

Stay lean

A well-optimised WordPress site doesn’t need 50 plugins slowing it down. Instead, focus on the essentials that genuinely improve functionality, performance and user experience.

These seven plugins strike the right balance between power and simplicity, helping SMEs manage their sites more efficiently without unnecessary complexity. Whether you’re focused on SEO, lead generation, eCommerce, or multilingual support, there’s something here to help streamline your workflow and get better results.

Still not sure which plugins make sense for your website? We can help. Let’s chat about what’s best for your business. Contact Us.