Are you looking for the best WordPress plugins for web developers? Many code lovers have their own set of preferred tools; however, when it comes to WordPress, the right set of plugins can make web development a snap. There are certain plugins that are a must-have for any web developers toolbox.
In this article, we’ll share the 10 best WordPress plugins for web developers that you just can’t live without.
1. UpdraftPlus
UpdraftPlus is an excellent plugin for those who want to make sure they’ll never lose their progress after making major changes to their website. This plugin makes it easy to back up your website to various programs, including Dropbox, Rackspace Cloud, Amazon S3, and even Google Drive.
Right now, this plugin has over one million active users. Developers praise the ease of access, as well as the great features that other programs don’t offer. There’s a function that allows you to go in and set a schedule so you know you’ll always have a stable, safe backup of your priceless WordPress website.
Considering that hackers are always trying to find their way into big-name websites, it certainly couldn’t hurt to have a full-fledged copy of your page elsewhere in case of an emergency.
Get Started with UpdraftPlus Today!
2. Sucuri
Most people have an antivirus/anti-malware application on their desktop, so why wouldn’t you have a security plugin protecting your website? Developers are using the Sucuri plugin to protect their websites from the most vile people and programs on the internet.
Sucuri specializes in WordPress security and their plugin comes with a wide range of features, making it invaluable for everyone from the casual blogger to the multi-million dollar website developer.
Upon installing this plugin, you’ll be greeted with a massive array of options including a malware scanner, real-time security watch, blacklisting watch, and access to a high-end firewall with the premium version. These are just some of the excellent features included in this plugin. You’ll also have access to post-hack security options in case you download it after you’ve already been attacked.
Get Started with Sucuri Today!
3. CSS Hero
CSS Hero is one of the best WordPress plugins that gives developers access to all the tools they need to customize their websites. It takes the complicated process of writing code and provides you with all of the tools and resources you need to edit your page in real time.
The most notable feature of this plugin is it allows you to do custom work for individual devices. Normally, WordPress will adjust your site for the best fit based on the device being used. CSS Hero allows you to code your desktop, tablet, and mobile appearance to all look different, without the styles and changes overlapping and causing errors.
Get Started with CSS Hero Today!
4. Debug Bar
The Debug Bar is a small-but-mighty tool for all serious developers. Instead of cycling through all your work looking for PHP notices and warnings, you can install this easy-to-use plugin instead.
Once you get the Debug Bar on your WordPress site, it’ll appear on your admin bar. A quick glance will give you a whole host of valuable information. You’ll be able to identify cache options, as well as issues from within the database.
Finally, you can attach add-ons to the Debug Tool to gain more insight. You can learn about your shortcodes, filters, registered post types, and much more!
Get Started with Debug Bar Today!
5. Health Check
The next tool, Health Check, is not for the novice WordPress user. Once installed, this plugin runs a full check on your system and configurations.
You’ll be able to see information about your PHP and MySQL versions for updates and errors. Furthermore, it’ll run through your website from front to back so you’ll be able to see any issues in the debugging section of this plugin.
Finally, this tool has a troubleshooting feature that lets you run your website in “vanilla WordPress.” In other words, you’ll start with your page in a bare-bones format and then you can slowly add code, plugins, and more behind the scenes. This gives you the ability to experiment with different combinations to see if there’s anything conflicting on your site. The troubleshooter helps you pick out what’s causing you problems, and allows you to build your website effectively.
Get Started with Health Check Today!
6. Theme Check
Are you the type of developer who likes to regularly check to make sure that everything you’re doing follows the strict, specific standards set up by WordPress? If so, the Theme Check plugin is the perfect addition to your current WP plugin list.
In a nutshell, Theme Check is an easy-to-install, easy-to-use plugin that allows you to run your current WordPress theme through automatic testing tools. The scanner determines whether or not your current theme falls in line with the latest WordPress standards.
If there’re issues, they’ll pop up on a report after the scanner is done. You can go in, fix the errors, and run the scanner again to make sure everything is in working order.
Get Started with Theme Check Today!
7. Query Monitor
Query Monitor is another excellent debugging plugin for your WordPress site. This tool is slightly more advanced than the previously-mentioned Debug Bar.
The primary reason you’ll want to use this plugin is if you work with AJAX calls and REST API requests. Once you activate the plugin, you’ll see a list of all database queries. You can use this information to find out if other plugins, themes, or add-ons are malfunctioning.
You’ll have access to a full datasheet showing you what’s working well, and what needs improvement. It may take some trial and error, but you’ll be able to debug your WordPress site and have it working smoothly again in no time!
Get Started with Query Monitor Today!
8. StyleGuide
If you’re looking for a way to design custom fonts and colors for your WordPress website, look no further than the StyleGuide plugin.
After installing this plugin, you’ll be able to go through and customize every text aspect of your WP site. You’ll find 45 of the most popular Google Fonts that you can mix and match at your leisure.
What cements StyleGuide onto our list of the best WordPress plugins for web developers is the fact that it works perfectly with all WordPress themes. Once you find a theme you like, open up StyleGuide and tweak the fonts and colors until you have your one-of-a-kind website ready to be published. You can even view your changes in a live preview mode to ensure that you like the changes you’re making.
Get Started with StyleGuide Today!
9. User Switching
The User Switching plugin is the perfect addition to your WordPress site if you have multiple user accounts you frequently switch between. The plugin can be installed and ready to use in seconds.
Once you have it up and running, you can freely switch between your registered users in seconds. You don’t have to worry about putting your security on the line either. During the switching process, there are no passwords revealed for any of the accounts.
Furthermore, only those who have full admin access to your WordPress account can use the plugin. If there are other users who have limited accounts, they’ll not have access to this tool.
Get Started with User Switching Today!
10. Log Deprecated Notices
The final developer plugin we’ll look at today is called Log Deprecated Notices. Essentially, this plugin is used in combination with the WP_DEBUG plugin to locate deprecated files and functions.
You can easily go in and look at the list of deprecated files and find out if there’s an easy solution for these issues. The Debug tool helps the base plugin work more effectively as it tracks down errors that may otherwise get overlooked.
The most common reason people download this tool is if they’re looking to clean up files, or if they have outdated themes or plugins on their website. It keeps your page up to snuff on all of the latest WordPress practices and detailed coding guides.
Get Started with Log Deprecated Notices Today!
We hope this article helped you discover the best WordPress plugins for web developers!
If you liked this article, you might also enjoy our list of the best WordPress caching plugins.
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