8 Website Plugins Small Business Owners Need to Know When Building a New Site

Your website represents your business in every single aspect. From the first line of text on the homepage to the header and footer, to the entire collection of pages on your website. Therefore, it’s important that you get it right the first time. That starts with learning how to maximize your efforts. Plugins allow you to do that.

When people hear the word “plugin,” they usually think of WordPress. The WordPress platform is notorious for its plugins, offering an open-source solution that works for almost any industry. However, there are plugins available for other hosting platforms, allowing every SMB to build the perfect website both for the users and for the business. 

But what is a plugin, anyway, and which ones should be on your list to check out? First, we’ll explain what plugins are and what they do, and then we’ll go over eight that your SMB can’t afford to live without. 

What is a plugin?

Plugins are individual tools, functions, or services that extend the existing functionality of your business website. For example, WordPress has a lot of Themes plugins, SEO plugins, and so forth. They’re simple because they don’t require any coding or special work. Just download, install, and enjoy a new functionality for your web design. 

How will I know if a plugin is the right option? Some people wonder whether they should be using plugins, or if they need an app or another integration. Usually, that just requires a little research on your part. Figure out:

• What tools and services are compatible with your platform (WordPress plugins for WordPress, Webflow plugins for Webflow, etc.)?
• What are the goals of your website?
• What plugins or apps best resolve the issue(s) you’re facing?

If it’s determined that a plugin can help, then you can start looking for the right one. To help with that, let’s dive into the list of the best ones to have. 

8 website plugins for SMBs 

1. HubSpot

HubSpot has a great lead generation plugin for WordPress that functions as an all-in-one lead gen and marketing tool. You can even chat with visitors and collect data that is sent to your free HubSpot CRM so you can use it to create campaigns and tweak your website design. There are plenty of free tools, but you can also upgrade to paid plans for better customization and features. 

‍2. All-in-One SEO

If you want to make sure that your SEO is totally optimized, All-in-One SEO is the plugin that should be on your list. It offers quick website analysis so you can see organic performance and make changes accordingly. There’s also a wizard tool that makes it simple to optimize your site, a function for local SEO, and integration for WooCommerce SEO. 

‍3. OptinMonster

Those who want another option for lead generation and marketing can check out OptinMonster, which helps with targeting user segments and monitoring related data. This makes it easier for you to ensure that your offers are reaching the right audiences and helps you capture leads with things like exit intent pop-ups and more. 

‍4. Yoast SEO

Yoast SEO is, by far, one of the best-known SEO plugins available for WordPress and several other platforms. This tool has all the SEO features that you need to optimize your website. You’ll get higher rankings and be able to see actionable insights in real-time, which makes it easier to change things before too much damage has been done. It can also help you optimize meta descriptions and show newbies how to thrive with SEO. 

‍5. WooCommerce

WooCommerce has a great plugin for WordPress sites that want to merge into eCommerce. It’s a great way to extend into an online store without having to change platforms entirely or find a new website solution that works with your eCommerce platform. It’s easy to use, making it great for beginners, and it also integrates with tons of other tools. 

‍6. VWO

If you’re in the market for a good A/B testing tool, VWO is a great option. It allows you to test everything from CTAs to messages, headlines, and even images. The all-in-one solution runs tests for you and then provides reports of the results so that you can make changes quickly. Individual testing can be difficult, and this tool takes that hassle away. It’s compatible with several website platforms, so be sure to check it out. 

 7. Proof

Right now, social proof is an important marketing metric. Therefore, having a tool like Proof to help you integrate social proof could prove to be invaluable. Proof makes it easy for you to add various forms of social proof to your website, such as recent signups, the number of current live users, notifications of recent purchases, and more. This helps push others to buy and boosts landing page conversions.

‍8. RightMessage

What’s on most marketers' minds at all times? Conversion rates. With RightMessage, you can deliver personalized content to customers and website visitors. The plugin allows you to use questionnaires, tags, and acquisition sources to segment your users and then change messaging and CTAs to target audiences effectively. Plus, RightMessage works with plenty of platforms, including WordPress, HubSpot, and others. 

More conversions mean more communications—are you ready?

When you have a more dynamic website that drives conversions, you’re going to need a team in place to field the calls. Fortunately, you’re not alone. You can partner with the virtual receptionists at Smith.ai for a 24/7 answering service that will make sure no leads slip through the cracks. Plus, we can assist with lead intake, appointment scheduling, and even your outreach campaigns if you need help with finding leads in the first place. 

To learn more, schedule a consultation or reach out to hello@smith.ai. 

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