Articles on: Getting Started
This article is also available in:

What is a WordPress Plugin?

WordPress extensions or plugins are applications allowing users to add new features to a WordPress site.

Adding plugins is very similar to downloading apps on a smartphone. It must be said that WordPress started as a simple blog tool, and it is the plugins that made it evolve into a CMS and a robust application framework.

Currently, there are over 50,000 free plugins and thousands of premium available for CMS. To the point where the WordPress community has adopted a pretty telling saying that applies to almost all situations: "There is a plugin for that!" Regardless of your WordPress need, this answer is likely to be appropriate.

How do WordPress plugins work?



WordPress is designed in ways that allow developers to add their own code to the CMS. The plugin API offers robust filters and hooks, allowing developers to modify current WordPress features or add new ones.

Developers can also store data in the WP database, which is then stored there. You can also use different types of content and turn them on or off freely.

WordPress connects to the database, loads the CMS and loads your active plugins every time you visit your site. All this code is managed on your server and sent to your browser.

Uses of WordPress plugins



Plugins are small software applications working in combination with WordPress software. This allows users to produce virtually any type of site with WordPress. It is possible to add almost any possible and imaginable feature simply by adding a plugin.

If a feature you need is not available by default WordPress, there is essentially a plugin for
WordPress extensions or plugins are applications allowing users to add new features to a WordPress site.

Adding plugins is very similar to downloading apps on a smartphone. It must be said that WordPress started as a simple blog tool, and it is the plugins that made it evolve into a CMS and a robust application framework.

Currently, there are over 50,000 free plugins and thousands of premium available for CMS. To the point where the WordPress community has adopted a pretty telling saying that applies to almost all situations: "There is a plugin for that!" Regardless of your WordPress need, this answer is likely to be appropriate.

How do WordPress plugins work?



WordPress is designed in ways that allow developers to add their own code to the CMS. The plugin API offers robust filters and hooks, allowing developers to modify current WordPress features or add new ones.

Developers can also store data in the WP database, which is then stored there. You can also use different types of content and turn them on or off freely.

WordPress connects to the database, loads the CMS and loads your active plugins every time you visit your site. All this code is managed on your server and sent to your browser.

Uses of WordPress plugins



Plugins are small software applications working in combination with WordPress software. This allows users to produce virtually any type of site with WordPress. It is possible to add almost any possible and imaginable feature simply by adding a plugin.

If a feature you need is not available by default WordPress, there is basically a plugin for everything you want to do.

Some essential features for WordPress sites should be supported by plugins. We can think of e-commerce features or SEO optimization. It is also recommended a plugin for caching and security.

Updated on: 03/05/2023

Was this article helpful?

Share your feedback

Cancel

Thank you!