If you are running a local business website on WordPress, then the chances are that you already know about the vast array of WordPress plugins and options for customisation. Such flexibility has made WordPress the world’s most popular content management system – not only for hosting small businesses websites, but for some of the world’s leading publishers.
However, with almost 50,000 WordPress plugins to choose from on the official plugin directory alone, finding the right WordPress plugins for your small business doesn’t have to be a challenge.
Zopim Live Chat
Live chat software like Zopim is perfect for small businesses. Allowing you to chat to your customers in real time, this service is free for a fourteen-day trial, but there is a free ‘Lite’ option if you don’t want to cough up for the service after a fortnight.
WooCommerce
You really don’t need to spend thousands of pounds if you want to open an online store. WooCommerce, a plugin owned and maintained by the makers of WordPress, powers an impressive 30% of all online stores, and it’s easy to set up and integrate into your existing website.
Appointments+
If you want to manage your studio, salon or clinic and offer online appointment booking, then Appointments+ is the ideal solution. This plugin allows you to take control of your scheduling, add biography pages, take online payments and send email notifications to users.
Jetpack
Jetpack is the ultimate WordPress plugin, designed to increase your traffic, boost your page speed and protect yourself against hackers across the internet.
Duplicator
Whether you set up your website from scratch or you’re working with a web design agency, the chances are that you’ll want to move servers after a while. With Duplicator, you can move your entire WordPress website from one location to another – backing up, duplicating and transferring your files, themes and posts wherever you want them to be.
TablePress
If you want to add a pricing table to your website, or detail some of the products or services you offer in a clear and concise manner, then TablePress is the plugin for you.
Revive Old Post
If you rely on content marketing and post regular blogs to your website, then the chances are that you’ll want to share your content on more than one occasion. With this plugin, your old blogs will be reposted automatically to expand your reach.
Events
Running an event or want to let your customers know what you’ll be up to for the foreseeable future? With Events, you’ll be able to show a calendar on your website and fill it with your latest – and upcoming – events.
ThirstyAffiliates
If you want to introduce affiliate marketing to your website to make money from your visitors, then ThirstyAffiliates is the plugin for you. Not only can you cloak links and auto insert links into your posts, but you can manage your revenues and get a clear indication of how much you’re going to make. A word of warning, however, is that you should not over-exert affiliate links on your website. Not only can they appear spammy, but if you’re sending visitors away from your website to an affiliate link, you could be missing out on a new potential customer.