Why You Should Avoid Too Many WordPress Plugins

Plugins do enhance your WordPress website with extra features and functionality but if not used wisely, it can be more of a drawback than any help to your website.

What too many plugins can do to your site

The most significant drawback of using more plugins is that it slows down your website. When enabled, every plugin will send a request to the server when the website is loading.

So, if you have 10 pages and 10 plugins on your website, you are increasing the request to 100, by default. So just imagine the damage done for bigger websites.

Why you should avoid too many plugins

• WordPress plugins are written and published for free and hence the project tends to close down after some time. This is when you get stuck, if the plugin you installed is not compatible with future releases. The developer would not respond and you will have to start all over again to implement that feature. So this is definitely something to consider when you install a free plugin.
  
  
• Not all plugins are secure. Some plugins leave a security hole, which is then exploited by hackers to access your website and can cause havoc to your valuable content and customers.
  
  
• Conflict issues among plugins is another well-known problem for WordPress users. Entire websites can be wiped out when trying to install a new plugin or upgrade an existing one. There may not be anything wrong with the plugin but it’s just not compatible with the other plugins. So make sure that you back up your website on a regular basis.
  
  
• Plugin developers rarely think about page loading times while creating the plugin. JavaScript is all over the place and most of it tends to load in the header, even if it’s not required. So even before your website content is loaded, the server is busy loading the JavaScript first. So, if for some reason JavaScript fails  to load, then your website will never be displayed.

What to look for before installing a new plugin

Don’t be in a hurry and just install any plugin randomly on your website. Firstly, try to analyse the pros and cons of the plugin you’re about to install. See if the developer seems to be genuine and check out the plugin’s reviews.

Last but not least, try to keep the number of plugins to minimum.