A friend reached out to me recently after discovering something alarming in their WordPress posts. They were using Yoast SEO Premium with the Classic Editor, and they found Yoast had been automatically inserting odd-looking CSS classes like ai-optimize-6, ai-optimize-9, directly into their content.

The problem is that these classes remain permanently embedded in the posts even after disabling Yoast AI Optimize or completely deleting the plugin. This goes against expected plugin behavior… that is, when you uninstall it, it should leave no trace in your content.

While these AI markers might not visually affect your site, they clutter up your source code. It could also potentially signal to AI content detectors, plagiarism checkers, and even search engines that your content was AI-generated or optimized.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to remove these hidden classes using a quick code snippet. I’ll also explain how to apply it safely and share the SEO plugin I recommend using as an alternative to Yoast.

Here are the things I will cover in this tutorial:

Why These ai-optimize Classes Are Bad for SEO

The ai-optimize-{number} CSS classes are added when you use Yoast SEO Premium’s AI features with the Classic Editor. They don’t appear on the front end, but they’re embedded in your content’s HTML, which can cause problems.

You can view them by visiting any post or page on your site and using the Inspect tool in your browser.

Here’s why I recommend removing them:

• They clutter your HTML: These unnecessary classes make your code harder to read and parse.
• They serve no purpose: They don’t affect how your content looks or functions. They’re just leftovers from the AI tool.
• They can trigger AI detection tools: Some plagiarism checkers and AI content detectors pick up these patterns and may flag your post, even if you wrote it yourself.
• They leave AI footprints across your site: If multiple sites use the same classes, Google might start associating that pattern with low-quality or mass-produced AI content.
• They increase the risk of formatting conflicts: Unknown classes could interfere with your theme or plugins down the road.

There’s no upside to keeping these hidden markers, and several good reasons to clean them out.

The good news is that there is a quick fix, and I’ll show you how to do it safely in the next section.

Step 1: Make a Backup Before Making Changes

Before we move forward, I always recommend creating a full backup of your WordPress site. It only takes a few minutes and gives you peace of mind in case anything goes wrong.

I use Duplicator when I need a quick and reliable backup solution. It’s the best WordPress backup plugin on the market, it is beginner-friendly, and it works great whether you’re backing up or migrating your site.

• ✅ On-demand and automatic WordPress backups
• ✅ Safely stored in remote locations like Dropbox or Google Drive
• ✅ Easy 1-click restore if something breaks

For details, see our guide on how to back up your WordPress website.

Once your backup is ready, you’re safe to move on to the next step, where I will show you how to fix the problem.

Step 2: Add the Code Snippet to Remove ai-optimize Classes

Now that your backup is ready, it’s time to clean up those ai-optimize-{number} and ai-optimize-introduction classes.

I’ve put together a safe and flexible code snippet that works with both the Classic Editor and the Block Editor (Gutenberg), as well as bulk edits.

You don’t need to touch your theme files or mess with FTP. Instead, I recommend using the WPCode plugin to add this snippet. It’s what I use to manage code snippets on WordPress sites without risking anything important. (See my full WPCode review for more details.)

Tip: WPCode has a limited free version that you can use for this tutorial. However, I recommend upgrading to a paid plan to unlock its full potential.

If this is your first time adding custom code to your site, then you can take a look at our guide on how to add custom code snippets in WordPress without breaking your site.

First, you need to install and activate the WPCode plugin. See our tutorial on installing a WordPress plugin if you need help.

Once the plugin has been activated, go to the Code Snippets » + Add Snippet page and click on ‘+ Add Custom Snippet’ button under the ‘Add Your Custom Code (New Snippet)’ box.

Next, you need to provide a title for your code snippet. This could be anything that helps you identify this code easily.

After that, choose PHP Snippet from the ‘Code Type’ drop-down menu.

Now, you need to copy and paste the following code into the Code Preview box.

Here’s the full code snippet:

// For Classic Editor and programmatic updates
function strip_ai_optimize_classes($data, $postarr) {
    if (empty($data['post_content']) || $data['post_type'] !== 'post') {
        return $data;
    }
    $data['post_content'] = strip_ai_optimize_from_content($data['post_content']);
    return $data;
}
add_filter('wp_insert_post_data', 'strip_ai_optimize_classes', 10, 2);

// For Gutenberg/Block Editor
function strip_ai_optimize_classes_rest_insert($prepared_post, $request) {
    if (isset($prepared_post->post_content) && $prepared_post->post_type === 'post') {
        $prepared_post->post_content = strip_ai_optimize_from_content($prepared_post->post_content);
    }
    return $prepared_post;
}
add_filter('rest_pre_insert_post', 'strip_ai_optimize_classes_rest_insert', 10, 2);

// For bulk edit operations - this is the key addition
function strip_ai_optimize_classes_bulk_edit($post_id) {
    $post = get_post($post_id);
    if (!$post || empty($post->post_content) || $post->post_type !== 'post') {
        return;
    }
    $cleaned_content = strip_ai_optimize_from_content($post->post_content);
    if ($cleaned_content !== $post->post_content) {
        remove_action('post_updated', 'strip_ai_optimize_classes_bulk_edit');
        wp_update_post(array(
            'ID' => $post_id,
            'post_content' => $cleaned_content
        ));
        add_action('post_updated', 'strip_ai_optimize_classes_bulk_edit');
    }
}
add_action('post_updated', 'strip_ai_optimize_classes_bulk_edit');

// Catch bulk operations via the bulk_edit_posts action
function strip_ai_optimize_classes_bulk_action($post_ids) {
    if (!is_array($post_ids)) {
        return;
    }
    foreach ($post_ids as $post_id) {
        strip_ai_optimize_classes_bulk_edit($post_id);
    }
}
add_action('bulk_edit_posts', 'strip_ai_optimize_classes_bulk_action');

// Shared function to strip ai-optimize classes
function strip_ai_optimize_from_content($content) {
    if (empty($content) || !is_string($content)) {
        return $content;
    }
    return preg_replace_callback(
        '/class\s*=\s*["\']([^"\']*)["\']/',
        function($matches) {
            $classes = $matches[1];
            $classes = preg_replace('/\bai-optimize-\d+\b\s*/', '', $classes);
            $classes = preg_replace('/\s+/', ' ', trim($classes));
            if (empty($classes)) {
                return '';
            }
            return 'class="' . $classes . '"';
        },
        $content
    );
}

After adding the code, scroll down to the ‘Insertion’ section.

Then, select ‘Run Everywhere’ next to the ‘Location’ option.

Finally, go to the top of the page and switch the status toggle in the top-right to Active, and then click on the ‘Save Snippet’ button to store your changes.

Once you’ve added this snippet to your site using WPCode, it will automatically strip these AI-generated classes from any post you create or update in the future.

If you want to remove the ai-classes from existing content, you’ll have to bulk edit your existing content.

Step 3: Bulk Update All Posts to Clean Up Existing AI Classes

Now that the code snippet is in place, it will automatically clean up any AI markers when you edit or publish a post. But to remove these classes from your older posts, you’ll need to bulk update them.

Don’t worry—this won’t change your content. It simply triggers the filter we just added so the hidden AI classes can be stripped out safely.

First, you need to go to the Posts » All Posts page in your WordPress dashboard and click ‘Screen Options’ at the top right.

From here, set the number of posts per page to 999 (This is the maximum number of posts you can show on this screen) and click ‘Apply’ to load all your posts.

Next, select all posts on the page by clicking the top checkbox. After that, select ‘Edit’ by clicking on the Bulk Actions dropdown, then click ‘Apply’.

WordPress will now show you bulk editing options. Without changing anything else, simply click on the ‘Update’ button.

WordPress will now start updating all your posts. By doing this, it will also trigger the code you saved earlier and remove the AI classes.

Tip 💡: If you have more than 999 posts, just go to the next page and repeat this process until all posts have been updated.

This will clean the ai-optimize-{number} and ai-optimize-introduction classes from all your existing posts—no manual editing needed.

Bonus Tip: Switching to an Alternative SEO Plugin (Better and More Powerful)

Yoast SEO has been around for a long time, but lately, its innovations have slowed down.

At WPBeginner, we made the decision to switch to All in One SEO across all our sites a few years ago. It was a big move, and we documented every reason in this case study: Why We Switched from Yoast to All in One SEO.

I now use All in One SEO on every personal project and all client websites. It’s my go-to SEO plugin because it offers:

• ✅ Comprehensive features for the AI search era (schema markup, advanced sitemaps, AI integrations, and more)
• ✅ Easy setup with smart defaults and checklists
• ✅ Better support for local SEO, WooCommerce, Google News, and more.

If you’re still on the fence, we’ve made a detailed side-by-side breakdown here: Yoast SEO vs All in One SEO – Which Is the Better Plugin?

Bonus SEO Resources

Whether you’re switching away from Yoast SEO or just want to tighten up your WordPress SEO strategy, here are some helpful resources to guide you.

These tutorials and comparisons can save you time, avoid costly mistakes, and help you get better results from your SEO efforts:

• Best Yoast SEO Alternatives For WordPress
• The Ultimate WordPress SEO Migration Checklist (For Beginners) – Helps you switch away from Yoast to All in One SEO
• How to Set Up All in One SEO for WordPress Correctly (Ultimate Guide)
• Complete WordPress SEO Guide for Beginners (Step by Step)
• How to Use AI for SEO in WordPress (12 Tools)
• Is AI Content Bad for WordPress SEO? (Expert Insights & Tips)

I hope this guide helped you fix the ai-optimize class issue in Yoast SEO and set your site up for better long-term results. You’ve got this—and if you ever need a hand, we’re here to help.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post Fix Yoast SEO’s ai-optimize Bug Before It Ruins Your Site’s SEO first appeared on WPBeginner.

A friend recently asked me, “Should I use WordPress or Django for my new website?” It’s a great question, and a common one. Choosing the right content management system (CMS) can shape your entire online experience.

While WordPress has always been my go-to for building websites, I’ve spent time exploring Django CMS as well. I’ve helped others decide between the two, and I’ve even tested Django on a few personal projects just to see how it stacks up.

In this post, I’ll share what I’ve learned from both platforms—their surprising strengths, their limitations, and why WordPress still comes out on top for creating websites.

Whether you’re launching a blog, a business site, or something more complex, this side-by-side comparison will help you figure out which CMS fits your needs best.

WordPress vs. Django CMS: A Brief Overview

Both WordPress and Django CMS are powerful content management systems (CMS), but they are designed for different kinds of tasks.

I’ve created a quick comparison table below to help you understand the main differences. It explains the key features of WordPress and Django CMS side-by-side:

In the sections that follow, I’ll dive deeper into each of these points and help you decide whether WordPress or Django CMS is the right choice for your project.

How I Compared WordPress vs. Django CMS

I wanted to make sure this comparison was as thorough and fair as possible, so I didn’t just rely on spec sheets and marketing brochures. So, I dug deep, using my own experience and research.

Here’s how I approached it:

• Real-World Projects: I’ve built countless websites with WordPress, from simple blogs to complex eCommerce stores. I’ve seen firsthand what it can do (and what it can’t). I also set up a test environment for Django CMS so I could try everything out myself.
• Hands-on Testing: I didn’t just read about the features, I actually used them. I performed common tasks like creating pages, adding images, and installing plugins. This gave me a real feel for how each platform works in practice.
• Feature Comparison: I compared the core features of each platform, including ease of use, customization options, security, scalability, and content management capabilities.
• Finding the Right Fit: I considered different project types and identified the ideal use cases for each platform. For example, a small business website has different needs than a large enterprise platform.
• Resources and Effort: I factored in the learning curve, development time, and ongoing maintenance required for each platform. This helps you understand the true cost of ownership.
• Growing with Your Project: A content management system should be able to grow with your business. I looked at how easy it is to get started with each platform and how well they handle increasing complexity as your website grows.

Since I’m going to go into a lot of detail in my comparison of WordPress vs. Django CMS, you may want to use this table of contents to quickly navigate the article:

Overview: WordPress vs. Django CMS

Choosing a content management system (CMS) is like laying the foundation for your website.

WordPress and Django CMS are both powerful tools, but they’re designed for different kinds of projects. Picking the right one from the start can save you headaches (and potentially a lot of money) down the road.

I remember when I first started building websites, I tried everything from hand-coding HTML to using clunky website builders. Then I discovered WordPress, and I immediately knew that it was what I was looking for.

Suddenly, I could build beautiful, functional websites without needing a computer science degree. I’ve used it for everything from simple blogs to complex eCommerce sites.

So, what is WordPress, anyway? It’s the most popular website builder and CMS on the planet, powering over 43% of the web. It’s free, open-source, and incredibly versatile. Plus, there’s a massive community of users and developers ready to help you out.

Getting started is a breeze, especially with one-click installs offered by hosts like Bluehost and Hostinger (I’ve used both, and they make it super easy).

As my projects got more complex, I started hearing about Django CMS. It’s a favorite among developers who want more flexibility and control. I even tried using it for a personal project, and it was a completely different experience.

Think of it as building a house from scratch. With Django, you have complete control over every detail, but it requires a lot more technical know-how.

Django CMS is built with Django, a powerful framework that uses the Python programming language.

It is a set of tools and libraries that provide a foundation for building web applications. It’s also free and open-source, but it’s definitely geared towards developers.

You’ll need to be comfortable with coding and server administration to get the most out of it. It’s ideal for large, complex projects that demand a high level of customization and scalability.

Now that you have a basic understanding of both platforms, let’s dive deeper into the key differences between WordPress and Django CMS.

Ease of Use: Which CMS is Easier to Learn?

Ease of use is a big concern for many website builders. You’re probably looking for a platform that’s simple to navigate without prior technical expertise.

Let’s see how WordPress and Django CMS compare in terms of user-friendliness.

WordPress: Easy to Use Most of the Time

WordPress is known for its user-friendly nature. Setting up a basic blog in WordPress can be done in a matter of hours.

The block editor is intuitive, like building with digital Lego bricks. You can easily drag and drop different content blocks to create pages without coding.

And getting started is super easy. Most web hosts, like Bluehost (my personal favorite), offer one-click WordPress installs.

That means you can literally have a website up and running in minutes. WPBeginner readers get a special discount, so you can get started for just $1.99 per month.

After WordPress is installed, you’ll be able to access the admin dashboard. From here, you can customize your site’s design, add new pages, and manage your content. It’s very straightforward.

For details, see our guide on how to create a WordPress website.

Django CMS: For Developers and Code-Savvy Users

Django is built for developers who love the flexibility and control of coding. But if you’re a beginner or prefer a no-code approach, it will feel overwhelming.

You’ll need to know how to code in Python and be familiar with web development concepts to use Django CMS effectively. I’ve talked to friends who tried to use Django CMS without coding experience, and it often leads to frustration.

Even simple tasks, like changing your website’s theme or adding a contact form, often require coding or working with Django’s templating system.

Django CMS’s content editor is relatively straightforward, similar to WordPress’s older classic editor.

It lets you work with formatted text, but not create complex layouts like the newer WordPress block editor.

But most customization happens behind the scenes in code. This can be a steep learning curve for non-developers.

Here’s a quick overview of what makes Django CMS less user-friendly for non-developers:

• Installation and setup require technical knowledge of server administration and command-line tools, such as SSH and virtual environments.
• Theme customization involves editing HTML, CSS, and Django templates, which requires familiarity with Django’s templating language.
• Plugin management often requires installing and configuring Python packages.
• While the content editor is simple, managing content structures and advanced features often requires coding.

All that said, if you have a strong technical background, all of this may sound ideal.

🏅 Winner for Ease of Use – WordPress

For non-programmers, WordPress is the clear winner. It’s intuitive, user-friendly, and packed with features that make building a website a breeze.

Django CMS, while powerful, is best left to the developers. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get online, WordPress is your best bet.

Customization Options: Making Your Website Your Own

Customization options are essential for creating a unique and functional website. So, how do WordPress and Django CMS compare in terms of customization?

WordPress: Customization Made Easy

WordPress is famous for its flexibility. I’ve built countless websites using the CMS, and I’m always amazed by how much you can change without writing a single line of code. The secret is the large selection of themes and plugins.

Themes transform your website’s appearance with just a few clicks. Thousands of free and premium themes mean you’re bound to find something that perfectly matches your style.

Looking for recommendations? Here are some of my favorite themes.

If you want more customization options, most themes offer built-in options to change colors, fonts, and layouts effortlessly.

For advanced options, the theme customizer or adding custom CSS opens up a world of possibilities.

Then there are plugins, which are like apps for your website. They add all sorts of functionality, from contact forms and online stores to SEO tools and security enhancements.

With over 59,000 free plugins in the WordPress plugin directory and countless premium plugins, the possibilities are nearly endless. Just see my pick of the best WordPress plugins for all websites to get an idea of what they can do.

Django CMS: Customization for Coders

Django CMS takes a different approach to customization. Instead of using visual interfaces and drag-and-drop builders, you customize your website using code.

If you’re a Python developer, this may sound perfect. You can build virtually anything you can imagine to your exact specifications. While it requires more development time upfront, the level of customization you gain can only be achieved using code.

Features like custom product displays, complex filtering options, and unique checkout processes are all possible thanks to Django’s code-centric approach.

Here’s a glimpse into Django CMS’s customization options:

• Pre-built themes can be used as starting points for custom development. But most Django CMS projects involve building a custom theme from scratch.
• Django apps extend functionality like WordPress plugins. However, installing and configuring them requires some coding knowledge, and the selection is not as extensive as the WordPress Plugin Directory.
• Django’s templating system provides control over your website’s HTML structure and content presentation.
• Django CMS integrates with other systems through APIs, allowing you to connect your website with CRM software, marketing automation tools, and more.

If you’re not a developer, you’ll need to hire one to customize your Django CMS website. While this adds to the cost, it also gives you more control over customization.

🏅 Winner for Customization Options – WordPress

If you want easy, no-code customization, WordPress is the clear winner. Its huge library of themes and plugins makes it simple to create a unique website without touching any code.

Django CMS offers ultimate flexibility for developers, but it comes at the cost of increased complexity.

Content Management: Keeping Your Content Organized

Effective content management is essential for websites with frequent updates. You need a CMS that makes it easy to create, organize, and manage all that content.

So, how do WordPress and Django CMS compare in this department?

WordPress: Content Management Powerhouse

WordPress began its journey as a blogging tool, and content management remains one of its greatest strengths. From personal blogs to extensive content hubs, WordPress excels thanks to its flexibility and user-friendliness.

Writing and editing content in WordPress is a breeze. The block editor is incredibly straightforward, allowing you to add text, images, and videos with simple drag-and-drop actions.

You can group your posts together in different ways using categories and tags. You can think of categories as the main sections of my website, and tags as a detailed index.

WordPress also has a built-in media library that makes managing images and videos super easy. You can upload, organize, and insert media into your content with just a few clicks.

And if you’re working with a team, WordPress’s user role management is extremely helpful. You can assign different roles (administrator, editor, author, and more) with specific permissions.

This makes sure that everyone has the access they need without risking accidental deletions or unwanted changes.

Need even more content management features? No problem! WordPress has thousands of plugins that can add everything from custom content types to advanced SEO tools.

Django CMS: Content Management for Developers

Django CMS offers a basic interface for creating and editing content. But it lacks the intuitive user-friendliness of WordPress. I’ve found that even simple tasks, such as creating pages or managing menus, can sometimes require technical knowledge.

And while Django CMS does offer user roles and permissions, configuring them is often more complex than in WordPress. Customizing roles or creating new ones typically involves coding or working with Django’s admin interface, which can be a hurdle for non-developers.

For instance, imagine you need to create custom user roles with specific permissions. In WordPress, this would be straightforward. Meanwhile, in Django CMS, it requires writing custom code.

Here’s a closer look at Django CMS’s content management features:

• You can create and organize pages within a hierarchical structure. However, customizing page templates and adding advanced features often requires coding.
• Adding a navigation menu is easy, but complex menu structures or dynamic menus might require custom development.
• Managing user access and capabilities is possible, but customization often involves code.
• You can track content changes and revert to previous versions of your content.
• Django CMS offers multilingual capabilities, but configuring multiple languages can be complex.

While Django CMS offers powerful content management tools, its developer-centric approach can be challenging for non-technical users.

🏅 Winner for Content Management – WordPress

For most users, especially those without a technical background, WordPress is the clear winner for content management. It offers a user-friendly interface, powerful features, and a huge ecosystem of plugins for content creation, organization, and management.

Django CMS is more flexible for developers, but it comes at the cost of increased complexity.

eCommerce: Selling Online

Selling online requires a comprehensive eCommerce platform. Let’s compare WordPress and Django’s online store capabilities.

WordPress: Great for Selling Online

WordPress doesn’t have eCommerce features out of the box. But you can quickly set up an online store with the help of plugins like WooCommerce. I’ve used WooCommerce a lot for my own projects, and I found it to be very powerful and easy to use.

After installing WooCommerce, it guides you through the setup. Then, you can add products, set up payment methods (like Stripe or PayPal), and decide how to ship things right from the familiar WordPress dashboard.

You can easily customize WooCommerce using plugins and themes designed specifically for online stores. There are plugins available for detailed shipping costs, managing subscriptions, and even adjusting prices according to specific rules.

If you need a simpler way to sell online, especially for digital items or services, I would also suggest looking at Easy Digital Downloads (EDD).

For more information, just see our guide on how to start an online store.

Django: Building a Custom Online Store

Django also doesn’t have eCommerce features built in. However, its power and flexibility let you build the exact online store you want, piece by piece.

This approach gives you total control over everything in your store. You control how data is stored, how the site operates behind the scenes, what users see, and how it integrates with other services. It’s great for making unique online stores with custom features.

While you can build an eCommerce site completely from scratch using Django, there are several tools and frameworks that can help you build faster:

• Oscar Commerce is a set of open-source tools for making eCommerce sites with Django. It provides a foundation for features such as product lists, shopping carts, checkout pages, and order management.
• Saleor started as a Django program but has grown into a powerful, headless eCommerce platform. It can build modern online stores with separate front ends and backends.

There are also simpler tools and libraries if you only need certain eCommerce features.

Building a custom store with Django requires coding knowledge. It’s a good fit for businesses with complex needs, but it’s not a suitable choice for beginners.

🏅 Winner for eCommerce – WordPress

In most cases, WordPress wins in the eCommerce category.

That’s because you can easily turn WordPress into an eCommerce platform by installing an eCommerce plugin like WooCommerce or Easy Digital Downloads. You can quickly get started selling online at an affordable price, and the large WordPress community means it’s easy to find help and information.

Django may be better for building custom online stores where you need full control over every small detail and have a large budget. For example, your developers could build a system with complex billing rules and smart ways to suggest products for specific customers.

That said, you can still get advanced eCommerce functionality with WordPress as long as you have the right tools. For instance, you can add wholesale features using Wholesale Suite or create custom eCommerce automations with Uncanny Automator.

Performance: Speed Matters

Website performance is crucial for user experience, search engine rankings, and your bottom line. So, let’s see how WordPress and Django CMS compare.

WordPress: Performance Requires Optimization

WordPress is incredibly popular, and out of the box, it’s generally fast enough for most small websites. But as your site grows, with more content, plugins, and fancy features, things can start to slow down.

I’ve seen this happen with friends’ websites. One of the biggest causes of this is poorly coded themes and plugins. That’s why it’s important to select the perfect WordPress theme and the right WordPress plugin.

And speaking of tools, a caching plugin is essential for any WordPress site. Caching works by taking a ‘snapshot’ of your web pages and storing them temporarily, instead of generating them from scratch every time a visitor arrives.

This significantly reduces server load and speeds up your site. I personally recommend WP Rocket for its user-friendly interface and powerful optimization features.

We used it for a long time here at WPBeginner and had a great experience with it. You can see our full WP Rocket review for more information.

Overall, WordPress can be incredibly fast with proper optimization. We’ve even put together a comprehensive guide to help you boost your WordPress site’s speed and performance.

Django CMS: Built for Speed

Django CMS is built on the high-performance Django framework, which is designed for speed and efficiency from the ground up.

Because features and customizations are built with code, there’s less reliance on plugins or extensions that could add bloat and slow down a website.

Django’s efficient architecture and the streamlined, custom-coded nature of the site can result in better performance, lower page load times, and the ability to handle higher traffic volumes.

But it’s important to remember that even with Django CMS, poorly written code can negatively impact performance. If you’re not an experienced Django developer, you should hire one to make sure your site is optimized for speed and efficiency.

Beyond just being fast, Django is also incredibly scalable. This means a Django CMS site can easily grow with your business, handling a large increase in traffic, content, and features without a significant drop in performance.

🏅 Winner for Performance – Django CMS

Out of the box, Django CMS generally outperforms WordPress in terms of speed and efficiency (as long as you’re using efficient coding practices). However, with proper optimization, WordPress can also achieve excellent performance.

If you’re willing to put in the effort (or hire someone who is), then WordPress can handle even high-traffic events. But if speed is your top priority and you have the technical expertise, Django CMS might be a better choice.

Security: Keeping Your Website Safe

Security breaches can devastate a website. They can result in lost data, frustrated users, and a damaged reputation.

So, let’s talk about how WordPress and Django CMS compare when it comes to keeping your site safe.

WordPress Security: Staying Ahead of the Threats

With the right precautions, WordPress can be incredibly secure. I’ve used it for years on countless sites, and I’ve learned a few tricks along the way.

First of all, it’s best to keep everything updated. The WordPress core software is regularly patched for security vulnerabilities, so those updates are your first line of defense.

I always recommend setting up automatic updates whenever possible because it’s one less thing to worry about.

Next, you’ll want to be picky about your themes and plugins. Just like I wouldn’t install software from a suspicious website on my computer, I’m careful about what I add to my WordPress sites.

It’s best to stick to reputable sources like the official WordPress directory and well-known developers. And remember, you’ll need to keep those plugins and themes updated, too. Updates often fix security vulnerabilities that could be used to hack your website.

On top of following these best practices, I also recommend using a security plugin. This tool will typically offer malware scanning, firewall protection, and more.

For more on keeping your WordPress website safe, see our ultimate WordPress security guide.

Django CMS Security: A Solid Foundation

Django CMS uses the Django framework’s strong security foundation right out of the box. This is a major advantage for developers who want to prioritize security from the ground up.

For instance, when users submit content on a Django site, the system automatically cleans it up. This prevents a common type of attack called XSS (Cross-Site Scripting), where malicious code tries to sneak onto your site through user input.

Also, for every form you fill out on a Django site, there’s a unique, invisible security token attached to it. This makes it much tougher for attackers to hijack your session or trick you into doing something unintended.

That said, Django requires a lot of the same security best practices as WordPress (or any other CMS), such as regular updates, strong passwords, and two-factor authentication.

Secure coding practices and proper configuration are also important, especially when dealing with sensitive data.

If you’re not a developer, you’ll need to hire a Django expert to make sure your site is configured securely, and you may need them to run regular security audits.

🏅 Winner for Security – Django CMS

Django CMS is more secure out of the box, thanks to the framework’s built-in protections. However, with proper precautions, like regular updates, careful plugin selection, and a solid security plugin, WordPress can also be very secure.

Ultimately, the security of any website depends on your diligence and the steps you take to protect it, regardless of the platform you choose.

Community and Support

A supportive community and readily available resources are essential when building a website. Let’s see how WordPress and Django CMS compare for community and support.

WordPress: A Global Community at Your Fingertips

WordPress is the most popular website builder and has a huge, global community of users, developers, and designers.

Whether you’re stuck on a coding problem, need help choosing a plugin, or just want some general advice, there’s always someone willing to help. And there are plenty of helpful WordPress resources, including Get Started documents, courses, workshops, and lessons.

You’ll find answers to almost any question you can imagine. You can learn more on the official Learn WordPress and Make WordPress pages.

And here at WPBeginner, we offer many different tutorials like this one, a newsletter, free video tutorials, the WPBeginner Engage Facebook Group, a YouTube channel, and more.

Learn how to make the most out of WPBeginner’s free resources in this guide.

Django CMS: A Smaller, More Focused Community

Django CMS has a smaller, more niche community compared to WordPress. This smaller community means you’re interacting with a highly skilled and dedicated group of individuals who are willing to share their expertise.

However, the smaller community does mean fewer readily available resources. You’ll find less documentation, fewer online tutorials, and a smaller selection of pre-built themes and plugins.

This can make it more challenging to find solutions to common problems. You might have to rely more on your own problem-solving skills or reach out directly to the community for assistance.

The Django CMS community is active on platforms like Stack Overflow and specialized forums. While it might take a bit more effort to find answers, the quality of support is often very high. You’re more likely to get in-depth technical assistance from experienced developers.

Here are some key differences in community support:

• While Django CMS has official documentation, it’s often more technical and assumes a higher level of coding knowledge compared to WordPress’s user-friendly documentation.
• The Django CMS community is active on various platforms, but the overall size and activity level are significantly lower than WordPress’s massive online presence.
• A smaller selection of readily available themes and plugins means you’ll likely need to invest more time in custom development or searching for suitable third-party solutions.

If you’re comfortable with independent learning and problem-solving, the smaller Django CMS community might not be a major drawback. However, it doesn’t compare to WordPress’s large and active community, which offers readily available resources.

🏅 Winner for Community and Support – WordPress

For most users, WordPress offers better support due to its large, active community and readily available resources.

However, developers will appreciate Django’s smaller, more focused community, although it requires more independent problem-solving.

Cost: Which CMS Is More Affordable?

WordPress and Django differ significantly in their overall cost. I’ll give you some real-world examples so you can get a better idea of what to expect.

WordPress: Budgeting for Your Site

WordPress itself is free, but you’ll need web hosting and a domain name (around $10-20 per year). Web hosting is where your website is stored, and a domain name is your site’s address.

Hosting costs can range from a few dollars a month for basic shared hosting (perfect for beginners) to hundreds or even thousands for high-performance managed hosting (ideal for larger sites with lots of traffic).

Let me give you a few examples of what to expect:

• 💵 Basic Blog: $50-150 per year (hosting, domain, a simple theme)
• 💸 Small Business Website: $100-500 per year (hosting, domain, a slightly more advanced theme, a few premium plugins)
• 💰 eCommerce Store: $ 500-2,000+ per year (hosting, domain, a premium WooCommerce theme, several specialized plugins, potentially some custom development)

I’ve used both shared and managed hosting, and the best choice really depends on your specific needs.

For example, when WPBeginner was launched, we first used shared hosting to keep costs low. As the site grew, we switched to managed hosting for better performance and security.

While there are many excellent free themes and plugins available, premium options can significantly enhance your site’s functionality and design.

I often recommend premium plugins for features like advanced SEO or eCommerce functionality. These can be one-time purchases or ongoing subscriptions. Either way, you’ll need to factor those into your budget.

Finally, if you need custom development work, you might need to hire a developer or designer. This can add to the overall cost, but it’s often worth the investment for a truly unique and functional website.

For more details, see our guide on how much it really costs to build a WordPress website.

Django CMS: Factoring in Development Costs

Like WordPress, Django CMS is free. But because it’s more developer-focused, the overall cost is usually higher.

You’ll still need hosting and a domain name, but you’ll likely need more powerful (and more expensive) hosting options like VPS or cloud hosting to handle Django’s requirements.

I’ve found that this can be a significant difference in ongoing expenses compared to basic WordPress hosting. Expect to pay $50-200+ per month for suitable hosting.

The most significant cost difference, however, typically comes from development. Django CMS almost always requires a developer for setup, customization, theme creation, and maintenance.

 I’ve seen projects range from a few thousand dollars for a basic setup to tens of thousands for complex, custom-built applications. While you’ll save on premium themes and plugins (Django customization is done through code), developer fees are a substantial part of your budget.

For example, a simple Django CMS website could cost $3,000-$8,000 in initial development costs, while a complex web application could easily exceed $20,000.

🏅 Winner for Affordability: WordPress (Usually)

WordPress is more affordable for most users, especially those starting with a smaller budget. I’ve helped a lot of different people launch websites on a tight budget using WordPress. The lower hosting costs and free themes and plugins make it a great choice for getting started.

However, for some complex custom projects, Django might be a better long-term investment, despite the higher upfront development costs.

The Verdict: Choosing the Right CMS for Your Needs

For most users, especially those who prefer not to work with code, WordPress is the clear winner. Launching websites with WordPress is easy, even for people with limited technical skills. It’s quick to set up, easy to use, and incredibly versatile thanks to the massive library of themes and plugins.

If you want a user-friendly way to create and manage content, WordPress is hard to beat. It’s like having a trusty toolbox filled with all the tools you need to build just about anything.

However, if you’re tackling a complex project that demands serious customization, high scalability, and robust security right out of the box, then Django CMS might be a better choice.

To help you make the right decision, here’s a table summarizing the typical users and primary use cases each platform is designed for:

I always recommend carefully considering your priorities, technical skills, and budget before making a decision.

FAQs About WordPress vs. Django CMS

Now that you have read our comparison of WordPress vs. Django CMS, you may still have some questions. Here are some brief answers to frequently asked questions.

Is WordPress or Django easier for beginners?

WordPress is much easier to use for beginners and users without coding experience. It has a user-friendly interface, one-click installation, and a large library of themes and plugins. This makes it quick to set up and manage content.

Is Django CMS good?

Yes, Django CMS is considered a good content management system. It’s a strong choice for complex projects where a standard, off-the-shelf content management system (CMS) might be too limiting. However, most users will find WordPress a better choice for their blog or website.

Which is better for content, WordPress or Django CMS?

I prefer WordPress for content-focused websites. Its core design and editor are built for usability, and extending content types is simple using themes and plugins.

Django CMS provides an editing interface, but setup and customization require coding expertise.

Do I need coding skills to use WordPress or Django?

You can build functional websites with WordPress without coding skills, thanks to its user-friendly dashboard and extensive plugin ecosystem. However, you can choose to hire a developer if you need extensive customization.

Django, on the other hand, fundamentally requires coding skills for development, setup, and customization.

Is WordPress or Django more customizable?

WordPress provides extensive customization for non-developers through themes for appearance changes and plugins for adding features. Django offers customization at the code level due to its nature as a framework.

Which platform is more secure, WordPress or Django?

Django CMS is often considered to have a stronger built-in security foundation. However, if you keep its core, themes, and plugins up to date, then WordPress can also be very secure, especially when you use a reputable security plugin.

Is WordPress faster than Django?

Django CMS is designed for speed and has a performance advantage, particularly for complex and high-traffic websites. However, if you spend time optimizing WordPress, its performance can also be excellent.

Which is more affordable, WordPress or Django?

WordPress can be a more affordable option for getting started, especially for basic websites. There are many free themes and plugins, and basic hosting can be inexpensive. However, costs for premium themes, plugins, and development help can add up.

Django projects typically require developer involvement from the start, which can lead to higher upfront costs. But for complex projects, this can be a worthwhile investment for long-term scalability and maintainability.

Are there a lot of resources for Django?

WordPress has a much larger community and more resources, including documentation, tutorials, and available developers.

Django CMS has a smaller but active and developer-focused community. There are resources, but nowhere near as many as for WordPress.

When should I choose WordPress vs. Django CMS?

I recommend choosing WordPress if you need a user-friendly CMS for blogs, small business websites, or content-focused sites where ease of use is important.

You may want to opt for Django CMS if you are building complex websites, web applications with content management needs, or projects requiring high levels of customization, scalability, and security.

Bonus Resources: Website Building & Content Management

I hope this tutorial helped you compare WordPress vs. Django and their pros and cons.

You may also want to see some other helpful resources we have at WPBeginner:

• Best and Most Popular CMS Platforms (Compared)
• How to Choose the Best Website Builder
• How to Make a WordPress Website (Ultimate Guide)
• How to Start a WordPress Blog (Beginner’s Guide)
• How to Start an Online Store (Step by Step for Beginners)
• Popular Sites Using WordPress as a CMS
• How to Choose the Best WordPress Hosting (Compared)
• How to Install a WordPress Plugin – Step by Step for Beginners

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post WordPress vs. Django CMS: Which Is Better for Your Website? first appeared on WPBeginner.

When I first started building websites, I thought about using Drupal. It’s a strong platform, but it was too complicated and hard to learn, especially for beginners.

That’s why I chose WordPress instead. It’s powerful, easy to use, and now, it’s what I use for all my websites.

Over the years, I’ve helped many business owners and developers switch from Drupal to WordPress. I know it can feel overwhelming to move your whole website without losing content or breaking anything.

That’s why I created this simple guide to help you migrate from Drupal to WordPress safely and easily. It walks you through each step, using methods I’ve tested and improved with others who have made the same switch.

Whether your website is small or large, I’m here to help you make the change as smoothly as possible. Let’s get started together!

Why Migrate From Drupal to WordPress?

Drupal and WordPress may look similar. But in practice, these website builders are very different.

I’ve found that Drupal, while incredibly capable, can sometimes feel complex and overpowered.

Simple content updates start taking longer than they should. Finding the right developer to make tweaks isn’t always easy or cheap. And honestly, the backend can feel overwhelming sometimes.

In my experience, WordPress is much more user-friendly, which is why I always recommend it to people looking to make a website.

Think of it as your favorite everyday tool that’s easy to pick up and intuitive to use. It makes many tasks very easy to do, like writing and publishing a new blog post, adding an image to a page, or installing a simple contact form.

Drupal, on the other hand, is more like a highly specialized toolkit. It is precise and powerful, but it can feel like overkill for your daily needs. It can be difficult to do something that’s simple in WordPress, like setting up a custom page layout.

See my comparison of Drupal vs. WordPress for more details.

Step 1. Back Up Your Drupal Website and Link Structure

Before you start migrating your Drupal site, you need to create a safe copy of everything.

It’s also a great idea to back up the link structure of your website. You’ll use this information later to make sure you don’t lose your search engine rankings.

Backing Up Your Drupal Website Using a Module

You can back up your Drupal website easily using a module, or more advanced users can do it manually (see below).

The Backup and Migrate module makes backing up a Drupal website pretty straightforward.

Just visit Administration » Extend and you will find the module in the ‘Other’ section. Simply click the checkbox next to the module and then click the ‘Install’ button at the bottom of the page.

Once the module is installed, you’ll find it in your Drupal admin menu. It allows you to create backups of your database, files, or both. For a full site backup, you’ll want to back up everything.

Backing Up Your Drupal Website Manually

Alternatively, if you’re comfortable with the technical side of things, then you can also back up your Drupal site manually.

First, you’ll need to back up your website files using your hosting provider’s file manager or FTP software.

When the file manager opens, click on the public_html folder in the left menu and then select your website’s folder in the left pane. You need to right-click on that folder and create the ‘Compress’ option from the menu.

When asked for a compression type, you should select the ‘Zip Archive’ option. After your website has been compressed, you can close the confirmation message.

Next, you need to find the compressed zip file in the public_html folder. Right-click the file and select the ‘Download’ option. Make sure you store this backup file in a secure location.

Next, you’ll need to back up your database using phpMyAdmin. You will find this useful tool in the account dashboard of most reputable hosting providers.

For example, on Bluehost, you will find it by clicking on the Hosting tab and then scrolling down the page.

Clicking the phpMyAdmin button will launch the application in a new browser tab.

From here, click to select your Drupal database from the left column and then click on the ‘Export’ button at the top.

When you are asked to select the export method, you should select ‘Custom’. It will show you all of the database tables in your Drupal website.

To create a full backup, make sure all of the tables are selected.

You now need to scroll down to the ‘Output’ section and select the ‘Save output to a file’ option.

For compression, select the ‘zipped’ option.

Finally, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the ‘Go’ button.

The compressed database file will be saved to your computer, and you can store it safely, along with the file backup you created earlier.

Backing Up Your Link Structure

Next, you need to back up your link structure. This is important for SEO and making sure that people can find your content online.

You need to make a list of all your current Drupal URLs so that you can set up redirects later in WordPress. This way, if someone clicks an old link to your Drupal website, then they’ll be automatically sent to the right page on your new WordPress site.

I like to use a Chrome extension called Link Klipper. It’s free, easy to use, and can quickly save all the links from a website. You can easily install it in your browser using the link above.

Next, you need to visit your Drupal website’s homepage in your Chrome browser. Once there, just click the Link Klipper icon in your browser toolbar and choose the option that says ‘Extract All Links’.

Link Klipper will do its thing and grab all the links from your homepage and the pages it can find linked from there. It will download these links as a comma-separated values (CSV) file.

When you open that CSV file in Excel or Google Sheets, you’ll see a complete list of your Drupal URLs. Make sure you save this file somewhere safe because you’ll need it later.

Step 2. Installing and Setting Up WordPress

The requirements for both Drupal and self-hosted WordPress are quite similar. You’ll need a domain name and a WordPress hosting account to start with WordPress.

If you already have a domain name and website hosting account for your Drupal website, then you can use them for your WordPress website as well.

Alternatively, if you want to move to a different hosting provider, then I recommend using Bluehost, which is one of the top hosting companies recommended by WordPress. They offer WordPress hosting and a free domain name for just $1.99 a month.

For this guide, I’ll use screenshots from Bluehost to give you a visual example of the process.

You need to navigate to the Bluehost website and click the green ‘Get Started Now’ button.

You’ll then land on their pricing page, which shows you different hosting plans. Their ‘Basic’ plan is perfect for most websites.

Pick a plan that suits you by clicking the ‘Select’ button under it.

Next, you’ll be asked about the domain name you want to use. This is your website’s address, like www.yourwebsite.com.

You need to select ‘I’ll create my domain name later.’ This gives you time to migrate everything before pointing your domain to WordPress.

After the domain step, you’ll need to fill in your account details (name, address, and so on) and your payment information to complete the purchase.

Bluehost will then send you a confirmation email with your login details. Keep this email safe! You’ll need those details to log in to your hosting account dashboard.

When you log in to your Bluehost account for the first time, they install WordPress automatically for you.

Now, just look for the ‘Edit Site’ button in your hosting dashboard and click it. That will take you straight to your WordPress admin area, where you can manage your new website.

And that’s it. You’ve now successfully installed WordPress.

Step 3. Importing Your Drupal Content

To make the migration process as smooth as possible, I’ll show you how to use a free WordPress plugin called FG Drupal to WordPress. It automates a lot of the heavy lifting involved in moving content between these two platforms.

First, you need to install and activate the plugin. For more details, see my step-by-step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

You’ll then find the importer tool under Tools » Import in your WordPress dashboard menu. You’ll see a list of different import options. Look for ‘Drupal’ in the list and click the ‘Run Importer’ link.

This will launch the FG Drupal to WordPress importer. Now, you’ll need to give the importer some information about your Drupal website so it can connect and grab your content.

The first thing it will ask for is your Drupal website URL.

Next, it needs your Drupal database details to get all your posts, pages, and other content. You’ll need to provide:

• ⛁ Database Host: This is usually localhost if your Drupal and WordPress sites are on the same server. If not, you’ll need to get this from your Drupal hosting provider.
• ⛁ Database Name: The name of your Drupal database.
• ⛁ Database User: The username used to access your Drupal database.
• ⛁ Database Password: The password for that database user.
• ⛁ Table prefix: Drupal uses table prefixes to keep things organized in the database. You’ll need to enter your Drupal table prefix here. It’s often something like drupal_.

You may have written this information down when you first set up your Drupal website. Otherwise, advanced users can use FTP to find the details in your Drupal settings.php file. Or simply contact your Drupal hosting provider and ask for assistance.

Once you’ve entered all the database details, click the ‘Test database connection’ button in the importer. If everything is correct, then you should see a ‘Connection successful’ message.

Below the connection settings, you’ll see some additional options in the importer. These let you control what gets imported, like featured images, content images, and other things.

Just leave the default settings as they are for your first import.

When you’re ready, you can start the import by clicking the big ‘Start / Resume the Import’ button. The importer will start fetching your content from your Drupal website and bringing it into WordPress. It will also import your images, blog comments, and more.

The time it takes depends on the amount of content you have. Once the import is finished, you should see a success message.

The FG Drupal to WordPress plugin can also help you fix internal links.

Sometimes, after a migration, links within your content might still be pointing to your old Drupal site structure. The plugin can try to update these to point to your new WordPress site.

Scroll down to the bottom of the importer page and click the ‘Modify internal links’ button.

Step 4. Pointing Your Domain Name to Your New WordPress Website

Now that your content is imported into WordPress, you need to make sure people will find your new site when they type in your domain name.

If you already have a domain name for your Drupal website (like yourwebsite.com), then you want to keep using that same domain for WordPress. You need to adjust your nameservers to point to your new WordPress site.

Your new WordPress hosting provider, like Bluehost, Hostinger, or SiteGround, will give you the nameserver information you need.

It usually looks like a pair of addresses, something like:

ns1.your-wordpress-hosting.com
ns2.your-wordpress-hosting.com

You change these settings with your domain name registrar, the company where you originally registered your domain name.

Sometimes, your domain registrar might be the same company as your hosting provider. But often, they’re separate. Common domain registrars include companies like Network Solutions and Namecheap.

You need to log in to your account at your domain registrar’s website. Once you’re logged in, find the settings for your domain name. Look for something like ‘DNS Settings’, ‘Nameservers’, ‘Domain Management’, or ‘Manage DNS’.

For example, here is the screen you will see on Bluehost.

You’ll find step-by-step instructions for many popular domain registrars in my guide on how to easily change domain nameservers.

Once you’ve updated your nameservers, it takes a little while for these changes to spread across the internet. This is called DNS propagation.

DNS propagation can take anywhere from a few hours to, in some cases, up to 24-48 hours. During this time, some people might still see your old Drupal website, while others might start seeing your new WordPress site.

Step 5. Setting Up Permalinks and Redirects

Your old Drupal site had its own way of structuring URLs. WordPress does things a bit differently with permalinks.

Because the URLs for each post will be different, anyone who has a link to your old Drupal content will end up seeing a frustrating ‘404 Page Not Found’ error on your new WordPress site.

To prevent broken links, you have to set up SEO-friendly permalinks in WordPress and redirect your visitors from your old Drupal URLs to the right pages on your new WordPress site.

Setting Up WordPress Permalinks

WordPress gives you a few different options for how your website addresses (URLs) are structured. These are called permalinks.

The ‘Post name’ setting is a popular choice. It creates nice, clean URLs that usually include the title of your page or blog post. This structure can be helpful for both visitors and search engines because it makes the URL easy to read and gives a clear idea of what the page is about.

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Settings » Permalinks. You’ll see a section called ‘Common Settings’. Find the option labeled ‘Post name’ and click the radio button next to it to select it.

Then, just scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the ‘Save Changes’ button. Done!

Setting Up Redirects from Your Old Drupal URLs

Now you need to set up redirects to make sure your old Drupal links still work. To do this, you will need that list of old Drupal URLs you grabbed using Link Klipper in Step 1.

To set up redirects easily in WordPress, you need to install and activate a plugin called Redirection. It’s free and it makes managing redirects a breeze. If you need help, see my guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Once activated, you’ll find the Redirection plugin settings under Tools » Redirection in your WordPress menu.

In the Redirection plugin interface, you’ll see fields for Source URL and Target URL:

• Source URL is where you enter your old Drupal website URL – the one you want to redirect from. Just include the part after the domain name, like /my-old-page.
• Target URL is where you enter the new WordPress URL for the same page. Again, just include the part after the domain name, like /my-new-page.

Make sure the ‘301 – Moved Permanently’ option is selected for the ‘Match’ type (it’s usually the default). This tells search engines that the page has permanently moved to a new location, which is important for SEO.

Finally, click the ‘Add Redirect’ button to save the redirect.

Now, you’ll need to go through your list of old Drupal URLs and repeat these steps for each URL you want to redirect. It can be a bit repetitive if you have a lot of pages, but it’s worth the effort to avoid broken links and keep your SEO intact.

For detailed instructions, see my guide on how to set up redirects in WordPress.

Alternative: Using AIOSEO for Redirects

If you’re already using the All in One SEO (AIOSEO) plugin, or if you’re planning to use it to improve your website’s SEO, then it also has a redirection manager built in.

It’s a powerful WordPress SEO plugin that lets you easily set up full site redirects, plus it offers many other features to help your website rank higher in search results.

For example, its 404 error tracking can easily catch broken links, and you can add schema markup, custom breadcrumbs, local SEO modules, and much more.

Step 6. Setting Up Your WordPress Theme

To make your WordPress website look amazing, you need to choose and install a theme. These are ready-made design templates for your site that control its appearance, including the colors, fonts, layout of your pages, and how your blog posts are displayed.

There are plenty of free themes and premium themes available for every possible niche and industry you can imagine.

In my experience, clean and simple designs tend to work best for most websites. They look more professional, they’re easier for visitors to navigate, and most importantly, they put the focus where it should be: on your content.

To help you narrow things down, I put together a guide on selecting the perfect WordPress theme. It walks you through the key things to consider and helps you avoid some common traps.

Then, you can follow my step-by-step guide on how to install a WordPress theme.

Alternatively, you can easily create a custom WordPress theme using drag-and-drop with the SeedProd website builder plugin. This is a great option if you want to perfectly match your old site’s look without writing code, giving you full control over the design.

Of course, if you prefer, you can always hire professionals to design and code a completely custom WordPress website for you.

Step 7. Install Essential WordPress Plugins

WordPress plugins are easier to install than Drupal modules. Thousands are available, both free and paid. So, I created a guide on how to pick the best plugins for your website.

But first, let me introduce you to some must-have plugins that I recommend for pretty much every new WordPress site:

• WPForms lets you create all sorts of WordPress forms – contact forms, surveys, order forms, and more. I use it on my own websites to allow readers to contact me and gather their feedback.
• SeedProd is a powerful drag-and-drop website builder. It lets you easily customize your WordPress design, create unique page layouts, or even build a complete custom theme.
• AIOSEO (All in One SEO) helps you optimize your blog for better search engine rankings. It’s the most powerful SEO plugin for WordPress.
• MonsterInsights connects to Google Analytics and makes it easy to understand your traffic and visitor behavior right inside your WordPress dashboard.
• OptinMonster helps you create popups, slide-in forms, and other opt-in forms to grow your email list and boost conversions.

You’ll find more ideas in my list of essential WordPress plugins. It’s packed with plugins I use and trust.

Alternative: Get Professional Help to Migrate Your Drupal Website

While many of you will be able to follow this guide to migrate from Drupal to WordPress, it’s still a pretty technical project. Maybe you’re not very techy or are simply too busy to do it yourself.

If that sounds like you, then our WPBeginner professional services team can lend a hand. We’ve helped tons of people with their WordPress websites, and we can help you too.

Here are a couple of ways we can make your Drupal to WordPress migration easier:

• Premium WordPress Support Services: Reach out to our team anytime you get stuck, have questions, or just want some personalized help with your migration. We can guide you through specific steps, troubleshoot issues, or even take over certain tasks for you.
• Quick Site Launch Service: Want a completely fresh start with a brand new, custom WordPress website? Our Quick Site Launch service team can design and build a website from the ground up. And we can handle the whole content migration from Drupal.

If you’re curious to learn more about these services or if you just have some questions about migration in general, then we’re here to chat! You can easily get in touch with our support team on our Website Design Services page.

Bonus: Learning WordPress

Now that you have a new WordPress website, you’ll want to learn more. Luckily, we have lots of free resources to help you quickly become a WordPress pro:

• The WPBeginner Blog is the heart of WPBeginner. It’s a WordPress learning library packed with thousands of easy-to-follow tutorials, guides, and how-to articles.
• The WPBeginner Dictionary helps you understand all the WordPress terms and jargon, like a WordPress translator.
• WPBeginner Videos walk you through common WordPress tasks step-by-step, visually, from basic to more advanced techniques.
• Our WPBeginner YouTube Channel is packed with WordPress tips, tutorials, and how-tos to help you stay up-to-date with the latest WordPress goodness.
• The WPBeginner Blueprint gives you a peek behind the scenes and shows you our recommended WordPress setup.
• WPBeginner Deals offer exclusive discounts and coupons on WordPress themes, plugins, hosting, and more.

I hope this tutorial helped you move your site from Drupal to WordPress. You may also want to see our ultimate WordPress SEO migration checklist for beginners or our expert pick of the best WordPress migration services.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How to Migrate From Drupal to WordPress (Step by Step) first appeared on WPBeginner.

From a plugin built for a local baseball team to one of the most trusted tools in the WordPress ecosystem, TablePress is a story of steady growth, community focus, and user-first development.

Its creator, Tobias Bäthge, didn’t start as a software engineer. He studied control engineering and stumbled into plugin development while helping his sports team with their website. What began as a side project has grown into a full-time business now used by over 700,000 websites worldwide.

In our interview, Tobias shared lessons from nearly two decades of plugin development—why steady support, thoughtful features, and doing less (but better) lead to long-term success.

“The most important thing right now isn’t actually coding—it’s finding a product idea and bringing it to the people.”

Tobias Bäthge – Creator of TablePress

Keep reading to learn how Tobias turned a free plugin into a thriving business, without losing sight of the people who use it every day.

Video Interview with Tobias Bäthge

If you’d like to watch the complete video interview with Tobias, then you can check it out here:

Or you can use the links below to see what we covered in the interview (and more):

🙋 Meet Tobias Bäthge: From Baseball Fan to Plugin Creator

Tobias Bäthge didn’t plan on becoming a WordPress developer. He was studying control engineering at university when he joined a local baseball team and offered to help with their website.

They needed a way to publish schedules, stats, and player info, but there weren’t any suitable plugins available.

“In baseball, what do you need tables for? Schedules, rosters, statistics… the plugin I found didn’t have all the features I was looking for.”

Tobias Bäthge

This kind of origin story—solving a personal need without a bigger plan—is one we see often at WPBeginner. It’s how many of the most useful WordPress plugins get their start.

Tobias found that WordPress was easy to use, but it didn’t have a good solution for managing tables. So he took matters into his own hands.

That plugin became WP-Table Reloaded, and it quickly found an audience beyond the baseball field. Other WordPress users started installing it, offering feedback, and asking for new features.

What started as a personal project turned into something much bigger, used by thousands of people who needed a better way to manage tables in WordPress.

It’s a pattern we’ve seen across many successful WordPress plugins: start small, stay useful, and let real-world use guide your growth.

📈 From WP-Table Reloaded to TablePress: Building for Real Users

As more people started using WP-Table Reloaded, Tobias found himself spending more time in the WordPress forums answering questions, fixing bugs, and helping users get the most out of the plugin.

When users take the time to give feedback, it’s a sign they believe in your plugin’s potential. Tobias recognized this early and made sure to be attentive to his users.

“I think people valued that they received fast and prompt support… I think that’s really one key element that people realized: if they get stuck, they can always approach me.”

Tobias Bäthge

In fact, Tobias has posted over 50,000 times in support forums.

That level of commitment built his plugin’s reputation as a trustworthy, well-supported tool.

He also made a conscious decision to keep the plugin focused. Instead of adding every feature request, he used his own needs as a filter and carefully weighed the long-term impact of each change.

“I always tried only doing things that I thought I would need myself… because if you add something, you can’t really remove it later.”

Tobias Bäthge

Around the same time, he also started digging through the code of other popular plugins, studying how they used WordPress APIs and structured their files.

At WPBeginner, we often recommend this kind of hands-on exploration. For many developers, real-world examples are the fastest way to level up.

By 2011, Tobias realized that WP-Table Reloaded needed a fresh start. The original codebase had grown too limiting, and some of the early design decisions were holding the plugin back. So he started over—and TablePress was born.

“I realized it’s hard with the current technical setup of the plugin… if I start fresh, I can set up a better foundation.

Tobias also made sure the transition from WP-Table Reloaded was seamless, building automatic import tools to prevent users from losing any data.

The result? TablePress kept the clean, user-friendly experience people loved while becoming far easier to maintain, extend, and support. That’s why we still believe it’s one of the best WordPress table plugins on the market.

🚀 Going Full-Time With TablePress: Business, Balance, and Motivation

For years, TablePress was something Tobias worked on in his free time. But in 2022, he made a major decision: to leave his job as a research assistant at a university and focus on TablePress full-time.

It wasn’t easy, especially without a business background or entrepreneurial role models to follow. “I didn’t have a role model. Everybody around me had jobs, no one was self-employed. So I had a lot of respect for the business side,” he said.

The transition meant learning everything from tax laws to payment systems, on top of building new premium features and maintaining the free version. But it also required something deeper: learning to say no.

“Learning to say no is what helped me to start doing TablePress as a profession.”

Tobias Bäthge

That meant saying no to a steady job, no to distractions, and even no to certain feature requests, so that he could build something sustainable on his own terms.

One of the biggest rewards? The freedom to design his day around what really matters.

“I actually take the freedom of taking my kids to kindergarten first in the morning. It gives me energy.”

That balance is also what keeps him motivated, along with the opportunity to keep learning as WordPress evolves.

“What keeps the motivation high is I can learn while working.”

Tobias Bäthge

For Tobias, going full-time wasn’t about going fast. It was about focusing on what matters, building sustainably, and staying connected to the community that helped him get started.

💡 Real Talk: Advice for Aspiring WordPress Plugin Developers

Tobias didn’t build a successful plugin overnight. TablePress grew slowly, through consistent improvements, user feedback, and a strong foundation of trust. That’s also where he thinks every plugin developer should start.

“In the very beginning, providing fast, helpful support can go a long way.”

In Tobias’s case, those early interactions built momentum. Answering questions, fixing bugs, and simply being available created word-of-mouth buzz and trust, long before making money came into play.

We’ve seen time and again: strong support is often a plugin’s best marketing.

But support isn’t the only piece of the puzzle. Tobias recommends starting with a real need—ideally, one you have yourself.

That way, you’re solving a problem you understand deeply, rather than guessing at what users might want.

“You have to kind of do the research first… you need something that separates you from existing solutions.”

Tobias Bäthge

He also sees the freemium model as one of the best ways to build and validate a plugin business, but cautions that it requires careful balance.

“The free version has to provide value on its own… but you can’t give away too many features or people won’t upgrade.”

For Tobias, it’s not about building something flashy. It’s about staying grounded, solving real problems, and doing it in a way that users genuinely appreciate.

💥 Related Post: Looking for more inspirational content? Check out our interview with Ionut Neagu, the founder of Themeisle.

🧠 Staying Focused and Productive as a Solo Founder

With over 700,000 active installs and no full-time team, TablePress is a solo operation at scale. That means Tobias has to be extra intentional with his time, tools, and energy.

One of the first lessons? Learning to say no, not just to feature requests, but to himself.

“Learning to say no—to yourself and to others—is key to setting priorities.”

Tobias Bäthge

Tobias breaks up his day into blocks of time focused on different areas of the business, including support, development, marketing, and documentation. That helps him avoid context-switching and make real progress without burning out.

Another key to his workflow is automation. Over the years, Tobias has built systems that handle everything from plugin releases to syntax checks to version testing. This has freed up time for more important work.

Many solo developers in our community tell us the same thing: automating routine tasks is the only way to scale sustainably.

“Those tasks should be automated… they just work in the background and free you from so much stress.”

Tobias Bäthge

He remembers when pushing a new version of the plugin was a stressful, manual process, and how that stress sometimes delayed releases by weeks.

“Now I have the testing set up in the background… I can much quicker and easier say, okay, new plugin release, click, boom.”

It’s a reminder that good systems don’t just make you more efficient. They make you more confident, too.

🔮 Looking Ahead: TablePress and the Future of WordPress

Tobias is optimistic about where WordPress is going, especially with the ongoing evolution of the block editor and a shift toward more interactive, browser-based experiences.

“There’s a major change happening in the editing experience—it’s an entirely new programming paradigm.”

Tobias Bäthge

That change presents new opportunities for TablePress, from improved interfaces to richer interactions inside WordPress itself. And for Tobias, it also brings new motivation.

But he’s also cautious not to change things just to get people’s attention. In fact, one of the most important lessons he’s learned is how overwhelming updates can be for less technical users.

To get his point across, he shared a relatable anecdote from his own life. He talked about seeing his grandparents, who are in their late 80s, navigate new technology. Tobias, the careful observer, notices when they struggle with updates on their smartphones.

When things move or change unexpectedly, it’s easy for users to feel lost. That has shaped his design philosophy.

“Ironing out wrinkles and making things easier to use is sometimes more appreciated than a big new feature.”

Tobias Bäthge

As WordPress continues to grow and change, Tobias is focused on keeping TablePress intuitive, consistent, and reliable for beginners and advanced users alike.

💭 Final Thoughts

Tobias Bäthge didn’t set out to build a business, but he did set out to build something useful.

Nearly two decades later, TablePress stands as a model of focused development, user-first design, and long-term sustainability in the WordPress ecosystem.

His story is a reminder that you don’t need to move fast or make a lot of noise to be successful. Instead, consistency, clarity, and community support can take you a long way.

For Tobias, what matters most is building something reliable—something that solves a real problem and keeps working over time. That means saying no to change for change’s sake and putting user experience first.

“Sometimes too much change is too much… especially for less technical users.”

Tobias Bäthge

Whether you’re building your first plugin or trying to turn your side project into a full-time venture, Tobias’s journey is proof that thoughtful, steady progress can still help you win.

📚 Bonus: Expert Resources for WordPress Plugin Developers

Want to follow in Tobias’s footsteps and build your own successful plugin? Here are some helpful WPBeginner resources that can help you out:

• How to Learn WordPress for Free (Step by Step)
• Best WordPress Developer Job Sites
• How to Submit Your Plugin to the WordPress Plugin Directory
• How to Track Plugin Engagement With Analytics
• WordPress SEO Tips for Plugin Pages
• WordPress Career Options – How to Make a Living With WordPress

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post From Side Project to 700K+ Active WordPress Installs: Tobias Bäthge on the Organic Growth of TablePress first appeared on WPBeginner.

You’ve spent hours perfecting your WordPress website. The design looks great, your content is solid, and your products or services are top-notch. But something’s wrong. Visitors aren’t staying long, and you’re not getting the results you expected.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many small business owners face this exact problem. The issue often isn’t what’s on your site—it’s how people experience it.

Poor user experience is a silent business killer. When your site is slow, confusing, or hard to navigate, potential customers leave before giving you a chance. They head straight to your competitors who offer a smoother online experience.

The good news? You don’t need to be a tech expert or hire expensive developers to fix this. Simple, strategic improvements can transform how visitors interact with your WordPress site.

In this guide, I’ll share 13 practical tips that consistently improve user experience on WordPress websites. These simple changes can dramatically boost your conversions and keep visitors coming back for more.

Why User Experience Matters for Your WordPress Site

User experience (UX) is about how easy and enjoyable it is for visitors to use your WordPress website. This applies whether they’re reading your blog, exploring your services, or making a purchase.

Think about what happens when customers walk into a well-organized store. 🛒

If everything’s easy to find and the checkout is quick, people are more likely to stay longer, browse, and buy.

The same applies to other websites: a clear navigation menu, fast load times, and a clean design keep visitors engaged.

But if your site is confusing, slow to load, or crowded with too many elements, many users will get frustrated and leave. And most won’t come back. In fact, even a one-second delay in page speed can cause conversions to drop by 7%.

That’s why good UX isn’t optional — it’s essential. The right design choices make your site easier to use and help guide visitors toward taking action, whether that’s subscribing to your email newsletter or making a purchase.

And the best part? Many of these improvements are easy to set up, even if you’re not a developer. I’ll walk you through the most effective tips in the sections below.

Here’s a quick overview of all the tips I’ll cover in this guide:

Ready? Let’s get started.

Tip #1: Understand Your Users

Before you can improve your WordPress site’s user experience, you need to know who you’re designing for. A great way to start is by creating simple user personas, which are fictional profiles that represent your typical visitors.

For example, if you’re running a WordPress blog targeting busy parents, one of your personas could be a working mom. She’s looking for time-saving tips, easy-to-follow guides, and parenting hacks to manage her busy life. Let’s call her ‘Sarah

Having user personas in mind helps you tailor your website’s features and content to better serve your audience. To create one, I recommend trying the free HubSpot Make My Persona tool.

Once you understand who your users are, it becomes easier to make design and content choices that actually help them.

It’s even more important to get direct feedback from your visitors if your site is already up and running. In my experience, even a simple feedback survey can uncover valuable insights about your site’s navigation, design, or content.

You can gather instant feedback using tools like UserFeedback. UserFeedback is the best choice if you want to conduct surveys among first-time site visitors. For example, you can create a feedback form asking your first-time visitors what’s working (or what isn’t) on your site.

You might also ask user experience feedback questions like, “Was this page helpful?” or “What information were you hoping to find?” This way, you collect direct, actionable feedback.

If you want to create surveys and polls to gather feedback from existing customers, then use a tool like WPForms. For instance, you could run a quick poll asking which new website features your users would like to see next.

The more you learn about your audience, the better your UX decisions will be — and the more likely your visitors will be to stick around, explore, and take action.

For more details, we have a full guide on how to choose a target audience.

Tip #2: Do a UX Audit

A UX audit is basically a deep dive into your website from a visitor’s point of view. It helps you spot anything that might be confusing, so you can fix it as soon as possible.

One of the first things you’ll want to do is test your site for usability issues. This means checking how easily someone can navigate your site, find what they need, or complete an action.

Even minor issues, like a misplaced or hidden button, can negatively impact the user experience.

I always recommend walking through important steps on your site, like submitting a contact form or making a purchase, just like a first-time visitor would.

Take note of any steps that feel confusing, slow, or frustrating — these are your pain points and bottlenecks to address.

It’s also a good idea to track the time it takes to go from finding a feature to completing the desired action. This way, you know exactly how much time a user typically takes to convert or complete a specific action.

For a full walkthrough, be sure to check out our expert tips for how to do a UX audit in WordPress.

Tip #3: Use Analytics to Guide UX Improvements

User experience isn’t just about design — it’s also about understanding how people actually use your site. By looking at data, you can make smart decisions to improve your website’s usability and get better results.

A great way to see how visitors interact with your pages is by using heatmaps and session recordings. Tools like UserFeedback and Microsoft Clarity can be very helpful here.

Heatmaps show you a visual map of where users click, move their mouse, and how far they scroll on your pages. Session recordings let you watch replays of actual user visits.

This is super useful for spotting areas where people might be getting confused, what they’re paying attention to, or what parts of your layout they might be ignoring.

For example, you might see that users are trying to click on something that isn’t a link, or that they’re not scrolling down to see an important call to action. This kind of direct insight helps you make specific changes to improve your design and guide users better.

This is especially helpful for improving navigation paths or identifying parts of your layout that are being ignored. For more information on this topic, read our guide on how to set up heatmaps in WordPress.

While heatmaps show you what’s happening on individual pages, you’ll also want to understand bigger trends across your entire website. This is where website analytics tools like Google Analytics can help.

Google Analytics is powerful, but it can be a bit technical for beginners, especially with newer versions like GA4. That’s why I often recommend using a plugin like MonsterInsights.

MonsterInsights makes it easy to see your Google Analytics data right in your WordPress dashboard. It simplifies the complex reports and helps you focus on information that can improve your site’s performance.

Our team uses it every day to continuously improve user experience, and it’s been very helpful. For more insights into its features, see our full MonsterInsights review.

With MonsterInsights, you can follow important trends like:

• User Engagement: This shows how much visitors interact with your content, including how long they stay or if they visit multiple pages. High engagement usually means your content is helpful and easy to use.
• Top Performing Content: See which pages and posts are most popular. This helps you understand what your audience likes so you can create more of it.
• Audience Insights: Learn about your visitors, like their location or the devices they use (desktop, mobile). This can help you tailor your site to their needs.
• Behavior Flow: Understand the paths users take through your site and where they might drop off. This helps you find and fix issues in your site’s navigation or content that might be causing users to leave.

These insights, which are accessible on the MonsterInsights Reports page, help you spot what’s working and what needs improvement for a better user experience.

For more information, see our guide on WordPress conversion tracking.

Tip #4: Make Your Site Mobile-Friendly

With more and more people browsing the web on their smartphones, making your website mobile-friendly is essential.

A site that’s hard to use on a small screen can frustrate visitors and cause them to leave. Plus, Google often prioritizes mobile-friendly sites in search results, so it’s important for your SEO, too.

A good starting point is to use a responsive WordPress theme, as these automatically adjust your site’s layout for different screen sizes.

I also recommend paying attention to your buttons and other clickable elements.

On mobile, these need to be large enough for users to tap easily with their fingers, without accidentally hitting something else nearby. This helps prevent frustration and makes your site much easier to navigate on the go.

Next, think about how your text appears on smaller screens. It’s important that your content is readable without users needing to pinch and zoom.

You can do this by choosing clear, legible fonts and ensuring the font size is large enough to read. Good contrast between your text and its background also boosts readability on mobile devices.

Another important feature is your site’s navigation. A menu that works well on a desktop might be too hard to use on mobile devices.

For instance, long or complex menus can overwhelm users on a small screen. It’s often better to use a collapsed menu, sometimes called a “hamburger” menu (an icon with three horizontal lines), or a simplified menu showing only the most essential links for mobile visitors.

Finally, make sure any forms on your site are easy to fill out on a mobile device. This can be a common pain point for users, so it’s a good idea to keep your forms as short as possible.

Using a single-column layout, making form fields large enough to tap into easily, and ensuring labels are clear will make a big difference. This makes it much simpler for users to complete sign-ups, contact forms, or checkouts on their phones.

Testing your site on different mobile devices is always a good idea to catch any usability issues.

The good news is that you can preview the mobile layout of your site from your WordPress content editor.

Some page and theme builders even let you customize the mobile version of your site from the editor.

For more detailed steps, you can check out our guide on how to make your WordPress site mobile-friendly.

Tip #5: Improve Accessibility for All Users

Did you know that websites are considered “places of public accommodation”? That’s why the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows individuals to file complaints if a website fails to meet accessibility standards.

This is a good reason to make sure your site is inclusive for all users, including people with visual, hearing, or motor impairments.

But making your website accessible doesn’t just help people with disabilities. It also improves the user experience for everyone.

One easy accessibility adjustment you can make is adding alt text and titles to your images.

Alt text is a short description of an image that screen readers read aloud. It can help visually impaired users while also giving search engines more context about your visual content for better image SEO.

On the other hand, image titles can appear when users hover over an image, providing additional context. You can add these directly through your WordPress media library.

When it comes to fonts, you’ll want to pick options that are easy to read for everyone. This often means choosing clear, simple font styles.

For example, sans-serif fonts are generally recommended for web content due to their clean appearance.

But simply choosing a good font isn’t enough. You also need to make sure there’s enough contrast between the text and the background color. If the contrast is too low, it can be very difficult for people to read your content.

You can check your color combinations using free online tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker.

Even with the right font and good contrast, some users may still struggle to read the text if it’s too small. One simple way to make your site more accessible is to make sure that your site design allows visitors to resize the text, which many modern web browsers support.

You can also use a WordPress accessibility plugin to add other helpful features. For example, a plugin like WP Accessibility can add “skip links,” which allow users with screen readers to jump directly to the main content, bypassing menus and headers.

All that said, true ADA compliance goes beyond just these basic steps. It involves adhering to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which provide a comprehensive framework for making web content accessible to people with disabilities.

For more in-depth insights, check out our guide on how to improve accessibility on your WordPress site.

Tip #6: Simplify Your Website Navigation and Search

Confusing navigation is one of the fastest ways to lose visitors. But the good news is that you can avoid this with an intuitive navigation menu. You’ll want it to be clear, simple, and easy to follow.

To improve navigation, it helps to walk through a few simple steps.

You can start by creating a logical menu structure. Stick to familiar terms like “Home,” “About,” “Blog,” “Shop,” and “Contact” so users immediately know where to go.

For example, if you’re running a business website where you sell software, your navigation should make it easy for visitors to learn about your products. In this case, key links might include “Features,” “Solutions,” “Pricing,” and “Resources.”

Plus, you may want to group similar content under dropdowns to avoid cluttering the top menu with too many items. Just make sure the dropdowns are easy to use on mobile devices.

A mega menu can be particularly helpful for larger sites. This basically consists of multiple dropdown menus to help organize large amounts of content, products, or information.

For more information, see our guide on how to add a navigation menu in WordPress.

It’s also a good idea to add breadcrumbs, which are small links that show users where they are on your site (like Home > Blog > Article Name).

Breadcrumbs make it easy for visitors to backtrack and are especially helpful for blogs and online stores with lots of content.

Finally, if you want to provide your visitors with the best possible navigation experience, I suggest optimizing your WordPress search.

You’ll want to make sure the search bar is easy to tap and works well on mobile devices.

The default search function isn’t always the most accurate or helpful. So, upgrading it can make a big difference, especially if you have a content-heavy site where users need to quickly find posts, products, or resources.

To do this, I recommend starting by reviewing your site’s search stats. This can show you what visitors are looking for, what they can’t easily find, and whether your current search function is meeting their needs.

From there, you can improve your WordPress search to deliver faster, more accurate results. Learn more about it in our guide on how to improve WordPress search.

Tip #7: Use Clean, Minimalist Design

A cluttered website can overwhelm your visitors and make it hard for them to focus. It can be tempting to overdo your design with fancy features, loud colors, and animations, but it’s not always the best option.

On the other hand, clean design helps guide people’s attention to what really matters — whether that’s your content, products, or call-to-action.

That’s why I strongly recommend using clean, minimalist design principles.

For starters, it’s usually best to stick to a consistent color scheme and limit your font choices to two or three. This keeps things looking polished and makes your content easier to read.

Instead of focusing on the exact fonts or colors used on other sites, aim for consistency and readability across your own pages.

Using plenty of white space also prevents your layout from feeling crowded or cluttered. It not only looks modern but also makes your site feel more organized and professional.

I also recommend keeping each page focused by limiting the number of elements, like popups, banners, and widgets, unless they serve a clear purpose.

Too many distractions can make it hard for visitors to choose what to do next, which often leads to confusion or even higher bounce rates.

In contrast, a clean and minimalist design improves the user experience. This can also increase conversions, generate more leads, and boost engagement.

One of the easiest ways to ensure a good balance of color, fonts, and white space is by using a well-designed theme.

For tips on picking the right theme, check out our guide on selecting the perfect theme for WordPress.

If you already know you want something minimalist and easy to set up, you can take a look at our list of the best simple WordPress themes for a professional, clutter-free design.

Alternatively, you can use a page builder like SeedProd to create custom layouts that give you more control over design elements.

SeedProd lets you drag and drop elements to build landing pages, sales pages, coming soon pages, and even entire WordPress themes — no coding needed.

It’s a flexible option for beginners and non-technical users who want a completely custom look without starting from zero.

To get started building your custom pages, see our expert checklist of key design elements for an effective WordPress website.

Tip #8: Present Content in a User-Friendly Way

When you show your content in an organized and user-friendly way, you’re more likely to get your message across and make it easier for visitors to understand.

To organize your content better, I recommend starting by using clear headings. They are like signposts that guide visitors along your page and help them find what they’re looking for.

You can also use these headings to create a table of contents, like we do on the WPBeginner blog. That way, readers can quickly jump to the parts of a post or page that interest them most.

Many of our posts also start with a brief overview and then break into actionable steps using bullet points. Here’s why that helps with content organization:

• Big blocks of text can overwhelm readers who skim.
• Bullet points highlight key details quickly, while short paragraphs keep content light and digestible.
• Together, they make your posts and pages more engaging, encouraging visitors to stay and interact longer.

Visuals can make a big difference, too. Adding images, videos, or infographics can help illustrate your points and simplify complex ideas.

In our A/B test tutorial, for example, we included a screenshot of our test results. This visual comparison helped readers quickly see which version won and why it was more effective, making the concept of A/B testing more concrete and actionable. (You’ll learn more about A/B testing in Tip #10!)

Additionally, a quick explainer GIF can help keep visitors engaged and make your content more memorable.

Want to boost interaction? I also recommend including interactive polls, sliders, or fun quizzes using WordPress plugins. These small touches can make your content feel more dynamic and invite visitors to actively participate.

Looking for more details on how you can improve the way you present content? Check out our guide on how to write a great blog post and structure it.

Tip #9: Speed Up Your Website

How quickly your website loads plays a big role in user experience. A delay of just one second can cause people to lose interest and leave your site.

That’s why improving your WordPress website’s speed and performance should be a top priority.

To start, you’ll want to use a caching plugin. Caching stores a ready-to-go copy of your site, so it loads much faster for repeat visitors.

Plugins like WP Rocket or WP Super Cache make this super easy to set up in just a few clicks. I use WP Rocket on a lot of different websites, and I’ve found that it drastically improves website loading speeds.

Most caching plugins also let you fine-tune your setup for even better results. For example, enabling mobile caching helps your site load faster on smartphones and tablets.

If your site includes logged-in users — like customers on a WooCommerce store or members of a private membership site — turning on user caching helps pages load faster for them, too.

Finally, enabling lazy loading delays loading images until they appear in the visitor’s viewport. This keeps your initial page load light and fast, especially on media-heavy pages.

Even a few of these settings can noticeably improve your load time and reduce bounce rates, helping users stay longer and engage more with your content.

If you’d like help configuring these features, check out our full guide on how to properly install and set up WP Rocket in WordPress.

Another way to boost your speed is by adding a CDN (Content Delivery Network).

A CDN stores copies of your site’s files on servers around the world, which means users load your site from the server closest to them. This can dramatically cut down load times, especially if you have visitors from different parts of the globe.

If you’re not sure where to start, we have a handy guide on how to set up Cloudflare’s free CDN in WordPress.

It’s also important to compress your images. Large image files are one of the biggest reasons sites slow down.

You can shrink your images without losing quality by using tools like TinyPNG or plugins like EWWW Image Optimizer that automate the process for you.

While you’re at it, consider switching to modern image formats like WebP. These formats offer better compression compared to traditional JPEG or PNG files, so your pages load even faster without sacrificing image quality.

Finally, don’t forget to test your site’s performance regularly. Free tools like GTmetrix or Google PageSpeed Insights can analyze your site and give you specific suggestions to make it even faster.

For more information and tips on improving site speed, refer to our ultimate guide to boosting WordPress performance.

Tip #10: Test Website Changes with A/B Testing

When it comes to improving your site’s user experience, small tweaks can lead to big results. But how do you know what actually works?

That’s where A/B testing comes in.

A/B testing is a method for comparing two versions of a webpage or element (like a button or headline) to see which one performs better.

Here’s how it works: You create two variations (A and B), show them to different groups of visitors, and track which version gets more clicks, conversions, or engagement.

With tools like Thrive Optimize, setting up an A/B test is straightforward. It can automatically measure which version performs better for goals like clicks, signups, or purchases.

You can test things like:

• Headline variations
• Button color or text
• Page layout or section order
• Different images or testimonials

For example, I ran a test in Thrive Optimize where I changed the color of the call-to-action button on a landing page. After editing the variation, I split the traffic between both versions and let the test run.

The process was simple, and the data clearly showed which version performed better. It’s a great way to improve pages based on actual results — not just assumptions.

You might find that a shorter headline keeps users engaged longer, or that placing your CTA higher on the page increases conversions.

Most A/B testing tools will automatically switch to the winning version once enough data is collected, helping you continuously improve your site’s performance.

For details on how to do it, just see our guide on how to do A/B split testing in WordPress.

Tip #11: Be Selective With Your Content

If your posts or pages include too much unnecessary content, it can make it harder for your audience to understand your message.

That’s why it’s always best to keep your content focused and intentional. Every page should have a clear goal, and every section of content should support that goal.

If you’re building a landing page, for example, the layout and copy should guide visitors toward a single action — like signing up for your newsletter or downloading a free resource.

For tips on building landing pages, see our complete guide on increasing your landing page conversions.

When it comes to writing blog posts, the same rule applies. Publishing every idea that comes to mind might fill your site with content, but it won’t always serve your readers.

It’s better to focus on topics that align with your niche and help your audience solve real problems.

To take it a step further, you can group related posts around a main pillar page using a content cluster strategy. This helps improve navigation and build authority in your niche.

We have a full tutorial on how to build content clusters in WordPress, including how to plan them around your areas of expertise.

It also helps to do regular content audits. Over time, some posts stop performing well, either because they’re outdated or because search intent has changed.

This is called content decay. For example, a blog post titled “Top SEO Tips for 2020” might no longer rank well in search results because SEO practices have evolved.

So during your content audits, take time to review older pages and decide: should I keep, update, or delete this content?

A little cleanup goes a long way in keeping visitors engaged and helping them find exactly what they need.

Tip #12: Encourage User Interaction 

When people can actively interact with your pages, they will naturally stay on your site longer.

Creating opportunities for user interaction can make all the difference. It encourages visitors to stick around, share feedback, and even return later.

A great place to start is your comments section. If it feels outdated, clunky, or inactive, people might not bother leaving a reply.

To give it an update, you can add like/dislike buttons. This way, your visitors can engage with the conversation even if they don’t want to post.

Alternatively, you might want to feature a simple user ranking system. For instance, you can pin top comments or award badges to users who consistently leave helpful remarks.

To make these improvements, you can upgrade your comment system using a plugin like Thrive Comments. It helps create a better experience that encourages more interaction and discussion.

For more options, see our pick of the best WordPress comment plugins.

You can also boost engagement by adding polls, quizzes, or quick feedback forms with a plugin like WPForms. These interactive elements encourage participation without requiring a full comment.

If you’re not sure where to start, here’s our guide on how to create an interactive poll in WordPress.

Another great strategy is gamification. This means rewarding visitors for completing certain actions — like leaving a comment, making a purchase, or finishing a quiz. You can offer points, badges, or levels that make your site more fun and encourage users to come back.

These small touches not only increase engagement, but they also boost the amount of time that users spend on your website and help build a stronger community around your content.

Tip #13: Build Community with Live Chat or Chat Rooms

Want to take user interaction to the next level?

Adding live chat or real-time discussion spaces can turn passive readers into active participants, and help build trust faster.

When visitors can ask questions, get instant support, or connect with others in real time, they’re far more likely to stay, return, and engage with your content or product.

This kind of interaction boosts retention and makes your website feel more dynamic and responsive — like a real community instead of just a static page.

If you’re running an eLearning, support-based, or membership site, adding a live chat feature can make a big difference. It allows users to ask questions about course material, get help with platform features, or feel supported as part of a larger group.

For stores or service-based websites, live chat offers instant support. It lets you answer product questions, clarify service details, or resolve issues in real time. This helps reduce cart abandonment and improves customer experience.

You can follow our tutorial on how to add free live chat in WordPress to get started.

To boost user interaction even further, I recommend creating private chat rooms or discussion boards using a tool like BuddyBoss.

It’s especially useful for membership communities or online courses, where learners benefit from peer support and group interaction.

Check out our guide on how to create chat rooms in WordPress to learn more about adding this functionality to your site.

Bonus Tip: Detect Design Issues with Visual Regression Testing 🕵️

Sometimes, even a small theme or plugin update can break your layout without you noticing. That’s where visual regression testing comes in.

Visual regression testing (VRT) helps you make sure that updates to your website don’t accidentally mess up its look or design.

The process is simple – your VRT software takes ‘screenshots’ of a page before and after you make changes to it. It analyzes the code or pixel differences of these pages to catch any visual issues early, before they hurt the user experience.

The VRTs plugin is one of the best tools for automating this process. For step-by-step instructions, you can read our guide on how to do visual regression testing in WordPress.

I hope my tips and tricks help you improve user experience in WordPress. Next, you might want to check out our guide on how to add a forum to your site and our expert picks of key design elements for an effective WordPress website.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How to Improve User Experience in WordPress (13 Practical Tips) first appeared on WPBeginner.

When I first tried to accept payments on my WordPress website, the process was frustrating. Hours of setup, confusing settings, and test transactions that failed more often than they succeeded.

I quickly realized that choosing the wrong payment solution could mean the difference between a thriving business and lost customers.

The right payment plugin can help you securely process transactions, reduce cart abandonment, and boost your conversion rates. But what works for a small nonprofit accepting donations won’t necessarily work for a consultant selling services or an online store processing hundreds of orders.

That’s why I’ve personally tested over 20 WordPress payment plugins across different business scenarios. Each plugin on this list has been thoroughly vetted for reliability, ease of use, and real-world performance.

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, you’ll find a solution that fits your needs and gets you paid without the headaches.

Quick Overview: Best WordPress Payment Plugins

If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick overview of the best WordPress payment plugins:

How I Test And Review WordPress Payment Plugins

You might be wondering how I actually tested all these payment plugins before recommending them. Well, I didn’t just skim the features on different blogs and move on.

I’ve worked directly with plugins like WP Simple Pay, MemberPress, and WPForms to accept payments on my own websites.

Plus, I personally tested every other plugin on this list to make sure it worked well and could process payments without issues.

Here’s what my testing process looked like:

• 🛠️ I installed each plugin on a test site: I set up a clean WordPress site and installed each payment plugin just like you would. This helped me see how easy (or complicated) it is to get started, connect payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal, and configure the basic settings.
• 💳 I simulated real payments: Next, I ran test transactions using test mode. I checked if payments went through smoothly, how the plugin handled errors, and whether things like taxes, coupons, or recurring payments worked as expected.
• 🔍 I checked for compatibility issues: I tested the plugin alongside popular WordPress tools and themes to make sure everything plays nicely together.
• 🔒 I reviewed security and updates: Payment data is sensitive, so I also looked at how the plugin handles security, whether it’s regularly updated, and if the developers follow WordPress best practices.
• 👍 I rated user-friendliness: Finally, I looked at how beginner-friendly the plugin is. Are the settings clear? Is the setup wizard helpful? Would a first-time user get overwhelmed or feel confident?

By the time a plugin makes it onto my recommendation list, it’s been through all of this and more. Having said that, let’s take a look at the best WordPress payment plugins.

1. WP Simple Pay – Best for Stripe Payment Forms

WP Simple Pay is the best WordPress payment plugin if you’re using Stripe, especially if you want to sell services or subscriptions without building a full-blown online store.

When I first tested this plugin, I was impressed by how quickly I could create a working Stripe payment form without any of the complexity that comes with complete eCommerce platforms.

This plugin solves the biggest headache most service providers and subscription businesses face: getting paid without the technical nightmare of setting up complex store solutions.

We covered all the details and our hands-on experience in our WP Simple Pay review, so you can get the full picture there.

When I started creating my own payment forms, I found the drag-and-drop builder incredibly user-friendly.

Creating attractive, custom payment forms took minutes instead of hours. No coding skills are required, which is a significant advantage for many business owners.

I was also impressed by the payment options. It supports Stripe Checkout, Apple Pay, Google Pay, ACH bank transfers, and even Buy Now, Pay Later options like Afterpay and Klarna.

Plus, you can set custom pricing fields, coupon codes, and multi-step payment forms.

However, what really stood out to me was the customization control. You can brand the entire payment form page to match your business.

Clean URLs, custom background colors, and layout adjustments can all work together to create a professional checkout experience that feels like part of your site.

All in all, I recommend WP Simple Pay for anyone looking to sell services and subscriptions without setting up an online store.

It handles the payment complexity while keeping your WordPress site fast and reliable. No bloated code or performance issues that slow things down.

To get started, see our tutorial on how to accept Stripe payments in WordPress.

Pros of WP Simple Pay

• Pre-made templates speed up form creation
• Set up partial payments (for deposits) and installment plans for high-value services
• Stripe handles all sensitive data for maximum security
• One-click payments with Apple Pay and Google Pay
• Flexible billing intervals for subscriptions
• Built-in coupon codes and promotional discounts
• Option to pass processing fees to customers
• Easy purchase restrictions and limits

Cons of WP Simple Pay

• Advanced features locked in free version
• Only works with Stripe (no other payment processors)

Pricing: WP Simple Pay’s paid plans can range from $49.50/year to $209.65/year.

Why I recommend WP Simple Pay: What makes WP Simple Pay stand out is how easy it is to accept Stripe payments on WordPress with no need to build a full online store.

It’s a great fit if you’re offering services, running a membership site, or collecting subscriptions, one-time payments, or even deposits. The payment forms are simple, flexible, and work right out of the box.

2. WPForms – Best for Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.Net, and Square Payment Forms

WPForms is the best WordPress payment plugin for collecting customer information alongside payments, such as registration forms, order forms with custom fields, or surveys that include payment options.

The plugin also supports multiple payment gateways, including Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, and Square. This flexibility allows you to offer your customers a variety of payment options without needing to juggle different plugins.

We use WPForms here at WPBeginner for our contact forms and annual surveys, so I’ve seen firsthand how reliable and flexible this plugin can be. If you’re curious about all the things it can do, we go over them in more detail in our WPForms review.

A key advantage of WPForms is how it combines powerful form building with payment processing. You’re not limited to simple “pay now” buttons.

Instead, you can create comprehensive forms that gather the information your business needs while processing payments securely.

WPForms also comes with a variety of payment fields.

You can add single-item payments, multiple items, dropdowns for selecting products or quantities, and even donation fields with preset or custom amounts.

This makes building complex payment forms super easy, even if you’re new to it.

One feature I found particularly helpful is the plugin’s AI-powered form builder.

It helps speed up the design process by generating form templates that you can customize with simple prompts. This can save you hours when creating new forms with payment integrations.

Additionally, the conditional logic feature is very powerful. Forms can show or hide fields based on user selections, creating a smooth experience that only displays relevant options.

Your customers see exactly what they need without confusion.

Overall, WPForms strikes a great balance between being powerful and user-friendly.

It’s perfect if you want to build payment forms combined with surveys, registrations, or quotes, all while securely processing payments through your preferred gateway.

For more information, see our tutorial on how to add a PayPal payment form in WordPress.

Pros of WPForms

• Over 2,000 pre-made form templates
• Drag-and-drop builder that’s genuinely beginner-friendly
• Supports one-time payments and recurring subscriptions
• Coupon code fields for checkout discounts
• Automatic email notifications and confirmations
• Complete spam protection
• Secure data storage accessible from the WordPress dashboard

Cons of WPForms

• Payment add-ons locked in free plan

Pricing: WPForms pricing starts at $49.50. However, to unlock the extensions for PayPal, Stripe, and Square, you will need the pro plan for $199.40/yr.

Why I recommend WPForms: It’s a great solution that gives you the flexibility to build forms that go beyond simple contact fields. Whether you’re setting up a survey, registration form, or quote request, WPForms makes it easy to include payment options right inside the form.

3. WooCommerce – Best for Selling Physical Products

If you’re planning to build a full-fledged online store, I always recommend starting with WooCommerce. It’s the best WordPress payment plugin for selling physical products and managing inventory, shipping, taxes, and payments, all from one dashboard.

The plugin stands out as a complete eCommerce solution when you need more than simple payment collection.

You’re not just processing payments. Instead, you’re running a real business with product catalogs, inventory tracking, shipping calculations, and tax management.

I’ve been working with WooCommerce since its early days and have used it to build online stores for clients across different industries.

You can check out our full WooCommerce review to see why it’s such a solid choice.

One thing that has improved significantly over the years is the built-in payment integrations. PayPal and Stripe used to need separate plugins, but now they work smoothly right out of the box.

During my recent WooCommerce testing, I was particularly impressed with how plugins like FunnelKit’s Stripe integration can make the checkout process even better.

You get fully customizable, high-converting checkout pages that feel modern and fast.

The ability to design checkout pages, offer upsells, and accept express payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay can make a significant difference in conversion rates.

In my opinion, WooCommerce is ideal if you want complete control over your store’s design and functionality. Whether you’re selling five products or five thousand, it scales well and gives you all the tools you need to grow.

If your goal is to turn your WordPress site into a full eCommerce platform, then WooCommerce is the payment plugin I’d trust every time.

To get started, see our beginner’s guide on WooCommerce made simple.

Pros of WooCommerce

• Accepts diverse payment methods, including cash on delivery and bank transfers
• Credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and local methods via Stripe
• Supports one-time and recurring payments with subscription addons
• Accept Square and Authorize.net payments with addons
• Custom tax rules with flexible pricing options
• Hundreds of payment-related extensions in the marketplace
• Built-in refund management and order status controls

Cons of WooCommerce

• Can feel like overkill for simple service payments or single digital downloads
• Extensions required for certain payment gateways (costs vary)

Pricing: WooCommerce is free to use, but you’ll need to purchase extensions to add certain payment options like Square or Authorize.net. The pricing for these extensions can vary.

Why I recommend WooCommerce: In my opinion, WooCommerce is well-suited if you want extensive control over your store’s design and functionality. Whether you’re selling five products or five thousand, it scales well and offers a comprehensive set of tools to help you grow.

4. Easy Digital Downloads – Best for Selling Digital Products

If you’re selling digital products, like eBooks, software, PDFs, or music, then Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) is the ideal WordPress payment plugin for the job.

Unlike general payment plugins, EDD offers effective solutions specifically built for the unique challenges of selling digital goods.

It is particularly effective for digital product sales, where you need instant delivery, license management, and customer download tracking.

Our partner brands have been using EDD to sell their premium plugins for years, and it’s consistently delivered excellent results. We’ve also spent a lot of time testing it on demo sites to see how it performs in different scenarios.

We explain it all in our detailed review of EDD if you want a closer look.

What makes EDD perfect for digital sales is how it handles the entire customer journey. When someone buys your digital product, they instantly receive download links, account access, and professional receipts. No manual work required on your end.

The plugin accepts Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay right out of the box.

I found the payment setup process much faster than configuring similar functionality with other plugins. The setup is straightforward and functions well without complicated integrations.

The one feature that impressed me most was the ability to pass payment processing fees to customers. This might seem minor, but over time, it saves significant money in transaction costs, especially when selling lower-priced digital items.

You can also set up one-time or recurring payments, offer discount codes, and even create custom checkout fields without needing a developer.

Another key strength of EDD is its scalability. With premium extensions, you can add license key generation, affiliate tracking, and customer email automation while keeping your payment flows smooth and secure.

If your site revolves around digital content, then this is a plugin I can confidently recommend for handling your transactions.

For step-by-step instructions on using Easy Digital Downloads, see our tutorial on how to sell digital downloads in WordPress.

Pros of Easy Digital Downloads

• Cart and checkout system optimized for digital products
• Customizable purchase receipts and confirmation emails for better branding
• Test mode for simulating transactions before going live
• Built-in sales and earnings reports for revenue analysis
• Tax settings with VAT support for EU compliance
• Customer account area for re-downloading purchases
• Instant digital delivery after payment

Cons of Easy Digital Downloads

• Advanced features are locked in the free plan.
• Not suitable for physical product sales

Pricing: EDD’s pricing starts at $99.50/year for one site. You can also opt for the All Access Pass for $499.50/yr to unlock all the features.

Why I recommend Easy Digital Downloads: We use EDD to sell our premium plugins and software, and it’s always worked great. If you’re selling eBooks, PDFs, plugins, courses, or music, then EDD offers a payment processing and delivery system specifically designed for your business model.

5. WP Charitable – Best for WordPress Donation Forms

WP Charitable is the best payment plugin for accepting donations in WordPress, especially if you’re running a nonprofit or a cause-based website.

It stands out as the specialized solution when you need more than basic payment collection for charitable causes. The tool makes it super easy to manage donor relationships, track campaign progress, and build long-term fundraising success.

Our team has tested this plugin extensively, both through demo campaigns and real-world use for our founder’s education nonprofit, the Balkhi Foundation.

WP Charitable makes the donation process seamless for supporters and removes a lot of the friction that usually gets in the way. You can get the complete details in our review of WP Charitable.

Instead of complicated checkout flows, you get simple, clean donation forms that integrate well with Stripe, PayPal, and other popular gateways.

The user experience feels designed specifically for donors who want to give quickly and easily.

One of the things that stood out during my testing was how customizable Charitable’s donation forms are. You can set suggested amounts, let donors enter custom amounts, create recurring donation options, and even add goal meters to encourage participation.

Plus, it supports campaign management, so you can run multiple fundraisers at once and track their progress easily. Each campaign gets its own dedicated page, donation tracking, and goal visualization, which helps create urgency and transparency for donors.

I think most will also appreciate Charitable’s email integrations.

They help make it easy to automate thank-you emails and provide donors with donation receipts right away, something I know is important for nonprofit transparency and tax purposes.

Plus, built-in reports can help you make data-driven decisions, so you can maximize your fundraising efforts.

The bottom line? With a strong focus on donor experience and campaign management, Charitable is the best WordPress payment plugin for nonprofits.

You can start building your website easily by following our article on how to create a non profit website in WordPress.

Pros of WP Charitable

• Dozens of pre-made templates for quick form creation
• Unlimited donation campaigns with individual goals and forms
• Custom checkout fields for collecting donor details and dedications
• Multi-currency support for international fundraising
• Offline payment tracking for checks and cash donations
• Built-in reporting tools with donation history and data export capabilities
• Goal meters and progress tracking to encourage donations
• Automated donor communication and receipt generation

Cons of WP Charitable

• Only PayPal is included in the free plan; Stripe and other gateways require paid plans
• Limited to donation forms (not general-purpose like WPForms)

Pricing: Charitable’s pricing starts from $69 to $299 per year.

Why I recommend WP Charitable: The plugin is great for nonprofit fundraising, with features designed for charitable organizations. If you’re running fundraising campaigns and need more than basic payment buttons, I recommend Charitable.

6. MyPayKit – Best WordPress Square Payment Plugin

MyPayKit is a great WordPress payment plugin for when you want to accept payments through Square without the complexity of a full eCommerce platform.

You get clean, professional payment forms that connect directly to Square’s payment processing system.

Since it’s a new plugin, I wanted to see how well it worked—and it delivered on its promise: offering a simple way to accept Square payments online.

This makes it excellent for collecting deposits, one-time payments, or even donations without forcing customers through a complicated checkout process.

Another thing I really appreciate is how lightweight MyPayKit is compared to other payment solutions.

Unlike WooCommerce or other store-focused plugins, it doesn’t overload your site with extra features you might not need. It focuses specifically on payment collection and does it well.

Plus, it’s not just limited to Square. You can also accept Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay if you want to expand your options.

But if Square is your go-to processor, MyPayKit makes accepting payments very easy and straightforward.

Pros of MyPayKit

• Seamless Square integration
• Clean, professional payment form design
• Supports multiple payment processors (Square, Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay)
• Handles both one-time and recurring payments
• Simple 2-minute setup process for non-technical users
• Perfect for service businesses and local retailers

Cons of MyPayKit

• Limited advanced features compared to full eCommerce solutions
• Primarily focused on Square (other processors feel secondary)
• May not suit complex payment scenarios

Pricing: MyPayKit has a free plan with unlimited forms and transactions. However, there’s a 3% application fee. Paid plans start at $49.50 per year to remove the application fee and access premium features.

Why I recommend MyPayKit: It’s a great choice for accepting Square payments on your WordPress website. When I tested it, I found that it worked smoothly and allowed me to collect payments in just a few clicks.

7. MemberPress – Best for WordPress Membership Websites

If you are planning to sell subscriptions, memberships, or online courses on your WordPress website, then MemberPress is my top pick.

It’s a powerful payment plugin that offers payment processing combined with content protection and access control for your membership business.

We’ve used MemberPress to set up free online courses at WPBeginner, and we love its advanced (yet straightforward) access control and content protection features.

The plugin manages the entire member lifecycle from signup to content delivery without requiring manual work. If you want a full look at how it works, check out our MemberPress review.

MemberPress comes with built-in support for Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net, so you can start accepting payments securely from day one.

The payment gateway setup is straightforward and reliable across all supported processors. You can offer one-time payments, free trials, recurring subscriptions, and even charge based on access tiers.

This flexibility lets you create sophisticated pricing strategies that grow with your business.

What makes the plugin particularly well-suited for membership sites is how well everything integrates. When someone signs up, their access is instantly managed, and there’s no need to manually approve or update anything.

The tool is also great for building online courses. With the built-in MemberPress Courses addon, you can create lessons, lock premium content, and drip content based on membership levels.

If you’re a creator or educator looking for a simple way to monetize your content, MemberPress makes it easy to get started. To learn more, see our ultimate guide on how to create a membership site.

Pros of MemberPress

• Multiple membership levels with different pricing tiers for upselling
• Built-in coupon system for promotions and discounts
• Immediate content access after payment processing
• Automated payment reminders and failed transaction handling
• Built-in tax support for compliance
• Paywall feature for teasing premium content

Cons of MemberPress

• Advanced features are locked behind paid plans
• Higher starting price than simple payment plugins

Pricing: The pricing for the MemberPress basic plan is $179.50/year. However, to unlock its full LMS potential, including quizzes, assignments, and gradebooks, you will have to buy the pro plan for $399.50/year.

Why I recommend MemberPress: It’s an excellent WordPress plugin for building a membership site or selling courses. While WP Simple Pay works well for basic subscriptions, MemberPress takes it a step further by handling payments, locking down your content, and controlling which members have access to specific pages, lessons, or downloads.

8. Formidable Forms – Best for Advanced Payment Forms

If you’re looking to build advanced forms that calculate pricing and process payments based on user selections, then Formidable Forms is a great option.

It offers powerful form-building tools for creating interactive calculators, quote generators, and custom workflows.

During testing, I was able to easily build loan applications, pricing estimates, and shipping calculators that automatically updated totals based on user input.

And these aren’t static forms—they’re dynamic tools that adapt using conditional logic, changing fields, prices, or redirects based on answers.

This makes Formidable Forms well-suited for legal consultations, service quotes, and custom product estimates.

To learn more about what the plugin can do, check out our Formidable Forms review.

I also really like how easily you can connect Stripe, PayPal, or Authorize.net to charge users after form completion.

Plus, the multi-page form support and integrated data tracking make it easy to manage both submissions and payments from one dashboard.

Overall, if your business needs intelligent forms that do more than collect payments, like guiding users through personalized pricing or registration steps, then Formidable Forms is a solid choice.

Pros of Formidable Forms

• Advanced conditional logic for dynamic form behavior
• Multi-page forms with integrated payment processing
• Supports Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net
• Comprehensive data management and submission tracking
• Custom field types for specialized information collection
• AI form builder to speed up initial setup

Cons of Formidable Forms

• More complex than needed for simple payment collection
• Steeper learning curve compared to basic form builders

Pricing: Formidable Forms starts at $39.50/year. However, to unlock calculations, you will need the business plan for $199.50/year.

Why I recommend Formidable Forms: It is a great option if you need more than just a simple payment form. You can build smart forms that automatically calculate the total based on user selections, and then let them pay right away using Stripe, PayPal, or Authorize.net—there’s no coding required.

9. WishList Member – Best for Paywalls and Memberships

WishList Member is a reliable WordPress payment plugin if you’re building a membership site or want to protect premium content behind a paywall.

When I tested WishList Member, I found the integration with Stripe, PayPal, and other gateways to be quite easy. I didn’t need any third-party addons to start charging users for access.

For more details about how the plugin works, see our WishList Member review.

I also appreciate the tool’s ability to create different pricing tiers and offer upsells inside your membership flow.

You can even pair it with your favorite page builder or LMS plugin if you’re offering courses.

If you want to build a paid membership community or sell gated digital content, WishList Member is worth checking out.

Pros of WishList Member

• Automatic management of member upgrades, downgrades, and cancellations
• Drip content feature for gradual content release
• “Pay Per Post” option for selling individual content pieces
• Strong integrations with email marketing tools (Kit, ActiveCampaign, Mailchimp)
• Fully customizable login and registration forms
• Granular content protection controls
• Multiple membership levels with flexible pricing

Cons of WishList Member

• No free plan available
• User interface can feel overwhelming for beginners

Pricing: WishList Member’s basic plan at $149.50/year works well if you are just starting out. It offers unlimited memberships, upgrade paths, and restriction rules.

Why I recommend WishList Member: It is a great option if you’re building a membership site and want to protect your content. It’s designed to help you set up multiple access levels, build a community, and accept payments through Stripe or PayPal, without needing extra tools.

10. Thrive Apprentice – Best for Selling Online Courses

Thrive Apprentice is a great choice if you’re building an online course business and want to control how students access your courses after they’ve paid.

It integrates seamlessly with Stripe and ThriveCart, which makes it easy to sell one-time courses, bundles, or memberships. The payment integration is very intuitive and doesn’t require complicated setup processes.

Want to learn more about what the plugin can do? We did a deep dive for our Thrive Apprentice review.

The best part? It also connects with Thrive Suite tools like Thrive Leads and Thrive Architect, so you can design your entire sales funnel—from opt-in forms to checkout to course delivery—without writing any code.

It makes it very easy to create a polished course experience. You can set access rules, offer free previews, lock lessons until payment is made, and even integrate it with WooCommerce for added flexibility.

If you’re looking for a powerful course builder that doubles as a payment solution, Thrive Apprentice is one of the best options available, especially if you’re already using other Thrive tools.

Pros of Thrive Apprentice

• Access restriction tools for locking courses or individual lessons
• Course bundle creation tied to specific pricing tiers
• Free preview feature for showcasing content quality
• Seamless WooCommerce integration for complex pricing
• Custom login pages and thank you pages for smooth post-purchase experiences
• Built-in student progress tracking and auto-enrollment

Cons of Thrive Apprentice

• Limited to Stripe as the only payment gateway
• No free plan available

Pricing: Thrive Apprentice costs $149/year for the standalone plugin. However, to unlock all the Thrive Themes plugins, you can opt for the Thrive Suite plan at $299 per year.

Why I recommend Thrive Apprentice: It’s a solid choice for anyone building an online course business. Thrive Apprentice provides a seamless course creation experience with built-in Stripe integration, allowing you to start selling immediately without the need for additional plugins or a complex technical setup process.

11. MemberMouse – Best for Enterprise-Level Membership Sites

MemberMouse is a comprehensive membership plugin designed for larger businesses and enterprises running premium membership sites.

Even when you are managing hundreds or thousands of paying members, it handles complex payment processing without any issues.

MemberMouse offers built-in support for major payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, and Braintree. This means you don’t need any extra plugins to start collecting payments—it’s all ready to go right after installation.

If you’re curious about the tool’s other features, check out our full MemberMouse review.

The plugin handles one-time payments, subscriptions, and even free trials seamlessly.

Where MemberMouse really shines is in its advanced automation and customer management tools. You can set up smart rules to drip content, offer upsells after checkout, and downgrade or cancel access automatically based on payment status.

If you’re looking for an enterprise-level solution to manage paid memberships, MemberMouse is definitely worth considering.

Pros of MemberMouse

• Create custom checkout pages and upsell offers
• Automated access management based on payment status
• Drip content scheduling
• Has a ‘dunning’ system which automatically follows up on failed payments and helps reduce churn
• Comes with an analytics dashboard
• Supports gift memberships and free vs. paid trials for flexible offers

Cons of MemberMouse

• No free plan
• Limited design customization options

Pricing: Its basic plan starts at $149.50/year.

Why I recommend MemberMouse: If you’re building a membership site with tiered pricing, time-released content, and advanced automation, MemberMouse is built for that level of complexity. From what I’ve seen, it goes beyond basic membership plugins by offering enterprise-level tools, such as smart member segmentation, upsells, and detailed analytics.

My Verdict: What Is the Best WordPress Payment Plugin?

In my opinion, WP Simple Pay is the best WordPress payment plugin for accepting Stripe payments.

It’s perfect for anyone who wants to accept subscription or service payments through clean, customizable forms, without the need to build a full online store. You can offer deposit options, installment plans, and coupon codes, all while keeping the setup super simple.

If you need to build more advanced forms and want to accept Stripe, PayPal, Square, or Authorize.net payments, then WPForms is my top recommendation.

When it comes to selling physical products, you can’t go wrong with WooCommerce. It’s the most powerful option for creating a full-fledged online store, with built-in support for major gateways and powerful extensions like FunnelKit for optimizing your checkout flow.

For digital products specifically, I recommend Easy Digital Downloads. It’s more lightweight and built for selling software, downloads, and licenses.

Meanwhile, if your goal is to raise donations, WP Charitable is the best fit. I’ve tested it for several nonprofit sites, and its donation-focused features, like recurring giving, goal tracking, and customizable campaigns, make it stand out from generic form plugins.

Frequently Asked Questions: WordPress Payment Plugins

Here are some frequently asked questions about WordPress payment plugins.

Can I test WordPress payments before going live?

Most quality plugins, including WP Simple Pay, WPForms, WooCommerce, and Easy Digital Downloads, offer a sandbox or test mode that allows you to test payments with just a few clicks.

I recommend enabling this before launching to avoid errors and ensure everything works smoothly. To get started, see our tutorial on how to test Stripe payments in WordPress.

Can I charge a processing fee to customers in WordPress?

Yes, plugins like Easy Digital Downloads, WooCommerce, and WP Simple Pay let you pass the Stripe or PayPal processing fee directly to the customer. This is especially useful if you’re selling digital products with thin margins.

For step-by-step instructions, see our tutorial on how to pass the payment processing fee to customers in WordPress.

What’s the best plugin for accepting recurring payments or subscriptions?

MemberPress is ideal for subscriptions and membership sites. It supports recurring billing, access control, and integrates with major payment gateways out of the box.

Can I accept payments on WordPress without WooCommerce?

Yes, absolutely. Plugins like WP Simple Pay, WPForms, and MemberPress let you accept payments without setting up a full online store. They’re great for selling services, subscriptions, or digital downloads through custom forms.

For more information, see our guide on how to sell on WordPress without WooCommerce.

💡Related Guides: Managing Payments in WordPress

Looking for more information on how to manage payments in WordPress? Check out these additional guides:

• Best WooCommerce Payment Gateways for WordPress (Compared)
• How to Add Stripe QR Code Payment in WordPress
• How to Reduce Stripe Transaction Fees in WordPress (Expert Tips)
• Important Online Payment Statistics, Data, and Trends
• WordPress Payment Processing: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners
• Stripe vs. PayPal: Which Is Better for Your WordPress Site?
• How to Create Invoices for Clients Using WordPress

Whether you need step-by-step tutorials, tips for boosting conversions, or guidance on securing your transactions, these resources will help you optimize your payment setup.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post 11 Best WordPress Payment Plugins (Tested & Verified) first appeared on WPBeginner.

When I first looked into hosting WordPress on Google Cloud, I thought, “This could be the upgrade I’ve been waiting for.”

The idea of running my site on the same infrastructure powering Google Search and YouTube? That was exciting. But it also raised a lot of questions.

There’s no question that Google Cloud offers serious speed and reliability. But I quickly realized that it’s not built with beginners in mind. Between managing virtual machines, setting up your server, and configuring DNS, it’s easy to get stuck.

The good news is that you don’t have to do it the hard way. Whether you want a simple managed solution or you’d rather roll up your sleeves and do it all yourself, I’ll show you both options.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to host WordPress on Google Cloud and which path I recommend based on real-world experience.

Why Host WordPress on Google Cloud?

Google Cloud is known for speed, stability, and high-powered infrastructure. It powers everything from YouTube to Gmail, and it’s built to handle huge amounts of traffic without any issues.

That’s why a lot of website owners, including myself at one point, start thinking: “If I host my WordPress site on Google Cloud, won’t I get the same performance?”

And in theory, yes — you can. But there’s a big difference between having access to Google Cloud and actually knowing how to use it well for WordPress. It’s like buying a race car without knowing how to drive it.

That’s where most people get stuck. The platform itself is amazing, but it’s built for engineers and DevOps teams, not regular WordPress users trying to publish content or grow an audience.

So if you’ve been wondering whether Google Cloud is the right choice for your WordPress site, you’re not alone.

In the next section, I’ll show you the easiest way to tap into its power, without having to configure anything manually.

After that, I’ll walk you through two hands-on methods if you prefer the DIY route.

You can use the jump links below if you want to skip ahead:

Method 1: Use SiteGround to Host WordPress on Google Cloud

If you want the speed and reliability of Google Cloud without the technical setup, then SiteGround is the option I recommend — and personally use.

We also host WPBeginner on SiteGround. Describing the move, Syed Balkhi, founder of WPBeginner, wrote:

After testing SiteGround across multiple projects and seeing how well their platform handled real-world demands, I knew it was the right move for WPBeginner.

Syed Balkhi

For more details, see the reasons why WPBeginner switched to SiteGround or take a look at my in-depth SiteGround review.

SiteGround runs its entire platform on Google Cloud infrastructure, so you get the same performance without having to manage it all yourself.

You don’t need to worry about setting up servers, installing software, or handling updates. Everything from performance tuning to WordPress security is already taken care of. You just log in, install WordPress, and start building your website.

SiteGround makes it easy for anyone to get started. Their dashboard is clean and beginner-friendly, and you get powerful features out of the box, including automatic caching, free CDN, daily backups, built-in security, and one-click staging environments.

Pros of Using SiteGround

• Built on Google Cloud’s fast and reliable infrastructure
• No technical setup required — perfect for beginners
• Excellent customer support with real WordPress experts
• Includes caching, backups, security, and CDN out of the box
• Flat monthly pricing, with no surprise bills

Cons of Using SiteGround

• Not ideal if you want full server-level control or custom OS-level tweaks
• More advanced developers might prefer a DIY cloud setup for niche use cases

Pricing: Unlike Google Cloud Platform’s pay-as-you-go pricing, SiteGround offers fixed pricing starting from $2.99 per month.

If you just want to build your site and have it run fast, stay secure, and never think about server maintenance, this is the easiest and most reliable way to do it.

How to Host WordPress on Google Cloud Using SiteGround

First, you need to visit SiteGround’s website and choose a WordPress hosting plan.

I recommend choosing the Startup plan if you are just getting started, or the GrowBig plan if you are upgrading from a regular shared hosting service.

Next, you will be asked to choose a domain name. SiteGround offers a free domain name with each hosting plan for the first year.

If you already have a domain name, you can use that as well.

After that, you will be asked to provide personal information to create your account.

Just fill in the information and go to the payment section to complete your signup.

Once you have completed the purchase, you need to log in to your SiteGround account.

From here, simply click WordPress » Install & Manage.

Select WordPress, or if you want to build an online store, then select WordPress + WooCommerce.

Simply follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup wizard.

Congratulations 🎉 Your WordPress website is running on Google Cloud. It is already fully optimized and ready to go.

How to Manually Host WordPress on Google Cloud

There are multiple ways to manually host WordPress on Google Cloud. You can use a ready-to-deploy instance or deploy it manually yourself.

Here is a comparison table to understand the difference between the two approaches:

Method 2: Use Google Cloud Marketplace to Install WordPress (Click to Deploy)

If you’re not comfortable running server commands or want a quicker way to get started, then Google Cloud offers a ‘Click to Deploy’ version of WordPress in their Marketplace.

It sets up a fully functional WordPress site with a few clicks, including your virtual machine, database, and web server stack.

Here are the pros and cons of using the Click to Deploy method.

Pros:

• Faster and easier than manual setup
• No need to SSH or install software manually
• Great for users new to Google Cloud

Cons:

• Less flexibility because you’re using a pre-configured environment
• Still responsible for backups, updates, and security
• Some users report difficulty scaling or customizing Click to Deploy sites later

Overall, if you’re experimenting or building a personal project, this method is a great way to get started.

Step 1. Create a New Google Cloud Project

To begin, log in to your Google Cloud account and create a new project from the dashboard.

Step 2. Turn on billing

After creating your project, you need to enable billing.

From the left-hand menu, click on Billing and follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 3. Select Click to Deploy WordPress Package

Once billing is active, click the search bar at the top of the dashboard and type in “WordPress.”

From the results, you need to choose the option labeled ‘WordPress – Click to Deploy’ by Google Cloud.

On the next screen, go ahead and click the ‘Get Started’ button.

After that, you may be asked to agree to the terms of service and enable APIs. Simply follow the instructions to move to the next step.

Step 4. Configure Your WordPress Deployment Settings

On the next screen, you’ll see a form with several options for setting up your WordPress instance.

Let’s walk through each one so you know exactly what to choose.

Start by giving your deployment a name. This is just a label inside your Google Cloud dashboard, and you can use something like wordpress-1 or mywebsite.

For the Deployment Service Account, leave it set to ‘New Account’. Google Cloud will automatically create the right permissions to manage your instance.

Next, choose a zone where you want your website to be hosted.

Pick a region closest to your target visitors. For example, asia-southeast1-c for Asia or us-central1-a for the United States.

Under Machine type, you should stick with General Purpose. Then choose ‘e2-small (2 vCPU, 2 GB memory)’, which is a good balance between cost and performance.

In the Administrator email address field, you need to enter your real email address. This is where Google will send notifications and status updates related to your server.

Below that, you’ll see optional features. I recommend keeping both Install phpMyAdmin and HTTPS Enabled checked. This adds a database manager and an SSL certificate to your install.

For Boot Disk, leave it as Standard Persistent Disk with 20 GB selected. That’s enough for most small to medium WordPress sites.

In the Networking section, make sure both checkboxes are selected to allow HTTP and HTTPS traffic. This ensures visitors can reach your site in their browsers.

You can leave Google Cloud Operations unchecked unless you plan to use advanced monitoring tools. They’re not required for running a typical WordPress site.

Once you’ve reviewed everything, simply click the blue ‘Deploy’ button at the bottom. Google Cloud will now set everything up for you behind the scenes.

Once finished, you will see the status of your deployment. From here, you need to copy the ‘Instance Nat IP’. This is your site’s external IP, and you will need it in the next step.

Step 5. Connect Your Custom Domain to Google Cloud

To use your own domain name with your deployed WordPress instance on Google Cloud VM, you’ll need to update your domain’s DNS settings to point to the external IP address of your VM (virtual machine) instance.

First, go to the Google Cloud Console, open the ‘VM instances’ page, and copy the external IP address of your virtual machine.

This is the address your domain needs to point to.

Next, log in to your domain registrar’s dashboard — this is where you bought your domain, like Domain.com, GoDaddy, Bluehost, or other registrars.

I will show you instructions for Domain.com, but it is pretty much the same for all domain registrars.

Find the DNS settings or ‘Manage DNS’ section for your domain.

Here, you need to delete any A records that are currently pointing to a different IP address.

After that, click on the ‘Add Record’ button at the top.

In the form that appears, make sure the record type is set to A. In the ‘Refers to’ dropdown, choose Other Host. Change the Name or Host field to @ if you’re pointing the root domain (e.g., example.com).

In the IP address field, you need to enter the external IP address of your Google Cloud VM. For example, if your VM’s IP is 35.247.XX.XX, then you have to type that in.

Set the TTL (Time to Live) to the default value and then click the ‘Edit’ button to save the changes.

If you also want to support www.yourdomain.com, repeat the process and add another A record with the host set to www, pointing to the same IP.

It may take a few minutes for the DNS changes to propagate. Once that’s complete, visiting your domain in a browser should take you to your Google Cloud-hosted website.

After saving your DNS changes, it may take a few minutes (up to 24 hours, but usually much faster) for them to propagate globally.

Once that’s done, visiting your domain should load your website. You may still need to update your WordPress website address so that it uses your domain name instead of the IP address.

Method 3. Manually Host WordPress on Google Cloud VM

This method is for advanced users, developers, and learners. For this method, you’ll manually configure your VM and use the SSH command line to install software.

Step 1. Create a Project

To begin, you’ll need to sign in to your Google Cloud account and create a new project from the Cloud Console.

Once your project is created, the next step is to enable billing.

Step 2. Enable Billing

Simply click on the Billing label from the left column and follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 3. Enable Computer Engine

Once billing is set up, you need to click on the ‘Compute Engine’ option from the left column (or use the search bar at the top to find it) and click ‘Enable’ to start using the API.

This unlocks the tools that you’ll use to create and manage your server.

Step 4. Create a Virtual Machine

Once you have enabled the Compute Engine, you can now create a Virtual Machine instance (VM instance for short).

A VM instance is your own virtual private machine that you can turn into a VPS server to host your website on the Google Cloud platform.

On the next screen, you will be asked to configure your VM instance.

First, you need to provide a name for your VM, which could be anything that helps you easily identify it. And choose a region and zone where you want to host it.

Below that, you’ll see pre-configured setups for different use cases. I recommend using E2, which is low-cost and perfect for hosting a WordPress website.

Below that, you’ll be able to configure your instance further by adding more memory or CPU cores to it.

Next, you need to click ‘Create’ to continue to the next step.

Google Cloud console will now create your Virtual Machine instance and redirect you to the VM management dashboard.

Step 5. Set up Firewall Rules

While your VM is ready, its firewall rules currently don’t allow incoming traffic requests.

Let’s change that.

Simply click on the ‘Set up firewall rules’ option.

This will bring you to the Network Security area and display your VM’s firewall rules.

Simply click on the ‘Create firewall rule’ option to continue.

On the next screen, you need to enter the following information into the fields:

• Name: allow-http
• Targets: All instances in the network
• Source filter: IPv4 ranges
• Source IP ranges: 0.0.0.0/0
• Second source filter: None
• Destination filter: None
• Protocols and ports: Check ‘TCP’ and enter 80

Don’t forget to click ‘Create’ to save your firewall rule.

Your Virtual Machine is now ready for website traffic.

Step 6. Installing Web Server Software

Next, you need to use the SSH button in the Cloud Console to connect to your server. This command-line interface allows you to install software and give your virtual machine commands in text format.

You’ll need to use it to install the necessary software stack. This includes Apache or Nginx for your web server, PHP for WordPress, and MySQL or MariaDB for your database.

You can run it in your web browser. Once connected, you will see a black terminal screen.

Now, you will need to run several commands, one after another. I know it does sound a bit complicated, but trust me, it is not as difficult as it sounds. Simply copy and paste the commands below.

You’ll first start by updating your VM instance. This is kind of like updating your computer to ensure you have all the security updates installed:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

It may take a few minutes to complete. During this time, you may see options pop up. Simply hit Enter to continue with the default choices.

Once finished, copy and paste the following command to install the Apache web server:

sudo apt install apache2 -y

For those of you who want to install Nginx, you can enter the following command:

sudo apt install nginx -y

Wondering which one is better? See our article comparing Apache vs. Nginx vs. LiteSpeed.

I prefer Nginx because it gives better performance and speed. However, Apache is more widely used due to its flexibility and ease of use.

Once you have installed the web server software, the next step is to install MySQL. Simply run this command:

sudo apt install mysql-server -y

Depending on your VM’s operating system, in some cases, mysql-server may not be available for installation. In that case, you can use MariaDB as a drop-in replacement for MySQL. It works perfectly with WordPress, and the commands are nearly identical.

Simply add the following command to install MariaDB instead:

sudo apt install mariadb-server -y

After that, you need to run the MySQL/MariaDB installation.

Enter the following command next:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

During installation, you can accept the defaults or tighten things based on your comfort level (say yes to remove anonymous users, disable root login remotely, and so on).

Now that you have MySQL installed, you can create a database to use for your WordPress website.

First, enter this command:

sudo mysql -u root -p

You’ll be asked for a password. If you created one during the installation, you can use that. Or simply hit the Enter key on your keyboard.

You will now enter the MySQL server. This is where you will manage your WordPress database.

Let’s first create one by modifying and entering the following command:

CREATE DATABASE wordpress DEFAULT CHARACTER SET utf8 COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci;
GRANT ALL ON wordpress.* TO 'wpuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'strongpassword';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
EXIT;

You can change the database name from wordpress to anything else.

Similarly, you can change wpuser (the MySQL username), and finally replace strongpassword with your own strong password.

Next, you will need to install PHP and the required modules. Simply enter the following command:

sudo apt install php php-mysql php-curl php-gd php-xml php-mbstring php-zip libapache2-mod-php -y

Once the installation is finished, you need to restart your web server. This allows your web server to load the PHP and other installed modules on reboot.

For Apache, use the following command:

sudo systemctl restart apache2

For Nginx, you need to use the following command instead:

sudo systemctl restart nginx

Step 7. Connect Your Custom Domain to Google Cloud

To use your own domain name (like yourdomain.com) with your Google Cloud VM, you’ll need to update your domain’s DNS settings to point to the external IP address of your VM instance.

First, go to the Google Cloud Console, open the ‘VM instances’ page, and copy the external IP address of your virtual machine. This is the address your domain needs to point to.

Next, you have to log in to your domain registrar’s dashboard. This is where you bought your domain, like Domain.com, GoDaddy, Bluehost, or other platforms.

I will show you instructions for Domain.com, but it is pretty much the same for all domain registrars.

Find the DNS settings or ‘Manage DNS’ section for your domain.

Here, you need to delete any A records that are currently pointing to a different IP address.

Then, click on the ‘Add Record’ button at the top.

In the form that appears, make sure the record type is set to A. In the “Refers to” dropdown, choose ‘Other Host’. Change the Name or Host field to @ if you’re pointing the root domain (e.g., example.com).

In the IP address field, enter the external IP address of your Google Cloud VM. For example, if your VM’s IP is 35.247.XX.XX, type that in.

Set the TTL (Time to Live) to the default value and then click the ‘Edit’ button to save the changes.

If you also want to support www.yourdomain.com, repeat the process and add another A record with the host set to www, pointing to the same IP.

It may take a few minutes for the DNS changes to propagate. Once complete, visiting your domain in a browser should take you to your Google Cloud-hosted website.

After saving your DNS changes, it may take a few minutes (up to 24 hours, but usually much faster) for them to propagate globally. Once that’s done, visiting your domain should load your server instead of just the raw IP.

Step 8. Install SSL and Enable HTTPS

Before visiting your domain, it’s a good idea to set up an SSL certificate. This allows you to serve your WordPress site over HTTPS, which is more secure and preferred by search engines.

I recommend using Let’s Encrypt, which is a free and trusted certificate authority.

To make things easier, I’ll use a tool called Certbot to automatically issue and configure the SSL certificate for Apache or Nginx.

First, update your package list and install Certbot:

sudo apt update  
sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-apache -y

If you’re using Nginx, you can install Certbot with the Nginx plugin instead:

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx -y

Once installed, run this command to request an SSL certificate for your domain.

Remember to replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain:

sudo certbot --apache -d yourdomain.com -d www.yourdomain.com

For Nginx users, the command is:

sudo certbot --nginx -d yourdomain.com -d www.yourdomain.com

Certbot will ask a few questions, including your email for urgent notices. You can choose to redirect all traffic to HTTPS when prompted, and I recommend saying yes.

That’s it! You’ve now installed a free SSL certificate, and your site is available over HTTPS.

Note: Let’s Encrypt certificates are valid for 90 days, but Certbot automatically renews them. You can test auto-renewal with this command:

sudo certbot renew --dry-run

Step 9. Install WordPress on Your Server

Now it’s time to install WordPress. Switch back to your VM instance, SSH into your server, and run:

wget https://wordpress.org/latest.tar.gz

Once the download finishes, you need to extract it using the following command:

tar -xvzf latest.tar.gz

This creates a wordpress folder.

Move its contents to your web root, which is usually called /var/www/html/ , like this:

sudo mv wordpress/* /var/www/html/

You need to give proper file permissions so your web server can access everything:

sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/

Now, create the WordPress config file.

First, copy the sample:

sudo cp /var/www/html/wp-config-sample.php /var/www/html/wp-config.php

Edit it using nano or another editor to enter your database name, user, and password.

This is the information you saved earlier when creating your WordPress database:

sudo nano /var/www/html/wp-config.php

Save and close the file by pressing CTRL+X.

Finally, go to your domain in a browser, and you should see the WordPress installation screen.

You can now follow the steps to create your admin user and finish the setup. Need help? See our complete WordPress installation tutorial.

Troubleshooting Tip 💡: If you see a default server page instead of the WordPress installation screen. This means that a default index.html page is present in the root directory of your site. To delete it, connect to SSH again and enter the following command:

sudo rm /var/www/html/index.html

🎉 That’s it! You now have a working WordPress website running on Google Cloud with your custom domain.

Keep in mind that you’re also responsible for securing your WordPress site, managing backups, applying updates, and monitoring its performance. If you’re not confident doing those things, Method 1 (SiteGround) may be a better fit.

Google Cloud Hosting Costs Explained

One thing that can catch beginners off guard is how Google Cloud charges for hosting. Unlike traditional web hosts with flat monthly plans, Google Cloud uses a pay-as-you-go model that depends on how much you use their services.

When you launch a WordPress site on Google Cloud, whether manually or using Click to Deploy, you’re billed separately for your virtual machine, disk storage, network usage, and optional services, such as snapshots or load balancing.

For example, if you go with the default setup from Click to Deploy using an e2-small instance (2 vCPU, 2 GB RAM) and a 20 GB disk, the estimated monthly cost looks like this:

• VM instance: $15.09/month
• Persistent disk: $0.88/month
• Total estimated monthly cost: ~$15.97/month

This doesn’t include bandwidth usage or backup storage. If your site gets a lot of traffic, or if you store large files or create snapshots, then the cost can increase without warning.

You’ll also need to monitor usage, set up budget alerts, and manually handle software updates, backups, and security patches. That can be a lot of work if you just want to focus on building your site.

That’s why, even though Google Cloud is incredibly powerful, I don’t usually recommend it for beginners — unless you’re prepared to manage everything yourself and optimize for cost.

Google Cloud vs. SiteGround – Cost Comparison

SiteGround, on the other hand, provides the same Google Cloud infrastructure underneath, but with predictable pricing, automated security, expert support, and no unexpected bills.

If you’re building a serious website or running a business, the peace of mind and support alone are worth it.

Final Verdict: Why I Recommend SiteGround for Hosting WordPress on Google Cloud

Over the years, I have used all three methods: manual VM setup, Click to Deploy, and SiteGround. And my honest recommendation is simple.

If you love digging into server setups and want to learn cloud infrastructure hands-on, then the DIY method is a great project.

But if you’re focused on growing your business rather than managing infrastructure, then SiteGround is the smarter way to go.

You still get the power and reliability of Google Cloud behind the scenes. But everything else — performance optimization, backups, caching, staging, support — is handled for you by people who know WordPress inside and out.

We host WPBeginner on SiteGround, and many of our partner companies are also hosted on SiteGround.

If you’re building a serious website and don’t want to worry about server configuration, billing spikes, or keeping up with security patches, then SiteGround is where you should start.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hosting WordPress on Google Cloud

Bonus WordPress Hosting Resources 🎁

The following are a few additional resources on hosting WordPress that you may find helpful.

• How to Install WordPress on Amazon Web Services
• Shared Hosting vs. Cloud Hosting vs. Managed WordPress – What’s the Difference?
• Best Cloud Hosting Providers for WordPress (Expert Pick)
• How to Move WordPress to a New Host or Server With No Downtime
• Best WordPress Migration Services (Compared)

Whether you choose SiteGround for simplicity or go the manual route for full control, hosting WordPress on Google Cloud is absolutely doable. I hope this guide has helped you pick the right path and feel more confident about launching your site.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How to Host WordPress on Google Cloud Platform (3 Ways) first appeared on WPBeginner.

‘Your domain name is about to expire!’ is a pretty scary email that thousands of business owners receive every day. The thing is that many of these urgent messages are actually scams.

I’ve helped countless website owners avoid these traps over the years. The issue that these scams have now evolved from simple email tricks to sophisticated schemes that can fool even experienced website owners.

That’s why I wanted to create this guide to show you what these domain name scams look like and how you can protect yourself. Whether you own one domain name or a hundred, these tips will help you keep your digital property safe.

What Are Domain Name Scams?

Have you ever received an alarming message telling you that your domain name is about to expire? Maybe it even demanded immediate payment to prevent your website from being taken down.

These domain name scams are designed to extract money or sensitive information from domain owners or potential buyers.

Scammers use a range of tactics—emails, phone calls, even traditional mail—to catch you off guard. They often pretend to be real organizations and make their communications look official.

Now, let’s take a look at the most common domain name scams you may see.

1. Misleading Renewal Notices and Invoices

A few months back, I opened my inbox to find an email with the subject line: ‘URGENT: Your domain name is about to expire!’

The email looked official, and it even had a familiar logo and included my domain name.

But something felt off.

The renewal fee they asked for was twice what I usually pay. Plus, the sender’s email address was generic instead of my actual domain name registrar‘s official email. That’s when I realized it was a scam trying to trick me into either paying unnecessary fees to a fake company or unknowingly transferring my domain to their control.

⚠️ How These Scams Work

This practice is often known as ‘domain slamming’. Scammers might:

• Send official-looking emails or letters that mimic the branding of legitimate registrars.
• Use urgent language like ‘Immediate Action Required’ or ‘Final Notice’ to pressure you to act without thinking.
• Inflate renewal fees, charging prices much higher than standard rates.
• Trick you into transferring domains by sneakily including transfer authorization, so you unintentionally move your domain name to another registrar.

It’s not just digital communications. Some people get phone calls from scammers posing as customer service representatives, insisting on immediate payment.

And I’ve even received letters in the mail that looked real. They had professional letterheads and detailed information about my domain name.

One letter claimed I’d lose my domain name if I didn’t pay a steep renewal fee immediately. If I hadn’t been cautious, I might have fallen for it.

✅ How to Protect Yourself

Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself from misleading renewal notices and invoices:

• Verify the Sender: Always double-check that any emails, calls, or letters about your domain are actually from your domain registrar. You can do this by carefully looking at the sender’s email address. If it’s a call, letter, or you’re unsure about an email, it’s best to contact your registrar using the official phone number or support channels listed on their actual website, not from a suspicious message.
• Check Your Domain Name’s Expiration Date: Log in to your domain registrar’s account dashboard to check when your domain name expires.
• Don’t Let Urgency Pressure You: Scammers often use urgent language to make you panic and act quickly. If you get a demanding message, take a moment to pause and think things through before you do anything.
• Contact Your Registrar Directly: If you’re ever unsure about a notice you’ve received, it’s always safest to contact your domain registrar directly. Make sure to find their official contact information on their website, rather than using any phone numbers or links provided in the suspicious message.
• Educate Your Team: Make sure your team that manages your domain names is aware of these scams to prevent accidental loss.

For more details, just see the last section in this article.

2. Phishing Scams Leading to Domain Hijacking

I once received an email that seemed to be from my domain registrar. It had all the right logos and mentioned my domain name. The subject line read, ‘Important: Security Update Required.’

But before I clicked the link in the email, I noticed the URL didn’t look right. I realized it was a phishing attempt.

⚠️ How These Scams Work

Phishing scams are designed to trick you into handing over your login credentials. Scammers create emails or websites that mimic legitimate companies, hoping you’ll:

• Click on malicious links that lead to fake login pages that capture your username and password.
• Provide sensitive information, like your bank account details or passwords, through forms or direct replies.
• Download infected attachments that install malware that can compromise your security.

Remember, phishing attempts aren’t limited to email. Scammers may also use phone calls, text messages, and social media.

Once they have your login information, they can access your domain registrar account and take complete control. This is called domain hijacking.

By hijacking your domain, scammers can transfer your domain name to another registrar without your permission. They can also redirect your website to malicious sites or hold it hostage until you pay a ransom.

Remember, legitimate companies will never ask you to provide sensitive information through unsecured channels.

✅ Protecting Yourself From Phishing and Domain Hijacking

Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself against phishing and domain hijacking:

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Your Domain Account: This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification. Most registrars offer two-factor authentication (2FA) options—usually via an authenticator app or SMS code.
• Verify Before You Click: Inspect the email address because scammers often use addresses that look similar to official ones. Before clicking, hover over the link to see where it actually leads. If it doesn’t match the official website, don’t click.
• Set Up Account Activity Alerts: Many domain registrars let you turn on notifications for important account changes. This way, you’ll get an email if someone logs into your account, changes your settings, or tries to transfer your domain. It’s a good way to catch any suspicious activity quickly without needing to constantly check your account manually.

3. Fake Domain Purchase and Appraisal Scams

Imagine getting an unsolicited email from someone eager to buy your domain name at a premium price.

Before you start celebrating, you need to make sure that the offer is legitimate.

⚠️ How These Scams Work

Scammers often use this tactic to exploit domain name owners:

• They express strong interest in your domain, often offering a price that’s above market value. (Related: Learn how much your website is worth.)
• They insist that you obtain a ‘certified domain appraisal’ from a specific service they recommend.
• The supposed buyer disappears once you pay for the appraisal, leaving you out of pocket.
• In some cases, they might use this scam to collect sensitive information about you or your domain name.

I’ve heard stories from other website owners who have come across similar schemes. These scams prey on the excitement of making a profitable sale.

✅ Protecting Yourself from These Scams

Here’s how you can protect yourself against fake purchase and appraisal scams:

• Do a Quick Search on the Buyer: If someone offers to buy your domain, it’s a good idea to do a little research on them. Real buyers usually have some online presence, like a company website, a LinkedIn profile, or business directory listings. If you search for their name or company and can’t find anything, that could be a red flag.
• Be Wary of Paid Appraisal Demands: Most legitimate buyers won’t ask you, the seller, to pay for a domain appraisal. If a potential buyer insists you use a specific appraisal service (especially one you haven’t heard of) and pay a fee, be very careful. If you do want an appraisal for your own information, it’s best to choose a well-known and trusted service yourself.
• Avoid Sharing Sensitive Information: Never share your sensitive information through email. Legitimate buyers only need basic information to make an offer. If they insist on sensitive details upfront, direct them to use a reputable domain broker or escrow service where transactions are protected.

I explain these safeguards in more detail at the end of this article.

4. Trademark Infringement and Related Domain Scams

Businesses may receive alarming messages claiming that someone is attempting to register similar domain names that potentially infringe on their trademark.

These communications often ask for immediate action to prevent brand damage, creating a sense of urgency and concern.

⚠️ How These Scams Work

Here are some ways scammers exploit brand protection concerns:

• They claim that someone is registering domain names that closely resemble your brand or trademark.
• Phrases like ‘urgent action required’ or ‘immediate attention needed’ are used to pressure businesses into quick responses.
• Scammers may suggest purchasing additional domain extensions or services to ‘safeguard’ the brand, which are often unnecessary.

These scams often arrive via email or phone. To appear legitimate, they may use official-sounding language or legal terminology. They want to frighten you into making a rushed decision.

✅ Protecting Against Trademark Infringement Scams

To avoid falling victim to these schemes:

• Don’t Let Panic Make You Rush: Scammers often use scary-sounding legal language or threats about your brand to make you act quickly without thinking. If you get a notice like this, the first thing to do is take a moment and don’t rush into any decisions or payments.
• Check if the Claim and Sender Are Real: Try to find out if the organization that contacted you is legitimate and if their claim has any truth to it. Look up the company online and find its official contact information. Also, carefully check the message itself for common warning signs, like generic greetings, poor grammar or spelling, and email addresses that don’t look official.
• Consider Talking to a Legal Expert: If the notice seems serious, or if you’re genuinely worried that there might be a real trademark issue, it can be very helpful to speak with a lawyer who knows about intellectual property. They can look at the situation, tell you if there’s a real problem, and explain what your options are.
• Do Your Own Quick Checks: You can use a WHOIS lookup tool online to see if the domain names mentioned in the warning are actually registered by someone else or if they are still available. If the message is urging you to buy multiple domain names to ‘protect your brand,’ think carefully about whether you actually need them.

Check the end of this article for more detailed information on how to protect yourself.

5. Homograph Attacks (Typosquatting)

Domain scammers often use a trick called a homograph attack. They register domain names that look almost identical to legitimate ones, but use different characters.

For example, they might register ‘exɑmple.com’ instead of ‘example.com’. The ‘a’ looks the same, but it’s actually a different character from another alphabet.

This technique makes scam emails look legitimate at first glance. When you receive a message about your domain name, always check the sender’s email address and any links carefully for these subtle character substitutions.

⚠️ How These Scams Work

Homograph attacks trick us because we usually read words by how they look at first glance, instead of carefully checking each letter.

Scammers register domain names that are visually similar to popular sites by:

• Using Lookalike Characters: Replacing letters with identical or near-identical characters from different alphabets (e.g., Cyrillic ‘ɑ’ instead of Latin ‘a’).
• Common Misspellings: Registering domain names with common typos (e.g., ‘gooogle.com’ instead of ‘google.com’).
• Alternate TLDs: Using different top-level domain names (TLDs) like ‘.net’ instead of ‘.com’ to catch users off guard.

Once you visit these fake sites, scammers may steal your personal information by prompting you to log in or enter sensitive data.

Alternatively, they can download malicious software onto your device or display unwanted ads or content to generate revenue through ad impressions or affiliate links.

✅ Protecting Yourself from Homograph Attacks

Here’s what I’ve learned to do to stay safe:

• Always Double-Check Web Addresses (URLs): Before clicking on a link, especially in an email or message, hover your mouse over it to see the actual web address it points to. Once you’re on a website, take a quick look at the address in your browser’s address bar to make sure it doesn’t contain any misspellings or unusual characters.
• Use Your Browser’s Built-in Protection: Most modern web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge have built-in security features that can warn you if you try to visit a known unsafe website. Make sure these features are turned on.
• Be Wary of Unsolicited Communications: Don’t click on links from unexpected emails or texts, even if they seem urgent. If you are in doubt, please contact the organization directly using its official contact information.

I cover these strategies in more detail later in this article.

6. Related: SEO and Search Engine Submission Scams

A while back, I received an email offering to submit my website to ‘hundreds of search engines’ for a small fee. The message promised quick results and top rankings.

It sounded tempting—who wouldn’t want their site to be easily found online?

Unfortunately, this is another common type of scam.

⚠️ How These Scams Work

SEO and search engine submission scams prey on the desire to get more traffic. Scammers might:

• Offer to submit your domain to numerous search engines. But major search engines like Google and Bing automatically crawl and index websites, and you can submit your site to search engines for free.
• Promise top rankings overnight. But genuine SEO is a long-term strategy, and no one can guarantee instant top positions.
• Request payment for secret algorithms or insider knowledge. But search engine algorithms are proprietary and closely guarded. Anyone claiming insider access is misleading you.

These offers often come via unsolicited emails or ads and use buzzwords like ‘guaranteed traffic’ or ‘instant SEO success’ to lure you in.

✅ Protecting Yourself from SEO Scams

Here’s what I’ve learned to do when confronted with these tempting offers:

• Do Some Research First: If a company offers you SEO services, take a few minutes to look them up online. See if you can find reviews or any complaints. You should be cautious if they promise things like ‘instant top rankings’ or discuss ‘secret SEO methods’ because real SEO doesn’t work that way.
• Understand How Search Engines Work: Know that major search engines will find and index your site automatically. And understand that SEO takes time and involves optimizing content, improving site speed, and other techniques.
• Be Careful with Unexpected SEO Offers: If you receive an unexpected email promising amazing SEO results, then you should be cautious. Reputable SEO companies won’t send spammy emails like that. Scammers will also often try to pressure you by claiming an offer is for a limited time, but don’t let that rush you into a decision.
• Stick to Good SEO Basics: Learning a few basic things about how SEO works can really help you. When you understand the fundamentals, it’s much easier to see when someone is making promises that are too good to be true. For details, you can see our ultimate guide to WordPress SEO.
• Choose SEO Help Wisely: If you decide you want professional help with your SEO, look for reputable experts or agencies. It’s a good sign if they have real testimonials or case studies from other clients that you can check. You can see our list of the best WordPress support agencies to see some companies that we recommend.
• Keep Your Login Information Safe: Never share your website login details, such as your WordPress admin password or financial information, with someone just because they offer you SEO services. If you do hire someone, ensure that any payments are made through secure and well-known payment methods.

In the next section of this article, I’ll explain in more detail the best strategies for protecting yourself from domain name scams.

Tips to Protect Yourself From Domain Name Scams

Over the years, I’ve used several strategies to keep my domain names safe from scammers. Here are some steps you can take to safeguard your domain names.

✅ Enable Registrar Lock

One of the first things I did after registering my domain names was to enable registrar lock, which is also known as domain lock.

This setting prevents anyone from transferring your domain name to another registrar without your permission. To transfer your domain, you’ll need to log in to your account and unlock it first. This is a simple but effective way to add extra security.

Simply log in to your domain registrar’s control panel and look for the domain lock option. In the example below, it is labeled ‘Transfer Lock’, but some registrars may use different wording.

If you’re unsure, reach out to your registrar’s support team for guidance.

✅ Use WHOIS Privacy Protection

When I first registered a domain name, I was surprised to find my personal contact information listed publicly in the WHOIS database. This visibility can make you a target for scammers.

By enabling WHOIS privacy protection, your personal details are hidden from public view.

If you’re curious about how this works, our guide on how to find out who actually owns a domain name explains how to find domain ownership information and the importance of privacy.

✅ Regularly Monitor Your Domain Name Status

It’s easy to forget renewal dates, especially if you have multiple domain names.

I recommend setting up domain expiry reminder emails directly with your domain registrar and enabling automatic domain name renewals.

For more information, see our guide on how to check your domain expiration date.

✅ Educate Your Team

If you have staff or team members who help manage your website or have access to your domain registrar account, ensure they are aware of these common scams.

It’s a good idea to share examples of suspicious emails or messages with them so everyone learns what to look out for and can help keep your domain safe.

✅ Verify Communications

As I’ve mentioned before, always be very careful with emails, phone calls, or letters about your domain name that you weren’t expecting.

Before clicking any links, providing information, or making payments, take a moment to verify if the message is real. If you have any doubts, it’s always safest to contact your domain registrar directly using the official phone number or support channels listed on their website.

✅ Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Adding an extra layer of security can make a big difference. I enabled 2FA on my domain registrar accounts, so even if someone guesses my password, they can’t access my account without the second verification step.

Most domain registrars offer 2FA options, which are usually found in the account security settings. For example, some registrars let you enable 2FA with a simple ‘Two-Step Sign In’ toggle switch.

Tip: You can also add two-factor authentication in WordPress to protect your website.

✅ Deal Only with ICANN-Accredited Registrars

It’s best to register your domain names with well-known and reputable companies.

Look for registrars that are ICANN-accredited (ICANN is the organization responsible for managing domain names globally).

Good registrars usually provide better security features for your account, helpful customer support if you need it, and clear, honest communication about your domain name.

For recommendations, see our pick of the best domain name registrars.

✅ Keep Your Contact Information Up to Date

 It’s really important to make sure your contact information (email, phone number, address) with your domain registrar is always up to date. If you’ve recently changed your contact details, then make sure to update them.

This is how your domain registrar will contact you about important things like renewal reminders or security issues.

✅ Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Offers

Whether it’s an email about SEO services or a call from someone wanting to buy your domain, approach unsolicited communications with caution.

Don’t agree to anything on the spot. Take the time to verify the offer or service. If you are unsure, then seek advice from trusted colleagues or industry experts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Domain Name Scams

Many website owners worry when they receive messages about their domain names. Based on my experience helping website owners, here are answers to the most common domain security questions.

1. What is a domain name scam?

Domain name scams are deceptive practices that try to trick domain owners or potential buyers into giving up money or sensitive information.

Scammers use tactics like fake renewal notices, phishing emails, and misleading offers to exploit unsuspecting individuals.

2. How can I tell if a renewal notice is a scam?

Phrases like ‘Immediate Action Required’ or ‘Final Notice’ are often used by scammers. You should also be wary of emails or letters from companies you don’t recognize.

Besides that, watch out for renewal costs that are significantly higher than your usual rate. And always verify any renewal notice by logging into your registrar’s website or contacting their customer support directly.

3. What is domain slamming?

Domain slamming is when scammers send misleading transfer or renewal notices to trick you into switching domain registrars or paying unnecessary fees.

Make sure you read all messages carefully and check that they are from your actual domain registrar. And always be skeptical of unexpected emails or letters about your domain name.

4. How do phishing scams lead to domain hijacking?

Phishing scams trick you into revealing your login credentials by mimicking your domain registrar’s website or communications.

I once got an email that looked like it was from my domain registrar, asking me to log in due to ‘suspicious activity’. Instead of clicking the link, I accessed my account directly and found everything was fine.

I recommend you enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security. Also, never click suspicious links, and navigate to your registrar’s site manually.

Finally, use strong, unique passwords, and avoid using the same password across multiple sites.

5. What should I do if someone offers to buy my domain?

While it can be exciting to receive an unsolicited offer, make sure to be careful. Red flags include when they insist you pay for an appraisal service and make very high offers as bait.

My advice is to research the buyer, verify their credibility, and never pay upfront fees.

6. Are the trademark infringement notices I receive always legitimate?

Not necessarily. Scammers try to use fear around brand protection.

Watch out for urgency and pressure. Scammers often push you to act quickly and demand fees to ‘protect’ your brand.

7. How do homograph attacks (typosquatting) work?

Scammers register domain names that look like yours by using similar or international characters. For example, they may replace ‘o’ with ‘0’ (zero) in a domain name.

Be sure to double-check URLs before clicking on links or entering information. And it’s best to navigate to important sites using saved bookmarks.

8. What should I do if I suspect I’ve been targeted by a scam?

First, don’t engage and avoid responding to the scammer. Next, change your passwords to secure your accounts immediately.

Finally, you should contact your domain registrar and inform them of the suspicious activity. You can also report the scam to the appropriate authorities or online platforms.

9. Can someone steal my domain name?

Yes, domain hijacking is a real threat.

That’s why we recommend using strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) when logging in to your domain registrar account. This makes unauthorized access more difficult.

Also, you should regularly monitor your domain status and consider using a registrar lock. This adds an extra layer of security against unauthorized transfers.

10. Why am I receiving so many unsolicited emails about my domain?

If your domain’s WHOIS information is public, then scammers can easily find your contact details.

The solution is to enable WHOIS privacy protection, which hides your personal information from public databases.

I hope this tutorial helped you learn about common domain name scams and how to avoid them. You may also want to see our guide on how to check domain name availability or our expert pick of the best domain name generators to help you pick a domain fast.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post 6 Common Domain Name Scams to Avoid (& How to Spot Them) first appeared on WPBeginner.

May has been a month of big changes in the WordPress ecosystem. From enhanced SEO features in AIOSEO to important privacy updates in WPConsent and performance boosts in WooCommerce, there’s a lot to cover.

This month, we also saw the formation of a dedicated AI team at WordPress.org, which signals exciting developments to come.

Let’s explore the key highlights and discover what’s new in the world of WordPress!

DB Reset Pro Makes WordPress Database Resets Easier for Developers and Testers 🔃

The team behind popular plugins like SeedProd and Duplicator has launched a new tool: DB Reset PRO. It lets you reset your WordPress database easily and safely, with full control over what gets wiped and what stays.

The plugin removes posts, pages, comments, and users but keeps your admin account, site title, and all media uploads. Themes and plugins are deactivated but not deleted.

Built-in safety features include permission checks and clear reset warnings. There’s also an option to automatically reactivate selected plugins after the reset.

It’s ideal for debugging, development, and learning. You can quickly start fresh without needing to reinstall WordPress. The plugin also supports multisite and has a clean, WordPress-native design.

DB Reset PRO is free and now available on WordPress.org. It’s a useful tool for anyone who needs a reliable reset without affecting files or uploads.

WordPress Announced a Dedicated AI Team to Guide Open-Source Innovation

WordPress.org has launched a new AI Team to lead and coordinate artificial intelligence efforts across the platform.

The team’s goal is to help WordPress stay ahead as AI tools become more common in content creation and site management.

This move brings structure to AI-related work that is already happening in the ecosystem. It helps avoid fragmentation and makes sure that future innovation lines up with WordPress’s long-term goals and open-source values.

The team will take a plugin-first approach to development. This means new features will roll out as Canonical Plugins, which allows for faster testing and community feedback outside the slower Core release cycle.

The founding members are James LePage (Automattic), Felix Arntz and Pascal Birchler (Google), and Jeff Paul (10up). James and Felix will act as the first team representatives, helping organize work and connect with other Make WordPress teams.

WPForms Adds Square Payments for Free Users and Launches Google Drive Integration

WPForms now lets users accept Square payments on all plans, including the free version. This makes it easier for small businesses, nonprofits, and personal sites to collect payments directly through WordPress forms.

The Square integration allows quick setup without custom code. It supports basic payment forms, while advanced features, such as conditional logic, are still available through the PRO addon for paid plans.

WPForms has also launched a new Google Drive Addon. This feature helps teams manage uploaded files without needing to give everyone WordPress access.

Form submissions and file uploads can now be synced automatically to any folder in Google Drive.

The integration is designed to fit smoothly with Google Workspace. It makes collaboration easier by allowing teams, like HR, marketing, or client services, to access form files where they already work.

Plus, smart permissions ensure that users see only what they need, without extra WordPress user roles or logins.

WordPress Ecosystem Expands with 87% Increase in New Plugin Submissions

The WordPress Plugins team has reported an 87% increase in new plugin submissions compared to last year. This growth shows that there has been strong wave of innovation across the developer community.

The data shows a steady rise in submissions since September 2024. And many contributors point to AI as a driving force behind this increase.

A growing number of plugins now include “AI” in their titles, offering features like content generation, chatbots, SEO tools, translation, and AI image creation. Overall, developers are using AI to improve both front-end experiences and backend efficiency.

The Plugin Review Team has also upgraded its internal scanner. It now checks for more security issues, such as missing sanitization or escaping, and offers clearer code examples for fixes. It can also detect similar plugin names, which reduces duplicate plugins and confusion within the plugin directory.

Despite the higher volume of plugins, the team has kept average review wait times low. Faster reviews give developers more motivation to experiment, publish early, and contribute new solutions to the WordPress community.

AIOSEO Update Brings Google Indexing Insights Directly to WordPress

All in One SEO for WordPress has introduced a major new feature called the Index Status Report.

This tool shows you how Google views your website’s content, without leaving your WordPress dashboard. This allows you to find and fix SEO issues before they hurt your rankings.

The Index Status Report helps users understand which pages are indexed, which aren’t, and why. It displays five key categories: Indexed, Crawled but Not Indexed, Discovered but Not Indexed, Other Not Indexed, and No Results Yet.

AIOSEO says the feature fills a critical gap for users who struggle with invisible pages in search results. “While other SEO plugins only show basic indexing status, AIOSEO’s Index Status Report tells you exactly why pages aren’t being indexed—and what to do about it,” said Ben Rojas, President of AIOSEO.

Users can also view post-level indexing issues, including crawl status, canonical tags, and robots.txt rules. Each post has a direct link to inspect it in Google Search Console.

Plus, advanced filtering lets users sort by indexing state, post type, or crawl conditions.

Another feature tracks rich results eligibility. This helps users see which posts can show rich snippets in Google and which schema markup types are already applied, all without opening the post editor.

Review Feeds Simplifies Google and Yelp Reviews with No API Required

Smash Balloon has released a major update to Review Feeds Pro that allows you to display light-use Google and Yelp reviews without API keys. The change is designed to help users save time and avoid recent third-party charges, especially from Yelp’s paid API model.

Users can now paste a link to their Yelp page or Google Place ID to set up a review feed in minutes. There’s no need to connect billing accounts or enter credit card details.

The feature is ideal for users who only need to show a handful of reviews. Free plan users can display up to 10 reviews from a single source without any API integration. Pro users still have the option to enter API keys to unlock unlimited sources and faster feed updates.

With this update, users can highlight Google and Yelp reviews directly on their websites, promote trust, and increase conversions—all with fewer technical requirements.

WooCommerce 9.9 Beta Introduces Blueprints, Faster Dashboard, and Smarter Exports

WooCommerce 9.9 is set for release on June 2, 2025. The beta version is now available for testing, with new features that focus on speed and store management.

The update introduces ‘Blueprints’, which is a tool for exporting and importing store settings. It helps developers and agencies maintain consistent setups across sites.

Admin speed is also improved with asynchronous dashboard widgets. This change significantly reduces load times on uncached or high-traffic sites.

Additionally, store owners can now export selected products by ID and hide all shipping rates when free shipping is available. Both these features were previously only possible with code or third-party tools.

Other updates include automated database migrations and smoother navigation in Product Collection blocks. Experimental features, including COGS tracking and a redesigned Product Gallery block, are also available for early testing.

WPConsent Adds Per-Page Scanning and New Consent Defaults

WPConsent, a WordPress privacy and cookie popup plugin, has released a big update introducing new features for improving privacy compliance in WordPress.

It now offers per-page scanning, improved cookie settings, and cleaner uninstall options.

Site owners can choose which pages to scan for scripts and cookies. This helps reduce scan times, allowing users to focus on key areas like checkout, forms, and login pages. WPConsent also suggests commonly used pages for added convenience.

A new “Default Allow” option gives more control over how cookies are handled. When this setting is enabled, scripts and iframes will load by default unless the user opts out. If rejected, cookies are cleared and the page refreshes to reflect the updated consent choice.

WPConsent also now includes an option to delete all plugin data when the plugin is uninstalled. This ensures full data removal and supports cleaner site management.

The update also includes enhancements to Google Consent Mode compatibility and works well with plugins like MonsterInsights.

WPCode Adds Schema Generators and Improved Pixel Tracking

WPCode has released a new update with 20 new generators for adding schema markup to WordPress sites.

Users can now create structured data for articles, FAQs, reviews, and more—no coding required. This makes advanced SEO tools more accessible for beginners and small business owners.

The schema tool uses a simple form-based interface. Once filled, WPCode generates valid schema code that can be easily inserted and edited. Premium users can also use Smart Tags to dynamically auto-fill values.

This update also improves click tracking in the Conversion Pixel addon. Click events now send data to both Google Analytics and Google Ads for more complete reporting.

In Other News 🗞️

• MonsterInsights now supports Pinterest ad tracking. Users can measure conversions and return on investment (ROI) from Pinterest PPC campaigns using just their Tag ID and Ad Account, all from inside WordPress. No coding needed.
• WordPress 6.8.1 has been released as a maintenance update. It fixes 15 bugs across Core and the Block Editor, and improves stability in multisite, the REST API, and other key areas.

• AdTribes has updated its UI for managing WooCommerce product feeds. Bulk actions and workflow improvements are now live, along with a new Product Feed Validator to help check data quality before submitting feeds to marketplaces.
• A2 Hosting has rebranded as Hosting.com. The company promises improved performance and support while continuing with its core services and infrastructure.
• The folks behind rtCamp have launched GoDAM, a new digital asset management plugin. It offers enhanced video handling and media organization for WordPress users, especially agencies and enterprise teams.

• WordPress Campus Connect is now a global program bringing WordPress education to college campuses. After a successful 2024 pilot, it will host events and training at universities worldwide.

• Formidable Forms has rolled out improved anti-spam tools across all plans. The update includes honeypot protection, keyword filtering, and an integration with the StopForumSpam API.
• WordCamp Europe 2025 is just around the corner and will be happening June 5–7 in Basel, Switzerland. Some tickets are still available.

New Plugins & Tools

• DB Reset PRO 🔥 – Quickly reset your WordPress database without affecting media uploads or plugin files.
• MyPayKit 💳 – Create secure Square-powered payment forms for donations, invoices, and online sales.
• MD Governance – Control block editor settings by user role to create a safer, role-specific editing experience in WordPress.
• Thread Block – Display X (formerly Twitter) style threaded conversations in WordPress posts or pages using a Gutenberg block.

That’s all for this month’s WPBeginner Spotlight! 🎉 We hope this roundup helped you stay informed on what’s new and notable in the WordPress world.

Have a product update, launch, or project worth sharing? Let us know — your submission could be featured in an upcoming issue.

Thanks for reading, and we’ll be back next month with more WordPress insights and updates.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post WPBeginner Spotlight 12: New Tools for SEO, Privacy, and WooCommerce Performance first appeared on WPBeginner.

When I first started building WordPress websites, tracking visitor data just meant installing Google Analytics and calling it a day.

But times have changed. With new privacy regulations, using cookies to collect personal information without user consent can lead to legal headaches and lost visitors.

I’ve helped several WordPress site owners transition to cookie-free analytics solutions that still provide powerful insights. After testing numerous options and implementing them across various types of websites, I’ve identified the most effective approaches.

In this guide, let me show you two ways to add analytics while respecting your visitors’ privacy. One uses a privacy-first setup for Google Analytics (which uses first-party cookies), and the other is a cookieless option.

Do I Really Need Cookieless Analytics?

You’ve probably heard a lot about cookies and privacy laws. But what does it all really mean for your WordPress website’s analytics? Let me break it down.

Cookies are small pieces of data that are stored on a user’s browser when they visit a website.

Traditional analytics tools like Google Analytics 4 (GA4) use these cookies to track visitor behavior. This includes details like which pages they visit, how long they stay, and what actions they take.

All this data helps site owners better understand their audience and improve their websites.

🚨 Here’s the challenge: New privacy laws, like the GDPR, CCPA, and ePrivacy, require websites to ask for explicit user consent before tracking with cookies. Because of this, many website owners think they must switch to cookie-free analytics to stay compliant.

However, that’s not actually true!

You can still track important data with Google Analytics while staying compliant with privacy laws.

Why “Cookieless” Google Analytics 4 is the Best Option

When it comes to website analytics, Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is still the best and most powerful tool available – and that’s true for all types of websites. So, if you want accurate insights into your visitors’ behavior, GA4 is the way to go.

But before we start, let’s clear up a common misunderstanding: GA4 does not rely on third-party cookies. Instead, it uses first-party cookies, which are set by your own website to collect data about your visitors’ activity on your WordPress site only.

In contrast, third-party cookies are set by external services (like ad networks) and track users across multiple websites. Because of their broader tracking scope, they raise more privacy concerns and are being phased out by many browsers.

Now, you might be wondering: “Since GA4 still uses cookies – even if they’re first-party – can it be used in a way that complies with privacy laws?”

The answer is yes!

However, do note that Google Analytics itself isn’t automatically compliant or non-compliant. It’s your responsibility to use it in a way that follows the rules that apply to you.

Plus, whether you need cookie consent for Google Analytics depends on several factors. They can be where you and your visitors are located, and how you handle their data.

Since cookie consent laws differ by country (even within the EU), some websites must ask users to consent to specific cookies, while others need a banner for any cookie use.

To help with this, I’ll show you how to pair GA4 with:

✅ MonsterInsights with the EU Compliance addon – This helps ensure your data handling aligns with GDPR and other privacy regulations.

✅ WPConsent cookie banners – These help you request and manage user consent the right way.

With these tools in place, you can continue using GA4 in a way that supports compliance with privacy laws. This helps you gather valuable insights while reducing the risk of legal issues.

How to Add WordPress Analytics Without Cookies

Now that I’ve covered what cookieless tracking is and whether you really need it, let’s talk about how to set it up on your WordPress site.

There are 2 solid options to do this:

1. GA4 + MonsterInsights EU Compliance addon – Track user behavior with GA4 while staying compliant with privacy laws like GDPR. It uses first-party cookies and offers configurable settings for stronger privacy. Ideal for getting detailed insights with easy website integration.
2. Burst Statistics – Let’s you set up analytics without cookies. It stores data on your server and offers a hybrid mode with optional cookies.

I will cover both methods in our tutorial, along with some extra tips and FAQs about cookieless tracking.

Feel free to use the jump links below to go to your preferred method:

Ready? Let’s break it down.

Method 1: How to Set Up WordPress Cookieless Analytics (Keep Using GA4 for the Best Insights)

This method is for if you want access to powerful analytics while still respecting user privacy. I’ll be using MonsterInsights alongside WPConsent to set up cookieless tracking.

Step 1: Install MonsterInsights to Set Up Cookieless Analytics

MonsterInsights is the most popular Google Analytics plugin for WordPress, and for a good reason: it makes viewing your Google Analytics data in WordPress incredibly easy.

At WPBeginner, we use it to track traffic sources, visitor demographics, and conversion rates on our forms, buttons, referral links, and more. Check out our complete MonsterInsights review for a deeper look at its features.

So, let’s first install and activate the MonsterInsights plugin. For details, you can see this guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Step 2: Connect MonsterInsights to Google WordPress Analytics

Once you have MonsterInsights up and running, it’s time to connect it to your site and your Google Analytics account.

You can click the ‘Insights’ tab in the left-hand menu of your WordPress dashboard.

Next, just click the ‘Launch the Wizard’ button to start the MonsterInsights setup process.

On the next screen, you’ll need to pick a category that best describes your website.

This can be a WordPress blog, business site, or online store.

Just hit ‘Save and Continue’ after you make your choice.

After that, you’ll need to connect MonsterInsights to your website’s Google Analytics account.

Simply click the ‘Connect MonsterInsights’ button to begin the process.

In the next steps, you’ll have to sign in to your Google Analytics account and select the website you want to track.

MonsterInsights will then install Google Analytics on your site – easy as that!

For details, you can see this guide on how to install Google Analytics in WordPress.

Step 3: Install the MonsterInsights EU Compliance Addon

Since GA4 still uses first-party cookies, you need to make sure that your tracking complies with GDPR. The MonsterInsights EU Compliance addon makes this easier by automating key privacy settings in GA4.

Some of its essential features include:

• Anonymizing IP addresses to prevent personal data storage.
• Disabling the tracking of user demographics, interests, and User IDs.

To install the addon, you can navigate to Insights » Addons.

Here, go ahead and click the ‘Install & Activate’ button to install the EU Compliance addon.

After that, you can switch the toggle to activate the addon when it appears.

Upon activation, let’s go to the ‘Settings’ menu.

In the ‘Engagement’ tab, simply toggle the ‘Enable EU Compliance’ setting to turn it on.

We also recommend verifying the settings directly in GA4 to ensure your GA4 setup aligns with your MonsterInsights privacy settings.

For example, to make sure your GA4 doesn’t track demographics, you can navigate to your GA4 ‘Admin’ panel.​

Next up, you’ll want to locate the ‘Data collection and modification’ setting.

Then, simply click the ‘Data collection’ option.

Now, in the ‘Google signals data collection’ settings, you should make sure it’s disabled.

Why does this matter? Google Signals collects extra user data, including:

• Demographics & Interests – Age, gender, and hobbies.
• Location & Engagement – User locations (from Google accounts).
• Cross-Device Tracking – Identifies users as they switch between devices.
• Cross-Platform Reports – How users interact across devices.
• Ad Personalization Data – Connects with Google Ads for remarketing.

If it’s already off, then you should see the option to ‘Turn On’ like this:

You might also want to review your data retention settings.

Data retention controls how long GA4 stores user-level and event-level data before automatically deleting it. A shorter retention period can help with GDPR compliance and privacy regulations.

To do this, you can go to Data collection and modification » Data retention from the ‘Admin’ menu.

On the next screen, you’ll see options to set the event and user data retention period.

You can click the ‘Data retention’ dropdown menus for both event and user data. Then, for stricter compliance, simply choose the ‘2 months’ option.

Don’t forget to click ‘Save’ when you’re done adjusting.

To learn more about all things GA4, you can check out our beginner’s guide on how to use Google Analytics 4.

Step 4: Set Up the WPConsent Cookie Consent Plugin

Using Google Analytics 4 while complying with laws like GDPR and CCPA means you need to get user consent before tracking. And that responsibility falls on you.

Whether consent is required depends on where your business is based, where your users are located, what data you collect, and how it’s used. Plus, rules vary widely across countries, even within the EU, with some requiring consent for specific cookies and others for any type.

Instead of handling this manually yourself, you can use WPConsent to simplify compliance.

This powerful plugin lets you display a cookie consent banner, log user choices, and control when tools like GA4 are allowed to run — all within WordPress.

At WPBeginner (and some of our partner brands), we use WPConsent, and it’s been a reliable solution for managing privacy settings. Explore all of its features in our complete WPConsent review!

So, let’s start by installing the WPConsent plugin. If you need help, then you can see this beginner’s guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Upon plugin activation, let’s activate the license key.

To do this, you’ll need to go to WPConsent » Settings. After that, simply copy the license key from your WPConsent account and paste it into the ‘License Key’ field.

Then, go ahead and click the ‘Activate Key’ button.

With that done, let’s navigate to ‘Dashboard’ to go through the setup wizard.

Go ahead and click on the ‘Let’s Get Started’ button.

On the next screen, WPConsent will run a scan to see if your site is using cookies.

First, it will ask you to check your site’s email address.

If everything looks good already, then you can click ‘Scan Your Website.’

This will trigger the tool to start the cookie scan.

Once done, you’ll see a ‘Scan completed’ notification along with a short report on the tool’s findings. For example, here it says that WPConsent found 4 services on our site that have set cookies.

Let’s click on ‘OK’ to continue the process.

Next up, you’ll see your WordPress site’s scan results in more detail.

On my demo site, the services that use cookies are WordPress login (this might be because of the ‘Remember Me‘ option), WordPress Comments, Google Analytics, and Matomo.

Make sure that you select all the services. Then, you should also check the box that says ‘Prevent known scripts from adding cookies before consent is given.’

With that done, go ahead and click the ‘Auto-Configure selected’ button.

After that, WPConsent will prompt you to set up your cookie banner.

The process is super simple. You just need to choose a layout and pick a position.

Then, you can scroll down the page to preview your cookie consent banner.

If everything looks good to you, it’s time to click the ‘Save & Complete Setup’ button.

And you’re done!

Now, if you visit your website, you’ll see your cookie consent banner in action.

👉 Expert Tip: Adding a link to your privacy policy page in the cookie banner helps build trust with your visitors and align with legal requirements. If you don’t have one yet, then check out our tutorial on how to add a privacy policy page in WordPress.

After setting it up, you can embed the link into your cookie banner from the WPConsent editor.

Just navigate to WPConsent » Banner Design from your admin area. Then, you can edit the text in the ‘Message’ field to include the link to your Privacy Policy page.

Don’t forget to click the ‘Save’ button so you don’t lose your progress.

And here’s your cookie banner:

Step 5: Access Consent Logs to Verify Your Privacy Settings

WPConsent has a ‘Consent Logs’ section that provides a detailed record of how visitors interact with your site’s cookie consent popup.

To see your logs, go ahead and navigate to WPConsent » Consent Logs from your WordPress admin area.

Here, you’ll find a table with all your users’ consent details.

For example, I have a user who accepted all cookies – essential, statistics, and marketing.

And that’s it – you’ve successfully set up Google Analytics with enhanced privacy settings while still using cookies.

Method 2: How to Set Up WordPress Analytics Without Cookies (Free Option with Less Data Accuracy)

If you’re looking to track analytics without cookies, then Burst Statistics is a great option. This free plugin makes the process pretty simple.

Keep in mind that Burst Statistics uses a technique called fingerprinting. It’s a way to identify a computer or device based on its unique characteristics, like the browser, operating system, and installed fonts, even without using cookies.

While it’s generally considered less intrusive than cookies, it’s still a form of tracking, so it’s good to be aware of it.

Now, let’s take a look at how you can set it up on your WordPress site.

Step 1: Install and Activate the Burst Statistics Plugin on WordPress

To get started, you need to install and activate the free Burst Statistics plugin. Simply navigate to Plugins » Add New Plugin from your admin area.

After that, you’ll want to use the search feature to quickly find the plugin. Then, go ahead and click the ‘Install Now’ button.

Then, you should click once again on the ‘Activate’ button when it appears. If you need help, then you can check out this guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Step 2: Configure Settings for Optimal Performance and Privacy

Upon plugin activation, you can enable analytics without cookies straight away.

All you have to do is navigate to Statistics » Settings from your WordPress admin area. Then, let’s make sure you’re in the ‘General’ tab.

From here, simply switch on the ‘Enable Cookieless tracking’ option like this:

And that’s it – you’ve successfully set up WordPress analytics without cookies on your website.

Step 3: Verify if Your Analytics Are Working Properly

Unlike the more traditional approach, analytics without cookies avoids storing personal data, like IP addresses or other user identifiers. Instead, it provides anonymized, aggregated data.

That said, it’s important to note that some methods still involve data collection. This may carry privacy implications depending on how they’re implemented.

To see if your analytics are working properly, you need to go to the ‘Statistics’ menu. On the next screen, you’ll immediately find your visitors and pageviews graph for the last seven days.

To see the statistics in detail, you can scroll down this page.

Here, you might notice that your sessions are counted differently.

In traditional analytics, cookies track when a visitor starts and ends a session. If the same person comes back within a certain time frame (usually 30 minutes), it’s counted as the same session.

In analytics without cookies, returning users cannot be recognized within that window. Instead, each visit is treated as a new session, even if it occurs shortly after the last one.

🤔 What does this mean for your reports? You may see a higher number of sessions than usual because visitors who leave and return within a short period won’t be grouped into a single session.

Further down the page, Burst Statistics provides a dedicated ‘Pages’ report that shows how pageviews are distributed across your site.

For example, if your ‘Compare’ report shows 9 pageviews, then you can see that 3 views came from the ‘Career’ page, 2 views from the ‘Login’ page, and so on.

FAQs About Cookieless WordPress Analytics

Still have questions? Let’s clear up some common concerns about tracking website data without cookies.

Why do websites need cookies?

Cookies store small amounts of data to remember user preferences, track user behavior, and improve the user experience. Many analytics tools use cookies to identify returning visitors and track interactions over time.

How can I add analytics to my WordPress site?

In short, you can add analytics to your WordPress site using tools like MonsterInsights, Matomo, or HubSpot.

I recommend MonsterInsights because it makes installing Google Analytics in WordPress easy. It gives you all your GA4 data in easy-to-understand reports directly in your WordPress dashboard.

For details, see this guide on how to install Google Analytics in WordPress.

Do all websites with analytics need cookie warnings?

No. If your analytics solution doesn’t store personally identifiable information (PII) or track users across sessions using cookies, then you don’t need a cookie consent banner. This is why many site owners switch to analytics without cookies.

For example, Burst Statistics is a privacy-focused analytics tool that uses fingerprinting techniques. Instead of storing cookies, it analyzes non-personal browser and device data to differentiate visitors.

Keep in mind that while this approach is technically cookieless, it is still a form of data collection that may have privacy considerations.

Will cookieless analytics affect data accuracy?

It depends on the tool you use.

Cookieless tracking may not capture user journeys in as much detail, but it still provides accurate insights into overall traffic, page views, and engagement.

Many modern cookieless analytics tools use fingerprinting techniques or server-side tracking to improve accuracy. While these methods minimize cookie usage, they still collect data in other ways, which may raise concerns about privacy.

Can I switch back to traditional analytics if needed?

Yes, most analytics solutions allow you to switch between cookieless and traditional tracking. However, if you start using cookies again, then you may need to add a cookie consent banner to comply with privacy laws.

Further Reading 📚: More WordPress Analytics Guides

I hope this article has helped you learn how to add WordPress analytics without cookies.

Want to dive deeper into WordPress analytics? Check out these guides to track and understand your website’s performance more effectively:

• How to Set Up Google Analytics Goals
• How to See Search Analytics in WordPress
• How to Easily See Your Blog Stats
• How to Track Video Analytics in WordPress
• How to Set Up WordPress Form Tracking in Google Analytics
• How to Set Up Email Newsletter Tracking in Google Analytics
• How to Add Scroll Depth Tracking in WordPress with Google Analytics
• MonsterInsights vs Site Kit (Head-to-Head Comparison)
• Google Analytics vs Jetpack Stats (In-Depth Comparison)
• Best Analytics Solutions for WordPress Users

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How to Add WordPress Analytics Without Cookies (2 Easy Methods) first appeared on WPBeginner.

Are you fed up with overspending on your business phone system? Or maybe you’re a startup looking for a cost-effective solution that still has all the features you need?

RingCentral is a great option for many companies and entrepreneurs (in fact, we often recommend it to WPBeginner readers). However, it’s not the perfect solution for every single business.

That’s why I’ve done the research for you, testing a ton of business phone systems to find the best RingCentral alternatives. I looked at everything from pricing and ease of use to call quality and customer support, focusing on solutions suitable for all kinds of business owners.

Whether you’re looking for advanced features or just want something simple and affordable, I’m confident I’ve found a RingCentral alternative to fit your needs.

Quick Pick – The Best RingCentral Alternatives

In a hurry? No worries! Take a look at my top picks so you can quickly choose the right RingCentral alternative for your site.

How I Tested & Reviewed Ring Central Alternatives

I know that finding the right communication platform can be daunting and high-stakes. Make the wrong decision, and your remote team may struggle to collaborate. Even worse, you might miss urgent customer queries, provide a terrible customer experience, or lose out on potential leads.

With so much at stake, I’m committed to giving you the best possible advice about RingCentral alternatives.

That said, here’s how I tested the different options in this article: 

• We have actually used them at WPBeginner: For instance, we have used Nextiva for our own business phone system for many years and Zoom for company meetings. This real-world experience means we understand how these tools perform in a real business, and not just in a perfect demo environment.
• I put the most popular ones to the test: I dug deep into these solutions, analyzing them based on the stuff that really matters: How easy are they to use? What features do they offer? Do they have any time-saving artificial intelligence tools? And of course, how much do they cost? 
• I tried customizing them: Your business is unique, so your communication system should be, too. With that in mind, I personally tested each RingCentral alternative to see whether you can customize the call flows, greetings, and overall experience. For example, do you have the flexibility to fine-tune the VoIP or communications solution to better suit your business, or are you stuck with the default settings?
• I categorized them: The truth is, there’s no single ‘best’ RingCentral alternative that’s perfect for everyone. I understand that a small startup has different needs than a large call center. With that in mind, I categorized each solution to help you find the right platform for your unique needs. 

6 Best RingCentral Alternatives

Now, let’s look at the best RingCentral alternatives you should consider for your business.

1. Nextiva – Best for Remote Teams

I can confidently say that Nextiva is an excellent business phone service, especially for remote teams. Since it’s a cloud-based platform, you can answer calls from anywhere using an app on your computer or phone.

We also use it across our own business. We ultimately chose Nextiva because it offered the best balance of features, ease of use, and affordability for a business phone system, especially for remote teams like ours.

You can check out our Nextiva review for more information.

Another standout feature is Nextiva’s ability to handle multiple communication channels, including phone, SMS, live chat, video, team messaging, and social media. 

This makes it particularly well-suited for customer support, as it allows for seamless customer interactions. 

Nexitva’s IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system is also incredibly useful. This automated phone menu allows callers to interact with Nextiva using their keyboard or voice.

If you’ve ever rang a phone number and heard a pre-recorded greeting say something like “Press 1 for…” then you’ve encountered an IVR system before.

This feature enables you to route callers to the right department or person automatically, allowing you to better handle high call volumes. By automating simple routine tasks like this, you’ll be free to focus on more complex customer issues.

Plus, Nextiva has some great call analytics and reports. These call metrics allow you to see how many calls your team can handle and improve your customer service and sales teams.

Overall, Nextiva’s feature set is very impressive and includes automated reminders, video calls, an auto-attendant, and screen sharing.

It also integrates smoothly with other business tools like HubSpot, Zendesk, Zoho, and Salesforce.

✅ Pros of Nextiva:

• Cloud-based business phone service that’s perfect for remote work
• Affordable VoIP phone service
• Automated call forwarding based on your schedule
• Built-in contact management features
• Supports video chat, including screen sharing and file sharing
• Handles multiple communication channels
• Email and text voicemail transcription
• Detailed call analytics 
• Easily connects with other business tools

❌ Cons of Nextiva:

• No matter what plan you buy, you’ll need to pay for each additional user. This may make Nextiva difficult to scale, especially if you’re a rapidly expanding company that regularly onboards new employees. 
• The desktop app uses many resources and can slow down your computer.

Why I recommend Nextiva: As remote work continues to grow, I’m hearing from more and more businesses that need a reliable cloud-based phone solution. If this sounds like you, then Nextiva may be your ideal solution.

It lets you answer calls from anywhere using an app on your computer or phone, so it’s perfect for remote teams. I can also see this being a good option if your employees regularly travel or work in the field.

Pricing: Plans start at $20 per user per month for the Digital Plan and go up to $60 per user per month for the advanced Power Suite plan. 

2. Ooma – Best for Small Businesses on a Tight Budget

For small businesses, every dollar counts. Luckily, Ooma offers advanced features like auto-attendant, call forwarding, and voicemail transcription at a surprisingly budget-friendly price.

One of Oooma’s standout features is its virtual receptionist, which lets you create custom messages with general information such as your business hours and locations. It will then read these messages to anyone who calls your business number.

This helps callers get essential information right away, even if you don’t have a huge support team available 24/7.

But here’s where Oooma gets really smart.

The Virtual Receptionist isn’t just some basic answering machine. It can actually figure out who the caller needs to speak with and automatically forward them to the right person or department. For example, the virtual receptionist can ask callers to press different buttons for specific extensions, such as “Press 1 to speak with our refunds department.”

This makes your business look incredibly efficient and organized, allowing you to compete with the big guys (even if you’re a small team behind the scenes).

I also appreciated the drag-and-drop call flow designer, making it easy to create custom call flows. Even if you don’t have a technical expert on staff, you can still create custom call routes in minutes.

During my testing, I found Ooma’s call quality to be consistently clear and reliable. The mobile app is also pretty handy, allowing you to make unlimited domestic calls.

Even better, you can save up to 90% on international call rates when you dial through the app. That’s a massive saving if you call overseas a lot!

The Ooma app also uses your phone’s Wi-Fi or data connection to make calls. That means you can chat away without worrying about using up all your mobile data or sacrificing call quality.

✅ Pros of Ooma:

• Toll-free number with 500 minutes of inbound calls each month.
• Assign multiple devices to the same user.
• Automated call forwarding based on a schedule.
• The Caller Info Match feature automatically fetches customer information from sources like LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, HubSpot, ServiceNow, or Zoho.
• Supports video chat, including noise suppression, host muting, and HD streams.
• Convenient ‘meet now’ link for instant virtual meetings.
• Automatic voicemail transcription, plus a voicemail-to-email option.
• Easily connects with other business tools, including Microsoft Dynamics 365, Zoho, FreshDesk, and Salesforce Lightning.

❌ Cons of Ooma:

• A few users have experienced issues setting up the mobile app.
• Some features, such as the IVR system, can be complex to set up and require technical expertise.

Why I recommend Ooma: If you’re a small business or have a limited budget, then Ooma Office Essentials is a great starting point. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to set up and manage your phone system, even if you don’t have a team of technical experts on staff.

Ooma is also designed to be affordable. It includes unlimited calling to the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, so it’s a great, budget-friendly solution if you regularly call these locations.

Pricing: Ooma Office Essentials is priced at $19.95 per month, and is our recommendation for startups, small business owners, and WordPress freelancers.

However, you can unlock additional features such as call recording and call blocking, voicemail transcriptions, and video conferencing by upgrading to either Ooma Office Pro ($24.95) or Ooma Office Pro Plus ($29.95).

3. Grasshopper – Best for Solo Entrepreneurs in the US/Canada

Setting up and maintaining a professional phone system can be overwhelming, especially when you’re flying solo. That’s where Grasshopper comes in.

This is a powerful virtual business phone service specifically designed to help solo entrepreneurs establish a strong brand image and communicate effectively with customers.

Solo entrepreneurs often work from home or remotely, which can make it difficult to establish a professional phone presence. Grasshopper solves this problem by allowing you to create a toll-free number, a vanity number, or a local number in any city of your choice.

I particularly like the option to create a local number, as it helps you appeal to customers outside of your immediate area. You could potentially take your solo business international!

Even better, the Grasshopper app lets customers and potential leads reach you at any time. It doesn’t matter whether you’re working from home, your local coffee shop, or on the go. The app helps you grow your business by ensuring you don’t miss important calls.

The best part? You don’t need to buy any additional phones or equipment—your existing smartphone or computer will do. This makes it an affordable solution for solo entrepreneurs who need to establish a reliable phone system on a limited budget.

It’s also a good option for startups or even some small businesses that may not have invested in professional equipment yet.

To make sure customers always get a response, Grasshopper can automatically send a text to new callers when you can’t answer them right away. This feature is especially useful when you’re flying solo – even the most dedicated solo entrepreneur can’t be available 24/7.

However, keep in mind that Grasshopper is only available to customers in the US or Canada.

✅ Pros of Grasshopper:

• Send and receive texts on your Grasshopper business number.
• Forward any incoming calls to multiple phones at once.
• Automatic voicemail transcriptions.
• Use your internet connection when cell reception is poor.
• Receive faxes as PDF attachments, sent straight to your email inbox.
• Monitor your business with detailed call reports and analytics.

❌ Cons of Grasshopper

• No advanced features like video conferencing or team messaging.
• Limited integrations with other software (Skype and Google Voice only).
• $500 deposit is required to enable international outgoing calls.
• Only available in the US and Canada.

Why I recommend Grasshopper: With Grasshopper, you don’t have to worry about complicated technical setup, maintenance, or equipment. This makes it a good option for startups and small businesses, but I particularly recommend it for solo entrepreneurs.

Grasshopper’s choice of toll-free, vanity, and local numbers helps you establish a professional phone presence, while the app allows you to answer calls from any location at any time.

The end result? Your business projects a more polished and professional image, which is essential for building trust and driving sales.

Pricing: Starts at $14/ month for the True Solo plan. This plan includes 1 user, 1 phone number, and 1 extension – basically, everything you need to support a solo-person business.

4. Zoom Phone – Best for Video Conferencing & Team Messaging

Managing calls, video conferencing, and team chat can be a challenge for any business. However, it’s particularly tricky for remote teams where most of the communication happens virtually.

Zoom Phone offers a solution to this problem by providing an all-in-one platform for managing all your communication needs. This includes answering customer calls, following up on leads, hosting video conferences, and chatting with team members.

As a 100% remote team, we use Zoom for some of our large company meetings.

We need a reliable and efficient platform with built-in team chat and video conferencing. This is essential for keeping our employees connected across different time zones.

With Zoom, we have hosted one-on-one reviews, town hall meetings, team chats, and even team-building social calls, all from the same platform.

Despite being a comprehensive all-in-one platform, Zoom Phone is incredibly easy to set up. Simply choose a cloud phone plan, and you can start making calls immediately using the Zoom mobile or desktop app.

Additionally, Zoom has an AI Companion that can streamline your workflows with advanced features like meeting and call summaries, real-time AI queries during meetings, and AI-powered whiteboard generation.

These features are ideal for video conferences in general, but they’re particularly useful for remote teams where most communication happens via video meetings. They let you keep everyone in the loop, including people who could not attend the video chat.

I also like the ability to switch between voice and video calls with one click. Once again, this is ideal if you need to handle a mix of customer calls, internal meetings, and remote collaboration.

✅ Pros of Zoom Phone:

• Unified interface for phone, video, and chat.
• One-click switch between voice and video calls.
• Convenient, centralized admin portal (monitor users, call quality, usage data, and more).
• Supports multiple devices and apps.
• Unlimited auto-attendants.
• Call queuing with automatic call distribution.
• Integrates seamlessly with Salesforce, Contact Center, Slack, and other popular solutions. 

❌ Cons of Zoom Phone:

• No free trial available (although there is a free version that’s limited to 40-minute call durations and 100 participants).
• The metered international calling fees are a bit expensive for small businesses.

Why I recommend Zoom Phone: With its advanced video conferencing and team chat features, Zoom Phone is a great option for teams that host regular virtual meetings. It’s particularly good for remote teams that rely on chat and video conferencing to work together effectively.

Pricing: Zoom plans start at $15 per user, per month for domestic US and Canada calling, with prices going up to $22.49.

5. Phone.com – Best for International Businesses

Do you have customers all over the globe? Phone.com offers competitive international calling rates to communicate with your existing customers and find new ones without breaking the bank.

Another feature that caught my attention was Phone.com’s AI-powered Answer Bot service. This service can pick up the phone using your company’s name and give a pre-written answer. This is a fantastic way to make your business appear more professional.

It’s also a great addition if you have customers in different time zones, but don’t have call center staff available 24/7. With Phone.com’s Answer Bot service, you can be confident that callers always get some form of response.

Do you work in the healthcare industry? Then I really recommend checking out Phone.com’s HIPAA compliance features.

Keeping patient data private is a huge deal, and Phone.com understands this. For example, if a patient tries to contact you via SMS, then Phone.com can automatically tell them to contact your office in a different way to discuss medical information. This is because text messaging usually isn’t HIPAA compliant.

Setting up Phone.com is also fairly straightforward. Their dashboard is user-friendly, so you can customize call routing, voicemail, and other settings without any hassle. They even have a smart call routing system where you can define custom rules based on the time of day, caller ID, and more.

Once again, these features can be particularly useful for international businesses that want to provide personalized service to customers in different locations. For example, you might route callers to a customer service agent who speaks their preferred language.

✅ Pros of Phone.com:

• Low rates for international calling.
• Connect to any traditional analog telephone.
• HIPAA compliance features.
• Track your top performers and busiest hours with built-in analytics.
• Get additional insights via call logs and call recording.

❌ Cons of Phone.com:

• Customer service response times can sometimes be slow.
• Only includes call analytics and CRM integrations in the most expensive plan.

Why I recommend Phone.com: While Phone.com has limitations, including slower customer service response times, it’s still an excellent option. Its competitive international calling rates, in particular, make it a really attractive platform for companies with customers all over the globe.

And here’s a little something extra that really stood out to me: if you work in the healthcare field, then Phone.com has dedicated HIPAA compliance features. This immediately makes it stand out from every other solution on this list.

If you’re willing to overlook some minor drawbacks, then Phone.com could be your perfect solution, especially for businesses that sell or operate globally.

Pricing: Users can choose between Basic ($15), Plus ($22.50), and Pro ($33.33), with all plans billed per user, per month. 

6. Vonage – Best for Call Centers

As a well-established name in VoIP, Vonage is an excellent option for call centers and larger businesses. After trying out their business phone service, I was impressed by its wide range of features and capabilities.

I was really surprised by how easy it was to manage company phone numbers from my admin dashboard. You can even generate local and toll-free numbers directly from the dashboard (although you will need to contact Vonage to generate international numbers). 

Vonage is a great option for call centers due to features such as team messaging, video conferencing (with up to 200 participants!), call recording, and auto-dialing.

It also supports VoIP desk phones, so you can use traditional office phones alongside the desktop and mobile apps.

However, it’s worth noting that Vonage is one of the more expensive options on this list. So, if you’re a startup or small business, then you may be better off with a different RingCentral alternative.

✅ Pros of Vonage:

• Capture more potential leads with Call Forwarding and Simultaneous Ring.
• Dedicated dial-in numbers from 60 countries.
• Record inbound and outbound calls for any or all users within your organization.
• Call center-specific features like call logs, call recordings, AI routing, and advanced call analytics.
• Admin portal for call management.
• Connects with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and other tools.

❌ Cons of Vonage:

• Expensive for small businesses.
• Long contract periods.

Why I recommend Vonage: Vonage has some seriously advanced features built explicitly with call centers in mind. That makes it a fantastic pick if you need a rock-solid VoIP solution that can handle the demands of a busy customer service team.

However, while Vonage offers many powerful features, it is pricier than some other options. If budget is a major concern for your business, then I’d definitely recommend choosing one of the other RingCentral alternatives in this guide.

Pricing: Vonage’s base plan starts from $13.99 per month, per line, and goes all the way up to $27.99 per month, per line.

What Is the Best RingCentral Alternative? 

After thoroughly testing and comparing various business phone systems and platforms, I’m excited to share my top pick for the best RingCentral alternative: Nextiva.

It’s a reliable, flexible, and secure platform with an impressive feature set. It’s also a cloud-based solution, so your team can answer calls using any computer or phone. Overall, Nextiva is a perfect fit for remote teams or employees who travel a lot, or perhaps even work in the field.

Nextiva can also automatically forward calls based on each team member’s schedule. This can help remote team members work together more seamlessly, even when they’re spread across multiple time zones.

But what about other options?

If you’re a small business with a limited budget, then Ooma and Grasshopper are both great starting points. They both offer affordable plans, and they’re easy to use, making them ideal for solo entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses alike.

However, the best RingCentral alternative for your business will ultimately depend on your specific needs and requirements. I recommend considering factors like budget, scalability, features, and user interface to help you make the right decision for your business.

Best RingCentral Alternatives: Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve been part of the WPBeginner team for a while, so I’ve definitely heard my fair share of questions along the way.

To help you out, I’ve put together answers to some of the most common questions we get asked about RingCentral and potential alternatives. 

Why should I avoid RingCentral?

The main issue I hear from businesses is that RingCentral is considerably more expensive than other VoIP providers. Often, this means it simply isn’t an option for solo entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses, since they typically have smaller budgets.

RingCentral also has many features, so its learning curve tends to be steeper than its competitors. Once again, this tends to be a problem for smaller businesses, as they’re less likely to have a technical expert who can help them set up and maintain RingCentral.

Don’t get me wrong: RingCentral is still a great platform. In fact, it has all the features you’d expect from an advanced communication tool, including call forwarding, number sharing, call waiting, and call management. It also integrates with popular CRMs like Salesforce and Zendesk. 

So, while Nextiva is my top recommendation, RingCentral is a fantastic tool that I still recommend to larger businesses with bigger budgets or more complex needs.

If you want to learn more, then you can see our detailed RingCentral review for a deeper dive.

And if you do decide that RingCentral is the right fit for you, then you’re in luck – we have a RingCentral coupon, so you can get a discount.

Is there a free version of RingCentral?

While there isn’t a completely free version, RingCentral does offer a free trial. This means you can see if the platform is right for you before investing in a paid plan.

What is the best RingCentral alternative?

In my experience, Nextiva is the best virtual business phone service on the market. It’s loaded with advanced features, offers truly excellent support, and is designed to scale as your team grows. 

We use Nextiva across our company, and in our opinion, it’s the best cloud phone system and platform on the market, especially if you have a remote team.

Which is better, Nextiva or RingCentral?

When it comes to finding the absolute best VoIP phone provider and platform for small businesses, everything points to Nextiva.

Nextiva offers competitive pricing, a ton of features, the best call quality, lower rates for international calls, and a wide range of numbers to choose from (local, international, toll-free, and vanity numbers).

Curious to learn more? Our in-depth post compares Nextiva vs RingCentral vs Ooma, exploring their key features.

Bonus: How to Get Started With Your Business Phone System

Choosing which communication platform to use is a big step, so great job deciding! Now that you’ve got that sorted, let’s help you set up a seamless business phone system.

We’ve put together some handy guides that will show you how to set up call forwarding, voicemail greetings, and other essential features to make sure customers and potential leads can reach you with ease:

• Beginner’s Guide: What is VoIP and How Does it Work? (Explained)
• How to Set Up an Auto Attendant Phone System for Your Website
• How to Set Up Business Call Forwarding From Your Website
• How to Set Up a Business Voicemail Greeting (With Examples)
• Ways to Get an 800 Toll-Free Number for Your Business
• Best Call Center Software (Expert Pick)

I hope this article has helped you find the best RingCentral alternative for you. Next up, you might want to check out our guide on how to add a WhatsApp chatbox and share buttons in WordPress or how to get a virtual WhatsApp number for your business.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post 6 Best RingCentral Alternatives & How They Compare (2025) first appeared on WPBeginner.

I started my first blog with a shared hosting plan because I just needed the cheapest way to get my content online.

But as my blog grew and traffic picked up, I noticed things getting slower. Sometimes, my site would take forever to load, and I knew I had to make a change.

That’s when I found myself lost in comparison articles, trying to figure out the difference between upgrading shared hosting, moving to VPS or cloud hosting, or switching to managed WordPress hosting.

It all felt complicated. I didn’t have a big budget, and every option had its own set of pros, cons, and confusing jargon. I just wanted someone to explain it in plain English and tell me which one actually made sense for my situation.

If you’re in the same boat, this guide is for you. I’ll break down the differences, share what worked for me, and help you figure out which hosting option fits your needs, without all the guesswork.

What Is Web Hosting?

Web hosting is like renting space for your website on the Internet. When someone visits your site, they’re actually connecting to a special computer called a server that stores and delivers your website files.

That server keeps your site online, loads your pages, and handles all the behind-the-scenes work. Without hosting, your website simply can’t exist on the web.

Related 🔗: What’s the Difference Between Domain Name and Web Hosting (Explained)

There are different types of hosting, and each one offers a different balance of price, performance, support, and ease of use. Some plans are cheap and simple to get started with. Others give you more speed and flexibility, but can cost more.

Here’s a quick look at how shared hosting, cloud hosting, and managed WordPress hosting compare in terms of cost and beginner-friendliness:

As you can see, shared hosting is easy to get started, and managed WordPress hosting is good for non-tech and busy site owners. Cloud hosting becomes a strong contender once your site grows or you need more control.

Now, let’s look at each of these hosting options in detail and see how they stack up against each other.

How I Compared Shared Hosting, Cloud Hosting, and Managed WordPress

To help you choose the right hosting type for your WordPress site, I followed a hands-on, experience-driven approach backed by careful research:

• Real-World Experience: At WPBeginner, we have been helping users with WordPress hosting decisions since 2009. We’ve personally used shared, managed, and cloud hosting across different projects and client websites.
• Hands-On Testing: I’ve set up WordPress sites on all three hosting types to observe how they perform, how easy they are to manage, and what challenges beginners might face.
• Feature Comparison: I compared critical differences in setup, support, scalability, speed, and pricing to help beginners understand what really matters.
• Use Case Insights: I included real-world examples based on where each hosting type fits best, whether you’re launching a small blog, running a business site, or growing an online store.
• Pricing Research: I verified current pricing trends and listed realistic starting costs for each hosting type to make comparisons easier for budget-conscious users.

Our goal is to make hosting choices feel less intimidating and help you start your WordPress journey with clarity and confidence.

What Is Shared Hosting?

Most people, including me, start with shared hosting. It’s the most affordable option, which makes it perfect for getting your site off the ground.

With shared hosting, your website lives on the same server as many other sites. Think of it like renting a room in a big apartment building. You get your own space but share the same walls, electricity, and plumbing.

This setup works fine for starting a blog, personal websites, or anyone with light traffic. But things can slow down as more people visit your site, or your neighbors get noisy (meaning high traffic on other sites).

That’s exactly what happened to me. My blog was growing, but the site started lagging. I needed something faster—but at the time, I wasn’t ready to spend too much or manage anything complex.

Here’s a closer look at what you can expect with shared hosting.

Pros of Shared Hosting:

• Affordable: Shared hosting plans often start under $5/month, making them perfect for beginners on a tight budget.
• Beginner-Friendly: Most providers offer one-click WordPress installs, easy dashboards, and simple tools that don’t require technical knowledge.
• Freebies Included: Many plans include a free domain name, email accounts, SSL certificate, and backups to help you get started.
• Low Maintenance: Everything is managed for you, so you don’t have to worry about maintaining the server.
• Large Support Communities: Since shared hosting is so common, there is a lot of help available, from tutorials to forums and live chat support.

Cons of Shared Hosting:

• Slower Performance: Since resources are shared, your site may slow down if other websites on the server get busy.
• Limited Resources: You usually get limited CPU, memory, and bandwidth, which can become a problem if your traffic spikes.
• Less Control: You won’t be able to change server settings or install custom software that requires advanced configurations.

Best for: Shared hosting is an excellent fit if you’re launching a smaller site and don’t expect a lot of traffic right away. Here are some examples:

• New or Personal blogs: A place to share your thoughts, stories, or hobbies.
• Online portfolios: Ideal for freelancers, writers, designers, and photographers showcasing their work.
• Small business websites: Great for local shops, consultants, or restaurants sharing menus, contact info, and services.
• Nonprofits and community groups: An easy way to build awareness and share updates.
• Test projects: If you’re trying out an idea or learning WordPress, shared hosting gives you a low-risk place to start.

Once your site starts growing, you can always upgrade to something faster and more powerful, like cloud hosting or managed WordPress. See our article on explaining when you should change your WordPress web hosting.

Want to explore shared hosting providers? See my top picks for shared hosting.

What Is Cloud Hosting?

Cloud hosting is like renting several apartments across different buildings instead of just one room. If something goes wrong in one building, then your site keeps running because the others can pick up the slack.

Instead of relying on a single physical server, cloud hosting spreads your website across a network of connected servers. This setup helps balance traffic loads and improves uptime and performance, especially during traffic spikes.

You might also come across dedicated hosting while doing your research. With that setup, your site lives on a single physical server in one location, and you get all of its resources to yourself. It’s powerful, but not as flexible or beginner-friendly as cloud hosting, which spreads things across multiple servers and is easier to scale.

I’ve helped clients migrate to cloud-based setups when they needed better speed and reliability. Cloud-based hosting offers a solid middle ground—more power than shared hosting without the hassle of managing everything yourself.

Pros of Cloud Hosting:

• Scalable: Cloud hosting grows with your traffic. It can handle sudden spikes without crashing your site.
• Better Performance: You get more consistent speed and uptime because your site uses multiple servers behind the scenes.
• Resource Flexibility: Many cloud plans allow you to customize CPU, RAM, and storage based on your needs.
• Redundancy and Stability: If one server fails, another takes over, so your site stays online.
• Mid-Range Options: Some hosts offer affordable cloud plans that aren’t too technical, so you can get started without managing the setup yourself.

Cons of Cloud Hosting:

• More Expensive: Cloud hosting usually costs more than shared or basic managed WordPress plans, especially for higher-tier resources.
• Can Be Complex: Some cloud platforms require technical knowledge to manage, unless your plan is fully managed by the host.
• Pricing Can Fluctuate: Some cloud providers use usage-based billing, which makes monthly costs less predictable.
• Not Always Beginner-Friendly: Unless you’re using a simplified cloud hosting plan (like HostGator Cloud or Bluehost Cloud), it may feel overwhelming to new users.

Best for: Cloud hosting is ideal when your site is growing fast or if you expect traffic spikes. It offers more power and flexibility than shared hosting. Use cases include:

• Online stores: eCommerce sites that need consistent speed during busy sales periods.
• Business websites: Sites with increasing traffic that require better performance and uptime.
• Membership or course sites: Platforms where users log in and access content regularly.
• Media-heavy blogs: Blogs with videos, podcasts, or large images where loading speed matters.
• Projects that need room to grow: If you’re planning ahead for future growth, cloud hosting gives you breathing room.

Hosting providers like SiteGround and Bluehost Cloud offer managed cloud hosting solutions. These solutions are easier to use, as the host handles server management.

On the other hand, cloud platforms like AWS and Google Cloud require you to manage server resources yourself.

What Is Managed WordPress Hosting?

Managed WordPress hosting is like living in a fully serviced apartment where everything is taken care of for you. You don’t have to fix the plumbing, mow the lawn, or even take out the trash—the company handles all of it behind the scenes.

With this type of hosting, everything is optimized specifically for WordPress. You get faster load times, stronger security, automatic updates, backups, and expert support—all without lifting a finger.

When I finally switched to managed WordPress hosting, it felt like a breath of fresh air. I could focus on writing and growing my site instead of worrying about updates, security scans, or caching plugins. It wasn’t the cheapest option, but the time and stress it saved me were worth every penny.

Pros of Managed WordPress Hosting:

• Speed and Performance: Everything is tuned for WordPress, so your site loads faster right out of the box.
• Security Handled for You: Malware scanning, firewall protection, and login hardening are often built in.
• Automatic Backups and Updates: No more worrying about updating plugins or losing your data.
• Expert Support: The support team knows WordPress inside and out, so they can actually help with plugin or theme issues.
• Time-Saving: Great for business owners or content creators who don’t want to manage the technical side of things.

Cons of Managed WordPress Hosting:

• Higher Costs: Managed hosting typically starts around $15–$30/month and goes up from there.
• WordPress-Only: You can’t host other types of websites or apps—it’s just for WordPress.
• Some Plugin Restrictions: Certain hosts may block plugins that conflict with their built-in tools, like performance or backup plugins.
• Less Control: Advanced users might miss having access to full server settings or configurations.

Best for: Managed WordPress hosting is perfect for people who want a faster, safer site without managing any of the technical stuff. It’s ideal for:

• Busy bloggers: Focus on content while the host handles speed, backups, and security.
• Small business owners: Run your website without hiring a developer or learning server management.
• eCommerce stores: Faster checkout and reliable uptime help keep your customers happy.
• Non-tech creators: If you just want your site to work and not worry about how it works, this is the way to go.
• Agencies and freelancers: Reliable performance and support help streamline client work and reduce headaches.

To learn more, see our top picks for managed WordPress hosting with detailed reviews.

Shared vs Cloud vs Managed WordPress Hosting (Side-by-Side Table)

If you’re still unsure which hosting type is right for you, here’s a quick comparison to help you see the differences at a glance:

Each option has its place. It really comes down to how much traffic you expect, how comfortable you are with the technical stuff, and how much time you’re willing to spend managing your site.

How to Decide Which Hosting Is Right for You

Choosing a hosting plan doesn’t have to be stressful. The key is to think about where you are right now and where you want your site to go in the future.

Here are a few simple questions to help you narrow things down:

• What’s your budget? Are you trying to start with the lowest possible cost, or do you have room to invest in convenience and performance?
• How much traffic do you expect? Are you just starting out, or do you already have a regular audience that visits your site?
• How tech-savvy are you? Do you feel comfortable managing settings and updates, or would you rather have someone else handle it?
• How much time do you want to spend maintaining your site? Would you rather focus on your content and business, or do you enjoy digging into backend tools?

Still unsure? Let me walk you through a few common scenarios:

✅ You’re just getting started on a budget: Shared hosting is your best bet. It gives you everything you need to launch your site without spending much. You can always upgrade later.

🚀 Your business or blog is growing: Cloud hosting offers the speed and flexibility to handle more traffic without slowing down. It’s a good step up when your site needs more muscle.

🧘‍♂️ You want zero hassle and everything done for you: Managed WordPress hosting gives you peace of mind. You get great performance and expert support without dealing with updates or technical headaches.

The good news is that you can always start small and grow into what you need. Most hosting companies make it easy to upgrade your plan as your site evolves.

Our Personal Hosting Journey

I joined the WPBeginner team in 2012, and since then, I’ve worked with nearly every type of hosting while helping people launch and grow their WordPress websites.

In the early days, WPBeginner was hosted on HostGator, first on shared hosting, then on a custom cloud setup. It was affordable and flexible, which made it a good fit when we were focused on keeping costs low while handling decent traffic.

As the site grew, we moved to SiteGround, which is still our hosting provider today. We are on their Enterprise cloud infrastructure. But even their starter managed WordPress hosting plans are hosted on the Google Cloud, which is a massive upgrade from typical shared hosting platforms.

Our founder, Syed Balkhi, wrote a detailed case study explaining why we moved to SiteGround.

After testing SiteGround across multiple projects and seeing how well their platform handled real-world demands, I knew it was the right move for WPBeginner.

Syed Balkhi

Across our team and partner sites, we’ve used everything from shared hosting and managed WordPress plans to full cloud platforms. In most cases, I recommend starting simple, then upgrading only when you actually need more power or flexibility.

My Top Picks for Each Hosting Type

If you’re still unsure which hosting company to choose, here are my personal recommendations for each type based on real experience, performance, beginner-friendliness, and support.

These are the same providers we trust for our own projects and partner sites.

Best Shared Hosting: Bluehost 🏆

Bluehost is the easiest and most affordable way to get started. They’re officially recommended by WordPress, and WPBeginner users get a special deal starting at just $1.99/month—including a free domain, SSL, and 24/7 support (See my full Bluehost review for more details).

🔹 Alternatives: Hostinger (Starting from $2.69/mo) | DreamHost (Starting from $2.59)

Best Managed WordPress Hosting: SiteGround 🚀

SiteGround is what we use for WPBeginner. Their managed WordPress plans are fast, secure, and include powerful features like staging, backups, and expert WordPress support. Starting from $2.99/mo, they offer free domain, email accounts, SSL, and built-in caching (See my full SiteGround review for more details).

🔹 Alternatives: Rocket.net (Starts at $30/mo) | WordPress.com (Business plan starts at $12.50/mo)

Best Cloud Hosting: SiteGround ☁️

SiteGround makes it incredibly easy to host your site on Google Cloud without having to manage servers yourself. Their cloud plans are easily scalable and beginner-friendly. We host WPBeginner and several partner websites with SiteGround, and it has been a great experience all around. For superior performance, I recommend their GrowBig plan, which starts at $4.99/mo, or GoGeek at $7.99/mo.

🔹Alternatives: Hostinger Cloud (Starting from $7.99/mo) | Bluehost Cloud (Starting from $75/mo)

You can’t go wrong with any of these providers. They all offer great support, money-back guarantees, and plans that can grow with your site.

🔒 Get Worry-Free WordPress Maintenance From Experts

Tired of keeping up with WordPress updates, backups, and security fixes? Our team will handle everything behind the scenes so you don’t have to.

With 24/7 monitoring, expert support, and routine maintenance, you can focus on running your business while we keep your website safe and running smoothly.

👉 Learn More About Maintenance Plans 👈

Frequently Asked Questions About Hosting

Start Small. Grow Confidently.

Choosing the right hosting is a big decision, but you don’t have to get it perfect on day one. You can start small with a hosting type that fits your current needs and then upgrade.

Shared hosting is a great starting point if you’re building something new. Cloud hosting gives you room to scale. Managed WordPress hosting makes life easier when you’re busy running a site or business.

No matter where you begin, you can always switch later as your site grows.

If you’re still unsure, check out our in-depth hosting reviews—or feel free to reach out to me or someone from the WPBeginner team. We’re always happy to help!

Helpful Guides to Get You Started 🎁

Now that you understand the different hosting options, here are some beginner-friendly tutorials to help you move forward. Whether you’re ready to launch your site or still exploring, these resources will confidently walk you through each step:

• How to Choose the Best WordPress Hosting – A detailed comparison of top hosting companies, based on speed, support, and value.
• How to Make a WordPress Website (Step by Step) – Follow our beginner’s guide to create your own site in less than an hour.
• How to Learn WordPress Basics for Free (Step by Step) – A step-by-step WordPress learning plan using only free resources made specifically for beginners.
• Best Free Website Hosting Compared – Our tutorial explains why free hosting is bad and shows reliable hosting options that are affordable.

I hope this guide helped you understand the difference between shared, managed, and cloud hosting offers. If you are still unsure, remember you are not locked in—you can start small and grow from there. 🙌

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post Shared Hosting vs. Cloud Hosting vs. Managed WordPress – What’s the Difference? first appeared on WPBeginner.

Ever tried visiting a website only to find it’s completely gone? Chances are, someone forgot to check their domain expiration date. After helping many different people set up WordPress websites, I’ve seen this happen more times than I’d like to count.

Checking your domain expiration date is a simple but important task that many website owners overlook. But don’t worry – it’s actually pretty straightforward once you know where to look.

I’ve put together this easy-to-follow guide that shows you exactly how to check when your domain expires, using methods I’ve personally tested and verified over the years.

Why Check Your Domain Expiration Date?

Have you ever had that moment of panic when you go to your website, and it’s just gone?

I remember once I was launching a small side project. I’d registered a domain, set up a basic landing page, and was ready to go. Then, a few weeks later, the website vanished.

It turns out, in my excitement, I’d completely forgotten about the domain renewal date.

What happens when a domain name expires?

Your website essentially disappears from the internet. Visitors trying to find you will see a ‘This site can’t be reached’ error page, or maybe even a page full of ads put there by someone else.

Also, the email addresses linked to the domain will stop working. This can lead to missing important emails from clients or customers.

And it’s not just about your website and email. Your domain name is your online identity, so losing it can damage your brand and reputation.

Can You Recover a Domain Which Has Expired?

Now, here’s the somewhat good news. Sometimes, you can recover an expired domain. But it’s not always guaranteed, and it can get complicated and sometimes expensive.

Generally, after a domain expires, it enters a grace period for a few weeks. You usually have the first right to renew it during this time, often at the regular renewal price.

However, if you miss that grace period, things get trickier. The domain might go into a redemption period. This is another phase where you might still be able to get it back, but now you’ll likely face huge redemption fees on top of the renewal cost.

If you miss the redemption period, your domain will become available for anyone to register, including one of our competitors.

Prevention is always better than a cure. Regularly checking your domain expiration date and setting up renewals is way less stressful than the headache of trying to recover an expired domain.

Now, I will show you the best ways to check your domain expiration date:

1. Using Your Domain Registrar’s Account Page

If you’re wondering when your domain expires, your domain registrar’s account page is the first place I’d recommend checking. It’s quick, easy, and gives you all the information you need.

The domain registrar is the service where you first registered your domain name, such as Domain.com, Bluehost, GoDaddy, or Namecheap.

Most registrars make it super simple to find your domain expiration date right in your account dashboard. Simply head over to your domain registrar’s website and log in to your account.

Once you’re logged in, look for something like ‘Domain Management’, ‘My Domains’, or similar. It’s the place where you see a list of all the domains you own through them.

The expiration date is clearly displayed next to each domain or when you click on a specific domain to manage it. Often, it’s right there on the main domain overview page.

Another bonus is that you’ll usually find options to renew your domain right next to the expiration date.

2. Using WHOIS Lookup Services

WHOIS is like a giant, publicly accessible phonebook for domain names. Its database holds information about who registered a domain, when they registered it, and, importantly, when it expires.

There are tons of websites that offer WHOIS lookup services. But I recommend using the ICANN Lookup tool because ICANN manages domain names globally.

Other popular WHOIS sites include DomainTools and Whois.com.

Using these services is usually very simple. You’ll see a search bar right on the homepage. Just type in the domain name you want to check – like ‘example.com’ – and hit enter or click the ‘Search’ or ‘Lookup’ button.

The WHOIS service then fetches the domain information and displays it to you.

And buried in all that information, you’ll almost always find the expiration date.

I have found WHOIS lookup services, especially ICANN Lookup, to be incredibly convenient for quick checks. This is especially true when you just need to know the expiry date and don’t want to log into any accounts.

Tip: WHOIS Privacy

Now, a little heads-up about privacy. You might have heard of WHOIS privacy or domain privacy.

Many people use privacy services to protect their personal information from being publicly listed in the WHOIS database.

If a domain owner uses privacy services, then some of the contact details in the WHOIS record might be masked or replaced with generic contact information.

But the expiration date is still almost always publicly visible, or at least easily findable within the WHOIS output. It’s one piece of information they usually don’t hide.

So, even with privacy services in place, WHOIS and especially ICANN Lookup are still reliable for checking that domain expiration date.

3. Setting Up Domain Name Expiry Notifications

I’ve already shown you how to check your domain expiration date. But what about making sure you never miss it in the first place? That’s where domain expiry notifications come in handy.

They are like setting up a safety net for your online presence. The problem is, it’s easy to forget about domain renewals, especially if you have multiple domains or registered them a while ago.

Expiry notifications are your defense against this. They’re like little digital nudges, reminding you to take action before it’s too late.

Setting Up Domain Expiry Notifications With Your Domain Registrar

Where do you actually set up these notifications? The best and most direct place is usually with your domain registrar. They all typically offer built-in notification systems.

For example, Bluehost will send you automatic domain expiration notifications by default. They will email you at least two reminders within 60 days before the expiration date, and a final reminder 5 days before.

Some registrars let you customize these notifications. For example, you may be able to set the notification frequency to a 60-day, 30-day, or 7-day email reminder.

You might also be able to specify notification email addresses. This is useful if you have a team managing domains or want reminders sent to a different email address than your main account email.

Setting Up Third-Party Domain Expiry Notifications

If you’re really serious about long-term domain monitoring, then you could even consider using dedicated domain monitoring services like UptimeRobot.

You can use the service’s domain monitoring to receive alerts 30, 14, 7, and 1 day before your domain name expires and view the expiration date anytime in your dashboard.

Notifications can be sent via email, SMS, voice call, or through one of many integrations (such as Slack, Zapier, Splunk, and more).

But honestly, for most people, setting up email notifications through your domain registrar is more than enough to keep on top of your domain renewals and avoid an unexpected domain expiration.

4. Enabling Auto Renewals So Your Domain Doesn’t Expire

Want to know the absolute best way to make sure your domain never expires accidentally? It’s simple: set up auto-renewal.

Auto-renewal is a service your domain registrar provides that automatically renews your domain registration right before it expires. Think of it as an automatic bill payment for your domain name.

Typically, a few weeks or days before your domain expiration date, the registrar will automatically charge the payment method you have on file with them – your credit card, debit card, or whatever you use. This will pay for your domain renewal for another year (or however long you choose for your renewal period).

I’ve been using auto-renewals for years, and they make things much easier. I don’t have to remember renewal dates or manually renew each domain—it just happens.

If you haven’t already enabled automatic renewals on your domain, then you can do this easily next time you renew it. With most registrars, it is offered as a very clear option during the domain renewal process.

For example, with Bluehost, you will see buttons to enable or disable auto-renewal at the top of the Renewal Center page.

All you need to do is click the button labeled ‘Enable Auto-Renew’.

With Domain.com, the option is presented as a simple toggle switch instead. Just make sure the switch is enabled when you reach the Summary page before you pay for your domain renewal.

Simply look for the automatic renewal option on your domain registrar. This is a preferred method of payment, so it is normally displayed prominently.

You’ll find more information about the renewal process in our guide on how to renew a domain name for all major hosting registrars.

Plus, many domain registrars like Bluehost and HostGator offer domain expiration protection as an option. For a small fee, this will renew your domain for an additional year if your automatic payment is unsuccessful.

FAQ About Checking Domain Expiration Dates

Even after reading my guide on how to check your domain expiration date, you may still have questions. Here are answers to the questions I’m asked most frequently:

1. Why is it so important to check my domain expiration date?

Letting your domain expire can cause lots of problems. Your website could go offline, your emails might stop working, and you could even lose your domain name completely.

Checking the expiration date is a simple way to avoid these headaches and protect your online presence.

2. Do domain names expire automatically?

Yes, domain name registrations are typically for a set period—usually a year, but sometimes longer. If you don’t renew your domain registration before the expiration date, it will expire. It’s not a one-time purchase, but more like renting your domain name for a specific period.

3. What happens if I forget to renew my domain and it expires?

If your domain expires, then your website and linked email services will likely stop working. During a grace period, you might be able to renew it at the regular price.

But if you miss that, then you could face higher redemption fees, or even lose the domain name if someone else registers it.

4. Can I check the expiration date of any domain name, even if I don’t own it?

Yes, absolutely! Methods like WHOIS lookup services are designed to let you check the expiration date (and other public info) for almost any registered domain name.

5. Do I need to pay to use WHOIS lookup services?

Most basic WHOIS lookup services are free to check domain expiration dates and basic domain information. Some of these sites also offer more advanced paid services, but the basic lookup is usually free.

6. What is domain auto-renewal, and should I set it up?

Auto-renewal is a service offered by domain registrars that automatically renews your domain before it expires, charging your saved payment method.

I strongly recommend setting up auto-renewal! It’s the most foolproof way to prevent accidental domain expiration and ensures your website and email stay online without interruption.

7. I checked my domain expiration date, and it’s coming up soon. What should I do?

Renew your domain as soon as possible! The easiest way is usually through your domain registrar’s account page. You can typically renew for another year or multiple years. If you have auto-renewal set up, double-check that it’s enabled and your payment information is current.

I hope this tutorial helped you learn how to check your domain expiration date. You may also want to see our guide on how to check domain name availability or our expert pick of the best domain name generators to help you pick a domain fast.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How to Check Domain Expiration Date: Avoid Website Downtime first appeared on WPBeginner.

I started building websites in 2006, and like most beginners, I used shared hosting. It was affordable, simple, and got the job done for my early projects.

But as my online businesses grew, so did traffic, including on WPBeginner. Shared hosting started slowing me down—literally. I had to deal with downtime, slow page loads, and frustrating support.

Since then, I’ve tested just about every type of hosting you can think of—shared, VPS, dedicated, cloud, and even custom enterprise setups. I’ve seen what works, what breaks, and what actually helps websites grow without stress.

Today, most of my websites run on cloud hosting, and I couldn’t be happier with it. I can scale resources as needed and handle millions of pageviews without worrying about downtime.

This guide is based on my own experience, my team’s experience, and real testing. Whether you’re starting fresh or ready to scale, I’ll help you find the best cloud hosting—without wasting time or money.

Here’s why you can trust my recommendations:

• My team and I have used many of these cloud hosts for our own sites and side projects. (See our editorial process.)
• I test each provider using real WordPress installs, load testing tools, and performance monitors.
• With my annual survey, I review support experiences, pricing changes, and real user feedback from WPBeginner readers.
• My team and I have spent over 16 years working with WordPress hosting, and I still use these platforms today. (Meet my team members.)

If you want fast, secure, and beginner-friendly cloud hosting for WordPress, here are my top picks for 2025.

Top Picks (Quick Comparison)

Host	Starting Price	Load Time	Best For	User Score	WPBeginner Rating
	$100/mo	397 ms	🏆 Best All-Round Hosting	4.9/5	A++ (Review)
	$7.99/mo	374 ms	💸 Best Budget Cloud Hosting	4.9/5	A++ (Review)
	$75/mo	255 ms	🚀 High-Traffic Sites	4.8/5	A+ (Review)
	$30/mo	448 ms	⚡ Premium Performance	4.8/5	A+ (Review)
	$12.50/mo	636 ms	🛒 eCommerce & Small Business	4.8/5	A+ (Review)
	$4.50/mo	439 ms	🔧 Developer-Friendly Cloud Hosting	4.7/5	A (Review)
	$12.71/mo	362 ms	📦 VPS-Like Hosting on a Budget	4.8/5	A
	$25/mo	750 ms	👥 WooCommerce Store Owners & Agencies	4.9/5	A (Review)
	$30/mo	635 ms	💼 Premium Managed WordPress Hosting	4.9/5	A
	Varies	415 ms	☁️ Advanced Users & Server Controls	4.7/5	B+
	Varies	684 ms	🏗️ Infrastructure-Level Hosting	4.6/5	B+

Cloud hosting has become the go-to solution for WordPress users who need faster load times, better uptime, and the flexibility to handle growing traffic. But if you’re not familiar with how cloud hosting works, this section will help you understand the basics and how I test each provider.

What Is Cloud Hosting for WordPress?

Cloud hosting is a type of web hosting where your website runs on a network of connected servers, instead of being tied to just one physical machine like with shared or VPS hosting.

This setup allows your site to use more resources when it needs them, making it faster and more reliable, especially during traffic spikes.

Unlike shared hosting, cloud platforms don’t slow down when someone else’s site gets busy. And compared to VPS or dedicated servers, you don’t have to worry about manual upgrades or server maintenance.

It’s perfect for WordPress users who want better performance, more control, and room to grow without jumping through technical hoops.

The Best Cloud Hosting Providers for WordPress

Have you ever noticed how every cloud hosting provider claims to be the fastest, most reliable, and most scalable option for WordPress?

With dozens of companies offering similar-sounding features and using buzzwords like “infinite scalability” and “next-gen infrastructure,” finding the right cloud hosting solution can feel like trying to spot the differences in identical twins.

I’ve narrowed down the best WordPress cloud hosting providers based on real-world performance, value for money, and user experience. Let’s look at each one individually to see why it made the cut and what type of website it works best for.

1. SiteGround

SiteGround is one of the fastest and most dependable cloud-based hosting providers I’ve used. It’s one of the top-rated hosting companies and consistently delivers strong performance and top-notch support.

It’s built on Google Cloud infrastructure, which gives your site high-speed SSD storage (faster hard drives) and automatic scalability. I also like how beginner-friendly its custom dashboard is – no cPanel needed.

SiteGround includes a free CDN, daily backups, SSL, email hosting, and one-click staging. These features are especially helpful when managing multiple sites or testing changes before going live.

Most importantly, their live chat support is consistently helpful and WordPress-savvy. That’s a big reason I keep recommending SiteGround to business owners and bloggers.

Performance

Uptime: 100%

Page load time: 397 ms

Avg. Response Time: 123 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A++

User Rating: 4.9/5

Discount: SiteGround Coupon Code

Best For: Best all-round cloud hosting 🏆

Pros of Using SiteGround

• Built on Google Cloud for maximum speed and uptime
• Free daily backups, SSL, email, and staging tools
• Beginner-friendly custom dashboard (no cPanel)
• Excellent live chat support, available 24/7
• Highly rated by WordPress users and developers

Best For

• Bloggers and small business owners who want fast, scalable hosting
• WordPress users who value top-tier support and simplicity

SiteGround Performance Tests

Uptime

I recorded 100% uptime on my SiteGround test site — a great result for any cloud host.

Page Load Speed

The average page load time was 397 ms in my Pingdom tests across North America and Europe.

Stress Testing

Using K6 to simulate 50 users, SiteGround maintained stable speeds with no major slowdowns or errors.

Global Response Times:

Due to Google Cloud Infrastructure, SiteGround’s response time was great from all geographic locations. It was slightly higher in India, but still within an acceptable range.

My Experience: I host several sites on SiteGround, including WPBeginner. I’ve found it to be fast, dependable, and easy to use, which is everything you want in a WordPress cloud host. You can read more about it in the case study discussing why I moved WPBeginner to SiteGround. For a more in-depth analysis, take a look at my full SiteGround review.

2. Hostinger

Hostinger offers some of the most affordable cloud hosting for WordPress. Despite the low price, I’ve found their platform surprisingly fast and easy to use.

Their custom control panel (hPanel) is one of the cleanest interfaces I’ve tested. It’s simple enough for beginners but gives you control over advanced features like backups, staging, and caching.

Hostinger also includes LiteSpeed caching, a built-in Cloudflare CDN, and malware scanning on all plans. These are features I don’t usually expect at this price point.

If you’re just getting started or running a budget-conscious project, Hostinger is one of the best cloud-based platforms to grow with.

You can start with their Premium or Business plans. I found them to be quite excellent for smaller sites. You can also easily switch to their Cloud Startup plan for more resources as your business grows.

Performance

Uptime: 99.99%

Page load time: 374 ms

Avg. Response Time: 147 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A++

User Rating: 4.9/5

Discount: Hostinger Coupon Code

Best For: Budget-friendly cloud WordPress hosting 💸

Pros of Using Hostinger

• Lowest starting price for cloud-based WordPress hosting
• Clean, custom hPanel interface (great for beginners)
• Includes LiteSpeed caching, CDN, and malware scanning
• One-click WordPress installs and staging are available
• Consistent uptime and quick support response

Best For

• Beginners looking for affordable cloud hosting
• Freelancers, students, or side projects with growth potential

Hostinger Performance Tests

Uptime

Hostinger maintained 99.99% uptime over 30 days of testing using UptimeRobot.

Page Load Speed

The average page load time was 374 ms across multiple global Pingdom locations.

Stress Testing

During load tests with 50 concurrent users via K6, performance remained smooth with no timeouts.

Global Response Time:

My Hostinger test site had a great response time from all geographic locations.

My Experience: I often recommend Hostinger for beginners who want real cloud performance on a budget. It’s reliable, fast, and easy to manage even for non-technical users. I also like their fast and friendly customer support, which is available 24/7 via live chat. For more details, see my team’s full Hostinger review.

3. Bluehost Cloud

Bluehost Cloud offers premium hosting plans from a long-time WordPress-recommended provider. It’s built specifically for high-performance, cloud-native WordPress hosting and is ideal for serious sites that need speed and scale.

Unlike traditional Bluehost plans, this cloud platform is built on a multi-server architecture with instant scalability and enhanced caching. I also found the dashboard very clean and focused on WordPress users.

It also comes with free daily backups, staging, malware detection, and their WP Pro tools. The setup experience is smooth, and the speed improvements are noticeable, especially under load.

This platform is more expensive than shared hosting, but if you’re running an established business or an online store, it’s worth the investment.

Performance

Uptime: 99.98%

Page load time: 255 ms

Avg. Response Time: 118 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A+

User Rating: 4.8/5

Discount: Bluehost Coupon Code

Best For: High-traffic WordPress sites 🚀

Pros of Using Bluehost Cloud

• Built for performance with cloud-native architecture
• Excellent speed and load handling (great for eCommerce)
• Free domain, backups, malware protection, and staging
• Optimized specifically for WordPress use cases
• Easy dashboard with Pro features built in

Best For

• High-traffic blogs, WooCommerce stores, or agency websites
• Site owners ready to upgrade from shared or VPS to premium cloud

Bluehost Cloud Performance Tests

Uptime

I recorded 99.98% uptime using UptimeRobot with Bluehost Cloud.

Page Load Speed

It had one of the fastest page load times in my tests — just 255 ms across US and EU servers.

Stress Testing

K6 stress tests showed excellent stability with 50 users and no bottlenecks.

Global Response Time

Response times were strong in the US and Europe but slower in Asia and Australia.

My Experience: I’m a long-time Bluehost customer and have used Bluehost Cloud for business websites that needed premium speed and guaranteed uptime. It’s a big step up from shared plans and one of Bluehost’s best upgrades yet. For more details, take a look at my team’s full Bluehost review.

4. Rocket.net

Rocket.net is one of the fastest WordPress cloud hosting platforms I’ve ever tested. It’s fully managed and comes with Cloudflare Enterprise built in, which alone offers major value for money.

Rocket.net delivers excellent performance even under traffic surges. I didn’t need to configure caching or security — everything worked out of the box. The dashboard is incredibly simple, even for non-technical users.

It’s more expensive than beginner-focused hosts, but it’s perfect if you want top-tier speed, built-in CDN, WAF (Website Application Firewall), and expert support without lifting a finger.

If performance is your top priority, Rocket.net is one of the best premium WordPress cloud hosts I can recommend.

Performance

Uptime: 100%

Page load time: 448 ms

Avg. Response Time: 119 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A+

User Rating: 4.8/5

Discount: Rocket.net Coupon

Best For: Premium performance ⚡

Pros of Using Rocket.net

• Cloudflare Enterprise is included at no extra cost
• Blazing-fast speeds even under load
• One of the simplest managed dashboards I’ve used
• No need to configure caching or CDN manually
• Excellent support from WordPress experts

Best For

• Agencies and businesses that prioritize speed and security
• Users who want premium managed WordPress hosting with zero maintenance

Rocket.net Performance Tests

Uptime

Rocket.net maintained 100% uptime during my 30-day test window.

Page Load Speed

Pages loaded in just 448 ms on average (270 ms on the US East Coast) with no need for plugin-based optimization.

Stress Testing

Rocket.net held steady with 50 concurrent virtual users and didn’t show any traffic lag during K6 tests.

Global Response Time

I was delighted by the fast server response time from all geographic locations.

My Experience: I use Rocket.net for some of my businesses where I need top-tier speed with zero setup. Their Cloudflare integration and server stack make it feel like everything is pre-optimized out of the box. For more details, see my team’s full Rocket.net review.

5. WordPress.com

WordPress.com is a fully managed cloud hosting platform built by Automattic. I believe it is one of the easiest ways to launch a secure, fast, and scalable WordPress site without worrying about hosting setup or server tuning.

It includes built-in caching, CDN, backups, malware protection, and SEO tools. You also get access to WordPress.com’s own block editor enhancements and customer support, which I’ve found responsive and helpful for beginners.

What makes WordPress.com unique is how seamlessly it integrates WordPress hosting, security, and publishing tools under one roof. It’s a solid option for those who want simplicity without sacrificing performance.

Although it has some limitations as an all-in-one solution, it’s incredibly convenient for small businesses and bloggers.

Performance

Uptime: 100%

Page load time: 636 ms

Avg. Response Time: 148 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A+

User Rating: 4.8/5

Discount: WordPress.com Coupon

Best For: eCommerce and small business 🛒

Pros of Using WordPress.com

• Hosted by the folks who know WordPress inside out
• Built-in performance, security, SEO, and backups
• No need to worry about updates, caching, or plugins
• Beginner-friendly dashboard and editor
• Strong support and uptime for business websites

Best For

• Bloggers, freelancers, and small business owners
• Anyone who wants “set it and forget it” WordPress hosting

WordPress.com Performance Tests

Uptime

WordPress.com had 100% uptime during my tests, which is excellent for managed cloud hosting.

Page Load Speed

The site loaded in about 636 ms on average across key regions, which is slightly slower than developer-focused hosts but still fast.

Stress Testing

It handled 50 virtual users in my K6 test with no slowdowns, which shows their infrastructure is solid.

Global Response Time

WordPress.com had great server response times across the board.

My Experience: I recommend WordPress.com as an excellent option for beginners and small business websites. It does have some limitations, which is why I recommend starting with Business or Commerce plans, which offer more flexibility. For more details, see my team’s detailed WordPress.com review.

6. DreamHost Cloud

DreamHost Cloud is more developer-focused than some others on this list. It gives you full control of a cloud server without the limitations of managed plans, which makes it a great option for advanced users.

You can launch WordPress on their cloud compute platform using your own stack (LAMP, NGINX, etc.) and scale it however you want. I’ve used it for staging environments and sandbox sites where flexibility is more important than UI.

It’s not ideal for beginners, but if you know your way around Linux or want to manage your own cloud instance, DreamHost Cloud gives you tons of freedom at a very low cost.

It’s also great for developers who want to test applications or deploy advanced setups affordably.

Performance

Uptime: 99.89%

Page load time: 439 ms

Avg. Response Time: 174 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A

User Rating: 4.7/5

Discount: DreamHost Coupon

Best For: Developers and technical users 🔧

Pros of Using DreamHost Cloud

• Very low starting cost for full cloud access
• Great for developers needing sandbox or staging environments
• Custom stack deployment (LAMP, NGINX, etc.)
• Scalable compute and storage resources
• No fixed limits on bandwidth or site count

Best For

• Advanced users and developers
• Testing, staging, or custom WordPress cloud stacks

DreamHost Performance Tests

Uptime

Over 30 days, my DreamHost Cloud site maintained 99.89% uptime, which is solid for a self-managed setup.

Page Load Speed

The page load time was 439 ms — faster than I expected from a DIY setup.

Stress Testing

With K6, the server handled 50 concurrent users smoothly with minimal latency spikes.

My Experience: I have tested DreamHost Cloud for development sites and custom testing projects. I like that it gives total control without breaking the bank. My team has a detailed DreamHost review with more information on their regular WordPress plans.

7. Scala Hosting

Scala Hosting offers managed WordPress cloud hosting at an affordable price. I’ve used it on testing sites, and it consistently delivers solid performance, responsive support, and excellent value for money.

What makes Scala unique is its SPanel — an alternative to cPanel that’s lightweight, easy to use, and doesn’t require extra licensing. You get full control of your cloud VPS with a beginner-friendly dashboard.

Scala Hosting includes free daily backups, a built-in firewall, malware scanning, and fully managed support. Its plans are also scalable, so you can adjust resources as your site grows.

It’s especially good for those who want VPS-like power without managing everything themselves.

Performance

Uptime: 99.99%

Page load time: 362 ms

Avg. Response Time: 142 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A

User Rating: 4.8/5

Discount: Scala Hosting Coupon

Best For: VPS-style cloud WordPress hosting on a budget 🧰

Pros of Using Scala Hosting

• Includes free SPanel (cPanel alternative with no license fees)
• Fully managed VPS cloud with strong security features
• Excellent speed and uptime across global test locations
• Scalable RAM, CPU, and storage on demand
• Helpful and fast live chat support

Best For

• WordPress users who want VPS-style control with managed support
• Agencies, resellers, and site owners who need scalability

Scala Hosting Performance Tests

Uptime

Scala Hosting delivered 99.99% uptime during my monitoring period.

Page Load Speed

The average page load time was 362 ms based on Pingdom tests from the US and EU regions.

Stress Testing

K6 tests showed smooth handling of up to 50 virtual users with no performance dips.

Global Response Time

Response times were excellent, averaging just 120.4 ms globally, with faster results in the US and Europe.

My Experience: When I signed up for Scala Hosting, I enjoyed the smooth user experience. I also liked how it balances the ease of use of a managed WordPress host with developer-friendly flexibility. I reached out to support for some queries, and their response time and problem-solving skills were excellent. For more details, see our full Scala Hosting review.

8. Pressable

My team members and I have tested Pressable for WooCommerce stores and high-traffic blogs where stability really matters. It’s developed by Automattic, the same team behind WordPress.com and WooCommerce, so everything is optimized for WordPress right out of the box.

One thing I really liked was how smooth the onboarding felt. Migrations were handled for me, and I didn’t have to think about caching, CDN, or security setup — it’s all included. Their dashboard is simple but powerful, and I could spin up staging sites or clone installs with just a few clicks.

It includes enhanced security, daily backups, malware scanning, and server-side caching. I’ve tested it under load and found it to be fast and consistent, especially for dynamic WooCommerce pages.

It’s priced at a premium, but if you’re running a serious WordPress site, it delivers the kind of reliability and support I look for in client projects.

Performance

Uptime: 100%

Page load time: 750 ms

Avg. Response Time: 113 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A

User Rating: 4.9/5

Discount: Pressable Coupon

Best For: WooCommerce store owners & agencies 🛒

Pros of Using Pressable

• Created by Automattic (makers of WordPress.com & WooCommerce)
• Includes enhanced security, CDN, and daily backups
• Excellent speed under high traffic
• Easy-to-use dashboard with cloning, staging, and team tools
• Rock-solid uptime and responsive support

Best For

• WooCommerce store owners and business websites
• Agencies and professionals managing multiple client installs

Pressable Performance Tests

Uptime

Pressable held 100% uptime across my monitoring period using UptimeRobot.

Page Load Speed

The average load time was just 750 ms, with no need to configure extra performance plugins.

Stress Testing

During K6 load testing, it handled 50 concurrent users with zero slowdowns.

Global Response Time

Pressable gave an incredible server response time from all geographic locations.

My Experience: I liked the ease of use and smooth onboarding experience, which add great value for beginners who need premium performance without hiring a developer. Pressable offers a fully managed WordPress environment that works well out of the box. The performance, support, and security are top-notch, and it’s one of the few platforms where I rarely need to touch caching or CDN settings. See my team’s detailed Pressable review for more analysis.

9. Kinsta

I’ve used Kinsta on several business and client sites, and it’s easily one of the smoothest cloud hosting experiences I’ve had. Everything, from speed to support, just works.

Kinsta runs on Google Cloud’s premium-tier network, and they handle all the heavy lifting: caching, security, backups, staging, and even performance monitoring. I didn’t have to configure anything — my sites were blazing fast out of the box.

What really stood out to me was their dashboard. It’s modern, easy to navigate, and built specifically for WordPress users. In seconds, I could switch PHP versions, clear the cache, and manage redirects.

If you want premium WordPress hosting without dealing with technical maintenance, Kinsta is one of the best investments you can make. It’s priced higher, but the performance and premium service justify the cost.

Performance

Uptime: 100%

Page load time: 635 ms

Avg. Response Time: 101 ms

WPBeginner Rating: A

User Rating: 4.9/5

Discount: Kinsta Coupon

Best For: Premium managed WordPress performance 💎

Pros of Using Kinsta

• Built on Google Cloud’s premium tier with global CDN
• Lightning-fast out of the box — no caching plugins needed
• Daily backups, one-click staging, and free hack fixes
• Excellent support from actual WordPress engineers
• Easy-to-use MyKinsta dashboard with tons of features

Best For

• Site owners who want high-end, fully managed WordPress hosting
• Businesses, agencies, and professionals who value speed and uptime

Kinsta Performance Tests

Uptime

Every site I tested on Kinsta had 100% uptime for the whole duration of monitoring.

Page Load Speed

With their built-in caching and CDN, I saw average load times under 635 ms — no optimization required.

Stress Testing

Even under 50 simultaneous users in my K6 tests, Kinsta held up with consistent response times and no server strain.

My Experience: I enjoyed testing Kinsta for internal projects and staging websites. It offers a clean and intuitive dashboard, which makes managing your website so much easier. It’s fast, secure, and supported by people who truly understand WordPress. If your business depends on uptime and speed, Kinsta is worth every dollar.

10. Google Cloud

I’ve used Google Cloud to host custom WordPress applications that needed full flexibility. It’s the same infrastructure used by SiteGround, Kinsta, and other major hosts, and it’s incredibly fast when set up correctly.

But I wouldn’t recommend it to beginners. You’re responsible for everything, including server setup, WordPress installation, caching, firewalls, and backups. When I used it for a high-scale project, I had to spend hours tuning the stack to get the performance right.

However, once it’s configured properly, the performance is incredible. I was able to scale up and down depending on traffic spikes, and I had full access to logs, resource usage, and network settings.

If you’re a developer or know your way around the terminal, Google Cloud is one of the most powerful platforms out there. Just know that going in, there’s no hand-holding.

As an alternative, I would recommend SiteGround, which is hosted on the Google Cloud platform but will take care of everything for you behind the scenes.

Performance

Uptime: 100%

Page load time: 415 ms (LEMP stack)

Avg. Response Time: 63 ms

WPBeginner Rating: B+

User Rating: 4.7/5

Discount: Free credits for new accounts

Best For: Advanced users & server controls 👨‍💻

Pros of Using Google Cloud

• Same infrastructure used by SiteGround, Kinsta, and major apps
• Unmatched flexibility for scaling and performance
• Access to the full server stack and network settings
• Pay-as-you-go pricing and generous free credits
• Fast SSDs, load balancing, and global CDN options

Best For

• Developers and agencies building custom WordPress stacks
• Advanced users who want full server control and automation

Google Cloud Performance Tests

Uptime

My custom VM stack on Google Cloud maintained 100% uptime over 30 days of testing.

Page Load Speed

After tuning the server, my site loaded in just 415 ms across global locations.

Stress Testing

In my K6 tests, it handled 50 users with no timeouts, but only after I configured load balancing and caching manually.

My Experience: I’ve used Google Cloud for projects that needed complete freedom, and I love the power and flexibility it offers. But unless you’re comfortable managing Linux servers, I’d stick with a managed cloud host from this list, such as SiteGround.

11. AWS (Amazon Web Services)

I’ve hosted WordPress on AWS (Amazon Web Services) for projects that needed enterprise-level flexibility. It’s one of the most powerful cloud platforms in the world, but it comes with a steep learning curve, which is why I wouldn’t recommend it to beginners.

You can run WordPress on Lightsail instances and select virtual machines for your own requirements. You will be responsible for load balancing, caching, scaling, and security. That’s a lot of moving pieces, and in my experience, it requires hands-on setup and regular monitoring.

Once properly configured, the speed and reliability are outstanding. I’ve seen it run traffic-heavy campaigns and product launches without breaking a sweat, but only because everything was optimized in advance.

If you’re a developer or agency managing custom infrastructure, AWS gives you unmatched flexibility. But for most WordPress users, I’d recommend a managed cloud host instead.

Discount: AWS Free Tier offers a free trial

Uptime: 100%

Page load time: 684 ms

Avg. Response Time: 109 ms

WPBeginner Rating: B+

User Rating: 4.6/5

Discount: AWS Free Tier offers free trial

Best For: Custom enterprise-grade WordPress setups 🏗️

Pros of Using AWS

• Extreme flexibility for custom WordPress infrastructure
• Highly scalable with advanced security and monitoring
• Used by large enterprises and SaaS apps
• Global availability zones and CDN integration
• Free tier allows you to test with no cost for 12 months

Best For

• Developers and system admins managing high-scale WordPress environments
• Agencies and teams needing full-stack control and automation

AWS Performance Tests

Uptime

I set up monitoring just before stress-testing my AWS test site. The site remained up during the testing with 100% uptime.

Page Load Speed

My test site loaded in 684 ms on average without any caching or performance optimization.

Stress Testing

In my K6 load test, AWS held up under 50 concurrent users, but I had to set up caching and optimization.

My Experience: AWS provides flexibility and resources, but you will need to spend time configuring and managing it. It’s not beginner-friendly, but it delivers the power and reliability I expect from enterprise hosting for large, mission-critical sites. For those who want to try it out, my team has prepared a step-by-step beginner-friendly guide for installing WordPress on AWS.

My Verdict: Best Cloud Hosting Providers for WordPress

After testing dozens of platforms and helping site owners scale with confidence, these are the top 3 cloud hosting providers I recommend, based on real-world usage, performance, and value.

Best Overall Cloud Hosting: SiteGround

I use SiteGround for several businesses that need speed, uptime, and easy management. It runs on Google Cloud infrastructure and works great for blogs, business sites, and online stores.

Best Budget Cloud Hosting: Hostinger

If you’re on a tight budget but still want fast, cloud-powered WordPress hosting, Hostinger is a solid pick. Their dashboard is beginner-friendly, and support has always been helpful in my experience.

Best for Premium Cloud Features: Bluehost Cloud

Bluehost’s new cloud offering brings premium speed, built-in optimization, and scalability. It’s a great choice if you want performance without going full developer mode.

FAQs About Cloud Hosting for WordPress

Choosing a cloud hosting provider can be challenging, especially with so many technical terms and features.

Here are some common questions I get from readers and clients when they’re making the switch to WordPress cloud hosting, along with my honest answers.

Want to Learn More About WordPress Hosting?

These guides can help if you’re still exploring your options or want to better understand how WordPress hosting works:

• How to Choose the Best WordPress Hosting
• WordPress Maintenance vs Managed Hosting – Which Is Better?
• How Much Traffic Can WordPress Handle? (+ Expert Scaling Tips)
• Beginner’s Guide to WordPress Speed and Performance

I hope this guide helped you find the right cloud hosting for your WordPress site. If you still have questions or need help deciding, feel free to leave a comment or reach out — I read every message, and I’m happy to help however I can.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post 11 Best Cloud Hosting Providers for WordPress in 2025 (Expert Pick) first appeared on WPBeginner.

When I first started working on my WordPress websites, I was mostly guessing what visitors wanted. It wasn’t until I started using heatmaps that I truly understood how people interacted with my site — where they clicked, how far they scrolled, and what actually caught their attention.

If you’re trying to improve your WordPress site but aren’t sure what’s working and what’s not, then heatmaps can give you some answers.

After testing several tools over the years, I’ve narrowed it down to 2 easy ways to set up heatmaps in WordPress: Microsoft Clarity and UserFeedback.

In this guide, I’ll go through each setup process step by step. By the end, you’ll have the tools you need to make data-driven changes to your site. 🔥

Why Do You Need to Set Up WordPress Heatmaps?

A heatmap is a visual tool that shows you exactly how visitors interact with your WordPress website. It uses color coding to highlight the most and least active areas on a page:

• Red, orange, and yellow (“hot” areas) show where visitors click, tap, or spend the most time.
• Blue and green (“cold” areas) show spots that get little or no attention.

By seeing this activity mapped out, you can stop guessing about what’s working and what’s not. In other words, heatmaps help remove the guesswork by giving you clear insights into visitor behavior.

They help you answer important questions, such as:

• Are people clicking your CTA buttons?
• Do they scroll down far enough to see your content?
• Are they clicking on things that don’t do anything?

With this information, you can make smart changes to your site. You’ll know what to fix, what to move, and what to improve.

You can use that insight to get more readers, boost sales, or increase inquiries from potential clients — all by making simple changes based on how people actually use your site.

In the following sections, I’ll share how to set up WordPress heatmaps using 2 of the best tools for adding heatmaps. One is completely free, and the other is a premium option with extra features.

Feel free to use the jump links below to go to your preferred method:

Step 0: Preparing Your WordPress Site for Heatmaps

Before you add heatmaps to your WordPress site, it’s important to make sure your site is properly prepared. Taking a few precautionary steps can help prevent any issues as you get started.

If you’re adding heatmaps to your live site for the first time, it’s a smart move to test everything on a staging site first.

A staging site is essentially a duplicate of your live website, where you can make changes and test new features without affecting your real website. It allows you to try out new tools, like heatmaps, safely, without risking any disruptions to the user experience.

Then, you can simply push the changes live to apply them to your real website.

If you use Bluehost, then you can easily create a staging site, thanks to their quick 1-click solution.

That said, if you don’t have access to staging through your hosting, then you can also use plugins like WP Stagecoach to create staging sites.

For a full walkthrough, you can check out our guide on how to create a staging site for WordPress.

Additionally, always back up your site before making any major changes. Having a backup ensures that, in case something goes wrong during the setup process, you can easily restore your site to its previous state without losing any important data.

Finally, remember that heatmaps work best when used alongside other analytics tools and user feedback.

Think of them as a starting point for uncovering potential issues or opportunities, not the only source of information. Combining insights from heatmaps with broader data gives you a clearer, more accurate picture of how visitors interact with your site.

Method 1: Set Up WordPress Heatmaps Using Microsoft Clarity

Microsoft Clarity is a free, easy-to-use heatmap and session recording tool that integrates seamlessly with WordPress. It’s best for overall site analysis, ideal for beginners, bloggers, and small business owners who want to understand visitor behavior.

That’s why we use it across some of our partner websites to track heatmaps and gain insights into user interactions.

Step 1: Create a Free Microsoft Clarity Account

To set up WordPress heatmaps with Microsoft Clarity, you’ll first need an account.

Go to the Microsoft Clarity website and click ‘Get Started.’

In the popup that appears, you’ll see that you can sign up with a Microsoft, Facebook, or Google account. Just click on the one you prefer.

For this tutorial, I’m going to select ‘Sign in to Google.’

After that, you can follow through the signup process by choosing the appropriate account.

Then, click ‘Continue’ on the confirmation page.

Upon signup, you’ll be asked to confirm your email address.

Don’t forget to check the Clarity Terms of Use and click the checkbox before continuing.

You’ll then be prompted to create a new project for your WordPress site.

You just need to give your project a name, enter your website URL, and choose your industry from the dropdown menu.

With that done, go ahead and click ‘Add new project’ to finish the setup.

With that done, you’re now ready to install the Microsoft Clarity WordPress plugin to set up heatmaps on your website.

Step 2: Install Microsoft Clarity in Your WordPress Site

In this step, you’ll install the Microsoft Clarity plugin and connect it to the account you just created.

From your WordPress dashboard, let’s go to Plugins » Add New Plugin.

Use the search bar to quickly find the Microsoft Clarity plugin.

Just click ‘Install Now’ on the relevant search result, and once again on ‘Activate’ when it appears. 

For step-by-step instructions, see our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Upon plugin activation, the next step is choosing a Clarity project to connect both tools.

You can navigate to Clarity from your WordPress admin area and choose the project you just created from the dropdown menu.

In the next few seconds, you should see a ‘Project integrated successfully’ notification.

For more details, you can see our guide on how to install Microsoft Clarity Analytics in WordPress.

💡 Note: If you are using a WordPress caching plugin, then you need to clear your WordPress cache after connecting Microsoft Clarity to your website. This is important because, otherwise, Microsoft will not be able to verify your site for a few hours.

Step 3: Set Up Heatmaps in Microsoft Clarity

Once you connect Microsoft Clarity, it will automatically start tracking your visitors — no need to paste any code manually or mess with theme files.

Inside your Clarity dashboard, you’ll find useful reports that give you an overview of how people interact with your WordPress blog or site.

Some of the key metrics include:

• Sessions – This shows how many individual visits your site received.
• Pages per session – Tells you how many pages a visitor viewed during one session.
• Scroll depth – Shows how far users scroll down each page.
• Active time – Tracks how long users are actively engaging with your page (not just leaving it open in a background tab).

You’ll also find pre-built widgets like the ‘User Overview,’ which highlights visitor types and devices.

Plus, there are behavioral insights such as rage clicks (when users repeatedly click in frustration) and excessive scrolling (when users scroll too much, possibly looking for something).

To see your heatmaps, go ahead and switch to the ‘Heatmaps’ tab.

Once inside, you’ll see a list of all the page heatmaps that Clarity automatically recorded.

Just click on a page you want to analyze.

Once you open a heatmap, you’ll see three main views: Clicks, Scroll, and Attention.

You can switch to ‘Click’ to see where visitors are clicking the most.

To find out your scroll depth, simply move to the ‘Scroll’ tab.

Here, Clarity will reveal how far users scroll down your page. This helps identify if they miss your key content.

Finally, go ahead and click on the ‘Attention‘ button to see the average time visitors spend on different parts of the page.

Red zones indicate higher attention, while blue areas get less.

That’s all – You’ve successfully set up WordPress heatmaps using Microsoft Clarity!

Method 2: Set Up WordPress Heatmaps Using UserFeedback

UserFeedback by MonsterInsights combines heatmap-style feedback with surveys and advanced targeting. It’s a powerful option for growing websites, online stores, and agencies needing deeper insights and more control over how to collect visitor feedback.

At WPBeginner, we have used UserFeedback to gain insights into what our web design customers want and expect from us. We’ve had a great experience with it, and you can check out our full UserFeedback review to see why we recommend it!

Step 1: Install and Activate UserFeedback

First, you’ll need to set up a UserFeedback account. You can do this by visiting the UserFeedback website and signing up for a plan.

Once you’ve signed up for an account, you’ll be redirected to your UserFeedback account dashboard, where you can find the download link to the UserFeedback zip file and your license key.

Now, it’s time to install the plugin.

From your WordPress dashboard, you need to go to Plugins » Add New.

On the next screen, let’s search for UserFeedback.

You can then install and activate the plugin like you would any other WordPress plugin.

New to installing plugins? Here’s a detailed guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Once activated, you can enter your license key to unlock all the pro features that come with your plan.

To do this, you can navigate to UserFeedback » Settings. Then, simply copy and paste your license key from your UserFeedback dashboard into the ‘License Key’ field.

Go ahead and click the ‘Verify’ button to start the verification process.

In a few seconds, you should see a verification success message.

Step 2: Enable the Heatmaps Addon

Now, let’s go to UserFeedback » Addons to install the Heatmaps addon.

You can just scroll down the page to find the Heatmaps addon and click ‘Install Addon’ in the appropriate box.

Once installed, make sure it’s activated by clicking the ‘Activate’ button.

Step 3: Create a New Heatmap

With the Heatmaps addon activated, you can now create your site’s heatmap.

Let’s go to UserFeedback » Heatmaps in your WordPress dashboard, and click the ‘New Heatmap’ button.

In the popup that appears, expand the dropdown menu to select the specific page you want to track. For example, you can create a heatmap for your homepage, landing page, or blog post.

Go ahead and hit the ‘Create’ button to set up the heatmap.

Step 4: View Your Heatmap Results

After you create a heatmap, UserFeedback will start collecting user data immediately.

Let’s go to UserFeedback » Heatmaps and click on a heatmap to see detailed visual insights.

On the next screen, you’ll be able to view detailed insights about your visitors, including:

• Device Filter – Compare user behavior across desktop, tablet, and mobile.
• Clicks – See exactly where people are clicking on your page.
• Mouse Movements – Track how users move their mouse across the screen.

If you’re promoting your site across multiple channels, then you can also filter the data by UTM campaign, source, or medium. This helps you understand how visitors from different marketing efforts interact with your site.

And that’s all there is to it – You’ve successfully set up WordPress heatmaps using UserFeedback!

Bonus Steps: Maximize Your Heatmap Insights 🔥

Heatmaps are only useful if you know how to act on what they’re telling you. Here’s how to turn the insights from your heatmaps into real improvements for your WordPress site.

Fix Where Visitors Drop Off

You can use scroll maps to see how far down your visitors go on a page. If important content is buried too far down the page, then most people may never see it.

You can try moving key elements like CTAs or offers higher on the page, and break up long pages with smaller sections and clear headings. You can also use date filters to track how these changes affect visitor behavior over time.

This small change can reduce bounce rates and keep your visitors engaged longer.

Spot and Solve User Confusion

Sometimes, visitors try to click on images, icons, or text that aren’t clickable. This shows that they’re confused or expecting something different.

You can review your click maps and mouse movements to spot these areas. If necessary, you can link those images or add buttons nearby to make things easier for users.

You can also set up a quick survey with UserFeedback to ask what users were expecting to find.

Identify and Fix Navigation Issues

If you see visitors frequently jumping between pages without clear direction, it’s a sign that your navigation may be confusing.

Simplify your navigation by making sure information is easy to find and adjusting anything that could cause confusion. You can also walk through important steps on your site like a first-time visitor to ensure everything functions properly.

You may also want to see our guide on how to create a custom navigation menu in WordPress.

Make Your CTA Buttons Impossible to Miss

If your CTAs (call-to-action buttons) aren’t getting enough clicks, then I recommend adjusting their color, text, or placement to make them stand out more.

Go ahead and use your mouse movement insights to spot hesitation before clicking and check device filters to ensure your CTAs are visible and easy to click on all devices, especially mobile.

I hope this article has helped you set up WordPress heatmaps. Next, you might want to explore our expert-curated landing page tips to skyrocket WordPress conversions and our ultimate guide on geolocation targeting.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How to Setup WordPress Heatmaps (2 Easy Ways) first appeared on WPBeginner.

When I started working with small business owners, I noticed a pattern. Most of them were not using AI to its full potential, which created unnecessary work and left money on the table.

Some felt overwhelmed by the tech, and others were experimenting with AI but without seeing real results.

But once they understood what AI could actually do, everything changed. Suddenly, customer emails got answered faster, marketing became more impactful, and they had more time to focus on business growth.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how small businesses can use AI today to save time, reduce stress, and get more done. No fluff—just practical examples, tools, and strategies that actually work.

How AI Helps Small Businesses Thrive

Running a small business means doing more with less—less time, fewer staff, and tighter margins. That’s where AI becomes a game-changer.

Instead of hiring for every task or burning out trying to do it all, you can use AI to handle repetitive work, analyze data, and support customers faster.

Whether it’s writing emails, summarizing reviews, scheduling appointments, or tracking trends, AI tools can save hours of manual work each week. And for many business owners, that translates into real cost savings—sometimes thousands per year.

Here are a few ways AI helps you save time, improve efficiency, and grow smarter:

• Save Time on Daily Tasks: AI tools can handle email replies, social media captions, and appointment bookings so you don’t have to.
• Make Smarter Business Decisions: Use AI to track customer behavior, spot trends, and find new revenue opportunities.
• Improve Customer Experience: AI chatbots and email assistants can respond faster and more consistently, even during off-hours.
• Cut Operational Costs: Automating routine tasks means you can grow without hiring more staff or outsourcing everything.
• Boost Marketing & Sales: From writing blog posts to analyzing ad performance, AI can help you grow your business without extra overhead.

The key is to treat AI as a helper, not a replacement. With the right tools in place, it’s like giving your business an extra set of hands, without the extra payroll.

Here is an overview of the topics I will cover in this post. Feel free to use the jump links to go to different sections:

Powerful Ways to Use AI in Your Small Business

If you’re running a small business, you know it means wearing a lot of hats. You’re often the CEO, the marketing manager, customer support, and maybe even the accountant!

Juggling all those responsibilities can feel overwhelming, and there just aren’t enough hours in the day.

What if you had a smart assistant to help manage some of the load? That’s essentially what AI can do for your small business.

AI is a practical tool that can automate repetitive tasks, analyze data to give you insights, and streamline your workflows.

It won’t take over your business, but it will free up your time so you can focus on what really matters. Now, let’s look at some of the best ways AI can help your small business.

1. AI for Customer Service & Communication 🤖

When you’re running a small business, missed messages can mean missed money. You don’t have time to reply to every email, answer every direct message, or chase down every form submission.

This is where AI can quietly step in and save the day, answering questions, booking appointments, and making sure no customer slips through the cracks.

For example, AI-powered chatbots can handle simple FAQs 24/7—like “What are your hours?” or “Do you offer free shipping?”—while you sleep or focus on other parts of your business.

I recommend ChatBot.com, which helps you capture leads, answer product questions, and even route chats to the right person. It also works with tools like Facebook Messenger, so you can respond across platforms without juggling inboxes.

For a full walkthrough, check out our guide on how to add a chatbot in WordPress.

Phone support can be just as stressful, especially when you’re short-staffed. That’s why we use Nextiva at WPBeginner. This AI-powered business phone service offers call summaries, real-time coaching tips, and smart analytics so you can improve team performance without hiring more reps.

Need more options? Here’s our full list of the best business phone services for small businesses.

Email is another time sink. I recommend using tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to draft customer replies, onboarding emails, and marketing messages in minutes, not hours. You should still personalize everything, but the heavy lifting is already done.

💡 Want help writing replies, subject lines, and follow-ups? Try our curated list of ChatGPT prompts for marketers.

And if you’re just getting started, check out our full beginner’s guide on how to use AI for customer service. It’s written specifically for small business owners.

2. AI for Marketing & Social Media 📱

Marketing often falls to the bottom of the to-do list when running a business. Creating posts, writing emails, and creating new content every week can feel like a full-time job.

But with the right AI tools, you can keep your marketing consistent, even if you’re short on time, budget, or ideas.

For example, I use All in One SEO to speed up content writing. It comes with a built-in Writing Assistant, which uses AI to optimize your content for search engines. This can help boost organic traffic and outrank your competitors.

AIOSEO can also generate SEO titles and meta descriptions, suggest internal links, and improve on-page SEO—all from your WordPress dashboard. This alone has saved me hours of manual work. For more details, check out my full All in One SEO review.

We’ve covered this in more detail in our guide on how to use AI for SEO, which includes tools for keyword research, headline writing, and more.

For visuals, Canva AI is great for generating quick graphics and branded content. Whether you need Instagram posts, blog banners, or product mockups, it makes design feel easy, even if you’re not a designer.

I also use ChatGPT’s 4o image generation to create AI images for blog posts and landing pages. This has saved me hundreds of dollars that I previously paid for stock images.

Plus, I use ChatGPT and Gemini to draft newsletter copy and social captions.

It’s not just about speed—it helps me stay consistent, even when creative energy is low.

💡 Need help getting started? See our free guide on using AI to boost your marketing for ready-to-use tips and tools.

3. Use AI for Sales & eCommerce 🛒

Most small business websites lose sales because product pages aren’t optimized, customers leave with unanswered questions, or follow-ups fall through the cracks. But hiring a full team isn’t always an option.

That’s where AI comes in. It helps you create better customer experiences, respond faster, and sell smarter without adding to your workload.

StoreAgent.ai is one of my favorite WooCommerce tools. It uses AI to generate product descriptions, answer FAQs, summarize reviews, and even create SEO-friendly tags—all with a single click.

It helps you keep product pages updated and optimized without getting stuck writing copy from scratch.

I also recommend SeedProd’s AI builder to launch sales pages, product catalogs, and checkout flows in minutes. Just give it a short prompt, and it will generate a clean, mobile-friendly layout for your business.

This is the same visual builder we use on some of our partner brands. It’s fast, reliable, and great for getting something live without touching code. You can read our guide on how to create a website with AI to learn more.

If you want 24/7 sales support, AI chatbots from tools like ChatBot.com can guide visitors during checkout, answer last-minute product questions, and recover abandoned carts. See our ChatBot.com review to learn more.

I also recommend using an AI-powered CRM like HubSpot for email follow-ups and turning leads into conversions. It tracks user behavior, suggests the best time to send follow-ups, and helps you close more sales without the guesswork.

Want to dig deeper? Just check out our guide on how to use AI to skyrocket your lead generation.

These tools don’t just save time—they help you convert more visitors, grow faster, and keep more revenue in your business.

4. Using AI for Customer Insights 📈

It’s hard to grow your business if you don’t know what your customers are doing on your site or how they feel about your products. But most small business owners don’t have time to dig through analytics dashboards or read dozens of reviews individually.

That’s where AI comes in. It turns complicated data into simple answers you can act on.

I use MonsterInsights to track how visitors behave on my website. Their AI Insights feature gives me clear summaries of what’s working, what’s not, and where my leads are coming from—all without opening Google Analytics.

Their Conversations AI tool lets me ask plain-English questions like “How’s my product page doing?” or “Where are my conversions coming from?” and get human-friendly answers right inside WordPress.

At WPBeginner, we use MonsterInsights for everything from content strategy to campaign tracking. You can read more in our full MonsterInsights review.

If you want to understand how your customers feel, not just what they click on, you can also try using ChatGPT for sentiment analysis. You can paste in reviews, survey responses, or social comments and ask it to identify what’s positive, negative, or neutral.

I’ve used this to quickly spot trends in feedback and even catch issues before they escalate. If you’d like to try it, our guide on the best ways to use OpenAI shows you how.

You can also use UserFeedback to run quick surveys and collect input directly from your visitors. Its AI summary feature turns all those replies into a digestible report, highlighting common requests, pain points, and suggestions.

5. AI for Security & Fraud Prevention 🔒

Security can feel invisible until something breaks. For small business owners, even one hacked site or fake transaction can mean lost revenue, chargeback fees, and less customer trust.

If you’ve been putting off security because it feels too technical or expensive, you’re not alone. The good news is that AI tools can protect your site in the background without adding to your workload.

At WPBeginner, we use Cloudflare to secure our website. It uses AI to monitor for bots, malware, and suspicious traffic, and stops attacks before they ever reach us. This protection runs 24/7, and it’s one of the reasons we feel confident launching new campaigns without worry.

If you accept online payments, then tools like Stripe Radar and PayPal Fraud Protection use machine learning to detect suspicious behavior.

They block high-risk payments before they go through, without any manual monitoring required on your end.

These systems get smarter over time, learning from global transaction data to stop even the newest scams. This kind of AI-powered prevention can save you from hours of cleanup and thousands in lost revenue.

If you’re using WooCommerce or Easy Digital Downloads, then both integrate easily with Stripe and PayPal. You get advanced security without any complicated setup.

For help getting started, see our complete guide on WordPress payment processing.

6. Create AI-Powered Automated Workflows 👷

As a small business owner, you probably have a long to-do list every day. But that doesn’t mean you need to do everything manually. AI-powered automation can handle repetitive tasks, freeing you up to work on the big stuff.

I use Uncanny Automator to connect my website tools and set up smart workflows. It’s like having a digital assistant that knows exactly when to act, based on what users do on my site.

Its OpenAI integration is where things get really fun. You can use it to:

• Generate blog content the moment you publish a podcast episode.
• Create a branded social post when you hit “publish” on a new product page.
• Translate articles into multiple languages with zero manual effort.
• Send a welcome email that includes personalized product suggestions.
• Auto-reply to customer queries using a curated AI knowledge base.

These kinds of automations used to take expensive tools and custom development. Now you can set them up in minutes and with zero code.

For a full walkthrough, check out our tutorial on how to create automated workflows in WordPress, along with our list of the best ways to use OpenAI on your site.

Getting Started with AI in Your Small Business

Getting started with AI doesn’t mean overhauling your entire business overnight. You don’t need to be technical, and you don’t need a huge budget. You just need to start small, with tools that solve real problems you’re facing today.

For me, that meant automating repetitive tasks, speeding up content creation, and reducing time spent replying to emails. Once I saw those wins, it became easier to build momentum.

Here are a few smart ways to begin:

• Pick your biggest time-waster: What drains your energy—support emails? Blog writing? Social posts? Choose one area and test an AI tool that can help.
• Start with free or low-cost tools: Many of the AI tools I’ve tested offer free trials or entry-level plans. You can experiment before investing.
• Don’t automate everything at once: AI works best when you give it clear, focused tasks. Let it help with one thing, then add more later.
• Keep the human touch: AI can speed things up, but people still want to hear from you. Use it to assist, not replace your voice or decisions.
• Track what’s working: Check results after a few weeks. Are you saving time? Getting more leads? Adjust if needed—or scale what’s working.

Trying AI for the first time can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Start with one problem, find one tool, and go from there. You’ll be surprised at how quickly it pays off.

How to Pick the Right AI Tools (Without Wasting Time or Money)

If you’ve ever Googled “best AI tools,” you know how fast the list gets out of hand. Hundreds of options, all promising to save time or boost results. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stuck.

But here’s the truth: You don’t need dozens of tools. You just need the right one for the problem you’re trying to solve.

Here are some helpful picks based on what you want to get done:

• For Content Writing: ChatGPT and Jasper are great for drafting emails, blog posts, and product descriptions. Jasper is better for polished marketing copy, but ChatGPT is perfect for quick drafts or brainstorming ideas.
• For Visual Content: Canva AI can help you design graphics, social media posts, and ads—even if you’ve never touched a design tool before.
• For Brainstorming and Research: Gemini (from Google) works well for outlining, summarizing articles, and researching content ideas.

Still not sure what to try first? Check out our guide to the best ChatGPT alternatives for bloggers and marketers. It breaks down what each tool is good at and who it’s best for.

The Best AI-Powered WordPress Plugins for Your Business

All the tools above are great for everyday business tasks, but what if you want to use AI directly inside your WordPress site?

That’s where AI-powered WordPress plugins come in. These tools bring AI right into your dashboard, so you can write, design, automate, and analyze without switching between platforms.

Here are the top AI-powered plugins I’ve tested that can save time, improve content, and help your business grow smarter:

• All in One SEO – Includes an AI-powered Writing Assistant (powered by SEOBoost) to help you craft optimized meta titles and descriptions. It also gives smart link suggestions to improve internal SEO.
• SeedProd – Comes with an AI-powered website builder. Just describe your business in a few words, and it creates pages, headlines, and layouts tailored to your niche.
• WPForms – Lets you build forms using AI. Just type a prompt like “contact form for bakery orders,” and it creates a complete form in seconds. See our full review →
• MonsterInsights – Uses AI to summarize analytics and provide plain-language answers to questions like “Which page got the most views last week?” See our full review →
• OptinMonster – Helps you build smarter popups with AI. It can adjust your offers based on user behavior to increase conversions. See our full review →
• Uncanny Automator – Connects your plugins and creates automated workflows with OpenAI support. You can use it to generate content, translate posts, send smart emails, and more. See our full review →
• Thrive Ovation – Uses AI to collect and showcase testimonials. It can even turn customer feedback into social proof for your homepage or landing pages.

Each of these tools solves a specific problem—from SEO and forms to automation and analytics. Pick the one that meets your biggest need right now, and you’ll see results faster.

For more options, check out our expert picks for the best ChatGPT WordPress plugins.

Final Thoughts: Avoiding Common Mistakes by Using AI the Right Way

AI is powerful, but it’s not magic. I’ve seen business owners get frustrated when they expect too much too fast, or when they try to automate everything and lose touch with their audience.

The biggest mistake? Thinking AI will run your business for you. It won’t. But it can help you run it more efficiently, especially if you stay in the driver’s seat.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you move forward:

• Review everything AI creates: Whether it’s an email, blog post, or chatbot response, read it. Edit it. Make it sound like you.
• Start small, then scale: Automate one thing, see the results, and add more. Don’t try to set up 10 tools at once or you’ll burn out.
• Don’t trust AI blindly: It gets things wrong. Always double-check facts, links, and any information you publish.
• Stay connected to your audience: AI can help you communicate faster, but it can’t replace your voice. Keep your human touch.

Used the right way, AI can give you time back, reduce stress, and help you grow smarter. The key is to treat it like a tool, not a replacement for your experience, your instincts, or your relationships.

Start small, stay curious, and let AI support the business you’ve worked hard to build.

Frequently Asked Questions About Using AI

Here are some of the most common questions small business owners ask us about getting started with AI.

1. Is AI expensive for small businesses to get started with?

Not at all. Many AI tools offer free plans or affordable pricing. Even small wins—like automating customer emails or speeding up content creation—can quickly save you time and money.

2. Do I need to be tech-savvy or know how to code?

No. Most AI tools we use are beginner-friendly and require zero coding. If you can type a sentence or click a few buttons, you’re good to go.

3. Is it safe to use AI with customer data?

Yes, as long as you’re using trusted tools that follow privacy standards like GDPR. Just be mindful of what data you input, and always check the tool’s privacy settings and terms of use.

4. What if AI says something wrong or sounds robotic?

This happens! AI can get facts wrong or miss your tone. That’s why I always recommend reviewing and editing anything AI writes before hitting publish or send.

5. Can AI replace my customer support or marketing team?

In many cases, yes—at least partially. If you’re trying to cut costs, AI can absolutely take over tasks like answering FAQs, replying to emails, creating social media content, and even writing marketing copy. It won’t replace your strategy or your brand voice, but it can handle a surprising amount of the day-to-day work.

That means you may not need to hire a full support or marketing team—just someone to oversee, edit, or fine-tune what AI produces. It’s a practical way to stay lean while still keeping your business running smoothly.

Explore More AI Guides for Small Business Owners

Want to keep learning how AI can support your business goals? Whether you’re just starting or ready to dive deeper, these handpicked guides will help you take the next step—smarter, faster, and with more confidence.

Some of these tutorials show beginner-friendly walkthroughs. Others will help you scale what’s already working. All of them are written with small business owners in mind:

• How to Write Powerful Headlines Using AI (Explained)
• Best AI Content Detectors for Writers & Site Owners (Compared)
• Tips to Grow Your Business Online (Without a Lot of Money)
• Are AI Website Builders Worth The Hype? (Honest Review)
• How to Make Money Using AI (8 Easy Ideas)
• 7 Best AI Website Builders for WordPress

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post A Small Business Owners’ Guide to Artificial Intelligence first appeared on WPBeginner.

From freelancer to successful co-founder, Ionut Neagu has worked with WordPress for 13+ years. Along the way, he has grown his company, Themeisle, into one of the most respected names in the WordPress ecosystem.

Their flagship products, including Neve and Hestia, are helping shape the future of website building and WordPress theme development.

Like many scrappy entrepreneurs, he started with little more than determination and a desire to learn. What makes Ionut’s story unique is his strong persistence and focus on creating genuine value.

In this interview with the WPBeginner team, Ionut shares his journey and offers valuable insights for anyone looking to build a lasting business in the WordPress space.

“I think intentions kind of matter… if you have the intention to create value through this process – for employees, for clients, for everyone that you work with… I think that also matters… my advice would be to be persistent, to try to focus on creating value and things will compound in time.”

Ionut Neagu – Co-Founder of Themeisle

Keep reading to learn how Ionut built and grew Themeisle into a household name. Whether you’re a brand-new WordPress freelancer or an experienced entrepreneur, his expert advice can help you grow.

Video Interview with Ionut Neagu

If you’d like to watch the complete video interview with Ionut Neagu, then you can see it here:

Or you can use the links below to see what we covered in the interview (and more):

🙋 Meet Ionut Neagu: WordPress Pioneer and Themeisle Co-Founder

Before we share Ionut Neagu’s valuable lessons, we have to revisit his beginnings as a web developer, before Themeisle existed.

Fresh out of college in 2010, armed with a computer science degree and a deep curiosity for learning, Ionut entered the tech world during an interesting time.

While the fallout of the 2008 financial crisis meant there were fewer traditional job opportunities, it also created space for innovative thinkers to create their own paths.

When chatting with Ryan Priddey from the WPBeginner team, Ionut reflected on these early days with his characteristic humility and a sense of humor.

“Someone took a chance on me and said, ‘Okay, we just need someone to help.’ I said, That’s me. I don’t know anything.”

This eagerness to learn and grow, even without immediate rewards or recognition, defined his early career. “I just knew I wanted to learn and prove myself,” he shared.

He even recalled how he once told a potential employer he didn’t need a salary—just the metro fare to come to work. That still didn’t get Ionut the job, but it also didn’t discourage him. He just laughed it off and kept on moving, which is an example of his persistence and resilience.

“What worked for me was curiosity and persistence and not thinking about necessarily the results.”

Ionut Neagu

At WPBeginner, we’ve seen many successful entrepreneurs start with this same combination of humility and determination.

Ionut’s story stands out because he has maintained this learning mindset throughout his 13+ year journey with WordPress, even as his company became a major force in the ecosystem.

Today, Themeisle’s WordPress themes and plugins power hundreds of thousands of websites worldwide.

As co-founder and product strategist, he’s involved in everything from theme development to exploring new acquisitions and future directions for the business.

His approach has never been about following a predetermined path or copying others’ success. Instead, he’s always focused on understanding problems and finding ways to solve them effectively.

Ionut’s story reveals how staying true to your core values can transform a simple freelance career into something much bigger.

👨‍💻 The WordPress Journey: From Freelancing to Themeisle

In his early days with web development, Ionut started by building one freelance project at a time. His first breakthrough came with a modest $30 jQuery slider project that took three days to complete.

Like many developers starting out, he was less driven by the money at this time, and more focused on building his portfolio and expertise.

Through persistence and dedication, he began to establish himself as a freelancer, although he knew there had to be a more sustainable path forward.

Around 2012, Ionut co-founded Themeisle, marking a shift from freelancing to product development. The early days brought important lessons about building a business.

“I had a lot of misconceptions because I thought by having a company, printing business cards, making the company website, we will get clients… but none of this contributed in any way.”

Ionut Neagu

These struggles are acknowledged outright on the ‘About Us’ page of the Themeisle website, which says they quickly learned to adapt because “three years without a sale will do that.”

In our opinion, Ionut’s humble and lighthearted attitude comes through here, as the team jokingly celebrates their early failures.

When asked about mistakes he’d learned from, Ionut acknowledged he has always been a bit risk-averse. He casually quoted one of his inspirations, Charlie Munger, who famously said, “All I want to know is where I’m going to die so I’ll never go there.”

But upon further reflection, Ionut also recognized that sometimes mistakes are just part of the learning process:

“A mistake, a little bit for me, is when you have all the information and you do some wrong judgment. I mean, for me back then, I had no information… I was just learning and yeah, finding my way.”

Ionut Neagu

The lesson here? It speaks to the importance of not being too hard on yourself when learning something new. Everyone has to start somewhere!

As the Themeisle team grew, they faced new challenges. After working on a lot of different projects, from SEO to Java and PHP, Ionut realized they needed to laser focus on something. And that something was WordPress development.

The timing proved perfect – soon after, they released Zerif, their first theme in the WordPress repository.

“When we released Zerif… we saw early signs of success. That was a pivotal moment because then we stopped worrying about money and could focus on how to grow the business.”

This financial stability allowed Ionut and his team to think strategically and make long-term investments. They began developing Themeisle’s blog, knowing it might take two years to see results. The focus shifted from immediate gains to building lasting value.

At WPBeginner, we’ve seen that this kind of patient, long-term thinking often separates successful WordPress businesses from those that struggle to gain traction.

By 2015, Themeisle had established itself as more than just another theme company. Instead, it was becoming a team dedicated to pushing WordPress innovation forward. Plus, the Themeisle blog started to earn a reputation as a valuable resource for WordPress tutorials, roundups, and more.

But transforming successful product launches into a thriving business required more than just good code. It also needed a solid business strategy.

🔍 Business Growth Strategies & Themisle Products

As Themeisle grew, Ionut realized that sustainable growth required more than just great products. He needed systematic approaches to running the business.

A significant milestone for the team came when Ionut started using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Our founder, Syed Balkhi, uses this model for all of his businesses, so we’re huge fans of it.

In our interview, Ionut even fondly recalled discussing EOS with Syed and how meaningful those conversations were.

After that, Ionut talked about the importance of learning how to manage while scaling. “It was another meaningful moment when we started to work with an implementer that actually showed me how I can have the team more involved and not me deciding and telling different things.”

Around this shift in management style, Themeisle also made major changes to its operations. It moved from gut-feel decision-making to data-driven strategies.

“Before that, it was a lot of guesswork. We knew like everything goes fine, we make more money than we spend, and it looks good. And that was basically all the knowledge that we had on the business.”

“Now we have quite detailed P&L (profit and loss) for the business, for the product. We understand very well where are our costs, where we invest, how that investment is working or not.”

Ionut Neagu

At WPBeginner, we’ve seen how this systematic approach to business management can transform a WordPress company. It’s not just about creating great products—it’s about building sustainable processes that support long-term growth.

This strategic approach also helped Themeisle maintain focus on their core mission: creating value for users. They concentrated on understanding and solving real problems for their customers.

The result? They developed and launched some of the most popular WordPress themes and plugins today, including Neve, Hestia, and Optimole.

But building a successful WordPress business isn’t just about strategy and systems. Ionut also has some valuable advice for others looking to follow a similar path.

💡 Advice for Aspiring WordPress Entrepreneurs

When asked what advice he’d give aspiring WordPress entrepreneurs, Ionut emphasized the importance of genuine value creation over surface-level business tactics.

His own experience taught him that traditional approaches, such as polishing resumes or printing business cards, often matter less than solving real problems.

“You need to reflect and try to think what are your skills and adjust the people you work with, adjust the industry you go to, adjust your product to suit your skills,” he explained. This self-awareness, he believes, is crucial for long-term success.

“My advice would be to be persistent, to try to focus on creating value and things will compound in time.”

Ionut Neagu

“The skills you gain, the people you meet, the clients you work with, the employees that grow with you – it all compounds over time,” he explained.

At WPBeginner, we’ve seen this compound effect in action. The most successful WordPress entrepreneurs aren’t usually those who chase quick wins, but those who focus on building value consistently over time.

When it comes to technology and tools, Ionut is particularly excited about AI’s potential. “I feel AI will bring monumental change to how we do things, how we live, and how we work,” he said.

His advice? “Just using it and trying to involve AI in everything that you do.”

He talked about how his team is experimenting with using AI tools like Cursor, but also about how every aspiring entrepreneur should focus on how to most effectively use AI.

“It’s more to build the mental models, right? So it’s not to kind of just see what’s the latest cool and trick and so on. I think just to rewire a little bit and to create mental models, because after a couple of weeks, for example, what I noticed is that I start to think differently.”

Ionut Neagu

“So when I get into a problem, I would say, okay, for that problem, I would need to use this deep research. For that problem… I need to create the flow with agents and et cetera to handle it… for this problem, I would need to ask a reasoning AI… because they work differently and are helpful in different ways.”

“I would say that people are not spending enough time on this… this is the one thing I would be focusing on.”

💥 Related Article: Surprising AI Statistics – Everything You Need to Know

This focus on creating genuine value while embracing new technologies has served Themeisle well in the past. But what does the future hold for the company and its co-founder?

🔮 Looking Ahead: The Future of Themeisle

Rather than making grand predictions about the future, Ionut prefers to focus on the fundamentals that stay constant regardless of how technology evolves. “I have a hard time to think and to plan in terms of what’s the goal in five years,” he admitted.

Instead, he said he always concentrates on two key areas: maintaining strong relationships with existing customers and nurturing a capable team.

“We have those clients that are paying their yearly subscriptions. What I can do for them? How I can make sure they are happy?”

“Now and even in five years, whatever, it would be important to have smart people around you and to grow yourself and grow as well as a team. To be able to tackle any opportunities or challenges or markets.”

Ionut Neagu

This approach of focusing on fundamentals while remaining adaptable has served Themeisle well. When Ionut spots something truly promising, he’s ready to invest fully. “When I spot something unusual, then I will go all in on that,” he explained.

His current focus is exploring how AI can enhance WordPress development and user experience. He sees it as a tool to deliver more value to users.

“I’m trying to use it for everything pretty much… trying to map it with real needs that people have or businesses have.”

As WordPress itself evolves, Themeisle’s commitment to both innovation and fundamentals positions them well for continued success. But for Ionut, success isn’t just about business metrics. It’s also about creating lasting value for the WordPress community.

💭 Final Thoughts

Ionut Neagu’s journey from a curious computer science graduate to co-founder of Themeisle offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to build a lasting WordPress business.

His story shows that success isn’t about following a predetermined path but staying true to core values while remaining adaptable.

What stands out most is his consistent focus on creating genuine value. From his early freelancing days to leading Themeisle today, Ionut says that business success follows naturally from helping others solve real problems.

We also appreciated how Ionut seems to strongly value the potential of each unique individual and how that should be embraced on any entrepreneurial journey.

“No entrepreneur is the same… all the stories are different… so I think in terms of skills, it’s a great opportunity to craft your own journey that suits your strengths.”

Ionut Neagu

At WPBeginner, we’ve watched ThemeIsle grow from its early days to become a significant force in the WordPress community. Their success story reminds us that in WordPress, sustainable growth comes from combining technical excellence with a genuine desire to serve users.

Through economic challenges, technological changes, and evolving market demands, Ionut’s approach has remained consistent: focus on fundamentals, invest in people, and create real value.

💥 Bonus Guides and Resources

Looking to learn more about building a business around WordPress? Here are some helpful WPBeginner resources:

• WordPress Career Options – How to Make a Living With WordPress
• How Ben Rojas Rose From a Developer to the President of AIOSEO
• How Zac McDonald Grew Into the Top-Rated WordPress Freelancer on Upwork
• Blogger Turned WordPress VIP Partner: How WordPress Continues to Inspire Rahul Bansal
• The Future of WordPress: What to Expect (Our Predictions)

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post From Freelancer to Founder: Ionut Neagu’s Journey to Building a Successful WordPress Business first appeared on WPBeginner.

Last week, a friend who manages multiple WordPress sites called me in a panic. A routine plugin update had broken his client’s navigation menu, but he didn’t notice until customers started complaining.

This is a common problem I’ve seen countless times, and it’s exactly why visual regression testing is so important for WordPress website owners.

Visual regression testing might sound complicated. However, it’s actually a simple solution that can save you hours of manual checking and prevent embarrassing layout issues.

Typically, it works by automatically comparing before-and-after screenshots of your pages. This helps catch even the smallest visual changes that might break your site’s appearance. 🔍

In this guide, I’ll show you how to do visual regression testing on your WordPress site. After testing numerous tools and methods, I’ve found the most reliable solution that won’t require any coding knowledge or technical expertise.

What Is Visual Regression Testing, and Why Is It Important? 🤔

Every time you update your site — whether it’s a WordPress core update, a new plugin, a theme change, or just a minor code tweak — there’s a chance that something on the front end might shift out of place.

For example, a button could disappear, your layout might break, or a product image could stop loading properly.

The problem? These visual bugs often go unnoticed until a visitor points them out through a contact form or design feedback survey.

By then, the damage to your site’s user experience might already be done.

That’s where visual regression testing comes in.

The process is simple: take snapshots of your pages before and after an update, then compare them to spot anything that’s changed.

And if you’re testing on a staging site (which we recommend), you can safely make updates and run comparisons to catch visual issues before anything goes live.

The good news? You don’t have to do it manually.

With visual regression testing tools like VRTs, Percy, or BackstopJS, you can automate screenshot comparisons and check how your site looks across different screen sizes — helping you catch layout issues on desktop, tablet, and mobile.

Why is this important for WordPress users?

If you’re managing a WordPress website, visual regression testing is a time-saving safety net. Instead of clicking through every page after an update, this tool gives you a visual report of what changed — and whether it’s something you need to fix.

It’s especially helpful in many scenarios, such as agencies running updates across multiple WordPress sites, freelancers managing client websites, or online store owners who want to make sure the product and checkout pages stay intact.

In short, visual regression testing helps you avoid frustrating surprises, save time, and keep your WordPress site running smoothly.

With that said, I’ll share how to easily do visual regression testing in WordPress. Here’s a quick overview of all the steps I’ll cover in this guide:

Step 1: Install and Activate the Visual Regression Testing Plugin

In this tutorial, I’ll use the VRTs plugin because it’s beginner-friendly and super easy to use for visual regression testing. Whether that is a shifted layout, a missing button, or a broken element after an update, VRTs helps you spot it early.

Here’s how it works: The plugin takes screenshots of the pages you select. You can then trigger comparisons manually or schedule them to run automatically after making changes to your site, such as updating a plugin or tweaking your theme.

The plugin then compares the ‘before’ and ‘after’ screenshots side-by-side and highlights any visual differences.

So, instead of manually checking every page, you get a quick visual report showing what changed, and whether anything looks off.

To install the plugin, you first need to visit the VRTs website and sign up for a plan by clicking on the ‘Get started for free’ button.

You can then choose one of the plans. The free plan will allow you to test up to 3 pages per day on one domain and schedule daily tests.

On the other hand, paid plans will allow you to test a higher number of pages, run manual tests, and automatically run visual regression tests after WordPress core, plugin, and theme updates.

Simply click on ‘Buy now’ or ‘Install now’ underneath the plan you want to use.

Then, follow the instructions to sign up for an account on the VRTs website and add your payment details.

Once you have completed the payment, you will land on your VRTs dashboard, where you can download the plugin as a .zip file.

Then, simply head to Plugins » Add Plugin and click on the ‘Upload Plugin’ button. From here, you can choose the VRTs plugin .zip file that you just downloaded.

Make sure to activate the plugin once it has been installed. For full details, you can see our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Step 2: Configure the VRTs Plugin Settings

Once you’ve activated the plugin, it’s time to set up when your visual regression tests should run.

Head over to VRTs » Settings in your WordPress admin menu.

Once inside, you can scroll down to the ‘Triggers’ section — this is where you tell the plugin when to automatically take and compare snapshots.

Here are the available options:

• Run Tests every 24 hours (Free) – This is the default setting. VRTs will automatically check your selected posts or pages once per day for visual changes.
• Run Tests after WordPress and plugin updates (Pro) – Great for catching layout issues caused by updates, right when they happen.
• Run Tests with your favorite apps (Pro) – Connect VRTs with external tools or workflows using webhooks.
• Run Tests on demand (Pro) – Manually trigger tests whenever you need them, directly from your WordPress dashboard.

Once you’ve selected the trigger that fits your workflow (or your license), simply click the ‘Save Changes’ button at the bottom of the page.

Step 3: Add New Pages or Posts to Test

Once you’ve configured the plugin settings, it’s time to choose which pages or posts you’d like to include in your visual regression tests.

Let’s now switch to the ‘Tests’ tab, which is where you’ll manage and run your visual tests.

From here, you can click the ‘Add New’ button. This will let you choose posts or pages to test.

In the popup that appears, you need to choose the pages or posts you want to perform the visual regression testing on.

Then, click ‘Add New Test’ to confirm your selections.

The VRTs plugin will take an initial snapshot of each selected page. This acts as your baseline — basically a “before” version of how your posts or pages look right now.

After setting up your test, you’ll see an instruction to refresh the page to load the initial snapshot. Go ahead and do just that.

With that done, you’ll find a link to the page or post snapshot you added for testing.

You will also see that the ‘Test Status’ is automatically set to ‘Scheduled’ for the next day. This is because the free version of VRTs runs tests on a 24-hour schedule.

You can click the ‘View Snapshot’ link to check the initial screenshot.

It will open in a new tab like this:

Now, you can make any changes you need to your site. Then, come back tomorrow to review the comparison and spot any unexpected visual issues.

Step 4: Check for Visual Differences

Once the test is complete and any visual bugs are detected, you should see a notification alert in the VRTs » Runs tab.

Once inside, you can hover over the run with changes detected.

Then, click the ‘Show Details’ link when it appears.

On the next screen, you’ll see a side-by-side comparison of your page, showing the before and after versions.

The plugin automatically highlights visual differences, so you can quickly spot:

• Layout Shifts and Misaligned Elements: If your design changes after a plugin update or theme change, like buttons moving out of place or text jumping around, VRTs will flag it.
• Missing or Broken Elements: Whether it’s a missing image, CTA button, or embedded form, VRTs make it easy to spot anything that disappears unexpectedly, which is especially useful for eCommerce or landing pages.
• Unexpected Content Changes: The plugin will also alert you to changes in text, links, or images, so you can catch unauthorized edits or publishing errors before users do.

You can use the drag handle in the center of the screen to slide between the old and new versions and visually confirm the exact changes.

Step 5: Review and Take Action

After running a visual regression test, you can take action based on the results. Here’s what you can do next:

• Manually edit the page: If the changes are small, you can fix the issues directly by editing the page, such as adjusting the layout, moving elements, or adding back missing features.
• Revert to a backup: If the changes are bigger or harder to fix, you can restore the page to a previous version using your website backup or version history. This helps avoid leaving issues on your site.

FAQs for Running Visual Regression Testing in WordPress

If you’re just getting started with visual regression testing, you’re not alone. Here are some quick answers to common questions I often hear from WordPress users and developers.

What is the difference between snapshot testing and visual regression testing?

Snapshot testing checks if your website’s code or content stays the same, kind of like saving a backup of how things are supposed to be.

Visual regression testing, on the other hand, focuses on the appearance of your site. It compares screenshots before and after updates to catch layout changes, missing elements, or visual bugs you might not notice right away.

What is the best tool for visual regression testing in WordPress?

The easiest option is the VRTs – Visual Regression Tests plugin. It’s beginner-friendly, doesn’t require any coding, and runs directly from your dashboard. Plus, it has a free version that’s super easy to use.

How can I do regression testing manually?

Manual regression testing means going through your site and checking key pages after you make changes, like installing a new plugin or updating your theme.

You’ll want to visit your homepage, contact page, checkout process (if you have one), and any custom layouts to make sure everything still looks and works as it should. It works, but it can be time-consuming if you manage a large or busy site.

How do you speed up regression testing?

The best way to save time is to automate it. Using a plugin like VRTs – Visual Regression Tests lets you create snapshots of your important pages and quickly compare them after an update.

No need to manually click through every page — the plugin does the visual check for you.

You can also test updates on a staging site first, so you’re not fixing issues on a live site.

What are the best ways to test WordPress website design?

Here are a few tips to test your WordPress design:

• Use a visual regression tool like VRTs – Visual Regression Tests to spot design changes.
• Preview your theme and plugin updates on a staging site.
• Test on multiple screen sizes (desktop, tablet, and mobile).
• Use browser dev tools to check how your site looks in different viewports.
• Ask for feedback from users or clients — they often notice things you might miss.

I hope this article has helped you learn how to do visual regression testing in WordPress. Next, you might want to check our article on creating chat rooms in WordPress for your users and the best user experience feedback questions to ask site visitors.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post How to Easily Do Visual Regression Testing in WordPress first appeared on WPBeginner.

When I launched my first online store years ago, I wanted to scale my business without spending more on marketing. That’s when I discovered affiliate marketing – it was like leading a team of salespeople promoting my products without any upfront costs.

But finding the right affiliate plugin for WooCommerce can be tricky. I’ve tested virtually every WooCommerce affiliate plugin on the market, learning the hard way which ones actually deliver results.

Today, I’m sharing my findings. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your existing affiliate program, this guide will help you make an informed decision.

WooCommerce Affiliate Plugins: My Favorite Picks

In a hurry? No problem! I have summarized the best affiliate plugins you can use for WooCommerce in the table below:

Want more information? Just keep reading to learn more about each plugin.

My WooCommerce Affiliate Plugin Review Process

For most of the WooCommerce affiliate plugins on this list, I tested them thoroughly by setting up demo websites. This hands-on approach gives much better insights than simply reading feature lists or user reviews.

While I tested most plugins on demo sites, we’ve used tools like AffiliateWP in our own business for years, which has given me deep familiarity with using it to run affiliate programs.

For each tool, I first checked how easy it was to get started. For example, some plugins automatically create registration forms and affiliate dashboards when they are activated, which reduces the amount of setup.

I also paid close attention to commission flexibility. Can you set different rates for products? How about recurring commissions for subscriptions? The best plugins let you create various commission structures to match your business model.

On top of that, a good plugin should offer accurate performance reports. This will allow you to see how successful your marketing efforts are and which affiliates are bringing the best results.

Next, I also looked at how each plugin handles affiliate payments. The most useful plugins provide multiple payment methods, automated payouts, and flexible payment schedules.

Finally, I looked at pricing structures and what you get for your money. While most affiliate plugins require an investment, I highlighted which essential features are available in free versions and which are locked behind premium tiers. 

Now, let’s look at the best WooCommerce affiliate plugins I’ve tested and reviewed.

1. AffiliateWP – Best Overall WooCommerce Affiliate Plugin

AffiliateWP is the best plugin for starting and running an affiliate program in your WooCommerce store. Many of our partner brands have used it on their websites because it’s easy to set up and works well for managing affiliate partners.

What’s more, AffiliateWP offers a ton of features for online stores. You can create special affiliate landing pages, set up fraud protection, and customize your affiliate dashboard. I’ve covered the plugin more extensively in my detailed AffiliateWP review.

Getting started with AffiliateWP is super easy. Once the plugin is active, it automatically adds a sign-up form and creates a dashboard for your affiliate partners.

This beginner-friendly setup is one of the reasons why I put AffiliateWP at the top of my list.

I especially love the AI feature that helps review affiliate applications. It can look at each application and tell you whether to accept or reject it, along with clear reasons why.

Another thing that makes AffiliateWP really useful is its flexibility with payments. You can choose to pay your affiliates once, set up regular payments, or create different payment levels.

Plus, it sends automatic emails to keep you and your partners updated about sales and important changes.