A few months ago, my friend asked me to look at her WordPress website. Her online store looked great, but she was frustrated because visitors weren’t buying anything. After spending just 30 minutes on her site, I could see exactly why—the user experience was all over the place.

I’ve seen this same problem a lot of times. Small business owners focus so much on making their sites look pretty that they forget about making them easy to use.

The result? High bounce rates, low conversions, and missed opportunities.

That’s why I put together this guide with 13 practical tips to improve your WordPress user experience. 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, signing up, 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 “Sarah.” She’s a working mom looking for time-saving tips, easy-to-follow guides, and parenting hacks to manage her busy life.

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 real feedback using tools like UserFeedback. For example, you might create a feedback form that displays across your website so that users can share what’s working (or what isn’t).

You might 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.

You can also easily create surveys and polls to gather visitor feedback with a tool like WPForms. For instance, you could run a quick poll asking which new features your users would like to see next or set up a short survey with a rating system to learn more about their overall experience.

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 data. Tracking how users actually interact with your WordPress site helps you make smart decisions that improve usability and drive results.

While Google Analytics (GA) is the gold standard for tracking data, it can be tricky for beginners to set up and navigate. That’s why I always recommend using MonsterInsights.

It’s a user-friendly Google Analytics plugin for WordPress that gives you the insights you need without having to navigate complex reports.

With MonsterInsights, you can track user behavior, set up conversion goals, and improve your site’s performance, all inside your WordPress dashboard. At WPBeginner, our team uses MonsterInsights every day to see this data.

For more insights into its features, see our full MonsterInsights review.

MonsterInsights also lets you keep an eye on key metrics like:

• Bounce rate: If visitors leave your site right away, it could signal poor content, confusing navigation, or an unprofessional design. Addressing these issues can help keep visitors engaged longer.
• Time on page: If visitors aren’t sticking around, your content may not be engaging or visually appealing enough. Use this metric to identify pages that need improvement in writing, visuals, or layout.
• Behavior flow: This shows where visitors go next and where they drop off. If users leave key pages early, it may indicate issues with your site’s structure, navigation, or content. Analyzing this helps improve user journeys by addressing bottlenecks.

These insights are accessible on the MonsterInsights Reports page. They can help you spot what’s working and what needs improvement.

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

Using heatmaps is another powerful way to visualize behavior. Heatmaps and session recording tools like Microsoft Clarity and UserFeedback show you exactly where people click, scroll, or get stuck.

This is especially helpful for refining 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.

Tip #4: Make Your Site Mobile-Friendly

More than half of all website traffic comes from mobile devices. That means if your WordPress blog or site doesn’t look or work right on a phone, you’re likely losing visitors before they even get to your content.

To prevent this from happening, I always recommend using a responsive WordPress theme. These themes will adjust automatically to different screen sizes — whether someone’s on a tablet, phone, or desktop.

Most modern themes include this feature, but it’s always good to double-check.

In my opinion, Sydney is one of the best responsive themes on the market. It’s also flexible and lightweight, and comes with 17+ starter templates.

It makes building a mobile-friendly site easy, thanks to the 8 mobile-ready header styles, drag-and-drop sections, and full design control.

Plus, there’s a free version of Sydney that you can use to get started!

Next, just because your website looks fine on a laptop doesn’t mean it’s easy to tap through on a phone. That’s why I suggest avoiding small text, hard-to-click buttons, and menus that are difficult to open.

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

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

For more information about this, you can explore our expert tips for creating a mobile-friendly WordPress site.

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 people to file complaints if a website doesn’t 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. This can help visually impaired users while giving search engines more context for better SEO.
• Image titles appear when users hover over an image, providing additional context.

When it comes to fonts, ideally, you’ll want to pick options that are easy to read.

At WPBeginner, we use Proxima Nova for its clean look and readability. It’s sleek, contemporary, and subtly elegant, which is ideal for blogs, portfolios, and media companies.

Another good one is Lato, which you can see on the WPForms website. It’s welcoming and approachable with a balanced design, perfect for mobile apps, retail stores, and eCommerce websites.

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.

And even with the right font and contrast, some users may still struggle with reading the text if it’s too small. One simple way to make your site more accessible is by letting visitors resize the text.

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.

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.

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 example, WPForms uses this menu type in their navigation to neatly group features, tutorials, and resources. This makes it easy for visitors to find what they need quickly.

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.

The default search function isn’t always the most accurate or helpful. 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 upgrade 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.

For example, on WPBeginner, we use our famous orange as the primary color on our website, and Proxima Nova as our font.

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 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, like Sydney, Neve, or OceanWP.

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 perfect for beginners and non-technical users who need a completely custom look.

Did you know? Duplicator’s website was custom-built using SeedProd. To learn more about what the page builder can do, see our extensive SeedProd review.

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 showcase your content in an organized and user-friendly way, you’ll be more likely to get your message across.

To organize your content better, I recommend starting by using clear headings. They are like signposts that guide visitors along your page.

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 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.

I tested WP Rocket to see how it works, and it turned out to be really easy!

During testing, I enabled mobile caching to ensure a smooth experience on all devices. I also activated user caching to support logged-in users on WooCommerce and membership sites.

Then, I adjusted the cache lifespan based on how often the site content was updated, and enabled file minification and lazy loading.

These tweaks alone helped reduce my test site’s page load times by over 40%, and bounce rates also dropped.

For details, please see our 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 works better.

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

With tools like Thrive Optimize, setting up an A/B test is easy. It will then help you track which version gets more clicks, signups, or sales.

You can test things like:

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

For example, in Thrive Optimize, I ran a test where I changed the color of the call-to-action (CTA) button on a landing page. After editing the variation, I split traffic between versions and started the A/B test.

This process is intuitive, and instead of relying on gut feeling, you’ll have real data to back up your design and content choices!

For example, you might find that a shorter headline keeps users engaged longer, or that moving your CTA higher on the page increases conversions.

Most A/B testing tools will automatically show the winning version once enough data has been collected, helping you continuously improve your site without guessing.

For details on how to do it, refer to 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, please 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 is 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. This is because, over time, some posts stop performing — either because they’re outdated or because search intent has changed.

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

So, during your regular content audits, you’ll want to review older pages and decide: should I keep, update, or delete the 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.

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 to the top of the section or award badges to users who consistently leave helpful remarks.

These small touches motivate readers to participate and foster a stronger community around your content.

To do all this, 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 insights about the plugin, see our in-depth Thrive Themes Suite review. Need more tool recommendations? Feel free to check out our expert picks of the best plugins to improve WordPress comments.

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

Want to take user interaction to the next level?

Creating space for real-time conversations can turn your website into a more inclusive and supportive place. Providing a platform for real-time interaction helps create community and encourages return visits.

If you’re running an eLearning, support-based, or membership site, adding a live chat feature can make a significant impact. It allows users to ask questions about course material or get help with platform features.

For other types of websites, such as online stores or service-based sites, live chat offers immediate support. Users can easily get help with a product feature, clarifying a service detail, or resolving a technical issue.

Learn more about it in our guide on how to add live chat in WordPress.

Want something more community-focused? You can create private chat rooms or discussion boards using tools like BuddyBoss.

This is especially helpful for membership programs or online courses, where people want to connect with others on the same journey.

Hop over to our guide on how to create chat rooms in WordPress to learn more.

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.

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.

Rank	RingCentral Alternative	Best For	Price per month
🥇	Nextiva	Businesses of all sizes, especially remote teams	$20 per user
🥈	Ooma	Small businesses on a tight budget	$19.95
🥉	Grasshopper	Solo entrepreneurs in the US and Canada	$14
4	Zoom Phone	Teams that require video conferencing and team messaging	$15 per user
5	Phone.com	Businesses that operate globally, especially healthcare	$15 per user
6	Vonage	Call centers and larger businesses	$13.99 per line

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.

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 first tried to add podcast episodes to my WordPress website, I quickly realized that embedding them from Apple Podcasts wasn’t as straightforward as I’d hoped. Like many of you, I wanted a simple solution that wouldn’t require coding knowledge.

Through trial and error (and plenty of coffee), I discovered several different methods for embedding Apple Podcasts in WordPress. And by testing them all out, I found the best solutions for podcasters and other WordPress users.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact steps you need to embed Apple Podcasts in WordPress, ensuring your audio content looks great and works perfectly on any device.

Whether you’re sharing your own show or featuring episodes from others, these methods make it easy to display an attractive, functional podcast player.

Why Embed Apple Podcasts in WordPress?

Apple Podcasts is one of the top platforms for discovering and listening to podcasts on iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices.

If you have an audio show on Apple Podcasts, then embedding episodes on your WordPress site is a great way to promote your production and grow your audience.

Instead of linking out or using a generic player, you can display your episodes right on your podcast website, where listeners can instantly hit play.

When you embed your show:

• 🎧 Visitors can listen without leaving your site.
• 📈 You increase time on site and boost engagement.
• 🌟 Your podcast stays on-brand by living alongside your other content.
• ☑ Your podcast website becomes a central hub to promote your show, share bonus content, and grow your audience on your own terms.

Perhaps most importantly, any first-time website visitors who discover your brand or business will immediately know about your podcast. This can help you gain tons of new listeners.

Even if you’re not embedding your own show, featuring Apple Podcasts on your website is a great way to share your favorite podcast episodes or curate recommendations.

For example, if you’re a blogger, then you might include relevant episodes to enrich your articles or support key points. Meanwhile, businesses and authors can feature podcast appearances as social proof.

Additionally, online course creators could use embedded interviews or discussions as bonus material for students.

How to Embed Apple Podcasts in WordPress

Now that you know why embedding Apple Podcasts in WordPress is a smart move, I’ll walk you through 2 easy ways to do it – no technical skills required.

You can use the quick link below to jump to the different methods:

Ready? Let’s get started.

Method 1: Embed Apple Podcasts in WordPress Using the Custom HTML Block

This method works well if you’re using the WordPress block editor and want a quick, free way to embed an Apple Podcasts episode.

You don’t need to install any plugins – just copy the embed code from Apple Podcasts and paste it into a ‘Custom HTML’ block.

That said, please note that some themes may style the embedded podcast player differently. So be sure to preview how it looks on mobile and desktop.

Step 1: Copying the Apple Podcast Embed Code

First, let’s head over to the Apple Podcasts site. You can do this on any browser — no need to use iTunes or the Apple Podcasts app.

Next, use the ‘Search’ bar in the left-hand panel to look for the podcast you want to feature. You can search by podcast title, episode name, and host name.

For example, I looked for a show called ‘The Climate Question.’

Once you find what you’re looking for, click on the relevant search result to open the show or episode.

On the podcast page, click the three-dot menu next to the ‘+ Follow’ button.

From the dropdown, go ahead and select ‘Copy Embed.’

Apple Podcasts will automatically copy the show’s embed code to your clipboard.

If you want to embed a specific episode, then you can scroll down the show page to the ‘Episodes’ list.

Give the three-dot menu in the episode section a click. Then, hit the ‘Copy Embed Code’ button.

Alternatively, you can click on a specific episode title.

This will take you to the episode’s page, where you can see a brief description of what the episode is about. You’ll also find links to social media pages, an email address for inquiries, the episode’s content rating (like Clean or Explicit), and details about the host.

Once there, just click the three-dot menu next to the ‘Play’ button and select ‘Copy Embed’ from the dropdown.

With that done, you have the episode’s embed code copied to your clipboard.

Step 2: Add the Apple Podcast Embed Code to WordPress

Now that you have the Apple Podcasts embed code, it’s time to add it to your WordPress website.

You can embed the player on any post or page. For this tutorial, I’ll show you how to embed it in a blog post using the block editor.

From your WordPress admin area, go to Posts » Add New or open an existing post where you want to add the podcast.

In the block editor, click the ‘+’ button to add a block.

Then, type ‘Custom HTML’ into the search bar and select the ‘Custom HTML’ block.

Paste the Apple Podcasts embed code you copied earlier into the block.

It should look something like this:

If you want to see how the Apple Podcasts player will look on the front end, select the HTML block and click the ‘Preview’ tab in the toolbar.

This will load the front-end preview of the player in the content editor.

If the embedded player looks good, go ahead and click ‘Publish’ (or ‘Update’ if you’re editing an existing post).

Now, your visitors can listen to Apple Podcasts directly from your site.

It’s that simple!

Method 2: Embed Apple Podcasts in WordPress Using EmbedPress

The Custom HTML block is a great free option, but it can feel a bit clunky, especially if you’re not comfortable working with code.

On the other hand, EmbedPress offers more streamlined embedding experience. With EmbedPress, you just need to paste the Apple Podcasts URL into the EmbedPress block, and it instantly shows a mobile-friendly player in your content.

Step 1: Get the EmbedPress Pro Plugin

To embed Apple Podcasts using EmbedPress, you’ll need the Pro version of the plugin.

You can visit the WPDeveloper website and sign up for a Pro account. Then, choose a plan based on how many sites you want to use it on.

After signing up, you’ll be redirected to your EmbedPress dashboard, where you’ll find:

• A download link for the EmbedPress Pro .zip file.
• Your license key for activating the plugin.

You can download the .zip file and keep the tab open, as you’ll need the license key in the next step.

Step 2: Install EmbedPress Pro and Activate the License Key

Once you’ve downloaded the EmbedPress Pro .zip file from your account dashboard, it’s time to install it on your WordPress site.

In your WordPress admin area, go to Plugins » Add New.

Then, you can click the ‘Upload Plugin’ button at the top.

Choose the .zip file you downloaded from EmbedPress.

Then, click the ‘Install Now’ button followed by ‘Activate.’ For more detailed instructions, you can go to our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

The next step is to activate the premium plugin using your license key. To do this, go to EmbedPress » License in your WordPress dashboard.

Here, you will need to paste your license key (which you can find in your WPDeveloper dashboard) and click ‘Activate License.’

At this point, a verification code will be sent to the email address you used to purchase EmbedPress Pro.

Simply open the email, copy the verification code, and then return to this page to enter it in the new box that appears below the license key box. Then, hit ‘Verify.’

Once you activate the plugin, you’ll unlock support for premium platforms, including Apple Podcasts, and gain access to extra customization features.

Step 3: Copy the Apple Podcast URL

To embed Apple Podcasts into WordPress using EmbedPress, you’ll need the correct URL for the entire show or a specific episode.

Let’s say you want to copy a show link.

To do this, go to Apple Podcasts and use the search bar to find the show or episode you want to feature.

For example, I searched for ‘The Psychology of Your 20s.’

In the search results, click on the podcast name to open the show’s main page.

Then, click the three-dot button next to the ‘+ Follow’ button to expand the menu.

Now, go ahead and click the ‘Copy Link’ button to get the link for the show.

Apple Podcasts will then automatically copy the link to your clipboard.

Now, to copy a single episode link, scroll through the list of available episodes in the Apple Podcasts show.

Once you find what you’re looking for, click on the episode’s three-dot button and click the ‘Copy Link’ button.

Want to see more details about the episode?

Just click on the episode section to open its page. There, you’ll find a short description of the episode, links to social media pages, an email address for inquiries, the content rating (like Clean or Explicit), and information about the host.

From the episode’s individual page, click the three-dot button next to ‘Play.’

Then, select ‘Copy Link’ to get the episode’s link.

Alternatively, you can copy the show’s or episode’s URL directly from your browser’s address bar.

This saves you from having to find the three-dot menu and click the ‘Copy Link’ button.

Just make sure you’re right where you want to be: a show or a specific episode.

Step 4: Add the Apple Podcast URL to WordPress Using the EmbedPress Block

Next, it’s time to embed your podcast using the EmbedPress plugin.

You can add it to any page or post, but in this example, I’ll show you how to do it in a WordPress blog post.

From your WordPress dashboard, go to Posts » Add New or open an existing post.

In the block editor, you can click the ‘+’ button.

Then, search for the EmbedPress block.

Just select the block when it appears, and WordPress will add it to your content editor.

Next, simply paste the URL you copied before into the EmbedPress block.

Don’t forget to click the ‘Embed’ button or press ‘Enter.’

EmbedPress will instantly fetch and display the Apple Podcasts player right inside your editor.

You can adjust the player’s appearance right inside the ‘Block’ tab.

In the ‘General’ section, just set the width and height to control the size of the embedded player.

You can also toggle ‘Social Share’ to add social share buttons for Facebook, X (Twitter), and more to your Apple Podcasts embed.

This lets visitors easily share the episode on their social media accounts.

In addition, EmbedPress Pro includes monetization and content protection tools. You can find them in the ‘Ads Settings’ and ‘Content Protection’ sections in the ‘Block’ tab:

• Ads Settings: This allows you to add video or image ads to your embeds, with control over size, timing, and skip options.

• Content Protection: Allows you to restrict access by user role or password to keep your embedded content secure.

You can configure these settings as needed.

Once you’re happy with how the Apple Podcasts embed looks, just click ‘Publish’ or ‘Update’ to make it live.

Your visitors can now listen to the show directly from your site — and even share it on social media with a single click.

Bonus Tips and Ideas to Grow Your Podcast

Embedding your Apple Podcasts in WordPress is just the beginning.

Here are some easy ways to grow your podcast audience and keep listeners coming back:

• Run a giveaway. Want more subscribers or podcast reviews? With RafflePress, you can create giveaways that reward people for actions like subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing an episode on social media. See our guide on how to run a giveaway for more details.
• Invite guest speakers. Featuring creators or experts in your podcast niche can bring fresh insights and help you reach new listeners.
• Add show notes and transcripts. These can help improve SEO, make your episodes easier to skim, and enhance accessibility for users who prefer reading. See our pick of the best transcription services for more details.
• Grow your email list. This will allow you to contact listeners to let them know about new episodes, promotions, and any other information. You can display a newsletter signup form below your podcast player or in popups on your podcast website. For details, see our guide on how to grow your email list.
• Create a membership site around your podcast. You can use MemberPress to offer exclusive content like bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes clips, or downloadable resources. For details, see our guide on how to create a membership website.

These small touches can go a long way in building a loyal podcast community. 🌐

FAQs About Embedding Apple Podcasts in WordPress

Still have questions? Here are some common questions I get from readers looking to feature Apple Podcasts on their WordPress sites:

Can you embed a podcast into a WordPress website?

Yes, you can! WordPress supports both HTML embed codes and direct URLs for many podcast platforms. That means you can easily display podcast episodes using built-in blocks or plugins – no coding required.

How do you embed Apple Podcasts into a website?

The easiest way is to copy the embed code directly from Apple Podcasts and paste it into a Custom HTML block in WordPress.

Alternatively, you can use a plugin like EmbedPress, which lets you embed Apple Podcasts by simply pasting the episode URL.

Do I need a website for my podcast?

While it’s not required, having your own website gives you more control over your content, branding, and audience. You can promote episodes, collect emails, add show notes, and even improve SEO to reach more listeners. For details, see our guide on how to create a podcast.

Is WordPress a good option for a podcast website?

Yes, WordPress is a highly adaptable, beginner-friendly platform that supports a wide range of podcast plugins and themes. WordPress makes it easy to manage and promote your podcast in one place, whether you’re just starting out or growing your show.

I hope this guide has helped you learn how to embed Apple Podcasts in WordPress. Next up, you can check out our guide on how to start a podcast or our expert picks of the best podcast hosting.

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 Embed Apple Podcasts in WordPress (2 Easy Methods) first appeared on WPBeginner.

The wait is over — kind of. Apple’s iPhone 16 series is out, including the kinda affordable 16E, and its much-hyped Apple Intelligence has arrived courtesy of iOS 18.1. But if you’re expecting a new kind of iPhone experience, well, I have some bad news for you. The AI features introduced in iOS 18.1 and more recent updates, including the writing tools and ChatGPT integration, are standard fare at this point. And although Siri has a new coat of paint, it’s basically the same old Siri.

Apple has promised much more, but the Apple Intelligence rollout is going to be a slow burn that lasts well into 2025. Which is all to say that if you don’t have any complaints with how your current phone is working, you definitely shouldn’t rush out and get a new one just for Apple Intelligence.

That’s actually the gist of our phone buying philosophy: hang on to the one you’ve got. If you’re not the type of person to get excited about a new camera button, updated photo processing options, or incremental performance upgrades, then there’s no reason to run out and buy an iPhone 16.

But if you’re questioning whether it’s the year to replace your iPhone 11 or 12 (or you’re concerned about a price increase as a result of the current tariff situation), then I think the answer is an easy yes. There are real gains this year, especially in the basic iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, without even considering AI. And if Apple Intelligence turns out to be something special eventually, well, you’ll be ready for it.

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The best iPhone for most people

Screen: 6.1-inch, 2556 x 1179 OLED, 60Hz refresh rate / Processor: A18 Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.6 main with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not advertised / Charging: 27W wired, 25W wireless MagSafe, 15W Qi2, 7.5W Qi / Weather-resistance rating: IP68

Apple’s basic iPhone enjoyed a significant hardware boost this time around, playing an overdue game of catch-up to the Pro series. The iPhone 16 includes the Action Button from last year’s Pro models — handy if there’s an app in your life you want to access at the touch of a button — and the new Camera Control. So if buttons are anything to go by, this phone is two better than last year’s model.

There’s more going on under the hood, too. The A18 chipset is in the same generation as the processor on the Pro models, which hasn’t been the case for the past couple of years. That bodes well for the 16 series staying on the same update schedule. And there’s extra RAM in this year’s base model, which can only be a good thing.

The iPhone 16 became a much more interesting camera this time around, too. The Camera Control offers a quick way to launch the camera app and adjust settings like exposure compensation. But there’s also a new set of Photographic Style filters this time around, with options to adjust contrast, brightness, and undertones to dial in your preferred rendering of skin tones. You’ll get better low-light performance by stepping up to the 16 Pro models, and other cool tricks like 4K recording at 120 fps. But even without all that, it’s the most customizable camera Apple has offered yet.

Outside of camera performance, there are two major drawbacks to picking the regular 16 over a Pro model: no zoom lens, and no ProMotion screen. Only the Pro has a dedicated 5x lens, which is handy for creative framing. And the standard 60Hz screen on the iPhone 16 will likely only bother you if you’re used to a smoother 120Hz display, though it’s annoying on principle that Apple keeps this feature to its Pro phones when virtually every other high-end phone has one.

Read my full Apple iPhone 16 review.

Best high-end iPhone

Screen: 6.3-inch, 2622 x 1206 OLED, 120Hz refresh rate / Processor: A18 Pro Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.8 with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 48-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not advertised / Charging: 27W wired, 25W MagSafe wireless, 15W Qi2, 7.5W Qi / Weather-resistance rating: IP68

The iPhone 16 Pro gets a small but meaningful upgrade this time around: a bump up to a 5x zoom, which on the 15 series was reserved for the Pro Max. And while the change from a 3x to 5x zoom doesn’t look that impressive on paper, it goes a long way to making the smaller 16 Pro feel like an equal to the 16 Pro Max. For once, you don’t need to get the biggest phone to get the best phone.

The 16 Pro is roughly the same size as the 15 Pro, but it has a bigger screen: 6.3 inches, up from 6.1 inches. There’s also the new Camera Control, an upgraded 48-megapixel ultrawide on board, and naturally, a new chipset that — naturally — supports Apple Intelligence.

There’s nothing here that makes the 16 Pro an absolute must-upgrade. Still, plenty of people will want the latest device with all the bells and whistles, and the 16 Pro represents an opportunity to get all of those features without having to buy the biggest phone.

Read our full Apple iPhone 16 Pro review.

The iPhone with the best battery life

Screen: 6.7-inch Super Retina OLED / Processor: A18 Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.6 main with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not advertised / Charging: 27W wired, 25W wireless MagSafe, 15W Qi2, 7.5W Qi / Weather-resistance rating: IP68

The thing about a big phone is that it has a big battery. And while that’s easy enough to understand, it still feels surprising how much more performance you can eke out of the iPhone 16 Plus’ battery. It’ll stretch well into a second day of use, and even if you’re conditioned to charge your phone every night, you’ll be amazed how much you have left in the tank at the end of each day. It’s a solid antidote to battery anxiety.

Naturally, the 16 Plus’ big-ness comes with another bonus: a bigger screen. The benefits are obvious here, too. But something that stands out to me when I use the phone is just how light it feels for its size, especially if you’re comparing it to the 16 Pro Max. If you like a big display but don’t need all of the weight of the Max — metaphorically and physically speaking — then the Plus is the way to go.

Read our full Apple iPhone 16 Plus review.

Best inexpensive-ish iPhone

Screen: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR / Processor: A18 Cameras: 48MP Fusion with 1x and 2x optical zoom, 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not advertised / Charging: 20-watt wired, 7.5W Qi, no MagSafe/ Weather-resistance rating: IP68

This recommendation comes with a heavy sigh. Yes, the 16E is the cheapest new iPhone Apple sells. Yes, it’s a good phone. It has a capable camera, reliable performance, full water resistance, wireless charging, and will be supported with software updates for years to come. But its $599 price tag starts to feel like too much when you consider what it’s missing.

There’s no MagSafe, which you can kind of add by way of a MagSafe case, but it’s a bummer not to have it built in when it has basically become a standard iPhone feature. There’s no ultrawide camera, no Dynamic Island housing timely information, no camera control (not a huge loss, honestly), and no Ultra Wideband for precise object tracking. It does support Apple Intelligence, but that doesn’t feel like much of a consolation given that it’s very much a work-in-progress.

The 16E will most likely receive more years of software support than a previous-gen model like the iPhone 14 or 15. And sure, Apple Intelligence might turn into something useful someday. The 16E is a good choice if you want the path of least resistance to blue bubbles and FaceTime at your fingertips. But if you’d like MagSafe, a more advanced camera, and some of the other bells and whistles that got lost on the way to the 16E, then it’s not a bad idea to look at one of the older iPhones.

Read my full Apple iPhone 16E review.

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What about the iPhone 15?

Apple still sells the iPhone 15 new, cutting the price down to $699 with the introduction of the 16 series. There’s a strong argument for buying a 15 rather than the 16E if you don’t care about Apple Intelligence; the 15 Pro runs Apple Intelligence while the regular 15 doesn’t. Compared to the 16E, the iPhone 15 includes MagSafe, the Dynamic Island, an ultra wideband chip for precise item tracking, and an ultrawide camera.

Update, April 11th: Updated to reflect current pricing / availability, as well as the latest tariffs on US imports.

Do you remember when sharing music on a website meant uploading MP3 files and dealing with clunky audio players? I sure do.

Thankfully, many streaming services have made it easier to share music online, and Spotify is leading the way. As one of the world’s largest music platforms, it offers straightforward embedding options that work well with WordPress.

As a music lover and WordPress user, I decided to look for the most reliable methods for adding Spotify content to WordPress sites. Whether you’re a music reviewer, podcast creator, or just want to share your favorite playlist, I will show you how to embed audio content without touching a single line of code.

In this guide, I’ll show you 2 easy methods to embed Spotify in WordPress. These are great options for sharing a single track, a full album, a podcast episode, or an entire playlist. 🎶

Why Embed Spotify in WordPress?

If you’re a musician or podcaster, then embedding Spotify content on your WordPress website is a powerful way to promote your work and connect with your audience.

Instead of sending visitors away to your Spotify profile, you can feature your music or episodes right where your fans already are – like on your podcasting website or the professional hub for your music.

That said, even if you’re not sharing your own content, adding Spotify embeds can still make your site more engaging. Whether you’re writing music reviews or curating playlists, embedding audio tracks can take your content to the next level.

And here are the types of Spotify content you can embed:

• Single tracks – Perfect for promoting your own music or highlighting a specific song.
• Albums – Great for showcasing full releases, especially for artists or music reviewers.
• Playlists – Share your favorite collections or set the mood with themed playlists.
• Podcasts – Ideal if you host a podcast and want to share episodes on your site.
• Artist profiles – Highlight your own Spotify artist page or feature others you support.

The best part? Spotify comes with easy embed links that you can use in WordPress.

How to Embed Spotify in WordPress

WordPress makes it easy to embed Spotify content right out of the box. You can simply paste a Spotify link into the content editor. WordPress will then automatically turn it into an embedded player within a Spotify block.

In this guide, I’ll cover 2 easy ways to embed Spotify in WordPress:

Both methods let you embed songs, albums, playlists, podcasts, or artist profiles without writing a single line of code!

Method 1: Embed Spotify Using the Spotify Block in WordPress (No Plugin Needed)

This is the easiest method because you just need to add a block in the WordPress block editor. It’s great for adding tracks, playlists, or podcast episodes directly to your posts or pages – no extra plugins needed.

Step 1: Find the Spotify Content Link

First, let’s get the Spotify content link.

You can start by opening the Spotify web player or desktop application to access its content (logging in is optional).

From the ‘Home’ screen, you need to use the ‘Search’ feature to find the content you want to embed. You can search by song title, album title, or artist name.

For example, I looked for Dream, Ivory’s artist page.

Just click on the relevant search result when it appears.

Once inside, you can click the three-dot button next to the ‘Follow’ button on the artist’s profile.

Next, hover over the ‘Share’ option and then click ‘Copy link to artist.’

If you want to embed a single track, then you can click on the three-dot button for a track.

Then, simply hover over the ‘Share’ option and click the ‘Copy Song Link’ button.

To embed a full album, scroll down the artist page to the ‘Discography’ section.

After that, just click on the album you want to share to open it.

You’ll see a three-dot button below the album name; go ahead and click it.

From here, you can hover over ‘Share’ and click ‘Copy Album Link.’

The process is pretty much the same for playlists and podcasts.

Just make sure you’re clicking the right three-dot button depending on whether you’re on a song, album, playlist, show, or artist page.

Step 2: Embed the Spotify Content into WordPress

Now, let’s add the link to your WordPress website.

You can embed Spotify content into any post or page. For this tutorial, I’ll show you how to do it inside a blog post using the WordPress block editor.

From your WordPress dashboard, let’s go to Posts » Add New Post or edit an existing post where you want the Spotify player to appear.

You can just paste the Spotify link straight into the editor. But I will also show you how to add the dedicated Spotify block.

In the editor, click the ‘+’ button to add a block.

Then, simply search for ‘Spotify Embed.’

Once you’ve found the ‘Spotify Embed’ block, give it a click to add it to the editor.

Now, you can paste the Spotify link you copied earlier into the block.

You can then click the ‘Embed’ button or press ‘Enter.’

WordPress will automatically fetch and display a live preview of the embedded player.

Before publishing, you might want to adjust the ‘Media settings.’ You can find this slider in the ‘Block’ tab on the right.

Turning on this setting helps the Spotify player look good on all screen sizes, which can help with mobile-friendly design.

When you’re happy with how the Spotify player looks, you can go ahead and click ‘Publish’ or ‘Update’ to make it live.

Now, when visitors view your post, they’ll see a fully interactive Spotify player they can use to listen to the audio content directly.

Method 2: Embed Spotify Using the EmbedPress Plugin (More Customizable)

This method is ideal if you want more flexibility when embedding Spotify content. The EmbedPress plugin lets you customize how your music, playlists, or podcasts appear on your site without using any code.

You can control the size of the audio player and even make the content shareable on social networks. It’s also suitable if you’re using the classic editor because it doesn’t rely on blocks.

Step 1: Install the EmbedPress Plugin

To get started, you’ll need to install and activate the free EmbedPress plugin.

So, let’s log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Plugins » Add New Plugin.

In the search bar, type ‘EmbedPress,’ then click ‘Install Now’ and ‘Activate’ when it appears.

Need help installing a plugin? Check out this step-by-step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Step 3: Copy the Spotify Content URL

For this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to find Spotify playlist and podcast links.

Let’s start by going to the Spotify web player or desktop application. You don’t need to be logged in to your account for this step.

Once inside, you can use the search bar at the top to find the Spotify playlist or podcast you want to embed.

On the results page, scroll down to the ‘Playlist’ section.

After that, go ahead and click on the playlist that you want to embed.

From here, you can click the three-dot button under the playlist name or near the ‘+’ button.

This will expand the menu where you can hover over ‘Share’ and click ‘Copy link to playlist.’

You can also go to an artist page, as they usually have a curated playlist.

For example, I went to Nina Simone’s artist page and scrolled down to find her ‘Artist pick’ playlist.

Once you’ve opened the playlist, just click the three-dot button near the title or the ‘+’ icon.

Then, hover over ‘Share’ and choose ‘Copy link to playlist.’

When it comes to podcasts, the process is pretty similar. Simply start by using the ‘Search’ feature to go to the podcast.

Once inside, you can click the three-dot button, hover over ‘Share,’ and click ‘Copy Show Link.’

If you want to share an episode instead, then you can scroll down the podcast page.

Then, click the ‘Share’ icon next to the episode you want to embed and copy the link.

The process is pretty much the same for songs, albums, and artist pages.

Just make sure you’re clicking the right three-dot button.

Step 4: Add the Spotify URL to WordPress Using the EmbedPress Block

Once you get your link, you can embed Spotify content into any WordPress post or page using the EmbedPress block.

To get started, you can create a new post by navigating to Posts » Add New Post. Alternatively, you can open the post where you want to embed the track, playlist, or podcast.

In the editor, let’s click the ‘+’ icon.

Then, you can go ahead and search for the EmbedPress block.

Once you’ve found the block, simply click on it to add it to the editor.

After that, paste your Spotify link into the block.

Don’t forget to click the ‘Embed’ button or press ‘Enter.’

EmbedPress will then instantly fetch the preview and display it right inside the editor.

Now, you will have access to extra controls for the audio player.

In the right panel, you can find the option to resize the player by adjusting its width and height.

Plus, you can enable social sharing to make your content more discoverable.

With this setting, you can choose whether to show the icons at the top, left, right, or bottom of the Spotify player.

EmbedPress Pro also allows you to change the color of the audio player and add a ‘Follow’ button. This can help you get more Spotify followers directly from your WordPress website.

When you’re done customizing, just click ‘Publish’ or ‘Update’ to make it live.

That’s it! Your Spotify content is now fully ready to go on your WordPress website. 🎧

💡 Note: If you’re using the old Classic Editor, then you can simply paste the Spotify link into the Visual editor.

The EmbedPress plugin will automatically detect the URL and convert it into an embed.

Take It Further: Sell Your Tracks, Albums, or Sample Packs 💿

Embedding your tracks on your website is just one way to get more listeners.

If you’re a musician, then you can also sell your songs directly from your WordPress site — no middlemen, no platform fees. It’s a smart way to keep full control over your music, grow your fanbase, and earn more from every download.

The easiest way to do this is by using a plugin called Easy Digital Downloads.

Unlike general eCommerce plugins, Easy Digital Downloads is built specifically for selling digital products like MP3s. That means no extra setup for shipping or inventory — just the tools you actually need.

You can sell singles, full albums, or even sample packs with features like secure file delivery, discount codes, and customer management built right in.

For detailed instructions, you can see this guide on how to sell music online in WordPress.

Alternatively, if you want to sell physical music, like vinyl or CDs, then you’ll need a full store with shipping, tax, and inventory support. I recommend using WooCommerce because it’s the most popular eCommerce plugin for WordPress and makes it super easy to sell products online.

You can follow this step-by-step guide on how to start an online store to get started.

FAQs Around How to Embed Spotify in WordPress

If you’re just getting started or still have questions about embedding Spotify links, you’re not alone. Here are some common questions I often hear from WordPress users:

How do I embed a Spotify playlist into WordPress?

You can copy the Spotify playlist link and paste it into a Spotify block in the WordPress editor. WordPress will automatically convert it into an embedded player. Alternatively, a premium plugin like EmbedPress gives you more control over the audio player’s look and branding.

How do I add a Spotify podcast to my WordPress site?

You can copy the podcast episode or show link from Spotify and paste it into the Spotify block in the WordPress block editor. It will instantly turn into a playable embed. Using a plugin like EmbedPress will also allow you to control how the audio player looks and get more followers directly from your website.

How do I play background music on a WordPress site?

Most modern browsers limit autoplaying background music to protect the user experience, especially on mobile devices, where unexpected sounds can be intrusive. Similarly, WordPress also doesn’t support autoplay out of the box.

That said, there are more user-friendly ways to share background music:

• Use a plugin with a custom play button – Plugins like HTML5 Audio Player let you add a small play/pause button. You can place it in a header, footer, or floating sidebar so that visitors can choose to start the music.
• Embed Spotify or other music players – Instead of true background music, you can embed a playlist or single track using Spotify or another streaming service. Visitors can click play whenever they’re ready to listen.

I hope this article has helped you learn how to embed Spotify in WordPress and make your music website more interesting. Next, you can check out our guides on how to add MP3 audio files in WordPress or our expert picks of the best WordPress plugins for podcasters.

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 Embed Spotify in WordPress (2 Easy Methods) first appeared on WPBeginner.

I love publishing articles with lots of screenshots and images in them.

That also means for each article, I had to spend a lot of time writing alt text.

For me, writing alt text is a tedious process. I often push it to the bottom of my to-do list despite knowing how crucial alt texts are for SEO and accessibility.

That’s why I’ve dedicated a lot of time to testing various AI-powered alt text generators on WordPress websites.

In this guide, I’ll show you the best way to automatically generate alt text using AI. I’ve done all the heavy lifting – testing accuracy, comparing results, and identifying the best options – so you can choose the right solution for your website.

The Benefits of Using AI for Generating Image Alt Text

Adding alt text to every image on your website can feel like a never-ending task. Even if you’re using tools like ChatGPT to write the alt text for you, you’ll still need to manually copy and paste the content.

Luckily, AI-powered tools can automate this entire process and allow you to control everything from your WordPress dashboard.

Here’s why using AI for alt text generation can be helpful:

• Saves Time – No more writing alt text for every single image. AI can generate descriptions in seconds, freeing up your time for more important tasks.
• Boosts SEO – AI helps you create descriptive alt text with relevant keywords, which search engines love. This can help your images rank higher in search results.
• Improves Accessibility – AI-generated alt text makes your site more inclusive by providing meaningful descriptions for visually impaired users.
• Handles Large Image Libraries – If you have hundreds (or thousands) of images, AI can process them in bulk, making optimization much easier.
• Maintains Consistency – AI follows a structured approach, ensuring all images have clear and uniform descriptions across your website.

By using AI tools for alt text generation, you can improve your website’s accessibility, SEO, and overall efficiency, all without the extra manual work.

Having said that, let’s take a look at how to easily generate alt text for images with AI.

Method 1: Use AltText.AI to Generate Alt Text for Images (Premium Plugin + Free Trial)

If you are looking for high-quality alt text for your images and have the budget to invest in a premium plugin, then I recommend this method.

AltText.ai is a powerful AI image alt text generator built for bloggers, small business owners, and website owners. It works in up to 130 languages and generates alt text in just seconds.

It comes with a free trial that lets you generate alt text for up to 25 images. After that, you can continue with a paid plan starting at just $5 for 100 image credits, where generating alt text for 1 image uses 1 credit. This makes it an affordable option for anyone managing a media-rich website.

First, you need to visit the AltText.ai website and click the ‘Start Free Trial’ button.

This will take you to a new screen, where you can create your free account by giving your email address, name, and password.

Once you do that, just click the ‘Sign up’ button.

AltText.ai will now create your free account and take you to your dashboard.

From here, head to the ‘Account’ page from the top and switch to the ‘API Keys’ section. Go ahead and click the ‘+ New API Key’ button.

Next, you have to type a name for the API key you plan to create. This name won’t be available publicly and is only for your identification.

Then, click the ‘Create’ button.

The tool will automatically create an API key for you. For now, click the ‘Copy’ button next to the key and store it somewhere safe.

You’ll need it later to use the tool.

Next, head to your WordPress dashboard to install and activate the Alt Text AI plugin. It is a free connector plugin that integrates the AI tool with WordPress seamlessly.

For step-by-step instructions, see this tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Upon plugin activation, visit the AltText.ai » Settings page and add your API key in the ‘API Key’ field. You can also choose your preferred language for alt text generation.

After that, pick a writing style for your alt text from the dropdown menu. You can choose between elaborate, concise, matter-of-fact, standard, and terse.

You can also use AltText.ai to generate image titles, captions, and descriptions. To do this, just check these options in the ‘When alt text is generated for an image’ section.

After that, check the ‘Automatically generate alt text with AltText.ai’ option so the tool will automatically generate alt text whenever you upload an image to the media library.

Next, you have to scroll down and check the ‘Generate alt text using focus keyphrases, if present’ option if you want the AI tool to use SEO phrases in alt text.

Keep in mind that you’ll also need to add a focus keyword using an SEO plugin for this feature to work. For details, you can check out this guide on how to use a focus keyphrase in WordPress.

Similarly, check the ‘Use post title as keywords if SEO keywords not found from plugins’ box so the tool will use post titles in alt text if you haven’t set a focus keyword.

You can then configure the rest of the settings according to your liking. Once you are done, just click the ‘Save Changes’ button.

Now, you need to open the block editor and upload an image using the ‘Image’ block.

This will open the ‘Select or Upload Media’ prompt, where you have to click the ‘Update Alt Text’ button. You can also check the ‘Add SEO Keywords’ option to add them to your alt text.

You can also generate alt text for already uploaded images by visiting the Media » Library page and clicking on an image.

Once the ‘Attachment details’ page opens up, check the ‘Add SEO Keywords’ box and add the keywords you want the tool to prioritize.

Then, click the ‘Update Alt Text’ button to create alt text for your image.

You can now repeat the process for all your images.

However, if you’re looking to save some time, then the plugin also allows bulk generation for alt text. To do this, head over to the AltText.ai » Bulk Generate page from the WordPress dashboard.

At the top, you will see the total number of images along with how many are missing alt text. You can scroll down from here.

Then, if you want to overwrite existing alt text, check the ‘Include images that already have alt text’ option. This ensures AI-generated descriptions replace any previous alt text.

Similarly, if you want to process only images attached to posts, check the ‘Only process images that are attached to posts’ box. This makes the plugin focus on optimizing images used in your content.

Once you’ve selected your preferences, click the ‘Generate Alt Text’ button to start the process.

The AI tool will take about 3-5 minutes to add all the alt text, depending on the number of images, and you will see a success message upon completion.

Go ahead and click the ‘Done’ button to be redirected to the Bulk Generate page. That’s all you need to do!

Method 2: Use a Free AI Plugin to Generate Alt Text, Title, and Caption for Images

If you are looking for a free AI image alt text generator that can also create image titles and captions, then I recommend this method instead.

The free AI for SEO plugin offers a built-in way to improve your image SEO without leaving your site or paying for additional tools.

Important: The plugin only provides 5 free AI credits every day. If you go over that limit, then you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan to continue using the AI features.

First, you need to install and activate the AI for SEO plugin. For details, see this step-by-step tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Upon activation, visit the AI for SEO page from the WordPress dashboard and switch to the ‘Settings’ tab from the left column. Then, scroll down to the ‘Media attributes’ section.

Here, you can choose whether you want the AI to generate alt text, captions, titles, and descriptions for your images. If you prefer not to use a specific feature, then simply uncheck the box next to it.

For instance, if you don’t want the AI to generate captions, then just uncheck that box.

After that, you can also choose a language for your media attributes from the dropdown menu. This will allow the plugin to generate text in the language used on your website.

You can then configure the rest of the settings according to your liking. Finally, click the ‘Save Changes’ button to store them.

Now, head over to the Media » Library page from the WordPress dashboard and choose an image you like.

This will open the ‘Attachment Details’ prompt, where you can click the ‘Generate With AI’ button under the title, caption, alt text, and description fields.

Once you do that, the plugin will use AI to generate alt text, caption, title, and description that match your image.

If you don’t like the initial results, then you can simply keep clicking the ‘Generate with AI’ button to get new suggestions. This lets you cycle through different options until you find one that fits better.

You can now repeat the process to generate alt text with AI for all your images.

Bonus: Optimize Your Image Alt Text with AIOSEO

Automatically generating alt text with AI is just one way to improve the images on your website. I also recommend using an SEO plugin with built-in tools for image SEO.

For example, All in One SEO for WordPress (AIOSEO) can optimize the format of alt text on your images. Its Alt Tag feature pulls the existing alt text from your media library and allows you to control its formatting with your website title or other metadata.

This feature can help with branding and SEO by making your images more relevant to search engines. Just keep in mind that AIOSEO doesn’t actually generate the alt text for you.

Another great feature is AIOSEO’s image sitemap generation, which includes XML sitemaps.

This helps search engines index your images correctly, increasing the chances of them appearing in Google Image Search.

To get started, just see WPBeginner’s ultimate guide to WordPress image SEO.

I hope this article helped you learn how to generate alt text for images using AI. You may also want to see our beginner’s guide on how to make money using AI and our top picks for the best AI website builders to create your site in a few minutes.

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 Automatically Generate Image Alt Text in WordPress Using AI first appeared on WPBeginner.

Were you clamoring for two AI-generated podcast hosts to talk through the key points of your document before you send it to your boss? No? Well, you’re getting it anyway. Google has announced new Gemini features coming to Workspace apps, including NotebookLM-style AI podcasts integrated right into Google Docs. There’s a wide spread of new features in this announcement, from an editor that can make suggestions in your documents to a tool that will help make sense of your spreadsheets, all with Gemini at the center.

Maybe the most uncanny of them all is the podcast feature, which exists in a couple of places already. It grabbed a lot of attention when Google offered it as part of its NotebookLM research tool, and it’s also available in the Gemini app when you upload a file. This update, which is coming to Workspace accounts “in the coming weeks,” will bring audio overviews right into Google Docs, along with the option to have AI read your article out loud. Having your writing read back to you is genuinely useful, but I used Gemini to generate one of these “podcasts” based on an article I wrote and I’m not in a hurry to do it again.

Another feature coming to Docs is a prompt to “Help me refine.” Rather than just doing the writing for you, it will leave comments with suggestions about how you can tighten up an existing draft. I’m familiar with this concept as an editor, and they’re hella useful. If you don’t have access to, you know, a person editor, an AI version might not be a terrible idea. This one will be available “later this quarter.”

Further out, Google has some lofty but vague promises for Sheets. Right now, you can ask Gemini for help with specific questions and tasks in Sheets, like generating visuals. A feature called “Help me analyze” offers a broader scope to help you make sense of your spreadsheet. In theory, it will help you identify trends and “guidance to get you started,” kind of like an on-demand data analyst. It sounds like we’ll have to wait a bit to try this one out — it’s coming “later this year.”

I’ve learned that the easier you make it for users to log in to your website, the more likely they are to become active members and engage with your content.

That’s where OAuth login comes in – it lets people sign in to your WordPress website with just one click using their existing social accounts like Google, Facebook, or X.

But here’s the thing: while OAuth login sounds simple in theory, setting it up correctly can be tricky. I’ve tested various plugins and methods on real WordPress websites to find the most reliable solution.

Today, I’m sharing my proven method for adding OAuth login to WordPress. I’ll show you how to set it up correctly, avoid common pitfalls, and get it working smoothly on your site.

The Benefits of Adding OAuth Login to WordPress

With traditional logins, weak passwords and forgotten credentials are common problems.

Users often struggle to remember their login details, leading to frustration and frequent password resets. This can create security risks and make the login process feel like a hassle.

OAuth helps prevent these issues by using secure authentication methods from major providers. Instead of creating new usernames and passwords, visitors can log in with accounts they already trust, like Google, Facebook, or GitHub.

Many of these providers also offer two-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of security.

This streamlined login process leads to faster access and fewer abandoned registrations. Users are more likely to complete the process when signing up is as easy as clicking a button.

OAuth also adds an extra layer of security that can reduce spam registrations and fake accounts. Since users log in through verified third-party accounts, it becomes harder for bots and spammers to create fake profiles.

Overall, adding OAuth login to your website creates a smoother, more secure experience for your users. Now, I will show you how to set it up in WordPress.

How to Add OAuth Login in WordPress

Setting up OAuth login in WordPress is easier than you might think. With the right plugin, you can allow users to sign in with their existing social accounts in just a few clicks.

I recommend using Nextend Social Login. It is a popular social media plugin that supports login through third-party providers like Google, Facebook, and Twitter.

Once set up, users will see social login buttons on your login and registration pages, making it simple for them to access your site without creating a new account.

Step 1: Install and Activate the Nextend Social Login Plugin

First, you need to install and activate the Nextend Social Login plugin. For details, see this tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Upon plugin activation, head over to the Settings » Nextend Social Login page from the WordPress dashboard.

For this tutorial, I will show you how to add OAuth login with Google. Nextend Social Login also offers login via Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and more. The process may be slightly different depending on the provider you choose.

Step 2: Create a Google App

Here, you need to click the ‘Getting Started’ button in the Google section.

This will take you to a new page, where you will see onscreen instructions to create your Google app that will allow OAuth login with your Google account.

Once you read this content, simply click on the provided Google Search Console link.

This will take you to a new screen, where you can add your Google account credentials to log in.

Then, click on the button at the top to open a popup and click the ‘New project’ button.

Next, you need to add a name for the project that you are creating.

You can also add a location and organization. After that, click the ‘Create’ button.

Once you add a project, you will end up back in the dashboard. From here, switch to the ‘OAuth consent screen’ tab from the left column.

Go ahead and click the ‘Get Started’ button.

Now, you have to add a name for your app. This name will be shown when asking for consent.

Then, add your business email address in the ‘User support email’ field so users can contact you with questions about their consent. Then, click the ‘Next’ button.

Next, you have to select an audience for your OAuth login in WordPress.

You can choose the ‘Internal’ option if your app is meant for private use within a Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) organization. This means only users within your company’s domain will be able to log in.

On the other hand, the ‘External’ option is best if your app or website is intended for public use. This allows anyone with a Google account to log in.

However, when you first set it up, the app will be in testing mode, meaning that only users you manually add as test users can access it.

Once you’re ready to go live, you may need to submit your app for Google’s verification process to remove restrictions.

After that, add your email address again.

This will be the email where Google will notify you about any changes to your project. You can also add multiple email addresses.

In the end, simply agree to the Google API services policy.

Finally, click the ‘Create’ button.

Once the process is complete, you will be taken to the ‘OAuth Overview’ page.

From here, click the ‘Create OAuth Client’ button.

On the next screen, you will need to create an OAuth Client ID.

Choose the ‘Web application’ option under the Application type dropdown menu.

Then, add a name for your client ID.

After that, scroll down to the ‘Authorized redirect URIs’ section and click the ‘+ Add URL’ button to enter the redirect URL.

Here, you need to add the link provided by the Nextend Social Login plugin. This URL ensures that users are correctly redirected back to your WordPress website after logging in with Google.

Then, click the ‘Create’ button.

You can find the URL Nextend has created for your website by heading back to your WordPress dashboard.

Here, check the on-screen instructions given by the plugin where the required redirect URL is mentioned.

Once the OAuth client ID is created, a popup will appear on your screen listing your credentials.

Simply copy your Client ID and the Client Secret from here and store them somewhere safe.

Then, head over to the ‘OAuth Consent Screen’ page from the menu on the left.

Here, switch to the ‘Audience’ tab and click the ‘Publish App’ button to allow this app for any user with a Google Account.

This will open a popup, where you can click the ‘Confirm’ button. Now, Google will verify and publish your app. This process can take 15-20 minutes.

Step 3: Verify Your Google Configuration

Now, head back to your WordPress dashboard and switch to the ‘Settings’ tab for Google from the top.

After that, add the Client ID and Client Secret that you copied earlier and click the ‘Save Changes’ button.

Once you do that, Nextend Social Login will show a popup asking you to verify your configuration. Go ahead and click the ‘Verify Settings’ button.

Keep in mind that if you skip this step, the Google OAuth sign-in option will not appear on your screen.

Next, switch to the ‘Buttons’ section from the top.

Here, you can choose a button style for your Google OAuth login. You can also create a custom button with custom code if you like.

Once you are done, just click the ‘Save Changes’ button to store your changes.

Now, you need to switch to the Global Settings » Login Form tab from the top.

Here, check the ‘Show login buttons’ box for the ‘Login Form’ option so that users can easily opt for the OAuth sign-in option from here.

You can also configure the rest of the settings according to your liking.

Next, click the ‘Save Changes’ button.

Then, you have to head back to the Settings » Nextend Social Login page from the WordPress dashboard.

Finally, click the ‘Enable’ button under the ‘Google’ option. You can now repeat this entire process with different third-party apps to add OAuth login for them.

Once you are done, simply visit your WordPress site to see the OAuth login in action.

Bonus: Add Passwordless Login in WordPress with Login Links

While OAuth login removes the need to create new passwords, users will still need to rely on credentials from third-party accounts like Google or Facebook.

If you want to go completely password-free, then login links offer another secure login method. It lets users bypass the WordPress login credentials and simply click on a link to log in to their accounts.

With the Magic Login plugin, users simply need to enter their email address, and a one-time login link is sent to their inbox. Clicking the link grants instant access, with no passwords required.

This reduces login friction while keeping accounts secure. It’s especially useful for websites where you want to minimize barriers to entry and improve the user experience.

Plus, since these login links are time-sensitive and unique, they provide an extra layer of security against brute-force attacks and credential leaks.

To get started, see our tutorial on how to add passwordless login in WordPress.

I hope this article helped you learn how to add OAuth login in WordPress. You may also want to see our beginner’s guide on how to add one-click Google login in WordPress and our tutorial on adding CAPTCHA in WordPress login and registration form.

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 OAuth Login in WordPress (Step by Step) first appeared on WPBeginner.

The US smartphone market is weird. Most of us buy our phones through some combination of installment plans, trade-in offers, and carrier deals, so answering the question “How much does this phone cost?” can sometimes require a little galaxy-brain math. President Trump’s 34 percent tariff increase on Chinese goods is set to take effect on April 9th, making things even more complicated. Will Apple, for instance, pass the extra cost of an iPhone right along to buyers? The market seems to think so. It’s likely why Apple’s shares are down almost 10 percent, the worst drop in about five years.

But Gerrit Schneemann, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, doesn’t necessarily believe we’ll see an immediate price increase.

“I don’t foresee them… on a short-term basis just raising prices unnecessarily,” Schneemann told The Verge.

He points out that Apple’s margins (historically about 38 percent) give it more wiggle room to absorb the costs of the tariffs, at least in the short term. “But I think if this sticks, then probably with the 17 we could see a price hike,” he said, referring to the iPhone 17 expected in the fall.

If the goal with these tariffs is …

Read the full story at The Verge.