Essential Wordpress Plugin Includes

by 18 replies
22

After purchasing and installing a few decent plugins, I have noticed that many plugin developers do not INCLUDE essential items or functions that should be mainstream by now.

So I want to start a thread on suggestions, examples and "want to see" type posts for developers to review or use as a checklist before they release their plugins in the WSO forum and elsewhere.

So feel free to add your opinions, suggestions and complaints.

My first suggestion is that every plugin MUST have links to their main, support, blog, forum, videos, etc. WITHIN their dashboard (not just the "visit plugin site" link under the plugins listing area.

Don't see why I have to go searching for the link in emails, etc., to find info. or access instructions.




-> Plugin Update Notifier or Check for Update Link / Button
-> GOOD GRAMMAR - BEST ENGLISH! PLEASE!
-> Direct "Settings" link (in the WP plugins page). (In lieu of the admin menu listing - OP's edit)
-> Logic Diagram - FOR COMPLEX PLUGINS. Include a logic diagram. (shows the logical flow of your plugin's functioning)
-> VIDEO VS. MANUAL - (USE both, but NEVER say something in the VIDEO that cannot be found in the MANUAL!)
-> Browser in Plugin's GUI (OP is developing a Master Plugin Browser - fill in the blanks and download a browser for your plugin's GUI: PM me for details)
-> RX plug-in - checks for conflicts between plug-ins and diagnoses interrupted functioning
-> Complete Service Plugins - Don't Give Me More Work To Do!
-> Provide API IPs - provide in plugin's settings or dashboard page any IP the plugin expects to receive data from.
#programming #essential #includes #plugin #wordpress
  • I'm a developer and I would like to see your suggestion.

    Thanks for this nice thread.

    *subscription*
  • Is anyone using Trumpia? I'm considering moving to their platform but would like to hear some feedback before signing up.
    • [1] reply
    • Oh No No NO! Don't EVER try that! It's not even a Wordpress Plugin! Therefore, it is not germane to this thread and is SPAM! Tsk, Tsk..

      So expensive too! Socircial.com is WAY better and delivers more than that ever will!
      Plus, if I could find a good WP programmer, will be easily available as a WP plugin For FREE and actually make you money just by installing it on your blog! This is a true TRUMP!
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
  • Socircial.com not working?
    • [1] reply
    • Still in moth balls...TOP SECRET! But keep an eye out on my sig - I'll offer WF members special deal when we launch!

      Thank you for your interest!
      • [1] reply
  • Plugins should incorporate relative functioning, i.e., seo plugins should incorporate all the up to date seo needs within the plugin or at minimum ask for and configure other plugins (free) to work in unison with the new plugin.

    We need "smarter" plugins.
    • [1] reply
    • GOOD GRAMMAR - BEST ENGLISH! PLEASE!

      Its bad enough that some of these plugins are a bit fussy to learn how to control and configure...but please get some English proofreading for all your text. It's quite annoying to have to read instructions and/or plugin GUI with poorly constructed sentences and bad usage.

      Plugin design teams should not be considered complete unless they have a member who is fluent in English (Brit/Aus or US). Please JV with at least one English speaking Warrior who writes well and can correct your plugin's communication!
  • One thing that only few plugins have -

    a direct "settings" link (in the WP plugins page). I got some pages that rely heavily on a lot of plugins, so the "settings" lift in the WP admin menu is pretty long.

    I hate it if I activate a new plugin, after activation land on the WP-plugins site, but then have to go searching the plugin settings on the left... even worse if the plugin author decides to place it at some peculiar place, like in the "Tools" section or whatever....

    So I am always happy if a plugin has a "settings" option that I can just click.

    Cheers,
    Rob
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • FOR COMPLEX PLUGINS:

      Include a logic diagram. A logic diagram shows the logical flow of your plugin's functioning within the server environment.

      It would help more technically inclined users to implement the plugin better and troubleshoot issues that may occur immediately after installation or during any site modifications in the future.

      It also allows the user to better understand how the plugin works and interacts with the blog so that we can adapt future posts, usage, plugin additions, etc., to enhance the user's use and benefit of the plugin and blog.
      • [1] reply
  • Your plugin should be able to check itself for:
    1 - File changes --> notify admin
    2 - Unknown files in plugin folders and directories -> notify admin
    3 - Self repair files to depository originals --> notify admin (unless there is a new update which it would wait for admin to update).

    I think that these functions will help WP sites be more resistant to hacking.
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