A WordPress site makes the life of a website owner much easier. With the content management system itself (i.e., all the themes, plugins and widgets available), you can do pretty much anything with your website.
But chances are, your site looks like that of many other brands and individuals. And you definitely don’t want to be part of the crowd.
It’s time to do something different by means of some pretty helpful and innovative plugins. Here’s a list of the ones you might not know about, but which can turn out to be game-changers for your site’s ranking and your online business.
1) Create an Interactive Flip Book
Have you ever wanted to use visuals in a unique way? Do you want to turn your website into a digital magazine offering a special experience to each reader? With the variety of flip book WordPress plugins available now, you can do both.
You can, for example, upload PDF files that you’ve created in advance. Then you can display them on your WordPress site, add a cover image, and let visitors view them.
For image-heavy publications, think about creating a photo book gallery. There you can show off your portfolio or all your existing imagery that you want in one place.
If you want to be an authority in a business niche and are using SlideShare already, then a plugin such as SlideShare for WordPress is a good option. It will allow you to embed stunning presentations and adjust their sizes so visitors can enjoy the slides while on your platform.
2) Allow Users to Contribute
Some of the most successful products online are the ones that somehow involve user-generated content (UGC). What better example is there than Wikipedia? It wouldn’t be one of the most popular sites in the world without allowing everyone to contribute.
You’re already familiar with some types of UGC. Comments, for example, are something users create and are a small way to fill your website with more content.
It’s not always easy to engage with users, but if you manage to do so, then you can start receiving some pretty long and thoughtful comments. These can then lead to organic traffic.
To let users contribute posts, install plugins such as Frontier Post and User Submitted Posts. These make dealing with user-generated content much easier because you don’t need to exchange emails or messages back and forth.
Your followers simply fill in their details (you decide what you’ll allow them to include) and add the content. Then you get to edit and review the content before approving and publishing it.
Ratings and reviews are another way to grow your platform with the help of others. Such content has the power to build authority and inspire people to join your program or buy your product. Ratings and reviews also build trust.
Plenty of WordPress plugins allow you to add this kind of feature to your blog and create engagement. You could add an AJAX rating system, a “like” button on posts and pages, the ability to add a comment to a product page, or even the chance to write detailed reviews.
Last but not least, you can add a forum to your WordPress site with plugins such as bbPress or BuddyPress. You can then think of new ways to encourage previous customers to use these features.
3) Turn Your WordPress Site into a Mobile App
Mobile traffic is currently dominating online markets, and we can’t keep avoiding that fact. If you want to be where your visitors are, you’ll need to give them the best mobile experience.
Unfortunately, having a responsive website is also a must these days. You can’t view having a responsive site merely as an extra step that helps you stand out from the crowd.
But there is a solution to this dilemma. You can use a plugin to turn your WordPress site into a mobile app. Advances in technology allow you to do so even if you aren’t a programmer.
Advantages of an App
An app is better than having a mobile responsive site because you get to be part of the Google Play store and the Apple store. Your readers will be glad to see their publications in these stores and will immediately install your app.
The main advantage here is that mobile devices are made to work with such software products, instead of just loading heavy sites from browsers. People can use your application when there’s no internet connection, and that ability makes you more accessible.
What’s more, an app runs faster and provides an overall experience that can’t compare to clicking buttons on a website from your phone.
Some plugins to try are Androapp, Blappsta and AppPresser. Almost any plugin like this allows you to have push notifications and in-line ads.
And if you’re wondering how to make money from an app knowing you’ll release it for free on the Apple and Google Play stores, this is one way you can: include in-content ads.
That’s not all. Depending on your audience and niche, you might find out that affiliate marketing works best for you.
But be careful what third-party items you share with your readers. This Lotto Dominator, for instance, is a bad way to earn money and will lead to losing the trust of your visitors.
You’ll want to create honest reviews of products and services that you yourself are using or with which you are at least familiar.
Once you share the good and bad sides of your experience with them, visitors who find your story interesting will click the affiliate link and make a purchase, resulting in a commission for you.
A Distinctive WordPress Site Benefits Everyone
I believe these three ideas are the answer to adding more innovative features to your WordPress site and making your visitors happier.
While the plugins in this list function well enough and are easily customizable for non tech-savvy people, it’s always smart to invest some resources and hire a specialist. A designer and programmer will help you achieve great results.
Do you truly want to be taken seriously in your field? Do you aim to have a professional-looking site? Then you should first head to platforms for freelancers, such as UpWork, FreelanceMyWay and Guru, and post a job for a web designer.
These websites have turned into the go-to places for finding the best talent in different industries. While it’s not always easy to delegate, it is often best to let experts do their jobs, while you focus on growing your busines and finding new clients.