Plugins are a significant part of WordPress websites that require specific functionalities. You can choose your plugin from the official WordPress repository with over 45,000 plugins.
However, not all WordPress plugins are up to the mark. Even if a plugin is in the repository, it does not guarantee that it is secured or functions brilliantly. One may think, what is the option available then? The best option is that you can build your plugin. The development of a WordPress plugin should start with proper planning.
In this blog, we will discuss how to develop a simple WordPress plugin in the right way:
1) Properly define the requirements
The first thing you should do in the case of WordPress plugin development is to define your development requirements. Therefore before you start, make sure that you have a proper idea of the objective of the plugin. When you have a crystal clear picture of the issue that you need to resolve, you will be able to properly execute your idea into an efficient plugin.
You can consider many important factors in this step like- what are the features of the plugin, how you will customize the plugin, and what the design will look like? Ensure to answer these questions, since the steps are interconnected.
2) Make sure to create a WordPress plugin directory structure
The structure of your plugin within the WordPress directory is based on the complexity of the plugin. The directory name will be the same as the plugin name, in lowercase, and it has dashes in place of spaces.
We suggest you have a single PHP file that can hold all the plugin code. This structure is perfect for a simple plugin that performs small functions. In case you are working with a plugin that has many assets, you can arrange your plugin based on the code function and the PHP files. You can also create directories like- assets for JavaScript files and CSS, i18n for localization files, and widgets and templates.
In the case of more complex plugins, you can build an MVC view with a controller within my plugin directory and directories for models. This helps to debug later quickly.
3) Configure the plugin
After creating your plugin directory and adding files within it, next you will be required to add the file header. The file header is a PHP comment block that stores information about the plugin. The file header will appear in the list of the plugins on WordPress admin after adding it.
4) Name your plugins uniquely
Always remember that your plugins will be installed in a quite “busy ecosystem”, which may be at the same time when your competitors will also be installing their plugins. So giving a unique name for your files and variables is very much required. The simplest way for doing this is to add classes, functions, custom PHP variables, CSS selectors, and file names with the plugin’s name.
5) Make sure to test your plugins thoroughly
Polishing, prepping, and testing the product before release is the most significant part of a good software development cycle. Here are a few suggestions that you can follow while deploying the release of your plugin:
- Make sure to test the plugin on a new WordPress install.
- Make sure to test the plugin with the help of various WordPress themes.
- Also, make sure to test the plugin on an old WordPress and PHP version that you think can badly affect the plugin functionality.
- Test and analyze your plugin with browser developer tools like Firebug for Firefox, Dev tools for Chrome.
- Make sure to squeeze all front-end files like CSS, HTML, and images. To make the plugin user perform custom modifications, make sure to include non-minified versions of your style sheets and HTML files.
- Make sure to prepare proper documentation as the documenter is helpful with this process.
6) Prioritize your plugin performance
You should consider performance as a top priority while developing a plugin. Make sure to optimize every component keeping speed in mind. The leaner your plugins are, the better it is. Also make sure to build in caching, whenever possible, especially in multi-instance environments. Above all these, test your plugin. Test on multiple hosts with multiple themes and with other plugins.
7) Put a good amount of effort into branding the plugin
Whether you are creating plugins for profit or just want to give back to the WordPress community, every plugin deserves a good shot, even if there is no money involved. Why would you invest so much time and effort into developing a plugin if you don't want them to be released in the hands of WP users? Many free plugins are released to the WordPress community and take time to create a great visual brand identity. Plugins are also subject to market competition, like any other product.
To stand out in this competitive marketplace around WordPress, you are required to perform very well through all job roles, even roles outside of development like design, marketing, SEO, copy writing, etc. Having a great plugin from the best WordPress development company is not enough. People will not use it if they don't know about it.
That is why it is important that you hire a web designer and design a unique logo and look for all the plugins that you are planning to release to the premium market. A great plugin along with its good branding will carry you far.
Here we are providing some tips for plugin sales:
- Each plugin should add one excellent feature.
- The plugin pricing should depend on the value that the plugin will add to the customer.
- Excellent customer service is highly recommended.
- Develop an off-marketplace business website.
- Completely focus on developing a great product that people want to use.
Conclusion,
Hopefully, these above-mentioned tips will help you complete your WordPress plugin development successfully. But in case you require further guidance, you can reach out to the top WordPress website development company providing top-quality WordPress website development services.
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