Launching a new website is an exciting journey filled with possibilities. You might have tons of ideas for what you want on your site, like cool features, eye-catching designs, or an online store. At SixFive, we share in your excitement, helping you bring these ideas to life through your website.
But there’s one question we often hear: “Why do I have to keep paying for software even after my site is built? I thought WordPress was free!”
It’s a fair question, and we get it. Let’s talk about why ongoing software costs are part of the package and why they’re essential to keeping your website in top shape.
WordPress Is Technically Free, But Not Without Costs
Yes, WordPress itself is free. It’s an open-source Content Management System (CMS), used by over 40% of websites worldwide. This means you don’t have to pay to use WordPress as a base for your site. However, a full website is more than just the basic WordPress software.
To make your site truly yours – to give it the functionality, performance, and security it needs – you’ll likely need to add some extra tools. This is where plugins come in. And while some of these plugins are free, the ones that offer advanced features, great support, and ironclad security usually come with a price tag.
The Role of Premium Plugins
So, what exactly is a premium plugin? Simply put, it’s a paid plugin that improves your website with additional functionality, priority support, and much better security. These plugins are often created by third-party developers who dedicate their time to maintaining and improving them, verifying that they stay up-to-date with the latest WordPress versions and security standards.
Here’s a closer look at some of the premium plugins we use at SixFive to make sure your website does everything you want it to – and more.
SEO: RankMath
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial if you want your website to be found on Google. WordPress doesn’t come with built-in SEO features, which is where plugins like RankMath come into play. RankMath helps optimise your content so that search engines can easily index and rank it.
Why do we use RankMath? Because it simplifies the technicalities of SEO, providing you with an easy-to-use interface that helps you improve your rankings without needing to be an SEO expert. Plus, its premium features offer advanced options like keyword tracking, detailed SEO analysis, and priority support, so that your site has the best chance of reaching the top of search results.
E-Commerce: WooCommerce and Beyond
If you’re running an online store, WooCommerce is the go-to plugin for turning your WordPress site into a fully functional e-commerce platform. The basic WooCommerce plugin is free, but depending on your needs, you might need additional features that only premium plugins can provide.
For example, if you offer subscription services, the WooCommerce Subscriptions plugin can automate the recurring billing process, making it easier for you to manage and for your customers to use. Need to calculate shipping costs accurately? The AusPost postal calculator plugin integrates directly with Australia Post to provide real-time shipping rates, ensuring your customers always know what they’ll pay for delivery.
Multi-Language Support: WPML
Today’s market is global, so having a multi-language website is a must. WPML is a premium plugin that makes translating your site into multiple languages straightforward. This plugin goes beyond basic translation, offering features like multilingual SEO and compatibility with most WordPress themes and plugins.
With WPML, your site can cater to a broader audience, breaking down language barriers and expanding your reach.
Contact Forms: WPForms and Gravity Forms
A contact form is a must-have for any website, but not all forms are created equal. WPForms and Gravity Forms are two premium plugins that allow you to create customised, user-friendly forms that suit your specific needs.
WPForms is known for its drag-and-drop builder, making it easy to create forms without any coding. Gravity Forms offers more advanced features, such as conditional logic, multi-page forms, and payment integrations. Depending on your requirements, we choose the right plugin to ensure your forms are functional, secure, and easy to use.
Performance Optimization: Perfmatters
Website speed is crucial, not just for user experience but also for SEO. A fast website keeps visitors happy and engaged, while a slow site can lead to higher bounce rates and lower search rankings.
While SixFive’s Managed WordPress Hosting includes built-in performance optimization, there are times when additional tweaks are necessary. Perfmatters is a premium plugin designed to optimise your website’s speed by disabling unnecessary features, minimising HTTP requests, and reducing page load times.
With Perfmatters, you give your visitors a smooth and fast experience every time they visit.
Backups Mean Peace of Mind for Your Website
Backups are one of those things you hope you never need but are incredibly grateful for when you do. While some hosting providers include backups as part of their service, others do not, leaving your site vulnerable if something goes wrong.
Our Managed WordPress Hosting also includes offsite backups three times a day, with a full backup stored offsite daily. This means that if anything happens to your site – whether it’s a security breach, a failed update, or just human error – you can quickly restore it without losing valuable data.
Website Management Keeps Everything Running Smoothly
Ongoing website management is essential to keeping your site secure, updated, and running smoothly. We offer Care Plans that include a variety of premium plugins, such as Advanced Custom Fields, RankMath, and WPForms, to guarantee that your site has the best tools available.
We also use a management tool to monitor your site’s performance, handle updates, and address any issues that arise. This proactive approach means we can catch and fix problems before they affect your site, giving you peace of mind that everything is taken care of.
Can I Use a Free or One-Time Payment Plugin Instead?
The short answer is yes, you can use free plugins or even some that require only a one-time payment. Should you? Well, there are a few things to consider before going this route.
First, free plugins may not offer the same level of support or security as premium ones. They might be fine for basic functionality, but if you’re running a business website, you’ll want the reliability and peace of mind that come with a premium option.
Second, avoid plugins that seem too good to be true, like those offering premium features at a drastically reduced price. These “nulled” plugins are often stripped of licensing checks and updates, leaving your site vulnerable to security risks and compatibility issues. Always buy plugins directly from the developer’s website to ensure you’re getting a genuine product!
Yes, Premium Plugins Are Worth It
When building a website, it’s essential to ask your developer about the premium plugins in use and how much they’ll cost annually. Many developers, including SixFive, will pay for these plugins as part of the initial build, but you’ll need to maintain the licences over time to keep your site functioning well.
If the developer goes out of business or your relationship ends, you’ll need to be prepared to cover these costs. Otherwise, the plugins may stop working, which could cause parts of your website to break or cease functioning altogether.
Curious about how your website is performing or whether it’s using the best tools available? Get in touch with us for a website audit. We’ll review your current setup and provide recommendations to ensure your site is optimised, secure, and ready for the future.
