Building a usual WordPress website is normal and every one or other businesses can do it effortlessly. Thankfully, there are custom features to distinguish you and your website from others. There are WordPress slugs, plugins and much more.
Businesses can incorporate custom features into their WordPress website and all thanks to the WordPress plugins. WordPress plugins allow businesses to build unique websites about their particular businesses.
With more than 60,000 WordPress plugin options, businesses are at liberty to decide and choose the best one for their businesses. In addition to this, due to the open-source nature of the platform, you can also build your WordPress plugins.
You only need the right set of tools, platforms, basic knowledge of PHP coding, and PHP file to build your WordPress plugins. But this is not all. Consequently, let’s have an insight into how to create WordPress plugins from scratch in this post mentioned below.
About WordPress Custom Plugin
Before getting started with creating custom WordPress plugins, you should have in-depth knowledge about what WordPress plugins are actually. WordPress plugins are the ones that add to the functionality of your website.
There are numerous kinds of WordPress plugins and all with different purposes. For instance, you can create a WordPress plugin directory and add social media share buttons to your website to make it easy for you to share your blogs.
Moreover, you can personalize your WordPress website the way you want and give your unique touch to your website.
About WordPress Plugin Development
WordPress plugin development refers to the process of creating plugins for your website. Businesses can get it done by freelancers, outsourced agencies, or individuals. But the process of creating the WordPress plugins is not the same for everyone and might vary greatly.
Some businesses hire WordPress experts also for WordPress plugin development but before that, ensure that they are familiar with the WordPress plugin development process or not.
The developers working on your WordPress plugin development should have a stock of your requirements, priorities, and database.
No worries if you don’t know how to create custom WordPress plugins as here are the steps you need to follow for developing the WordPress plugins.
Steps to Make WordPress Plugins
Many businesses feel that creating WordPress plugins is a difficult task but this is far from the truth. Here are some steps you need to follow to create easy WordPress plugins for your website.
Market Research
No matter whether you are creating a website or looking to create WordPress plugins, doing market research is inevitable. With nearly 60,000 plugins available, it is crucial to do market research to figure out which is best and which is not.
Before you begin with market research, make sure to note down your requirements and explore the WordPress plugin directory. Look at the number of installations and identify the gaps. Once you have the right one for your website, look for its shortcomings.
Always try to opt for the latest WordPress plugins so that you can develop complimentary solutions to the WordPress plugins.
Staging Environment
The next crucial task is to set up the testing environment. Ensuring a staging environment will help you build a WordPress plugin without breaking the live website. It firstly creates a clone of your website so that you can work on the functionalities, features and that too without harming your website.
The developers or businesses can set up the WordPress staging website by creating a staging website using a web host, installing a plugin, and building a manual WordPress staging site. You can also use WordPress development tools and third-party platforms to test the sites.
Depending upon your comfort, preferences, and capabilities, you can choose the best one for your website and WordPress.
WordPress Plugin Folder and File
Creating a WordPress plugin folder and file is the next step in creating a WordPress plugin. Initially, you need to choose an official name for your plugin which should be unique and also self-explanatory.
The name should be reflected in the plugin folder and PHP files. Consequently, businesses need to choose wisely. You can use the same name which you gave to the plugin and use hyphens in place of spaces. Once you are done with making the plugin folder, you need to create a PHP file.
Create a WordPress Plugin File Header
Adding the main plugin file header is crucial post developing the WordPress plugins file. It is a kind of PHP block comment acting as the metadata for the WP to create a plugin. It contains the plugin name, plugin URL, description, version, author, author URL, and license.
The businesses need to tweak the code snippets with the details of the WordPress project. Once you are done with making the changes, save the changes and notice the WordPress plugin on your WordPress website.
Add Code
Till now, you are done with only the basic framework of the WordPress website for the plugin. Consequently, this is where you need to learn how to code a WordPress plugin. There are action hooks that will allow the plugins to either add or modify the functionality.
The filters will modify the functionality of actions and many more things. The best way to deal with this is to familiarize yourself with the developer’s plugin handbook and use it as A guide to code.
Make sure that all your concepts are clear as this will enable you to design the plugin code and experiment with it.
Test and Backup
Creating the WordPress plugin is not the only thing. Testing and securing it before releasing it is also crucial and should not be missed out. As far as testing and backing up data are concerned, it’s better to get it done at different milestones of the development cycle.
Doing so will prevent errors that can have a devastating effect on your WordPress plugin. Once you are satisfied with its working, plan another round of testing.
Publish and Distribute
Post testing the functionality and performance of the WordPress plugin, you also need to know- how to add the WordPress plugin to your website. You need to bear certain things in mind for adding the WordPress plugin to your website such as the file should be a .zip file in your drive.
Go to the “plugins” option on your dashboard. Click on the “add new” plugin and upload the new one. Lastly, upload it on the WordPress website also. Click on “Activate Link” to make your plugin live on your WordPress website.
Significance of WordPress Plugins for Businesses
Most businesses are confused over the question- Are WordPress plugins crucial for their business or not? Consequently, here are some points which throw light on the significance of WordPress plugins for businesses.
Security
One major reason for creating custom WordPress plugins is because of security threats. Moreover, custom WordPress plugins also enjoy active support and maintenance.
Public Support
Another reason is the widespread support from the WordPress development community. Due to their support and contributions, you can improve and refine your WordPress plugins.
Easy to Upgrade
The developers know the ins and outs of the plugins, so it is easier to integrate, test, and upgrade WordPress plugins. These plugins will add to the performance of your WordPress website.
Additional Features
Creating custom WordPress plugins can also address the specific problems of your business and add to the functionality of the WordPress website.
Independent
The next major reason for creating custom WordPress plugins is that they are independent of the WordPress theme developer. It means that your website performance will not be affected even if you are supposed to switch themes.
Conclusion
Creating WordPress plugins requires time, skills, and a great degree of patience. With patience, you’ll gain mastery over the WordPress plugins. Rest, implement the above-mentioned steps and create your WordPress plugins from scratch. The best way to do the same is to hire professional developers from the outset to get the work done the right way.