For basic optimization of the site on WordPress, it is enough to choose an SEO-friendly theme. But this is unlikely to help bring the resource to the first lines in search results. To optimize the site effectively, it's better to immediately install the SEO plugin. WordPress is for sure the most used content management system in the world, so there are many options. Here is a list of the most popular SEO plugins for WordPress that will make your site well-known.
Universal plugins
SEO optimization deals with certain aspects of the work of the website, including text content, images, data caching, site map configuration, redirect, and many others. Some plugins are multilateral and include many different extensions. Ranking of the best ones most often includes Yoast SEO, All in One SEO Pack, and The SEO Framework. So, let's consider each of them in more detail.
Yoast SEO
This is the plugin for WordPress, which holds a leading position among its competitors. It is used on more than 5 million sites. Yoast SEO is available in 41 languages, including Russian.
Yoast SEO developers offer 2 versions of the product:
- Yoast SEO Free. Freely available.
- Yoast SEO Premium. This one costs 89 euros,12 months of free updates included.
In the first version, some functions are stripped down. For example, in the paid version you can see a preview of the site on Google, Facebook, and Twitter. As for the free version, this opportunity applies only to previewing a publication on Google.
In addition, the premium version has round-the-clock technical support. Professional help can be received within a year after payment. Also, after installing Yoast SEO Free, the user inevitably encounters the advertising of other products of the developer. In the Premium version, you won't have such unpleasant details.
The main features of the Yoast SEO plugin are the following:
- setting up the robots.txt file;
- prescribing metatags - you can use a ready-made template or create your own;
- adding or removing prefixes for headings
- configuring the RSS Feed;
- optimization of keywords and phrases by word forms and synonyms;
- viewing page previews in social networks and Google;
- setting canonical URLs, which eliminates the possibility of content duplication.
All these functions are just a part of the plugin capabilities. Another advantage is the ease of use. Due to this, Yoast SEO becomes the optimal option for both specialists and beginners.
All in One SEO Pack
The plugin ranks second in popularity in the world. In total, it has been translated into 57 languages; a Russian-language version is also available.
You can install the plugin for free, but there is also a commercial Pro version. The developers offer three tariffs for you to choose from (prices are indicated as of September 2020):
- Individual ($57) - for individual users; it can be used on the same site;
- Business ($97) - for business, it can be used on a maximum of 10 sites. There are built-in modules for optimizing images and XML maps;
- Agency ($419) - for agencies. It includes tools of the Business package but has no limits on the number of sites.
The tools and capabilities of the plugin are approximately the same as those Yoast SEO offers. Additionally, users are offered the following features:
- connection to Google Analytics;
- use of semantic markup schema.org;
- redirects setting up.
You can also connect the plugin for free to WooCommerce. WooCommerce is another common WordPress solution for creating online stores, which we wrote about in one of the previous publications.
The SEO Framework
The plugin, which closes the top three, has been downloaded and installed a little more than 100 thousand times in total. The SEO Framework is available in 16 languages, including Russian.
Having installed the plugin, the user can utilize more than 100 tools for website optimization. Its functions include those provided in Yoast SEO and All in One SEO. This plugin is a good choice for projects aimed at a Russian-speaking audience. It works perfectly with Yandex, which in Russia is still ahead of Google in popularity.
You can use the plugin for free. Using the Free version, you can optimize the page well through basic SEO settings. In addition, the free package provides unlimited access to free extensions and updates. You can also get technical support through a public request.
There are only three paid tariffs:
- Pro. This version is a good choice for individual use or a small company. All extensions are available for use on 2 sites. Up to 500 API requests per month are allowed. The price is $7/month.
- Business. This package is suitable for medium and large businesses. It's possible to use the plugin on 20 sites. The maximum number of API requests per month is 5000. The price is $17/month.
- Agency. This plugin version is very convenient for agencies and development teams. All extensions are unlocked on 200 sites. The number of API requests per month is up to 50,000.
The cost of each package is indicated for one month, but the payment must be made summarized once a year.
Technical support services are also provided in each tariff. Unlike the free version, customers can ask questions individually. First-level support is available for the Pro version, which allows you to ask questions about paying for services and installing a plugin. In the Business and Agency packages, technical support is extended, which makes it possible for users to directly communicate with developers.
Specialized plugins
Specialized plugins are used for a specific aspect of SEO optimization. Those are more numerous than universal ones, so it is difficult to distinguish the best. So, let's just name three plugins that deserve attention.
IP2Location Redirection
The plugin is designed to redirect users to a predefined URL based on their geolocation by IP address. IP2Location Redirection has the following features:
- It allows the user to configure multiple redirection rules if there's a need;
- it makes it possible to adjust the redirects 301 and 302;
- it supports network protocols IPv4 and IPv6.
The plugin is easy to install and configure, and users can combine it with other necessary modules or extensions.
YARPP
The place in the search results is affected by the amount of time that visitors spend on the site. If a user visits your resource and leaves it having spent there half a minute, indexing in search engines will worsen. One of the ways to detain a person is to show links to other relevant content on your own site.
The YARPP plugin automatically generates recommendations and shows similar publications to users. According to its developers, such offers can increase the number of page views by up to 10%.
Google XML Sitemaps
Sitemap.xml is a map that shows the structure of the site resource, all pages, and files located on it. An XML map is necessary for the content of the resource to be included in the search results. If there is no XML map, users will not see links to your platform when searching.
You can use the Google XML Sitemaps plugin to configure the sitemap.xml file on a site that runs on WordPress. Its only function is an XML map creation, but you do not need to use additional tools to do this. When the sitemap.xml file is ready, it should be sent to Google Search Console (a service for counting statistics of site visits).
Even though the name only refers to Google, other search engines such as Bing and Yahoo will index the site well with this plugin.
What else should be taken into account when promoting the site?
Definitely, competent SEO optimization will directly affect the profitability of your business. The page will be one of the first in search engines, so people will go to your site, order goods, and services.
But there is another important aspect to pay attention to - the website security. The problem is relevant for resources of any level, but it's vital for developed sites. Unscrupulous companies sometimes try to harm competitors by launching cyber attacks. We have already written about this problem here. Thus, the more the site is optimized, the more popular it is, and the more important it is to provide it with high-quality protection.
King Servers offers effective anti-DDoS protection that will protect your resource from attacks. A good SEO plugin will bring your site to a high level, and protection against DDoS attacks will ensure its stable and uninterrupted operation.
