When it comes to installing WordPress premium plugins, there are a few extra questions users should ask beyond the “Is this plugin secure?” or “Can I trust this developer/company?”
While there is are greater expectations regarding premium plugins (mainly due to the fact that you’re paying them), not every premium WordPress plugin is worth their weight in code (regardless of which features they promise to deliver).
Regardless of whether you discovered the premium plugin upon the WordPress plugin directory or via a quick Google search, here are several questions you should ask before hitting the buy button.
Is There A Superior Non-plugin Option?
Notice I said superior not cheaper option, as you can always find a less expensive plugin or solution (albeit sometimes with poorer results).
While WordPress users should always seek out the best plugins for their blogs, installing too many of them can increase the loading time of your site.
Before clicking the buy button, you should always look for a solution that doesn’t involve a plugin.
Example: Instead of installing Network Publisher (a freemium plugin) to handle posting links and posts to Twitter as well as Tumblr, it would be wiser to use FeedBurner (from Google) and Tumblr’s native post importer, respectively.
Can I Try It Before I Buy It?
Regardless of how you legally obtained your money, at the end of the day it’s your money and the last thing you want is to spend it on a bogus plugin (or anything bogus for that matter).
When searching out premium plugins, you should always seek out those that allow you to test out their product before you exchange your hard earned cash.
Many developers offer freemium plugins which give you the ability to demo basic features before upgrading to access more advanced services.
A few developers offer two different types of plugins (free and premium), allowing the masses to test out their free services to verify whether its worth purchasing the premium one.
Example: Disqus is a free WordPress plugin that offers freemium services while BraveNewCode markets WP Touch Free as well as WP Touch Pro (the latter which includes support for smartphones and tablets).
Is There Support After I Pay?
It doesn’t matter how awesome a WordPress plugin is if the support behind it is non-existent (or worse, extremely horrible).
Before buying a premium WordPress plugin you should always find out how much tech support the developers will provide, and (most importantly) whether they will help troubleshoot the plugin if it accidentally breaks your blog.
Usually the best way to find out about support is to ask previous users who have purchased the plugin, as well as read reviews about the plugin via a quick Google search.
You should also verify that you will receive support during the life of the plugin (i.e. throughout the current version) or until the company ceases to exist.
Always avoid “90 day warranty” support for your plugins, or those offering more support for more money (note: I am referring to premium/freemium plugins here, not free plugins).
Example: VaultPress by Automattic provides support (via email) for all of their users, as well as Ultimate Blog Security throughout the life of their plugin or service.
Do You Use Premium WordPress Plugins?
If so, what advice would you give to someone interested in purchasing one? And which premium plugins do you recommend based on past experience?
Feel free to share your advice in the comment section below!
Splashpress Media recommends Builder, your one-stop WordPress Theme Builder
The extremely powerful Builder theme by iThemes.com is the perfect option to build themes for WordPress, even with little to none coding knowledge. Once you have build your WordPress themes, you can sell the themes in the Builder store.
Builder also includes the $90 Billboard and Rotating images plugin as well as iThemes' Mobile plugin for WordPress, sold at $45 to regular customers.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar