Do I Need A Custom Plugin Developer?
Plugins make WordPress powerful and dynamic. Plugins add unique options and functionality that does not come standard with the WordPress CMS. They allow users to take what started as a blogging program and turn it into a platform capable of building a robust website.
There are tens of thousands of plugins available for WordPress. While there might not be one to fit your each and every need, most can be customized to provide the functionality you are looking for in a fraction of the development time.
However, every once in a while you might want to implement a unique feature that no one has developed a solution for yet. In this case, you will need to hire a WordPress plugin developer to build a custom tool for your website.
There are several reasons why you might use a custom plugin over an existing solution.
Existing Plugins
Pros
- Immediately Available
- Lower Cost
Cons
- May Require Configuration
- Possible Compatibility Issues
Custom Plugins
Pros
- Get Exactly What You Need
- Fast and Efficient
- Easy to Use
- Ownership
Cons
- Higher Cost
- Development Time
Large plugins can cause unnecessary bloat on your website
Maybe there already is a plugin which can add the functionality you desire, but it comes with a ton of other files and features. Installing it might add the functionality you desire, but slow your website to a crawl. Some plugins may offer the feature you need, but only after you spend hours navigating through a series of convoluted option menus in order to set it up.
Outdated plugins can cause compatibility issues
WordPress is constantly changing. As a result, developers need to keep their plugins updated to ensure they are compatible with the latest version of WordPress. You may find a plugin that meets all your needs, but has not been updated for years. It might not work correctly when you try to install it, or worse, it might work for a time, and then break when you attempt to update WordPress to the latest version. If your website is dependent on an old plugin, you can easily find yourself in a position where you are unable to keep the site up-to-date, opening it up to security vulnerabilities.
Custom plugins deliver exactly what you need
Whereas standalone, third-party plugins can often add the feature you are looking for, the configuration may not be ideal. Some of the most popular plugins are a downright pain to use. No one wants to navigate through several different menus to do something that should be simple. Hiring a custom plugin developer not only gives you control over front-end features, but also how they are implemented on the back-end. Having a custom plugin developed ensures that new features will be easy for you to manage in the WordPress dashboard.
WordPress plugins let you add tools and functionality to your website without having years of web development experience. However, the features you need are not always readily available or easy to implement. In the long run, you might save time and money finding a WordPress plugin developer for hire instead of spending several frustrating hours attempting to make an existing plugin suit your needs. In the end, most people agree that it is better to get it done right the first time.
If you’re interested in having Watermelon Web Works develop a custom WordPress plugin for your website, fill out a form and we will get back to you ASAP!