It’s important to collect feedback from your customers and leads. That feedback can be related to the user experience (UX) on your site, market research, customer interests, the quality of your product, or the performance of your customer support.

With the right survey app, you can easily create, distribute, and analyze feedback surveys to improve your business strategy.

That’s why, in today’s post, I’m excited to share six of the best survey apps on the market.

• What to Look for in Survey Apps
• 6+ Best Survey Apps
  • 1. WPForms
  • 2. UserFeedback
  • 3. SurveyMonkey
  • 4. TypeForm
  • 5. Google Forms
  • 6. Jotform
  • BONUS: OptinMonster
• What is the Best Survey App?

What to Look for in Survey Apps

What you need in a survey app will depend on your business’s type, size, audience, and goals. However, there are a few universal characteristics you should expect in your survey app:

1. Ease of Use: The software should have an intuitive interface that lets you create and distribute surveys quickly. Look for drag-and-drop builders, customizable templates, and straightforward navigation to save time and effort.
2. Advanced Features: As your survey needs grow, advanced features become crucial. These features include conditional logic, diverse question types, and integrations with other platforms, such as CRMs (customer relationship management) and email marketing software.
3. Powerful Analytics: Creating a survey is just the first step. You also need to carefully monitor and interpret the results. Choose software that offers real-time reporting, visual data presentations like graphs and charts, and easy export options.
4. Scalability: Your survey tool should grow with your business. Whether you’re starting small or expanding rapidly, the software should support increasing response volumes and offer scalable pricing plans.

Fortunately, the online survey tools in this list check all these boxes.

Best Survey Apps

Apps	What This App is Best for	Free Plan?	Premium Pricing
WPForms	WordPress sites with a wide variety of survey and form needs		Starts at $49.50/year
UserFeedback	WordPress sites that need a dedicated survey plugin		Starts at $49.50/year
SurveyMonkey	Businesses that only need occasional basic surveys		Starts at $25/month
TypeForm	Businesses that need advanced surveys and extensive integrations		Starts at $25/month
Google Forms	Users who want surveys that seamlessly integrate with other Google tools		Starts at $6/month (Google Workspace)
Jotform	Feature-rich surveys with a top-notch visual builder		Starts at $34/month
BONUS OptinMonster	Precisely targeting your surveys to the right website users		Starts at $9.97/month

1. WPForms

WPForms is hands down the best WordPress form-building plugin available. The Pro plan includes a powerful and easy-to-use Survey and Polls addon that makes it the #1 survey app on our list today.

You can combine the Survey and Polls tools with other features like multi-page forms, email integration, and conditional logic to create highly engaging and detailed questionnaires.

We use WPForms regularly here at OptinMonster. I also installed WPForms on my own WordPress site and was able to create a form in minutes. You can build your survey from scratch or get a head start by using a premade template. The easy builder lets you drag and drop survey fields into place, including:

• Drop-down menus
• Multiple choice questions
• Single-line and paragraph text answers
• Name and email fields
• Advanced fields like file uploads, Likert scale, and more

Once you’ve placed the field, simply click on it to customize the Field Options in the left menu settings:

One of the things I love most about WPForms is its robust survey reporting features. Once you’ve published your survey, it’s easy to track the results. Here’s an example of the results from a survey that OptinMonster used for some of our customers:

I chose a horizontal bar graph to display the results, but you can also view the results as a pie, line, or vertical bar chart.

With WPForms, you get useful, real-time reports and graphs based on survey responses. This helps you collect and analyze your survey data to make smarter, data-driven decisions about your business.

You can also download these reports in an Excel spreadsheet or CSV file to import to 3rd-party marketing tools, such as a CRM platform like Salesforce or Hubspot.

And with their addons for offline surveys and form abandonment, WPForms ensures that you collect user data no matter what. It’s this type of functionality that makes WPForms the best survey app for WordPress.

You can also use a shortcode to display the survey results on any page of your site. You can even embed your WPForms survey inside an OptinMonster popup. Check out our instruction video:

Best for: WordPress sites with a wide variety of survey and form needs.

Is WForms Free? There is a free plugin that you can use for basic surveys and forms.

Premium Pricing: Starts at $49.50/year. For full survey functionality, choose the Pro plan at $199.50/year or higher.

2. UserFeedback

UserFeedback is a WordPress plugin dedicated to helping you collect feedback from your website visitors.

This software lets you easily build surveys, display them anywhere on your website, and monitor the results.

In my testing, I decided to create a website feedback survey. It was incredibly easy to get started with the Website Feedback template. It’s 1 of the 20+ templates available in the Additional Templates Add-on, which is included with the Pro plan or higher.

I added a question to the template, and I could choose between checkboxes, radio buttons, email capture, single text field, long answer, star rating, and Net Promoter Score.

Conditional logic is available for each question in your survey. I just turned on the Enable Conditional Logic toggle and chose my Display Logic settings:

UserFeedback provides 2 easy ways to display the survey form on your website: You can either embed it using a shortcode, or you can use the Targeting rules to determine when and where your survey will pop up for your website visitors.

The Targeting rules include:

• Which page or pages you want your survey to display on
• When the survey displays, such as immediately, after a certain number of second, after the user scrolls halfway down the page, or when a visitor leaves your site
• How many times each user will see your survey
• How long you want to run your survey
• Whether you want to start your survey minimized on the page

Best of all, UserFeedback even integrates with Google Analytics, providing you with further insights into your survey’s completion rate and audience.

Best for: WordPress sites that need a dedicated survey plugin.

Is UserFeedback Free? Yes, there is a free version with limited features.

Premium Pricing: Starts at $49.50/year

3. SurveyMonkey

No list of survey makers would be complete without mentioning SurveyMonkey. This free online survey tool lets you create and distribute unlimited surveys. I’ve used SurveyMonkey multiple times over the years, and it has continued to be an easy way to gather feedback.

It’s an easy-to-use, comprehensive, and all-around excellent survey app. SurveyMonkey’s dashboard is attractive and intuitive. You simply select the type of question you want to add and then edit it in the builder:

I logged in and was given 3 options to create a survey:

1. Start from scratch: Start with a blank slate and add the questions you want.
2. Use a quick template: Get a head start by customizing a premade survey.
3. Build with AI: Enter a prompt, and SurveyMonkey will use AI to build your survey for you.

These features are all free, but you’ll need to upgrade to a premium plan to use advanced options like conditional logic and accepting payments. You also must have a paid plan if you want to embed SurveyMonkey surveys as popups on your website. If you use their free tool, you’ll have to share the survey link with your audience.

Best for: Businesses that only need occasional basic surveys.

Is SurveyMonkey Free? Yes, it’s free to create basic surveys without conditional logic or website embedding.

Premium Pricing: Start at $25/month

4. TypeForm

TypeForm is a robust survey app that lets you create in-depth surveys. You can create interactive surveys to get more responses, turning boring surveys into friendly conversations.

In my testing, I was impressed by just how powerful TypeForm’s survey features are. For example, I was able to add videos, images, and GIFs to a survey in just a few clicks. I also created a survey using their Qualify Leads option. TrueForm’s AI technology used information from OptinMonster’s website to create an Ideal Customer Profile, which I could add to and edit. Then, it built a lead-qualifying survey for me:

The survey was far from perfect, as the AI didn’t fully understand OptinMonster’s features. However, it gave a great starting point and included some useful questions I hadn’t thought of. For instance, TrueForm suggested asking new leads whether they prefer webinars, tutorials, or case studies when learning about software. With this survey data, our email marketing and sales teams can send more targeted and helpful information to each potential customer.

What else sets TypeForm apart from tools like SurveyMonkey? Its extensive integrations. You can connect Typeform to:

• CRMs like Hubspot, Salesforce, and Zoho
• Email marketing platforms, such as Brevo (formerly Sendinblue), Drip, Mailchimp, and ActiveCampaign.
• Payment platforms Stripe and Square
• Tracking software, such as Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, and Facebook Pixel
• And many more

Keep in mind that this advanced functionality comes at a higher price. At first glance, the pricing looks in line with SurveyMonkey’s paid plans. However, TypeForm severely limits the number of monthly responses allowed on its lower-tiered plans. For instance, the $25/month Basic plan only includes 100 responses per month, and you have you pay extra to increase that number.

Best for: Businesses that need advanced surveys and extensive integrations.

Is TypeForm Free? There’s a free plan, but you only get 10 responses per month.

Premium Pricing: Starts at $25/month

5. Google Forms

Google Forms is an excellent online survey tool like SurveyMonkey, and it’s completely free.

I’ve used Google Forms to create surveys, registration forms, applications, and more. It even includes basic conditional logic.

It’s an especially great choice for Google Workspace users, as it connects to Google Drive and Sheets. For instance, I’ve created forms that included a file upload field and was able to access those files in Drive.

I can view the results under Responses, or I can click Link to Sheets to sync the survey with a spreadsheet that will automatically update as new results come in:

You can build simple surveys, require users to enter an email address (to grow your email list), and gather the results quickly.

You can also use the embed code to add your form anywhere on your website or within an OptinMonster popup campaign:

Best for: Google Workspace users who want surveys that seamlessly integrate with other Google tools

Is Google Forms Free? Yes.

Premium Pricing: Starts at $6/month per user for full Google Workspace

6. Jotform

Jotform is a comprehensive form builder that you can use to create online surveys. It has an extremely easy drag-and-drop builder and high-quality templates to help you get started.

I was impressed by Jotform’s exceptionally clean and attractive user interface (UI). In fact, it may be the smoothest, least clunky experience of all the online survey tools on this list. That’s because you can edit your questions and options right in its visual builder:

Similar to TypeForm, Jotform offers a wide variety of integrations and advanced conditional logic. Jotform has the additional feature of letting you build fillable PDFs or convert your survey into one.

Best for: Feature-rich surveys with a top-notch visual builder

Is Jotform Free? The free version includes all features, but limites you to 5 forms and 100 montly submissions.

Premium Pricing: Starts at $34/month

Bonus App: OptinMonster

OptinMonster is the best lead generation software on the market. Our popups, floating bars, and other onsite campaigns make it SUPER EASY for you to encourage your visitors to fill in surveys. This means OptinMonster is a great online survey app that can be used in many different contexts.

Let’s take a look at 4 ways OptinMonster can help you create, collect, and promote surveys on your site:

• Embed forms within a campaign: Easily embed survey forms in your popups, floating bars, slide-in scroll boxes, and more. Then distribute and promote the survey across your site to a targeted audience.
• Create short surveys directly in OptinMonster: If you only need to ask a few basic questions, you don’t even need a dedicated survey app. You can add fields like dropdowns, radio buttons, checkboxes, and text fields right in our drag-and-drop builder.
• Redirect traffic for longer surveys: Create exit popups, fullscreen welcome mats, or other optin campaigns with a button that redirects users to your long-form survey. This lets you get more responses from your organic traffic.
• Target your audience: Create a unique user experience by personalizing your messages and targeting them to the right people. This gets more people engaged with your survey form.

OptinMonster’s Page-Level Targeting and Exit-Intent® Technology can detect when a visitor has completed their purchase and is leaving your site. You can then trigger a popup to ask them to take a short feedback survey to tell you about their experience before they leave.

Check out how Kennedy Blue increases sales by 50% using OptinMonster’s Exit-Intent® popups to promote their customer surveys and get valuable feedback.

At the end of the day, OptinMonster is a great survey app because it encourages the right people to take your survey.

And since you can integrate OptinMonster with your email marketing service, you can use your survey data to segment your email list and send more targeted email campaigns.

Want to try it out? Click below to start using the best survey app to get more survey responses.

What Is the Best Survey App?

WPForms is the best survey app for WordPress websites.

WPForms is flexible, easy to use, and loaded with features. It makes survey design a breeze. You can embed it with OptinMonster to create powerful survey popups on your website.

Plus, it does more than just create surveys. That means you can use WPForms to make any form on your website, such as:

• Newsletter signups
• Event registrations
• Payment collection
• And much more.

If you don’t use WordPress, then your specific needs will determine which tool is best for you. If you need to create robust online surveys with lots of integrations, then I suggest TypeForm.

I hope this list helps you choose the best survey app for your business, so you can start collecting important data right away.

Want to learn more about online surveys? Check out these resources:

• Survey Best Practices: Everything You Need to Know
• 9 Ways to Collect Customer Feedback on Your Website
• How to Create a WordPress Survey Popup

These posts will have everything you need to increase survey response rates, learn about your audience, and increase profits.

Want to target your surveys to the right people at just the right time?

Get started with OptinMonster today!

I’ve thoroughly reviewed the top popup plugins on the market so you can confidently choose the best WordPress popup plugin that aligns with your needs.

Before we get into the details, let’s first talk about why your site needs a WordPress popup plugin.

Why Use a WordPress Popup Plugin?

Here are some compelling reasons to integrate a popup plugin into your site:

1. Increase Email Subscribers: One of the primary uses of popups is to encourage visitors to subscribe to newsletters or email lists. A well-timed and designed popup can significantly boost your subscription rates.
2. Promote Special Offers: If you have a sale, discount, or special event coming up, a popup is an excellent way to ensure your visitors are aware of it.
3. Reduce Cart Abandonment: For e-commerce sites, popups can be used to offer discounts or deals just when a user is about to leave the site without completing a purchase, thereby reducing cart abandonment rates.
4. Improve User Engagement: Popups can be used to highlight popular posts, products, or services, guiding visitors to the content you want them to see and increasing the time they spend on your site.
5. Gather Feedback: Using popups, you can easily solicit feedback from your visitors, helping you understand their needs and preferences better.
6. Targeted Messaging: With advanced popup plugins, you can target specific user groups based on their behavior, location, or other criteria, ensuring that the right message reaches the right audience.
7. Easy Integration: Most WordPress popup plugins seamlessly integrate with other tools and platforms, such as email marketing services, making it easier to manage and analyze your campaigns.

Using a WordPress popup plugin is not just about creating attention-grabbing popups; it’s about enhancing user engagement, driving conversions, and achieving specific goals on your website.

That’s why almost every online business uses popups to increase their conversions.

Best WordPress Popup Plugin: Top 10

Let’s have a look at the best WordPress popup plugins.

1. OptinMonster

OptinMonster is the best WordPress popup plugin that makes generating more leads directly from your WordPress site easy. With its drag-and-drop builder, you can create eye-catching popups to convert your site visitors into subscribers.

With OptinMonster, you’ll get to choose from 100+ stunning popup templates. Your popup will work well on any device, whether your site visitor is browsing on a computer, smartphone, or tablet. And OptinMonster connects seamlessly with WordPress.

One of the best things about OptinMonster is that it comes with dozens of targeting options to show the right message to the right person at the right time. For example, you can display a popup with a lead magnet about blog traffic when your site visitor reads a blog post about the same topic.

It’s why 1 million sites use OptinMonster to increase their leads.

Here is what sets it apart from other WordPress popup plugins:

• Advanced targeting: personalize campaigns based on things like your site visitor’s physical location, traffic source, and more
• Campaign triggers: use your site visitor’s behavior to make campaigns appear at the right time, like Exit-Intent®
• Beautiful pre-built templates: pick from stunning designs
• Analytics and testing: discover the campaigns that convert the best
• Multiple campaign types: choose from campaign types, like lightbox popup, fullscreen mat, and more

These features are so effective that Adam Enfroy, owner of AdamEnfroy.com, used them to add 3,000+ subscribers to his list every month with his existing traffic. One of the things Adam liked was how easy it was to integrate OptinMonster with his WordPress site.

Adam also used OptinMonster’s Monsterlinks feature to create this WordPress popup upon click.

This campaign converted at a 58.02% rate.

Leads generated from OptinMonster convert more because the campaigns are highly targeted. This means you only add your most engaged visitors to your mailing list.

And the best thing is you can create targeted, beautiful campaigns in minutes.

Get OptinMonster now!

2. HubSpot

HubSpot, famous for its CRM software, also offers a free WordPress popup plugin for your site.

You can create several popup types, including drop-down banners and slide-in boxes. The popups are also easily customizable, with no coding required, so you can choose how they look when they appear and who sees them.

Once someone fills out your popup form, their information is automatically brought into the built-in CRM. This makes it easy to manage your contacts, segment them into lists, and send follow-up emails.

One of the things I like about Hubspot is that they have such a full-featured suite of products; however, their popup solution is suitable for those just getting started… it’s not as full featured as OptinMonster’s.

3. Hello Bar

Are you looking for a simple popup plugin for WordPress?

Consider Hello Bar.

Hello Bar offers a free and paid version. The free version is ideal for showing a basic WordPress popup. It’s incredibly easy to start, and you can customize your popup in the editor.

HelloBar hasn’t received any significant updates in a long time, but it still works.

Remember that you’ll need to upgrade to use their targeting features.

4. Popup Maker

Popup Maker is another popular WordPress popup plugin.

This plugin allows you to create popups for email optin forms and content upgrades. Popup Maker has a theme editor where you can customize your popup’s colors, fonts, and more.

The free version comes with several useful features like page targeting and time triggers.

5. Popup Builder

Popup Builder is a responsive WordPress popup plugin.

This plugin lets you customize and target your popup to your audience. For example, choose only to display the popup once someone scrolls all the way down the page.

You can also create a WordPress popup on click.

There are free and paid versions of this popup plugin.

You’ll need to upgrade for more advanced features, like adding a video or showing exit popups.

6. Elementor’s Popup Builder

Elementor’s Popup Builder is a free and paid WordPress popup tool.

The free version includes everything you need to create a simple, responsive popup easily. You’ll get access to the drag-and-drop builder and choose from professionally designed templates.

With the premium version, you can access the following:

• Several popup designs
• Range of targeting rules, like showing on certain pages or posts
• Advanced triggers like exit intent and scroll trigger

It’s a great tool for building targeted popups but is a pricier option than OptinMonster.

Note that you’ll only get free technical support for one year.

7. Thrive Leads

Thrive Leads is a lead generation plugin for WordPress with multiple campaign types and templates.

Like other plugins on this list, Thrive Leads offers a drag-and-drop builder for easy editing.

Other features include:

• Detailed targeting to show popups on specific pages or posts
• Advanced A/B testing to find the best messages
• Responsive mobile-friendly designs

And more.

Like Elementor, support’s only free for the first year.

8. Bloom

Bloom is a WordPress popup plugin from Elegant Themes.

It’s straightforward to use. And you’ll have the freedom to customize your popup to change elements like the background color, form color, images, and more.

Its features include:

• Triggers when someone reaches the bottom of a post or page
• Displays after someone leaves a blog post comment
• Shows after someone completes a product or service purchase

Like most of the best WordPress popup plugins, Bloom is fully responsive.

9. Icegram

Creating WordPress popups with Icegram is quick and simple.

Choose from multiple campaign types, like lightbox and fullscreen. You’ll also be able to target visitors based on their location and onsite behavior.

However, Icegram offers fewer templates compared with other WordPress popup plugins on this list.

10. OptiMonk

OptinMonk lets you build popups to grow your email list from your WordPress site.

It lets you edit your templates in a drag-and-drop builder. From there, you can customize your text, colors, and layout.

You can create different campaigns, like popups and fullscreen.

Using OptiMonk, you can create targeted popups, showing campaigns based on your visitor’s referral source and onsite browsing history. You’ll also be able to access data and analytics to see which messages have the highest conversions.

There you have it. These are the best WordPress popup plugins available to you.

How To Choose a WordPress Popup Plugin?

When you’re searching for the best WordPress popup plugin, you need to keep a few things in mind:

1. Template Quality: Check whether the plugin offers responsive and eye-catching templates that are easy to customize. You’ll need a plugin with a wide range of designs and drag-and-drop editing tools for a stunning popup.
2. Targeting & Triggers: Make sure the plugin offers advanced targeting and triggers to show the right message to the right person at the right time. Otherwise, you might annoy your visitors rather than improve user experience and conversions.
3. ntegration & Compatibility: A good plugin should seamlessly integrate with your favorite email marketing service provider. On top of that, it should be compatible with most WordPress plugins and themes.
4. Performance: Choose a WordPress popup plugin that offers powerful conversion features without slowing down the site is necessary. Performance is also crucial, as many WordPress popup plugins can cause slow page speed, negatively affecting SEO rankings.
5. Hosting Environment Compatibility: Finally, it is important to make sure that the chosen popup plugin for WordPress works with the WordPress hosting environment. Many poorly coded popup plugins may not be compatible with advanced caching solutions that hosting companies now use.

Considering these factors while looking for a popup plugin for WordPress can help you make the right choice.

WordPress popup plugins must be selected cautiously, as poorly developed popup tools can ruin the user experience and harm your brand reputation.

FAQs

Q1) Which is the best WordPress popup plugin?

Based on our established criteria, OptinMonster emerges as the best WordPress popup plugin, offering exceptional tools to increase conversion rates and being the fastest popup builder.

Additionally, OptinMonster stands out for its user-friendly interface, featuring stunning popup templates and a robust drag-and-drop builder. The plugin integrates with leading CRMs, email marketing platforms, top WordPress form plugins, custom HTML forms, and other tools.

The effectiveness of popups hinges on displaying them to the right users at the right time. OptinMonster addresses this need through powerful page-level targeting options, personalization, and event-based triggers.

Q2) How do I add a pop up to WordPress?

To add a popup to WordPress using a plugin:

1. Choose a Plugin: Start by selecting a reliable WordPress popup plugin from the WordPress Plugin Repository or a trusted third-party source.
2. Install and Activate: Navigate to your WordPress dashboard, go to ‘Plugins’ > ‘Add New’, search for the chosen plugin, install and then activate it.
3. Configure the Popup: Once activated, you’ll find a new menu item related to the popup plugin on your dashboard. Click on it to configure the popup’s design, content, and triggers.
4. Set Display Rules: Define when and where the popup should appear. This could be based on user actions, time spent on a page, or specific pages where the popup should be displayed.
5. Publish: Save and publish the popup once you’re satisfied with the settings. It will now be live on your website.

Q3) What is WordPress Popup Plugins?

WordPress popup plugins are specialized tools designed to create and manage popups on a WordPress website.

These popups can serve various purposes, such as collecting email addresses, promoting offers, displaying notifications, or even showing videos.

The plugins offer a range of customization options, allowing users to design popups that align with their brand and website design.

Additionally, they often come with features like targeting specific audiences, setting display triggers, and integrating with other marketing tools.

Q4) How to add a popup in WordPress without a plugin?

If you prefer not to use a plugin, you can add a popup to WordPress using custom HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Here’s a basic outline:

1. Create the Popup Content: Write the HTML content for your popup. This could be a simple form, text, image, or any other content you wish to display.

<div id=”customPopup” class=”popup-content”>
<!– Your popup content goes here –>
</div>

2. Style the Popup: Use CSS to style the popup. Make sure it stands out but also fits with your website’s design.

.popup-content {
display: none;
position: fixed;
top: 50%;
left: 50%;
transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
padding: 20px;
background-color: #fff;
z-index: 1000;
/* Add other styles as needed */
}

3. Add Interactivity: Use JavaScript to control when the popup appears and disappears.

document.addEventListener(‘DOMContentLoaded’, function() {
setTimeout(function() {
document.getElementById(‘customPopup’).style.display = ‘block’;
}, 5000); // This will display the popup after 5 seconds
});

4. Integrate into WordPress: Add the HTML code to the location where you want the popup to appear (e.g., footer or header). Add the CSS to your theme’s style.css file or a custom CSS section, and the JavaScript can be added to your theme’s footer or a custom scripts section.

Remember, while this method gives you more control over the popup’s design and functionality, it requires a good understanding of coding.

If you’re uncomfortable with this, using a plugin, like OptinMonster might be more straightforward and efficient.

Below, I’ve shortlisted the plugins that make it incredibly easy to create eye-catching, targeted popups without writing a code.

Because of WordPress’s popularity, there are many dedicated hosting services. However, finding the best WordPress managed hosting can take time and effort.

But we, at OptinMonster, understand that problem. This article aims to simplify your decision-making as I share my top recommendations for the best WordPress managed hosting service after carefully reviewing them.

I’ve tested and researched each hosting service and have included a speed test, a list of features, and pricing information for each.

Best Managed WordPress Hosting

• SiteGround
• Bluehost Cloud Hosting
• Hostinger
• WP Engine
• DreamPress by DreamHost
• HostGator

If you’re interested in a specific hosting service, click the links above to

Comparison of the Best Managed WordPress Hosting

What Is Managed WordPress Hosting?

Managed WordPress hosting handles all the technical aspects of running a WordPress site, allowing website owners to focus on content creation and business operations.

It provides optimized server configurations for running WordPress and offers a range of services that streamline the website management process.

Key features often include:

1. Automatic Updates: The hosting provider ensures that your WordPress core, themes, and plugins are always up-to-date.
2. Enhanced Security: They provide WordPress secure hosting, offering advanced security measures, including regular malware scans, firewalls, and intrusion detection.
3. Daily Backups: Your website is regularly backed up and stored automatically, allowing for quick restoration if needed.
4. Performance Optimization: Servers are fine-tuned for WordPress to ensure faster loading times and overall improved site performance.
5. Expert Support: Access to WordPress-knowledgeable support teams to assist with any issues or queries.
6. Staging Environments: Some WordPress hosting providers offer staging sites to test changes before pushing them live.

In short, managed WordPress hosting removes a lot of the hassle of website management, as you outsource those tasks to your hosting company.

Pros and Cons of Managed WordPress Hosting

Managed WordPress hosting isn’t for everyone. Let’s look at some pros and cons of managed WordPress web hosting to see if it’s right for you.

Pros of Managed WordPress Hosting

• Lightning Fast and No Downtime: Hosts can handle high traffic without downtime.
• Security and Backups: WordPress hosting providers have robust security and daily backups in place.
• Expert Support: WordPress hosting providers can help you solve problems faster because they’re WordPress experts.
• Automatic Updates: Your site, theme, and plugin are updated to the latest versions.
• Daily Backups: Work on your site with confidence. WordPress hosts back up your site daily to always have recent restore points.

All those advantages sound pretty nice. However, even the best managed WordPress hosting services have downsides.

Cons of Managed WordPress Hosting

• Cost: Managed WordPress hosting can be pricey due to all the perks.
• Less Control: The host handles technical aspects, so making changes can be challenging.
• App and Builder Limits: You can only host WordPress websites on a managed WordPress host. That limits what builders and apps you can have on your site.

Now, I’ll go over what I look for when comparing WordPress managed hosts.

What to Look for in a Managed WordPress Host

When looking for the best managed WordPress hosting, ask yourself:

• Does the hosting provider offer speed, reliability, and security?
• Does the provider perform daily backups?
• Do they provide a free SSL and CDN (Content Delivery Network)?
• Does the provider have an outstanding customer support team?

The answer to all questions should be “yes.” If they’re not, move on to the next possible WordPress host.

Now, I’ll jump into our list of the best managed WP hosting options.

Best WordPress Managed Hosting Comparison

1. SiteGround

SiteGround is a popular and highly-rated hosting cloud platform for small businesses. Over 3 million domains currently use SiteGround for WordPress hosting.

They offer shared and managed WordPress hosting and provide access to the technology to keep your site fast and secure. They also offer 1-click staging, automatic updates, free SSL certificates, Cloudflare CDN, and more.

SiteGround Speed Test

My colleagues over at WPBeginner recently ran a speed test for SiteGround using the Bitcatcha tool. Here is what they found.

The server response time in the U.S. was under 1/20th of a second. Even its slowest time in Mumbai came in at under 1/4 of a second.

SiteGround Features

• Ultra-fast, free migration for your site
• 10+ GB of space
• eCommerce ready
• Collaboration tools
• High-performing security
• Multiple data centers (USA, Europe, Asia, and Australia)
• Ultrafast PHP
• 30-day money-back guarantee.

Features may vary by plan.

Why We Like SiteGround

SiteGround is my top recommendation for managed WordPress hosting. I found the site migration to be lightning-fast, the dashboard to be easy to use, and the customer support to be quick, helpful, and thorough.

Downside: The pricing tiers are based partly on the number of monthly visitors. After the introductory pricing has expired, plans can get pricey as your website grows.

SiteGround Pricing

All quoted prices are billed annually:

• StartUp Plan (1 website, 10GB web space, ~10,000 monthly visits): $2.99 per month for the first year. Renews at $17.99 per month.
• GrowBig Plan (Unlimited websites, 20GB web space, ~100,000 monthly visitors): $4.99 per month for the first year. Renews at $29.99 per month.
• GoGeek Plan (Unlimited websites, 40GB web space, ~400,000 monthly visitors): $7.99 per month for the first year. Renews at $44.99 per month.

If you’d like to upgrade to one of SiteGround’s cloud hosting plans, the cost ranges from $100-$400 per month.

Sign up for SiteGround today!

2. Bluehost Cloud Hosting

Bluehost has retired its traditional managed WordPress hosting service. Now, the functions of managed hosting are only available with one of their brand new Cloud Hosting plans.

Already have a WordPress site? Bluehost offers free site migration to their platform.

Bluehost includes free SSL encryption, daily backups, and malware detection and removal services.

Bluehost Speed Test

As you can see, Bluehost servers perform especially fast in the United States, and the speed is still just a fraction of a second even in its slowest geographic regions.

Bluehost Managed WordPress Hosting Features

• 10+ GB storage
• Automatic daily backups
• Staging – see your site before publishing
• SSL certificate
• Jetpack site analytics
• Malware detection and removal
• Yoast SEO tools to help you improve search rankings
• 24/7 priority support through voice or chat

Why We Like Bluehost

Bluehost is an excellent choice for beginners. I like its clean dashboard and have had great experiences with its customer support. Its server response time is also among the fastest available. Plus, because it’s cloud-based, Bluehost’s managed WordPress hosting provides faster speeds without the cost of dedicated hosting.

Downside: Cost. Bluehost’s managed WordPress services are only available on its Cloud plans, so it’s much pricier than SiteGround.

Bluehost Pricing

Bluehost’s pricing for shared hosting starts at $2.75 per month (billed annually). However, here are their pricing tiers for their cloud-based managed WordPress hosting:

• Cloud 1 (1 website & 10GB storage): $29.99 per month for the first year. Renews at $79.99 per month.
• Cloud 10 (10 websites & 125GB storage): $49.99 per month for the first year. Renews at $109.99.
• Cloud 25 (25 websites & 175GB storage): $89.99 per month for the first year. Renews at $169.99.
• Cloud 50 (50 websites & 225GB storage): $109.99 per month for the first year. Renews at $249.99.

All prices are for a 12-month term.

Sign up for Bluehost today!

3. Hostinger

Hostinger is another popular managed WordPress web hosting provider, used by over 1,278,620 site owners, that offers reliable managed WordPress hosting.

Its fully managed WordPress hosting comes with 1-click WordPress installation, a user-friendly control panel, pre-installed WordPress performance plugins, and automatic WordPress updates.

This hosting service also uses LiteSpeed servers to ensure your page load time is super fast.

Hostinger Speed Test

The fastest server response times were in London and Germany. Those clock in at under 1/100 of a second! This makes sense as Hostinger is based in Europe. Even the slowest time, Singapore, remains under 1/4 of a second.

Hostinger Features

• Automated backups
• Great SSD storage
• eCommerce optimization
• Anti-DDoS protection
• WordPress staging tool
• 24/7 expert support
• Free SSL certificates
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Multiple data centers (USA, Europe, Asia, and South America)

Features may vary by plan.

Why We Like Hostinger

Hostinger offers excellent value for its reasonable pricing and is significantly less expensive than SiteGround after the first year. I love its intuitive dashboard, and it’s been so easy to use that I haven’t needed to use its customer support. It’s also an especially good choice for developers and agencies because even the cheapest plan allows for up to 100 websites and 100GB of storage.

Downside: The site migration process is a little clunkier than SiteGround’s. I had some hiccups because of the size of some of the files I was migrating. However, that didn’t prevent me from successfully migrating my site.

Hostinger Managed WordPress Hosting Pricing

Hostinger offers extremely discounted prices for customers willing to pay for the first 48 months in advance:

• Hostinger Premium (100 websites, 100GB storage, ~25K monthly visits): $2.99 per month for 48 months. Renews at $7.99 per month.
• Hostinger Business (100 websites, 200GB storage, ~100K monthly visits): $3.99 per month for 48 months. Renews at $8.99 per month.
• Hostinger Cloud Startup (300 websites, 200GB storage, ~200K monthly visits): $8.99 per month for 48 months. Renews at $19.99 per month.

Sign up for Hostinger today!

4. WP Engine

WP Engine is fast, reliable, and hassle-free. As a result, it’s one of the best managed WordPress hosts.

This premium WordPress hosting solution has daily backups, SSL certificates, updates, security features, and more.

With WP Engine, you also get the Genesis Framework, which provides a suite of site-building tools for building custom Gutenberg blocks, as well as 10 premium StudioPress themes. That makes it an excellent option for busy business owners running an online store.

WP Engine Speed Test

WPBeginner’s speed tests show that WP Engine boasts strong server response times, especially in the US and Canada:

WP Engine Features

• Development, staging, production, and hosting environments
• Real-time, page-level reporting, and analytics
• Site-building tools with Genesis
• StudioPress themes
• GeoTargeting add-on available
• Caching
• Woocommerce hosting available

Features may vary by plan.

Why We Like WP Engine

I’ve found that WP Engine offers more advanced security features than most other hosting options. The included site-building tools and themes increase the value of the product, as well.

Downside: The cost is higher than other non-cloud managed WordPress hosting options, especially in the first year.

WP Engine Managed WordPress Hosting Pricing

• Startup (1 site, 10GB storage, 25K monthly visits): $20 per month for the first year. Renews at $30 per month.
• Professional (3 sites, 15GB storage, 75K monthly visits): $40 per month for the first year. Renews at $60 per month.
• Growth (10 sites, 20GB storage, 100K monthly visits): $77 per month for the first year. Renews at $115 per month.
• Scale (30 sites, 50GB storage, 400K monthly visits): $194 per month for the first year. Renews at $290 per month.

Sign up for WP Engine today!

5. DreamPress by DreamHost

DreamPress is the managed WordPress hosting service from web host giant DreamHost.

This host provides 1-click WordPress installation, automatic updates, a custom dashboard, and SSDs.

DreamPress Speed Test

The western US is the fastest, as that’s where this company is located. Response time increases to just over 1/4 second in Mumbai and Sydney.

DreamPress Features

• 30+ GB storage
• SSL certificate
• Daily backups
• Automated migrations
• CDN
• Built-in caching system

Features may vary by plan.

What We Like About DreamPress

In my research, I’ve seen time and time again that customers boast about DreamPress’s top-notch customer support team. If you have a problem, you can expect to get a response and solution quickly.

Downsides: DreamPress only offers a small introductory discount, so you won’t get as fantastic of a deal as you can with some of the other hosting options. Also, none of their base pricing includes multiple websites, so you’ll also need to factor that into your decision.

DreamPress Pricing

• DreamPress (1 site, 30GB storage, ~100k monthly visitors): $16.95 per month for the first year. Renews at $19.99 per month.
• DreamPress Plus (1 Site, 60GB storage, ~300K monthly visitors): $24.95 per month for the first year. Renews at $28.99 per month.
• DreamPress Pro (1 site, 120GB storage, ~1M monthly visitors): $71.95 per month for the first year. Renews at $74.99 per month.

All prices billed annually.

Sign up for DreamPress today!

6. HostGator

HostGator has an easy-to-understand dashboard so you can manage your site. It also offers cPanel to manage your email, domains, and more.

You can choose HostGator without worries as they offer a 45-day money-back guarantee.

HostGator Speed Test

HostGator is a nice middle-of-the-pack option for speed.

HostGator Features

• 1-year free domain name registration
• 99.9% uptime
• Automatic website updates
• 24/7/365 hosting server monitoring
• SSL certificate

Features may vary by plan.

Why We Like HostGator

HostGator doesn’t limit the number of website visitors for any of its price tiers, unlike many of its competitors. Their site provides this guide to website traffic limits to help you determine how much traffic your site can handle.

Downsides: Hostgator used to be a great choice for website owners needing inexpensive managed WordPress hosting. Hostinger is now more affordable, however, and it offers better features and performance.

HostGator Pricing

• Baby Plan (2 sites, 20GB storage): $4.50 per month for the first 3 years. Renews at $14.90 per month.
• Business Plan (3 sites, 40GB storage): $6.25 per month for the 3 first years. Renews at $19.99 per month.
• Pro Plan (5 sites, 100GB storage): $13.95 per month for the first 3 years. Renews at $26.99 per month.

Sign up for HostGator today!

What Is the Best Managed WordPress Hosting Plan?

I’ve evaluated numerous prominent managed WP hosting services, including but not limited to: Flywheel, Kinsta, Cloudways, Pagely, GoDaddy, InMotion Hosting, Pantheon, NameCheap, Pressable, HostGator, Amazon (AWS), and others.

Our selected list highlights the hosting companies offering the most valuable features at competitive prices.

After comparing the features of the best WordPress hosting plans, we recommend SiteGround. It has everything you need for a hassle-free fully managed WordPress hosting solution. If SiteGround is too pricey, you also can’t go wrong with Hostinger, which offers phenomenal prices when you pay upfront.

Managed WordPress Hosting FAQs

1) Do I have to have WordPress hosting to start my website?

No, you don’t need a managed WordPress hosting plan to start a site. If you are getting started, check out your host’s options for shared hosting. If you later need managed hosting, you can upgrade.

2) How much does managed WordPress hosting cost?

Managed WordPress hosting costs vary by company and plan. We’ve created a guide about how much it costs to start a website. It includes advice about cost control.

3) What if I have a domain but need a managed WordPress host?

You can use your domain with any hosting company. All you have to do is change your domain settings and point your site’s DNS to your chosen host. The best managed WordPress hosts offer migration services, too.

4) Can I change my managed WordPress host?

Yes, you can change managed WordPress hosts. Most hosting companies offer migration services to help you make the switch.

After Choosing a WordPress Host

Now that you have your managed hosting plan all figured out, you’re ready to run a successful website.

OptinMonster, a premium WordPress plugin, helps ensure your site runs even more smoothly. After you’ve chosen the best managed WordPress
host for you, we can help you with customer conversion.

For instance, if you want to get started on building your email list, sign up for OptinMonster now!

We also offer a ton of free resources, like the ones below.

• 17 Proven Methods to Get More Email Subscribers Today
• 7 Best Scroll Popup WordPress Plugins to Personalize Offers
• How to Generate More Leads From Your Website: 9 Expert Tips

If we’ve piqued your interest, contact us at OptinMonster today.

These plugins convert your website into a membership platform and unlock huge potential for increasing revenue and subscribers.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with a variety of membership plugins. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and I’ve learned to match the right plugin to my client’s specific needs.

In this article, I share 5 of the best WordPress membership plugins based on my experiences with some of the most popular options.

If you are looking for the best WordPress membership plugin, read on and pick the one that best suits your goals. 

Best WordPress Membership Plugins

• MemberPress
• Paid Memberships Pro
• WooCommerce Memberships
• LearnDash
• Restrict Content Pro

Summary of WordPress Membership Plugins

	Plugin	Best For	Key Features	Pros	Cons
	MemberPress	Complex membership sites, online courses, digital product stores	Multiple membership tiers, drip content, digital downloads, strong integrations	Comprehensive feature set, easy to use, excellent support	Can be overkill for simple sites, pricing can escalate
2	Paid Memberships Pro	Customizable membership sites, budget-conscious users	Flexibility, open-source, strong community	Highly customizable, cost-effective	Steeper learning curve, core features might be limited
3	WooCommerce Memberships	Online stores with product-based memberships	Integration with WooCommerce, product-based memberships	Seamless integration, leverages WooCommerce infrastructure	Limited to product-based memberships
4	LearnDash	Online courses, educational content	Drip content, quizzes, certificates, strong LMS features	Excellent for online courses, robust features	Can be overkill for simple membership sites, pricing can be steep
5	Restrict Content Pro	Small to medium-sized membership sites, content protection	Easy to use, affordable, focuses on core features	Simple setup, cost-effective	Limited features, not suitable for complex membership structures

How to Choose the Best WordPress Membership Plugin

With all the WordPress membership plugins out there, how do you choose the right one?

There are 3 key areas to consider:

• Features: Determine how much you need from a login-based plugin. Do you only need the basics, or do you want to offer a full-fledged interactive experience? Of course, cost is a factor, as well!
• Compatibility: Your plugin must work with your WordPress theme and other plugins. You can check if your plugin is compatible with a staging site.
• Ease of Use: Be sure it’s easy for your team and customers to use. User-friendly plugins are especially important for beginners.

Best WordPress Membership Plugins for Your Subscription Website

We’ve tested the features, compatibility, and ease of use of all the top subscription plugins. Here are our favorite WordPress plugins to manage memberships on your website.

1. MemberPress

I first encountered MemberPress on a client project that required a robust membership solution with a focus on digital product delivery. The client was launching an online course platform and needed a plugin that could handle multiple membership tiers, drip content, and digital downloads seamlessly.

MemberPress impressed me right away with its intuitive interface and comprehensive feature set. Setting up membership levels, creating drip schedules, and integrating payment gateways was a breeze. The plugin’s ability to restrict content based on membership level is excellent, and the digital downloads feature is a real standout.

However, while MemberPress is undoubtedly powerful, its extensive feature set can sometimes feel overwhelming for simpler membership sites. For smaller projects or those with very specific needs, it might be overkill.

Features

• Integrations with Mailchimp, Constant Contact, GetResponse, Easy Affiliate, and more
• Unlimited members and memberships
• Content dripping functionality
• Content restriction rules, including access end dates
• Powerful learning management system (LMS) features for online courses
• Customizable checkout

Pros

• Comprehensive feature set
• Easy to use interface
• Strong support
• Excellent for digital product delivery
• Flexible membership tiers

Cons

• Can be overkill for simpler membership sites
• Pricing can escalate with add-ons

MemberPress Pricing

• Basic: $179.50 per year
• Plus: $299.50 per year
• Pro: $399.50 per year (includes 3 free months of OptinMonster and TrustPulse)

Best for: Online course platforms, digital product stores, and complex membership sites with multiple tiers and features.

Get started with MemberPress today!

2. Paid Memberships Pro

I’ve used Paid Memberships Pro (PMPro) on several personal projects and for clients who needed a highly customizable membership solution. It’s open-source nature and extensive add-on ecosystem make it a versatile choice.

I appreciate PMPro’s flexibility. It allows you to tailor the membership experience to your exact needs. Whether you’re building a simple members-only area or a complex subscription-based platform, PMPro can adapt.

That said, the initial setup can be more involved than with some other plugins, and the core functionality is less extensive out-of-the-box. You might need to invest time in configuring settings or purchasing add-ons to achieve your desired results.

Features

• Can show “sneak peeks” of content
• Pay per post or view
• Personalized member homepages
• Thorough admin dashboard
• Many payment methods and gateways

Pros

• Highly customizable
• Open-source
• Strong community and support
• Cost-effective
• Suitable for a wide range of membership sites

Cons

• Steeper learning curve
• Core features might be limited compared to some competitors

Pricing

• Free: $0
• Standard: $174 per year
• Plus: $299 per year
• Enterprise: $5,000+ per year

Best for: Developers, those with advanced customization needs, and budget-conscious users who don’t require a full-featured membership plugin.

Click here to get started with Paid Memberships Pro.

3. WooCommerce Memberships

As a WooCommerce expert, I naturally gravitated towards WooCommerce Memberships for clients who already had an online store. It’s a logical extension of the popular ecommerce platform.

The plugin works seamlessly with WooCommerce, allowing you to offer product-based memberships. This is ideal for businesses that sell physical or digital products and want to create additional revenue streams through exclusive member content.

However, if you don’t already use WooCommerce, the learning curve might be steeper, and the plugin’s focus on product-based memberships could limit its usefulness for other types of membership sites.

Features

• Integration with Constant Contact
• Member areas requiring invitations
• Content dripping
• Membership levels
• Easy communication with members

Pros

• Seamless integration with WooCommerce
• Ideal for product-based memberships
• Leveraging existing WooCommerce infrastructure
• Familiar interface for WooCommerce users

Cons

• Limited to product-based memberships
• Might not be suitable for non-ecommerce membership sites

Pricing

• $199 per year

Best for: Online stores looking to create membership tiers based on product purchases.

Click here to get started with WooCommerce Memberships.

4. LearnDash

I first came across LearnDash when a client approached me about building an online course platform with membership functionality. Initially, I was skeptical about using an LMS for membership, but I decided to give it a shot.

LearnDash blew me away with its focus on creating structured learning experiences. While it’s primarily an LMS, its membership features are solid. The ability to drip-feed content, create quizzes, and offer certificates within a membership framework is a unique selling point.

For complex membership sites with a strong educational component, LearnDash is a fantastic choice. However, if you’re primarily focused on content restriction and don’t need the full LMS functionality, there might be more streamlined options.

Pros

• Excellent for online courses and educational content
• Robust drip content and quiz features
• Strong community and support
• Versatile platform

Cons

• Can be overkill for simple membership sites
• Pricing can be steep for basic membership features

Features

• One-time payment or subscription courses
• Integration with popular payment gateways and marketing apps
• Course and group management
• Detailed reporting on enrollment, performance, and progress
• Robust LMS capacity

Pricing

• 1 Site: $199 per year
• 10 Sites: $399 per year
• Unlimited: $799 per year

Best for: Online course platforms, membership sites with a strong educational focus, and those who need advanced learning management tools.

Click here to get started with LearnDash.

5. Restrict Content Pro

Restrict Content Pro (RCP) is a plugin I’ve used on several small to medium-sized membership sites. Its simplicity is its greatest strength. If you need a straightforward way to protect content and manage subscriptions, RCP is a solid choice.

The plugin is easy to set up, and the interface is clean and intuitive. While it lacks some of the advanced features of other plugins, it excels at the core functionality of content restriction.

However, for complex membership sites with multiple tiers, drip content, or advanced features, RCP might fall short. It’s best suited for simpler membership models.

Features

• Unlimited number of membership levels
• Customer dashboard
• Stripe integration for free level, more payment options at paid levels
• Membership emails
• Autogenerated member pages

Pros

• Easy to use and set up
• Focuses on core membership features
• Affordable
• Good for smaller membership sites

Cons

• Limited features compared to other plugins
• Might not be suitable for complex membership structures

Pricing

• Basic: Free
• 1 Site: $99 per year
• 5 Sites: $149 per year
• Unlimited: $249 per year

Best for: Small to medium-sized membership sites with basic requirements, bloggers, and those on a tight budget.

Get started with Restrict Content Pro right here.

What Is the Best Membership Plugin for WordPress?

Through our testing and research, we determined that MemberPress is the best membership plugin for WordPress .

MemberPress is the most comprehensive option, and it’s the easiest to use. It has tons of features and excellent documentation and support.

That said, our favorite may not be the right one for you. That’s okay! The best membership plugin for you depends on your specific needs. Consider factors like the type of content you’ll be offering, the complexity of your membership structure, your budget, and your technical expertise when making your decision.

Do you want to learn more ways to increase revenue on your member website?

Take a look at our list of 30 Ways to Make Money With OptinMonster! In that article, you’ll learn how our powerful popup software can help you make the right offers to the right visitors.

If you want to start with OptinMonster today, check out our affordable pricing plans.

Thanks to website builders, I could create and run a website without requiring professional help or knowledge of coding.

In this article, I share my expert opinion on the best website builders for small businesses I have worked with.

If you’re interested in a specific builder, click the links below to go straight to it:

Best Website Builder for Small Business

1. Self-Hosted WordPress: Best Website Builder for Small Business Overall
2. Hostinger Website Builder: Best AI-Powered Website Builder
3. HubSpot Website Builder: Best for Marketing Automation
4. Wix: Best Quick Business Website Creator With Simple Templates
5. GoDaddy Website Builder: Best for Simple Websites
6. Gator Website Builder: Best Affordable Website Builder
7. Weebly: Best for Beginners
8. Squarespace: Best for Design-Centric Businesses

Overview of the Top 5 Website Builders for Small Business

The best website builders for small businesses are discussed in detail below.

1. Self-Hosted WordPress: Best Website Builder for Small Business Overall

I’d be remiss not to mention WordPress. While not technically a website builder in the same vein as the others, it’s an incredibly popular platform for a reason. With WordPress, you have near-infinite customization options and a vast ecosystem of plugins and themes. However, it requires more technical know-how compared to other options.

There are two versions of WordPress: WordPress.org and WordPress.com. WordPress.org is self-hosted and free, while WordPress.com has a variety of pricing levels.

Tons of brands use WordPress. Some big names include TechCrunch, The New York Times Company, and Microsoft News.

I’ve seen WordPress work wonders for clients with complex websites or those who need a high degree of control over their online presence. But for those who just want a simple, hassle-free site, it might be overkill.

Pros:

• It’s is open-source, so it’s available on most web hosting platforms including Bluehost.
• It offers thousands of pre-made, customizable WordPress themes for every niche.
• Drag-and-drop interface WordPress builders give you more control over your small business website.
• Thousands of plugins including customizable web and contact forms plugins, eCommerce plugins, Google analytics plugins, online courses plugins, page builder plugins, and SEO plugins.
• Ensures your site is search engine-friendly.
• Integrates with almost every online platform or tool.
• Popular, huge helpful community and plenty of resources.

Cons:

• Requires manual site back up, updating WordPress and plugins. One way to solve this is with managed WordPress hosting. This option lets someone else look after the technical aspects of running your site.

Pricing:

Self-hosted WordPress is free.

That said, registering your own domain name and using shared hosting come with fees, and this is the way most truly professional websites go.

I recommend Bluehost, where you can get started for $1.99 per month with a free domain for the first year. It also comes with professional email, free SSL certificate, and more.

Get started with WordPress today!

2. Hostinger Website Builder: Best for Automatically Creating a Website

Hostinger Website Builder has impressed me with its affordability and ease of use. If budget is a primary concern for your small business, this is definitely a contender. The drag-and-drop interface is intuitive, and the selection of templates is decent for basic websites.

The AI-powered website builder will automatically build you a website, including SEO-friendly content and relevant images, based on your answers to a few simple questions.

It’s a great option for startups or businesses just getting started online.

If you need to make customizations, you can easily do so with the drag-and-drop editor. Hostinger is also one of the top web hosting providers with affordable pricing.

Pros:

• AI-powered website builder and an easy drag-and-drop editor to make customizations.
• Built-in library of ready-made website templates designed by professionals.
• Powerful ecommerce tools to manage an online store and sell up to 500 products.
• The cheapest plan includes web hosting, a free domain name, free business email address, and more.

Cons:

• It’s difficult to switch to a different website template after you’ve chosen one.
• Compared to website builders like WordPress.org, it lacks 3rd-party integrations and addons.

Pricing:

• Premium: $2.99 per month ($7.99 per month upon renewal)
• Business: $3.99 per month ($8.99 per month upon renewal)
• Cloud Startup: $8.99 per month ($19.99 per month upon renewal)

Get started with Hostinger Website Builder today!

3. HubSpot Website Builder: Best for Marketing Automation

HubSpot Website Builder is more than just a website builder; it’s a comprehensive marketing platform. If you’re looking to grow your business beyond a simple website, HubSpot could be a good fit. The platform offers robust features for SEO, email marketing, and CRM.

A unique feature of the HubSpot website builder is its adaptive testing. This lets you choose up to 5 different versions of a web page. HubSpot monitors and determines the best website for your small business.

I’ve implemented HubSpot for clients in the B2B space and seen positive results. However, the learning curve can be steeper compared to other options, and the pricing can be higher.

Pros:

• Integration with its CRM. This lets you use customer data to create a personalized experience for each visitor.
• All content is on one platform. So, you don’t need to jump around to different places to make everything work.
• Though HubSpot is simple, it’s also comprehensive. It has features like email marketing, live chat, and adaptive testing, which many don’t.

Cons:

• If you want an online store or a complex business website, a platform like WordPress.org could be better. HubSpot is a bit simpler.
• Beginners might find the extra features a bit intimidating. Decide if you need marketing automation features before buying.

Pricing:

Begin your journey with the free website builder from HubSpot! They provide a range of packages, including free options with limited features and premium plans offering advanced capabilities and dedicated support.

For pricing plans, feel free to contact their sales experts.

Get started with HubSpot Website Builder today!

4. Wix: Best Quick Business Website Creator With Simple Templates

Wix is probably the most well-known website builder on the market and arguably the best free website builder for small business. It offers a wide range of templates, a flexible drag-and-drop interface, and a decent app market. I’ve used Wix for numerous clients, from restaurants to online stores.

While Wix is user-friendly, I’ve found that the design customization can sometimes be limited. Additionally, switching templates after building a site can be challenging.

Wix made my list of the top website builders because of its Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI). ADI digs through the web for information on your business.

Pros:

• Offers over 800 templates, clip art, icons, and an app market in the free version. You can add access to more apps, videos, and more at higher levels.
• This platform also has SEO, email capture and marketing, social posting, and Facebook ad tools.
• Hundreds of customizable templates available. These templates let you create your own website in minutes.
• Some versions of Wix also allow you to translate your site into different languages.

Cons:

• Wix uses absolute positioning (as opposed to responsive design). This means elements don’t always adjust to different screens. So, it isn’t the best for different sizes of screens or SEO.
• If you move your site away from Wix, it can be pretty complicated to make it happen.

Pricing:

Wix offers a free plan and 5 different premium plans:

• Lite: $17 per month
• Core: $29 per month
• Business: $36 per month
• Business Elite: $159 per month
• Enterprise Plans: Customized to your needs

Get started with Wix today!

5. GoDaddy Website Builder: Best for Creating Simple Sites

GoDaddy has made significant improvements to its website builder in recent years. It’s a solid choice for small businesses looking for a straightforward solution. The interface is user-friendly, and the pricing is competitive.

I’ve used GoDaddy for several clients in the local service industry. While it’s a good option for basic websites, I’ve found that the design flexibility is somewhat limited compared to other builders.

Pros:

• No technical knowledge needed, pick one of their ready-to-use templates, fonts, and graphics and use the drag-and-drop editor to customize it.
• You can add contact forms, videos, and social media links.
• Also includes built-in marketing tools, including SEO and email marketing functions.
• This business website creator works on any screen, including your phone or tablet.
• The GoDaddy InSight tool gets insights and recommendations based on data from millions of users. You get an Insight Score to help you make your small business website even better.

Cons:

• Compared to some business website builders, GoDaddy Website Builder offers fewer features.
• It’s also not the best for content-rich websites. It’s better for building a simple site with a few pages.
• If you want to move your site from GoDaddy to a different platform in the future, it’s not easy to do.

Pricing:

• Basic: $10.99 per month ($12.99 per month upon renewal)
• Premium: $14.99 per month ($22.99 per month upon renewal)
• Commerce: $20.99 per month ($26.99 per month upon renewal)

Get started with GoDaddy Website Builder today!

6. Gator Website Builder: Best Affordable Website Builder

As a HostGator product, Gator Website Builder offers a similar level of affordability and ease of use. It’s a good option for small businesses that need a basic website without breaking the bank.

While I haven’t used Gator extensively, I’ve seen positive reviews from users. It seems like a solid choice for those who prioritize simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

Pros:

• Gator Website Builder boasts no learning curve, with a library of themes and layouts to choose from. The drag-and-drop software makes it easy to add images, videos, Google Maps, and more.
• This platform includes free hosting, a domain name, analytics, and an SSL certificate. Those certificates keep your site secure and more SEO-friendly.
• If you already have a website, Gator Website Builder doesn’t make you start from scratch. They make transferring your site as easy as possible.

Cons:

• Gator Website Builder doesn’t have a ton of advanced features. If you want to open an ecommerce site or have lots of bells and whistles, this wouldn’t be the best choice for you.
• Additionally, you sign a 3-year contract up front. You can cancel before renewal, but there may be a fee. (That said, it’s still cheaper than many hosts when you add up the yearly prices.)

Pricing:

• Starter Plan: Starts at $3.46 per month
• Premium Plan: Starts at $5.39 per month
• Ecommerce Plan: Starts at $8.30 per month

Get started with the Gator Website Builder today!

7. Weebly: Best Freemium Website Platform for Small Business

Weebly is another popular website builder with a strong reputation. It offers a clean interface and a good selection of templates. While it’s not as feature-rich as some other options, it’s a reliable choice for small businesses.

I’ve used Weebly for a few eCommerce clients, and it handled the process well. However, I found the customization options to be somewhat limited compared to other platforms.

Pros:

• Allows you to use SEO and lead generation features. But, you may have to upgrade to a paid plan to gain full access.
• This platform allows your small business website to be mobile-friendly with responsive templates.
• Upgrading lets you use Weebly with your domain. Otherwise, you’ll have a domain including Weebly in the URL.
• You get site search, HD audio and video, and membership options with different plans.

Cons:

• The basic, free level has some rudimentary ecommerce functions. Still, the paid versions are likely to make customers far happier.
• Not everyone finds Weebly’s drag-and-drop builder easy to use.
• If you want to change website platforms later, you may have to re-create your site from scratch.
• It has an excellent app store.

Pricing:

• Personal: $10 per month
• Professional: $12 per month
• Performance: $26 per month billed

Get started with the Weebly Website Builder today!

8. Squarespace: Best Business Website Creator for Modern Designs

Squarespace is known for its stylish templates and high-quality designs. If visual appeal is a top priority for your business, this could be the perfect platform. While it’s more expensive than some other options, the investment often pays off in terms of website aesthetics.

I’ve used Squarespace for clients in the creative industries, such as photographers and designers. The platform excels at creating beautiful portfolios and online stores.

Pros:

• Squarespace aims to be manageable if you’re creating a website for your business for the first time.
• Its basic plan lets you set up a 20-page website.
• You can use Squarespace with a custom domain for free for the first year. Plus, it’s hosted, so Squarespace keeps your site updated.
• You also get free SSL certificate, analytics, and ecommerce features with that package.
• It also lets you sell unlimited products and accept donations.
• Other plans offer inventory management, accounting, checkout functions, cart recovery, and ecommerce reporting.

Cons:

• Some people find a learning curve, though Squarespace’s support can help solve issues.
• If ecommerce is essential to your business, you need one of the more expensive plans.

Pricing:

• Personal: $16 per month
• Business: $23 per month
• Basic Commerce: $28 per month
• Advanced Commerce: $52 per month

Get started with Squarespace today!

Note: There are many web builders not included in the list, such as Square, WordPress.com, Shopify, and others because I did not want to put our readers into decision paralysis. Rest assured, the tools mentioned are the best website builders for small businesses.

Key Features To Consider in a Website Builder

When selecting a website builder for your small business, several key features should be on your radar, but I highly suggest prioritizing the following four as the most important:

1. User-friendly interface ensures fast and smooth navigation
2. Customization options let you tailor your site to your brand
3. Ecommerce capabilities are essential for online sales
4. Responsiveness ensures your site looks great on mobile devices

Don’t forget the search engine optimization tools that boost your visibility on search engines.

What Comes After Picking a Website Builder?

Even if you’re still working on your business website, I recommend building your email marketing list and audience before launching your site.

The sooner you start building your list, the more leads and conversions you can see.

OptinMonster, a premium WordPress plugin, has advanced targeting features for effective marketing. Regardless of which website builder you choose, I want to help your business grow.

OptinMonster’s targeting features include:

• Exit-Intent Technology: Grabs visitors’ attention before they leave your small business website
• Page-level Targeting: Lets you create page-specific offers relevant to your customers
• Onsite Retargeting: Shows different offers to people who’ve seen previous marketing campaigns

OptinMonster also integrates with major ecommerce platforms and industry-leading email marketing services.

With its range of templates and themes, you can create a unique website for your business. OptinMonster lets you build high-converting marketing campaigns matching your company’s design.

Start Your OptinMonster Account Today!

30 days money back guarantee

FAQs

Q1. What Is the Best Website Builder for Small Business?

WordPress is my pick for the best website builder for small businesses. It’s flexible, scalable, and easy to use.

With four out of ten websites running on WordPress, there’s a huge community with resources and tutorials to provide help.

Q2. Can I create a business website for free?

Free business website creators often have limitations and don’t look professional.

Plus, many “free” website creators aren’t free when you look deeper. Using a free website platform for small businesses usually means:

• You can’t use your domain
• Your website has ads you can’t control
• You may have to pay for templates and add-ons
• You don’t have complete control over your site
• Having to pay for things you weren’t expecting

That said, I did include a few free options in my list of business website builders because “free” doesn’t always mean “bad.” Pay attention to what’s on offer and make sure your chosen business website creator fits your needs.

Q3: How much does it cost to build a website for a small business? 

The cost of building a website for a small business owner can vary widely depending on factors like complexity, features, website design, bandwidth and the platform you choose. Using a DIY website building tool can start as low as $5 to $20 per month, while hiring a professional web developer might range from $1,000 to $10,000 or more. Remember, investing in a quality website is an investment in your business’s online presence.

Q4: What is the best free website builder for small business?

Wix is generally considered the best free website builder for small businesses. It offers a great balance of user-friendliness, design flexibility, and features.

Resources for Your Small Business Website

• How to Make a Small Business Website
• Best Email Service Providers for Small Business (Compared)
• List Building Tools You Need to Try Today
• Small Business Email Marketing: 7 Tips for Growth

Unlike many tech blogs, OptinMonster has a unique advantage: experience. As seasoned WordPress users, we’ve personally implemented and tested many plugins on our websites. This hands-on approach allows me to provide insights and recommendations based on actual performance, not just theoretical knowledge.

I aim to share our expertise and help you select the best WordPress eCommerce plugins to power your online store.

Get ready as I unveil our top picks for the best eCommerce plugins for WordPress.

Overview of the Best WordPress eCommerce Plugins

Before diving into my detailed review, here’s a quick overview of the top 5 choices for the best WordPress eCommerce plugins:

	Plugin	Best For	Free Version?	Pricing
	WooCommerce	Wide range of products (physical, digital, services), high customization, and scalability.		Free core plugin, paid extensions
	Easy Digital Downloads (EDD)	Selling digital products exclusively, with a focus on simplicity and efficiency.		Starts at $99.50/year
	Ecwid	Small businesses or those looking to embed a store on multiple platforms due to its flexibility.		Starts at $21/month
4	BigCommerce	Businesses seeking a robust, all-in-one platform with advanced features and scalability.		Starts at $29/month
5	WP EasyCart	Small businesses with a limited product range seeking a simple, user-friendly solution.		Starts at $69.00/year

Key Factors to Consider

When selecting an eCommerce plugin, keep these factors in mind:

• Product Type: Physical, digital, or both?
• Product Quantity: How many products will you sell?
• Scalability: Do you anticipate significant growth?
• Design Customization: How much control do you need over your store’s appearance?
• Technical Expertise: Are you comfortable with coding or do you prefer a drag-and-drop interface?
• Budget: Consider the initial setup costs and ongoing fees.
• Payment Gateways: Ensure your preferred payment methods are supported.
• Shipping Options: Evaluate the plugin’s ability to handle your shipping requirements.
• Marketing and SEO Features: Consider built-in tools or the need for additional integrations.
• Customer Support: Assess the available support options and response times.

Best WordPress eCommerce Plugins

1. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is, without a doubt, the behemoth in the WordPress eCommerce plugin realm. It’s the go-to choice for countless online store owners, and for good reason. Having spent countless hours playing with it, I can confidently say it’s a robust, flexible, and scalable platform.

WooCommerce’s strength lies in its versatility. It’s like a blank canvas for your online store. The core plugin provides a solid foundation, but its true power is unleashed through its extensive ecosystem of extensions.

When testing, I was setting up an online store for organic skincare products. Product variations were a nightmare – different sizes, scents, and packaging combinations. WooCommerce’s product variations feature was a lifesaver. It handled everything flawlessly, from displaying options on the product page to managing inventory levels for each variation.

Another feature that impressed me was its shipping options. Calculating shipping costs based on weight, dimensions, and destination can be a complex affair. WooCommerce’s shipping zones and classes made it incredibly easy to set up accurate shipping rates for different regions.

While WooCommerce is undoubtedly a powerful tool, it’s not without its quirks. For instance, managing complex product attributes can be a bit cumbersome compared to some other plugins. However, there’s usually a plugin or custom code solution to address such issues.

The free version of WooCommerce offers a solid foundation for most online stores. However, to unlock its full potential, you’ll likely need to invest in premium extensions. These extensions cover everything from advanced shipping and payment options to marketing and customer support tools.

Pros:

1. Highly Customizable: Extensive range of themes and plugins for design and functionality.
2. Open Source: Free to use with a large community of developers.
3. Integration with WordPress: Seamlessly integrates with WordPress, making it a great choice for existing WordPress sites.
4. Scalable: Can handle small to large stores with proper hosting.
5. Large Support Community: Extensive documentation and support forums.

Cons:

1. Complex Setup: Can be overwhelming for beginners due to the number of customization options.
2. Performance: Requires good hosting and optimization to handle high traffic and large catalogs.
3. Hidden Costs: Many essential features require paid extensions.
4. Maintenance: Regular updates and maintenance are required to keep the store running smoothly.

Verdict: I wholeheartedly recommend WooCommerce for anyone looking to build an online store on WordPress. Its vast community, extensive documentation, and countless available resources make it a reliable and supportive platform.

WooCommerce Pricing: The core WooCommerce plugin is free and open-source. Some extensions are free, while others are paid.

If you’re interested in WooCommerce, check out the following article: How to Create a WooCommerce Popup (+7 Ways to Boost Sales).

2. Easy Digital Downloads

While WooCommerce is a versatile platform for both physical and digital products, Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) is crafted with digital goods in mind. If you’re selling ebooks, software, music, or any other digital content, EDD is a compelling choice.

EDD’s focus on digital products is evident in its user-friendly interface and efficient workflow. From setting up product pricing to managing customer downloads, everything feels intuitive.

I recall while testing I was building an online course platform. EDD’s ability to handle multiple payment gateways, including recurring subscriptions, was a game-changer. Setting up different pricing tiers and creating a seamless checkout experience was effortless.

Another impressive feature was EDD’s file access control. It securely stores and delivers digital products, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring customers receive their purchases promptly.

While EDD excels at handling digital products, it might lack some of the advanced features for physical goods that WooCommerce offers, such as inventory management and shipping options. However, for those exclusively selling digital content, these limitations are unlikely to be a significant concern.

The core EDD plugin is free, providing a solid foundation for selling digital products. To expand your store’s capabilities, you can explore a range of premium extensions. These extensions offer features like subscriptions, affiliate marketing, and advanced reporting.

Pros:

1. Specialized for Digital Products: Perfect for selling digital goods with features tailored for digital downloads.
2. Simple and User-Friendly: Easy to set up and manage.
3. Extensible: Numerous add-ons available for additional features.
4. Strong Community Support: Active community and extensive documentation.

Cons:

1. Limited to Digital Products: Not suitable for physical product sales.
2. Add-on Costs: Many advanced features require purchasing add-ons.
3. Scalability Issues: May not be ideal for very large stores.

Verdict: If you’re looking for a dedicated solution to sell digital products on your WordPress website, EDD is undoubtedly worth considering. Its focus on simplicity and efficiency makes it a strong contender in the eCommerce plugin market.

Easy Digital Downloads Pricing: Starts at $99.50/year with a limited free version available

3. Ecwid

Ecwid positions itself as a flexible eCommerce solution that can be embedded into any website, including WordPress. While not as deeply integrated as WooCommerce or EDD, it offers a unique approach to online selling.

What sets Ecwid apart is its cloud-based nature. This means your store data is stored on Ecwid’s servers, offering potential benefits like automatic backups and easier scalability.

I used Ecwid for a few small projects, and I was impressed by its simplicity. Setting up basic products and payment options was a breeze. However, when dealing with more complex product configurations or inventory management, I found it a bit less intuitive than dedicated eCommerce plugins.

Ecwid’s strength lies in its ability to be embedded anywhere. I’ve used it to create small online stores within existing websites without disrupting the overall design. This flexibility can be a huge advantage for businesses with limited technical resources.

While Ecwid offers a decent range of features, power users might find it lacking in some areas compared to dedicated eCommerce platforms. For instance, advanced shipping options and inventory management tools can be more limited.

Ecwid offers a free plan with basic features, but to unlock its full potential, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan. These plans provide additional features like more product variations, advanced shipping options, and customer support.

Pros:

1. User-Friendly: Simple and straightforward setup process.
2. Cost-Effective: Often cheaper than many competitors.
3. Integration Options: Works well with various payment gateways and shipping options.

Cons:

1. Limited Customization: Fewer themes and plugins compared to WooCommerce.
2. Smaller Community: Less community support and documentation.
3. Scalability: May not handle very large catalogs or high traffic well.

Verdict: Ecwid is a solid choice for small businesses or those looking for a quick and easy way to add eCommerce functionality to their existing website. While it might not be the best option for large-scale or complex online stores, it certainly deserves consideration for its simplicity and flexibility.

Ecwid Pricing: Starts at $21/month with a limited free version available

4. BigCommerce

BigCommerce stands out as a fully hosted eCommerce platform that offers a comprehensive suite of features for online businesses of all sizes. Unlike WordPress plugins, BigCommerce is a standalone platform, providing a complete eCommerce solution out of the box.

I worked with several clients using BigCommerce, and I’ve been impressed by its focus on scalability and performance. The platform handles product catalogs with thousands of items efficiently, and the checkout process is optimized for conversions.

One of the standout features for me is BigCommerce’s built-in SEO tools. It provides valuable insights into on-page optimization and helps you improve your store’s search engine visibility. I’ve seen firsthand how these tools can boost organic traffic and sales.

Another area where BigCommerce shines is its integration with popular marketing platforms. Connecting your store to email marketing services, social media channels, and other tools is relatively straightforward. This makes it easier to run targeted campaigns and track customer behavior.

While BigCommerce is a powerful platform, it does come with a learning curve compared to some of the other options. The interface can be overwhelming for beginners, and customizing the store’s design might require some technical expertise.

Pros:

1. All-in-One Solution: Comprehensive platform with hosting, security, and updates handled by BigCommerce.
2. Scalability: Handles high traffic and large product catalogs effortlessly.
3. Built-In Features: Many essential eCommerce features built-in without needing additional apps.
4. Multi-Channel Selling: Easily integrates with marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.

Cons:

1. Cost: More expensive compared to open-source solutions.
2. Customization Limitations: Less flexibility compared to self-hosted platforms.
3. Learning Curve: Can be complex for beginners due to the extensive feature set.

Verdict: BigCommerce offers several pricing plans to accommodate different business needs. The platform includes essential features in its base plan, but you’ll need to upgrade for advanced functionalities like advanced shipping options and abandoned cart recovery.

BigCommerce Pricing: Starts from $29 per month with zero transaction fees, unlimited products and storage, and unlimited staff accounts. 15-day free trial available.

5. WP EasyCart

WP EasyCart presents itself as a straightforward eCommerce plugin designed to simplify the process of selling products on WordPress. While it may not boast the same level of complexity as some other options, it certainly has its appeal for those seeking a no-frills approach.

WP EasyCart’s biggest strength lies in its simplicity. Setting up basic products and processing orders is relatively hassle-free. For small businesses with a limited product catalog, it can be an efficient solution.

I’ve used WP EasyCart for a couple of small client projects, and while it fulfilled the basic requirements, I found its feature set to be somewhat limited compared to more robust options. For instance, managing product variations or implementing complex shipping rules proved to be more challenging than expected.

The plugin’s focus on ease of use comes at a cost. You won’t find advanced marketing tools or in-depth analytics within WP EasyCart. If you need these features, you’ll likely need to rely on external integrations or plugins.

WP EasyCart offers a free version with limited functionality. To access additional features like digital product delivery, advanced shipping options, and customer support, you’ll need to upgrade to a premium plan.

Pros:

1. Ease of Use: Simple setup and user-friendly interface.
2. Affordable: Competitive pricing with a range of features included.
3. Integration with WordPress: Seamlessly integrates with WordPress, easy to manage within the WordPress dashboard.
4. Good Support: Reliable customer support and documentation.

Cons:

1. Limited Customization: Fewer themes and plugins available compared to WooCommerce.
2. Scalability: May struggle with very large stores or high traffic.
3. Feature Limitations: Some advanced eCommerce features may be lacking or require additional purchases.

Verdict: While WP EasyCart might not be the best choice for large-scale or complex eCommerce ventures, it can be a viable option for small businesses with simple product offerings. Its user-friendly interface and straightforward approach make it a potential contender for those looking for a quick and easy way to start selling online.

WP EasyCart Pricing: Starts at $69.00/year with a limited free version available.

WordPress eCommerce Plugins: Honorary Mentions

WP Simple Pay: If you’re looking for a straightforward solution to accept payments without a full-fledged shopping cart, WP Simple Pay integrates seamlessly with Stripe to process one-time and recurring payments.

TrustPulse: While not directly related to eCommerce, TrustPulse is a valuable tool for building social proof and increasing conversions. By displaying real-time customer activity, it can boost trust and encourage purchases.

OptinMonster: Another conversion optimization tool, OptinMonster helps capture leads and grow your email list through various opt-in forms, popups, and exit-intent technology.

Shopify: Although not a WordPress plugin, Shopify is a popular hosted eCommerce platform that offers integration with WordPress.

MemberPress: Primarily for membership sites, but can be used to sell digital products and access to content.

What Is the Best eCommerce Plugin for WordPress?

After thoroughly using these plugins, I can confidently say that WooCommerce is by far the best WordPress eCommerce plugin.

For small businesses with limited product offerings, WP EasyCart or Ecwid are excellent starting points due to their simplicity and ease of use. WooCommerce is also a viable option, but might be overkill for a very small inventory.

For digital product-focused businesses, Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) is the clear winner for its specialized features and efficiency.

Businesses selling both physical and digital products, WooCommerce is the most versatile option, offering flexibility to handle both product types.

For high-growth businesses or enterprises, BigCommerce or WooCommerce with premium extensions are suitable for handling large product catalogs, high traffic, and complex business needs.

I hope this article helped you determine the best WordPress eCommerce plugin for your needs.

More on WordPress Plugins

• 29 Best Shopify Apps To Boost Your eCommerce Store: Free + Paid Apps
• 18 Best WordPress Plugins & Tools
• 32 Best WooCommerce Plugins to Grow Your eCommerce Business
• WordPress Affiliate Plugin – Best 10
• 12 Best WordPress Plugins For Coming Soon Pages
• Here Are the 6 Best WordPress Form Plugins
• Conquering Course Creation: Top WordPress LMS Plugins Compared

To save you the same struggle, I’m sharing my experience to help you choose the right form plugin for your WordPress site.

In this article, I will mention 6 WordPress form plugins, their key features, pricing, USPs, and for whom they would be most suitable.

Let’s begin.

1. WPForms – Best overall
2. Formidable Forms – Best for advanced users and developers
3. HubSpot – Best for small businesses
4. Gravity Forms – Best for creating custom forms
5. Ninja Forms – Best for simple drag and drop form building
6. UserFeedback – Best for collecting customer feedback

Overview of the Best WordPress Form Plugins

		Best For	Key Feature	Price	Price
1	WPForms	Best overall	900+ pre-built contact form templates	Starts at $39/year
2	Formidable Forms	Advanced users and developers	Includes an app builder	Starts at $39.50/year
3	HubSpot	Small businesses	Plugin includes forms, live chat, CRM, email marketing	Starts at $800/month
4	Gravity Forms	Creating custom forms	Tons of add-ons to customize	Starts at $59/month
5	Ninja Forms	Simple drag and drop form building	Tons of add-ons to customize	Starts at $99/year
6	UserFeedback	Collecting customer feedback	Gather feedback directly from the website	Starts at $49.5/year

Best WordPress Form Plugins

1. WPForms – My Go-To Form Builder

Out of all the WordPress form builders I’ve tested, WPForms became my instant favorite. It’s incredibly user-friendly, even for a non-tech person like me. The drag-and-drop builder is a game-changer. I was able to create professional-looking forms in no time.

What I love most is the flexibility. Need a simple contact form? No problem. Want to build a complex survey or job application form? WPForms can handle it. I’ve used it for everything from collecting email subscribers to processing online payments.

The pre-built templates are a fantastic starting point, but the real power comes from customizing them to match my exact needs. I’ve played around with conditional logic, multi-page forms, and even geolocation features. It’s amazing how much you can do without writing a single line of code.

Plus, the integration options are top-notch. I’ve connected WPForms to my email marketing service, CRM, and payment processors with ease. It’s saved me countless hours of setup time.

While the free version is great for basic forms, I opted for the premium plan to unlock its full potential. It’s been worth every penny.

Is WPForms Free? There is a free version, called WPForms Lite.
Premium Pricing: Starts at $39/year

Resource: How To Create a Contact Form with WPForms

2. Formidable Forms – Power Under the Hood

Formidable Forms is a different beast altogether. While WPForms is great for most users, I found myself needing something more robust for a complex project, so I turned to Formidable Forms.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not as user-friendly out of the box as WPForms. There’s a steeper learning curve, but the payoff is immense. If you’re comfortable with a little technical tinkering, Formidable Forms opens up a world of possibilities.

I was blown away by its flexibility. Creating complex forms with conditional logic, calculations, and user-specific views was a breeze. I even built a custom directory using Formidable Forms! The possibilities truly feel endless.

However, it’s not for everyone. If you just need a simple contact form, WPForms is probably a better fit. But if you’re looking to build something truly custom, Formidable Forms is worth the investment of time to learn.

Is Formidable Forms Free? There is a free version, called Formidable Lite.
Premium Pricing: Starts at $39.50/year

3. HubSpot – All-in-One Marketing Solution

HubSpot was a pleasant surprise. I was initially skeptical about using an all-in-one platform, but their form builder is actually pretty solid. It’s definitely geared towards a slightly different audience.

If you’re a small business owner looking to grow your email list and nurture leads, HubSpot is worth considering. The form builder is easy to use, and the integration with their CRM and email marketing tools is seamless.

I found the drag-and-drop interface intuitive, and the pre-designed templates were a good starting point. While it might not offer the same level of customization as Formidable Forms, it’s perfect for most businesses.

The real value of HubSpot lies in its overall marketing platform. Being able to manage your contacts, send emails, and track your website performance all in one place is a huge time-saver. However, if you’re only looking for a WordPress form builder, WPForms is a specialized option out there.

Is HubSpot Free? Yes, there is a free version of the HubSpot WordPress plugin.
Premium Pricing: Starts at $800/month

4. Gravity Forms – A Developer’s Dream

Gravity Forms is targeted towards developers and those who crave maximum customization. I wouldn’t call it user-friendly in the same sense as WPForms, but the power it offers is undeniable.

I spent a good amount of time exploring its features, and I was impressed by the depth of customization available. Once I got the hang of it, building complex forms with conditional logic, multi-step flows, and even creating user-generated content was a breeze.

It’s clear that Gravity Forms is designed for those who want to build highly customized solutions. If you’re comfortable with a little coding or have a developer on your team, it’s a fantastic option. However, for simple forms, it might be overkill.

The lack of a free version is a drawback, but considering its capabilities, it’s understandable.

Is Gravity Forms Free? No, there isn’t a free version.
Premium Pricing: Starts at $59/month

5. Ninja Forms – The Swiss Army Knife of Form Builders

Ninja Forms surprised me. It’s like the underdog that packs a punch. The free version offers a solid foundation, and the add-on system lets you customize it to your heart’s content.

I started with the basic form builder, and it was straightforward enough. The interface isn’t as polished as WPForms, but it gets the job done. Where Ninja Forms really shines is in its flexibility. Need more advanced features? Just grab an add-on.

I experimented with a few add-ons, and I was impressed by the range of options. From payment processing to user management, there’s probably an add-on for it. The pricing model is a bit different, too, allowing you to pick and choose the features you need.

While it might not be the most glamorous option, Ninja Forms is a practical choice for many users. If you’re looking for a good balance of features and cost, it’s definitely worth considering.

Is Ninja Forms free? Yes, there’s a free version.
Premium Pricing: Starts at $99/year

6. UserFeedback – A Focused Solution

UserFeedback is a niche player in the WordPress form builder world, but it does one thing exceptionally well: collecting user feedback.

I was impressed by its simplicity. Setting up feedback forms is straightforward, and the customization options are sufficient for most use cases. The ability to embed feedback forms anywhere on your website is a huge plus.

While it lacks the breadth of features offered by the other form builders, such as WPForms, it’s perfect for its intended purpose. If you’re primarily interested in gathering user feedback, UserFeedback is definitely worth considering.

It’s a great option for gathering insights from your audience and improving your website based on their input.

Is UserFeedback free? There is a free plugin, UserFeedback Lite.
Premium Pricing: Starts at $49.5/year

There you have it! My top picks for the best WordPress form plugin.

Wrapping Up: Which Is The Best WordPress Form Plugin?

After putting these form builders through their paces, it’s clear that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The best WordPress form plugin depends on your specific needs, technical expertise, and budget.

For most users, I recommend WPForms because it offers a great balance of features, ease of use, and affordability. If you need more advanced features or are a developer, consider Formidable Forms owing to its unparalleled customization and power.

If you’re focused on collecting user feedback, UserFeedback is a specialized tool that does the job well. And if you’re looking for a broader marketing solution, HubSpot offers a solid form builder integrated with other marketing tools.

Remember, the best way to choose is to experiment with different options. Many of these plugins offer free trials or lite versions, so you can test them out before committing.

Do you have any specific questions about a particular plugin or feature?

Discover the Missing Piece to Your Forms Success

Whenever you add a form to your WordPress website, you still have a big problem: how do you drive traffic to that form?

But by adding them to your OptinMonster campaigns, you can bring your forms directly to your site’s visitors (rather than the other way around).

You’d do this using OptinMonster’s advanced targeting rules. These rules allow you to show your forms to the right people, in the right places, and at the right time in their customer journey.

Some popular targeting rules include:

• Exit-Intent® Technology: Display campaigns as users are actively leaving your website.
• OnSite Retargeting®: Show campaigns to returning users based on how they interacted with campaigns they saw before.
• Referrer Detection: Present your forms to users from specific 3rd-party sites.
• AdBlock Detection: Bypass AdBlock technology to show your web forms to even more users.

These are just a few examples, though there are many others.

You can use any targeting rules to present your web forms and get more users to engage with your forms.

And OptinMonster integrates with all popular email marketing services so you can automate adding subscribers to your email list.

Get More Engagement From Your Forms Today with OptinMonster!

If your WooCommerce store isn’t ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs), you are missing out on a lot of free traffic and revenue potential.

That is why WooCommerce SEO is important, but WooCommerce and SEO aren’t everyone’s cup of tea.

But fret not, as in this article, we will teach you the ten most effective and easy WooCommerce SEO tips to help you on your way to ranking #1.

What Is WooCommerce?

WooCommerce is an open-source plugin that transforms a WordPress website into a fully functional online store. It’s essentially an eCommerce toolkit for WordPress, allowing users to easily add product listings, shopping carts, and secure checkout options to their existing website.

Is WooCommerce SEO friendly?

Yes, WooCommerce is considered SEO friendly out of the box. Here’s why:

• Built on WordPress: WooCommerce leverages WordPress’s SEO-friendly foundation, which follows web standards and best practices.
• Focus on Content: WooCommerce allows you to create product descriptions, category pages, and other content that can be optimized for search engines.
• Basic SEO Features: WooCommerce offers features like product titles, meta descriptions, and category structures that are crucial for SEO.

10 Pro Tips for WooCommerce SEO

Here are 10 WooCommerce SEO tips to get you climbing in those search results.

1. Create Unique Product Descriptions
2. Optimize Product Titles
3. Enable Breadcrumbs
4. Make Site Navigation Simple
5. Keep Permalink URLs Short and Descriptive
6. Write Meta Descriptions
7. Add Alt Text to Product Images
8. Avoid and Consolidate Duplicate Content
9. Use the Best WooCommerce SEO Plugins
10. Use WooCommerce Optimized Themes
11. Optimize For Mobile
12. Optimize for Web Speed
13. Add Structured Data and Schema Markup

Let’s look at each one of them in detail.

1. Create Unique Product Descriptions

Product descriptions should be treated as bite-sized bits of content. They should include vital information about products written for your target audience.

Let’s look at two online stores selling dresses: ModCloth and New York & Company.

ModCloth’s target audience comprises younger women who enjoy wearing casual dresses. They use a lot of colorful adjectives in product descriptions. The company also points out when dresses have pockets because “thanks, it has pockets!” is a common joke among Millennials and Gen Z-ers.

New York & Company speaks to an audience needing more “professional” clothing. Their dresses can be as fun as ModCloth’s, but their copy focuses more on functionality and is straightforward.

Search engines treat product descriptions like any other content on your site. These descriptions provide what keywords to rank products for in SERPs.

If you sell products by other manufacturers, you can use those descriptions. But, writing descriptions is often better for SEO. Identical content fights for SERP positions. Plus, these descriptions often aren’t optimized for your audience.

2. Optimize Page Titles

Page titles tell shoppers and search engines what your page is about. Most eCommerce stores have several kinds of pages, like category and product pages.

Product category pages help shoppers find types of products. Product pages are, of course, for individual products within those product categories.

You can optimize category pages for broad terms and product pages for specific terms. For example, Storiarts has a category called “gloves.” Its product pages are for “subcategories” for individual products like “Dracula Writing Gloves.”

Category Page

Product Page

Page titles and SEO titles are often the same. The exception is when the page title is longer than 60 characters.

You can tweak SEO titles with a tool like All in One SEO.

Use keywords in page and SEO titles, but remember: Content is for people first. This means keywords should be natural.

Let’s pretend those Dracula gloves above had a keyword-stuffed title, as we’ve all so often seen. It could say:

“Gloves black fingerless Dracula literature handmade scary Bram Stoker costume”

Luckily, they opted for “Dracula Writing Gloves.” What more do you need?

3. Enable Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs are at the tops of pages and help visitors return to previous pages. They show visitors where they are and where they’ve been.

Breadcrumbs are helpful for visitors and used by Google to determine site structure. It also affects how you appear in search results.

You can create breadcrumbs in WooCommerce. But, it’s typically easier with SEO products like AIOSEO.

We’ll talk more about AIOSEO when discussing WooCommerce SEO plugin options below.

4. Make Site Navigation Simple

Clean and straightforward site navigation can impact bounce rates and time spent on site. The more time visitors spend on your site, the higher your site can rank.

Keep your main navigation easy to follow. Google will crawl every page, but visitors definitely won’t.

Main navigation, which is often on the homepage and may be others, includes links to crucial pages. Here’s what the restaurant chain Hawaiian Bros considers essential:

Google uses search spiders to review and index search results. So, if a page isn’t linked somewhere, Google can’t find it. Google also deems links on the homepage more critical than others.

But, what if you have a ton of important pages and don’t want to force users to dig to find what they want?

A perfect solution to this problem is adding links to footers.

Here’s Hawaiian Bros’ footer:

5. Keep Permalink URLs Short and Descriptive

WordPress permalinks should make URLs accessible to visitors and search engines.

To do this, open WordPress and go to Settings » Permalinks to choose a URL structure.

If you’re not using WooCommerce permalinks, URLs default to product IDs like example.com/?product=111

Permalinks default to whatever you set them to, like “yourdomain.com/product/product-name.” Storiarts clearly has permalinks:

6. Write Meta Descriptions

Meta descriptions can go a long way in improving click through rates (CTRs).

They show up under a search results entry title and describe the content. Meta descriptions are another way to entice searchers to click.

Google generally pulls opening text from your page if you don’t write meta descriptions.

In meta descriptions, use motivational words, useful adjectives, deals, and calls to action. But, meta descriptions shouldn’t be longer than 160, so focus on what’s most important.

All in One SEO can set up meta descriptions. It has a smart meta tag generator for dynamic values in SEO titles and meta descriptions.

You can add values like current year, month, day, custom fields, and more. You don’t need to update a post to change the meta description.

7. Add Alt Text to Product Images

Alt text is vital for SEO and even more essential for readers. It helps visitors with limited vision or blindness know what’s in images.

Use clear and concise alt text providing accurate descriptions of images. If you can fit in a keyword, do so. But, since all pieces should be audience-centric, image content outweighs keywords.

Alt text also shows up if images don’t load or if a user blocks images from appearing. Search engines do see it no matter what.

WebAIM, one of the best resources for accessibility, provides these best practices:

Alt text should be as specific as possible. For instance, a cat picture shouldn’t just say “cat.” It should describe the cat’s color, actions, and anything else necessary.

If you search “how long should alt text be?” you’ll see everything from 100 to 140 characters. Grand Valley State University states most screen readers stop after 140 characters. Most sources recommend being as brief as possible.

8. Avoid and Consolidate Duplicate Content

Duplicate content is tricky. If two pages are very similar, they cannibalize content and harm each other’s rankings.

This is true for pages on the same site, all sites you own, and competing sites.

Say you run an eCommerce business for cat toys and a different one for dog toys. You may end up with a page about why cats and dogs need different toys on each. Those could harm one another.

More established sites publishing similar content could outrank you, too. Pet stores probably can’t compete with the ASPCA if they have such an article, for instance!

The easiest way to make sure content could rank high is to write and publish original content. But what about existing content?

First, find duplicate content. You can look for content manually or use an SEO product like SEMrush.

Next, consolidate.

Let’s first look at duplicate content on the same website. If you have 2 or more URLs with more or less identical content, keep the better performing page.

If you missed anything essential but can find it on the similar pages, add it to the one you plan to keep.

Then, redirect the other pages to the page you keep. WordPress has several plugins to create redirects.

Redirects become crucial if you move from one eCommerce platform to another.

Going from Shopify to WooCommerce, for instance, will likely change URL structures. If you want to keep page rankings from Shopify, redirect to the new WooCommerce URLs.

Sometimes you may find pages with similar but not identical content and want to keep BOTH. Canonical links tell search engines where to go using this tag in the header of your similar content:

<link rel=”canonical” href=”https://myoriginalcontent.com”>

Both redirects and canonical links work for duplicates across all domains you own.

If your work like another website’s but it’s essential to have on yours, don’t delete it. Instead, find a unique spin on it.

9. Use the Best WooCommerce SEO Plugins

WooCommerce comes with thousands of extensions and plugins to help grow your business. It can be overwhelming to find the best ones for WooCommerce optimization.

At OptinMonster, a premier WordPress plugin, we love finding plugins for business growth. Here are our picks for the best WooCommerce SEO plugins:

1. All in One SEO (AIOSEO)

All in One SEO (AIOSEO) is one of the best SEO plugin. Its setup wizard helps choose ideal SEO settings for your business.

You can choose focus and secondary keyphrases for every page.

Once you select the focus keyphrase, AIOSEO suggests how to use it best.

Using the pet toys example, here’s what AIOSEO may look like before optimization:

Here’s what it might look like after making adjustments using their suggestions:

AIOSEO also has WooCommerce optimization features for pages, images, and more.

Recommended Reading: How to Setup All in One SEO for WordPress Correctly (Ultimate Guide)

2. Broken Link Checker

Broken Link Checker can find broken links, so you don’t have a high bounce rate from 404 error pages.

This SEO product is resource-intensive. So, we recommend installing and activating it when you use it, then uninstalling it. Going through your site twice a year should be enough.

If that sounds like too much, AIOSEO can help you here, too. They offer a broken link checker that can automatically send visitors to the correct URL, even if that’s not the one they click on in a search engine. It can also run reports for you and you can check on things manually.

3. MonsterInsights

MonsterInsights gives you the power of Google Analytics from your WordPress admin area. You can track successes and potential problems in real-time to maximize potential revenue.

You can run awesome reports for store metrics, too. Check out this eCommerce report from MonsterInsights:

4. TrustPulse

If you really want to send your WooCommerce sales soaring, check out TrustPulse.

While TrustPulse isn’t specifically for SEO, it can work wonders for social proof. It lets you leverage real-time page activity to increase trust, conversions, and sales by up to 15%

TrustPulse gives visitors reasons to buy your products. You can say, “my product is the best!” until you’re blue in the face. But TrustPulse taps into what they want: Evidence from other consumers.

So, they tap into “peer pressure” by providing popups saying “[Name] just bought this product!” and targeted ads.

10. Use WooCommerce Optimized Themes

WordPress is SEO-friendly. But, not all themes are ideal for WooCommerce optimization. Make sure your theme is the right SEO product for your WooCommerce store.

Here are a few of the best themes for WooCommerce optimization.

1. Astra

Astra has an extensive library of sites, including designs specifically for WooCommerce optimization. These can include dropdown carts, grid settings, and infinite scroll.

It’s a lightweight theme built for speed, so customers shouldn’t have to wait long.

Plus, it integrates with SEO plugins like AIOSEO to further optimization efforts.

2. Divi

Divi comes with a built-in page builder with drag-and-drop capabilities. You can add, move, or delete elements on your site.

They offer “WooBuilder” to create online stores made for WooCommerce optimization. This feature is available at no extra cost!

Related Content22 Best Responsive eCommerce Themes and Templates (Free and Paid)

3. WooCommerce Storefront

WooCommerce Storefront is the official WordPress WooCommerce theme set. It has a simple, responsive homepage displaying any category you want.

This product was built for WooCommerce optimization. It offers over 40 theme options so you can customize your WooCommerce store.

11. Optimize For Mobile

Ensure that your WooCommerce site is fully optimized for mobile devices. This includes responsive design, fast loading times on mobile, and easy navigation on smaller screens.

Here are key aspects to focus on for effective mobile optimization:

1. Responsive Design: Ensure your website automatically adjusts to fit the screen size of any device, whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. This means your site’s layout, images, and content should fluidly change to provide an optimal experience on any device.
2. Fast Loading Times: Mobile users often have less patience for slow-loading websites. Optimize your site’s loading speed by compressing images, using a content delivery network (CDN), minimizing HTTP requests, and optimizing your code (CSS, JavaScript, HTML).
3. Simplified Navigation: Mobile screens are smaller, so it’s important to have a simple, intuitive navigation menu. Consider using a hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) which expands when tapped. Ensure that the menu items are large enough to be easily tapped with a finger.

12. Optimize for Web Speed

Site speed is a crucial factor for SEO. Optimize images, leverage browser caching, and use a content delivery network (CDN) to improve loading times.

Here are some detailed strategies to enhance the speed of your WooCommerce site:

1. Optimize Images: Large images can significantly slow down your website. Use image compression tools to reduce file sizes without compromising quality. Formats like JPEG are generally smaller and faster to load than PNGs. Also, consider using new image formats like WebP, which provides high-quality results with smaller file sizes.
2. Leverage Browser Caching: Browser caching stores webpage resource files on a local computer when a user visits a webpage. This means that the next time the user visits the site, the browser can load the page without having to send another HTTP request to the server. Use tools or plugins to set expiration dates for your cache.
3. Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN): A CDN stores copies of your site on multiple, geographically diverse servers. This means that users are served the version of your site that’s closest to them, reducing load times. Popular CDNs include Cloudflare, Amazon CloudFront, and Akamai.

13. Add Structured Data and Schema Markup

Implement structured data using schema markup to help search engines better understand your pages’ content. This can also lead to rich snippets in search results, improving click-through rates.

Here’s how to effectively use structured data and schema markup:

1. Understand Schema Markup: Schema markup is a code (semantic vocabulary) that you put on your website to help search engines return more informative results for users. It tells search engines what your data means, not just what it says.
2. Identify Relevant Schemas: For an eCommerce site, relevant schemas include Product, Offer, AggregateRating, Review, BreadcrumbList, and Organization. Each of these schemas helps to detail different aspects of your products and business.
3. Use Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper: This tool can guide you through generating schema markup. You select the type of data (e.g., a product), paste in the page URL you want to markup, and use the tool to tag different elements.
4. Add Markup to Your Site: Once you’ve generated the markup, add it to your site’s HTML. If you’re uncomfortable editing your site’s HTML directly, you may use a plugin to help you integrate schema markup.

WooCommerce SEO: A Constant Task

We hope this guide to WooCommerce optimization has helped get you on the road to ranking #1!

But, SEO is not a one-time thing.

Here are a few other resources to help you out:

• How to Create a WooCommerce Popup (+7 Ways to Boost Sales)
• How to Integrate OptinMonster with WooCommerce
• 13 Best Keyword Research Tools to Boost Your Organic Traffic

Of course, WooCommerce SEO alone won’t get you all the customers you could possibly find. This is where we at OptinMonster come in!

Sign up for OptinMonster today, risk-free with our 14-day money-back guarantee.

Google Analytics, currently in version GA4, is a powerful tool for making data-driven decisions that are going to help your eCommerce store or publishing site succeed. If you’ve ever been intimidated by Google Analytics in the past, don’t worry! We’re with you every step of the way.

In this article, I’ll show you how to add Google Analytics to your WordPress site.

Here’s an overview of what you’ll learn in this post:

• Why is Google Analytics Important?
• How to Sign Up for Google Analytics
• How to Add Google Analytics to WordPress
  • Method 1: MonsterInsights (recommended)
  • Method 2: WPCode
  • Method 3: WordPress Theme Settings

Let’s get started.

Why Is Google Analytics Important?

Google Analytics is a free, comprehensive analytics solution for your website.

Understanding your website analytics is key to growing your site’s traffic. That, in turn, leads to increased subscribers and then, to boosting revenue.

With Google Analytics on your website, you’ll be able to track all of the data that you need to get actionable insights to grow your business, eliminating the question of what you should be doing.

With Google Analytics, you can get site statistics like:

• Number of website visitors
• Where visitors are coming from (referral links)
• What content on your site is most popular
• And a ton more

So, why is Google Analytics important?

Here are some of the ways Google Analytics helps improve your business marketing strategy:

• Learn More About Your Visitors: Using Google Analytics for WordPress helps you track and collect information about your visitors. The more data you have, the more you can personalize your content marketing strategy.
• Understand How Visitors Interact With Your Content:  Track what your visitors are doing while they’re on your site. You’ll be able to see things like what pages they visit, how long they stay on your website, what pages they stay on the longest, and more.
• Discover How Visitors Find Your Website: Having Google Analytics on WordPress also gives you essential tracking info about how visitors find your site in the first place.
• Troubleshoot When Things Go Wrong: With Google Analytics data at your fingertips, if you notice any abnormalities in traffic or sales, you can fix those problems much faster and reduce unnecessary losses.

The bottom line is that when it comes to digital marketing, knowledge isn’t just power; it’s also profit.

Now let’s turn our attention to how you can sign up for Google Analytics in the first place.

How to Sign Up for Google Analytics

Google Analytics is available for free. All you need is a Google account to sign up. It only takes a few minutes to create a Google Analytics account for your website. Below, I’ll provide step-by-step instructions for getting started with GA4.

Step 1: Sign in to Google Analytics

Visit the Google Analytics website and click the blue Get started today button.

Next, you’ll be prompted to sign in to your Google account. If you don’t already have a Google account, click the Create account link. Otherwise, simply log in.

After you’ve signed into your Google account, click the Start measuring button on the next screen.

Step 2: Create Your Google Analytics Account

At the top of the screen, you’ll see a progress bar with the 5 sections you’ll need to complete. The first is Account creation.

You’ll be creating the account that you’ll use to access Google Analytics. You can monitor multiple websites within a single account.

Under Account details fill out the Account name. This should likely be your business name or perhaps even your own name if you’re an independent contractor. Remember, this is the name of your account, not the individual website or app that you want to monitor.

Next, scroll down to Account Data Sharing Settings. Here, you’ll choose how much data you want to share with Google.

Click the Next button at the bottom of the screen.

Step 3. Create a Property

Now, you’ll create your Google Analytics property. Your property is the website that you want to track with Google Analytics 4.

Enter an identifying name for your website in the Property name field. Then select the timezone you want to use for reporting and your currency.

When you’re finished, click Next.

Step 4: Describe Your Business

Now, you’ll give Google some details about your business. Use the dropdown menu to select an Industry category and select the appropriate Business size. Click Next.

Step 5: Choose Business Objectives

Your next step is to select your primary business objectives. These selections help Google Analytics create more personalized reports.

Click Create. Doing so will trigger a popup with the Google Analytics Terms of Service agreement.

To proceed through the TOS, you’ll need to:

1. Click the checkbox beside “I also accept the Data Processing Terms as required by GDPR.”
2. Scroll down and click the checkbox beside “I accept the Measurement Controller-Controller Data Protection Terms for the data that I share with Google.”
3. Click the I Accept button.

Step 6: Set Up Data Collection

The final step in creating your GA4 account is to set up a data stream.

You can set up multiple data streams within your property. For instance, you might have separate data streams for your website, Android app, and iOS app.

Under Start collecting data, you’ll be prompted to choose a platform. Since we’re focusing on WordPress websites today, choose Web.

Now, you’ll enter your Website URL and choose a Stream name.

When you click the Create & continue button, you’ll see the Google tag code that you’ll need to add to each page of your website.

In the next section of this tutorial, I’ll show you several methods for adding Google Analytics to WordPress. You won’t need this code if you use the first method, which involves installing MonsterInsights. For the other methods, you’ll need to copy this Google Analytics tag and keep it handy.

How to Add Google Analytics to WordPress

There are many ways to add Google Analytics to WordPress. I’m going to show you the 3 easiest ways.

I’ll start with the simplest and most helpful method: using MonsterInsights.

Method 1: Connect to Google Analytics With MonsterInsights (Recommended)

MonsterInsights is the easiest and best way to add Google Analytics to WordPress websites. This premium WordPress plugin not only lets you connect your site to GA4 without any code, but it also lets you track your website data directly from your WordPress dashboard.

GA4 is a complicated beast, but MonsterInsights lets you view easy-to-understand reports without even leaving your WordPress account. You can monitor your site’s performance, user behavior, sales, and more.

You have 2 options to get started with MonsterInsights:

1. Choose a premium MonsterInsights plan to unlock the full power of the plugin’s WordPress analytics features. If you’ve never installed a premium plugin, check out these instructions from MonsterInsights.
2. Download the free MonsterInsights Lite plugin. However, the tracking options are very limited for the free version. If you’ve never installed a free plugin in WordPress, you can follow MonsterInsights’ instructions here.

Either way, MonsterInsights lets you easily add Google Analytics to your WordPress site, without needing to handle any code.

How to Add Google Analytics to WordPress With MonsterInsights

With MonsterInsights, you don’t have to touch any code to connect your website to GA4. Simply follow these steps.

Step 1: After installing and activating MonsterInsights, click Insights in the left menu in your WordPress dashboard. This will take you to your MonsterInsights settings. Click Launch Setup Wizard.

Step 2. Select your website category and click Save and Continue.

If you’ve purchased a paid plan, you’ll then be prompted to enter your License Key. If you’ve already entered your key or are using the free plugin, you won’t need to.

Step 3: Connect MonsterInsight to your Google account.

First, click Connect MonsterInsights.

You’ll see an Authorizing message for a few moments before you see a message prompting you to connect MonsterInsights to your Google Analytics account. Click Continue & Connect to Google.

Next, sign in to the Google account that you used to set up your Google Analytics account.

After signing in, you’ll be prompted to allow MonsterInsights to access your Google account.

Step 4: Connect Google Analytics to your website.

Because you’ve already set up your Google Analytics account and property, you’re just a couple of clicks away from connecting your WordPress site to GA4.

Use the dropdown menu to select the Property name for your website, and click Complete Connection.

And that’s it! The rest of the MonsterInsights setup wizard involves recommended settings and enabling various features. But once you’ve clicked Complete Connection, you’ve successfully connected Google Analytics with your WordPress site. You’ll be able to track your site’s analytics with MonsterInsights in your WordPress dashboard, and you’ll also be able to run full reports and explorations in GA4.

Method 2: Add the Google Analytics Tag Using the WPCode Plugin

Here’s how to add Google Analytics by adding the code to your site’s header using the WPCode plugin (formerly known as Insert Headers and Footers by WPBeginner).

Note that this method does not allow advanced tracking configurations. You also won’t be able to view Google Analytics data in your WordPress dashboard, as you can with MonsterInsights.

Step 1: Install and activate WPCode. Click Plugins > Add New Plugin, and search for “WPCode” in the search box. Click Install Now beside WPCode in the search results.

After a few seconds, the Install Now button will change to say Activate. Click Activate.

Step 2: Add your Google Analytics tag to your header.

After installing and activating the plugin, click Code Snippets > Header & Footer in the left menu. You can now paste the code that you copied when you set up your Google Analytics property. Click Save Changes.

Method 3: Add Your Google Analytics Tag in WordPress Theme Settings

Another way to add Google Analytics to WordPress is to paste your tag into the <head> code in your WordPress theme’s settings.

This may sound complicated, but most themes make it pretty easy.

For instance, Divi users can add their Google Analytics tag in just a few clicks.

All you need to do is click Divi > Theme Options in the left panel of your WordPress dashboard. Then select the Integration tab.

You’ll see an option to Add code to the <head> of your blog. Simply paste your Google Analytics tag into that code field.

Now, you’ll be able to track your website data in GA4.

Note: If you’re confident in your knowledge of PHP, you can add your Google Analytics tag code to your site’s header.php or functions.php file. However, this method can be risky, and you’ll lose your tag anytime you update your WordPress theme. I highly recommend using a plugin like MonsterInsights or WPCode, or I recommend editing the <head> code in your theme settings as a secondary option.

Grow Your WordPress Website With Google Analytics

Whichever method you choose, you’ll now be able to track the performance of your WordPress website in Google Analytics.

With MonsterInsights, you don’t have to worry about learning all of the complicated reporting in GA4. Instead, you’ll be able to view reports and data right in your WordPress dashboard!

Click here to get started with MonsterInsights, the best Google Analytics WordPress plugin on the market!

By tracking your website’s performance, you can work toward increasing your traffic. Want to convert those visitors into subscribers and customers? OptinMonster’s popups, floating bars, and other onsite campaigns help you grow your email list and make more sales!

Related Resources:

• Best WordPress Page Builders: Drag and Drop Your Way to a Stunning Website
• 18 Best WordPress Plugins & Tools for Your Website

You want to choose a payment plugin that is trustworthy, fast, and hassle-free for both you and your customers. To achieve successful payment integration in WordPress, you’ll also need features that are tailored to your type of business.

In this article, I’ll review the 8 best WordPress payment plugins, including features, pricing, and the type of business they’re best for, to help you make a smart and profitable decision for your business.

• What Is a WordPress Payment Plugin?
• 8 Best WordPress Payment Plugins
  • 1. WP Simple Pay
  • 2. WPForms
  • 3. Easy Digital Downloads
  • 4. MemberPress
  • 5. WooCommerce
  • 6. WP Full Pay
  • 7. Accept Stripe Payments
  • 8. LearnDash
• What’s the Best WordPress Payment Plugin for My Business?

What Is a WordPress Payment Plugin?

A WordPress payment plugin is a software extension that you install on your WordPress website to facilitate online payments. These plugins are designed to integrate seamlessly with your WordPress site, enabling you to accept payments from customers through various methods such as credit cards, debit cards, and online wallets.

Key Features of WordPress Payment Plugins:

• Easy installation and setup: You can install these plugins directly from the WordPress dashboard, making it simple to configure your payment options without needing extensive technical knowledge.
• Multiple payment options: Many plugins support various payment methods, giving your customers the flexibility to choose their preferred way to pay.
• Additional functionalities: Beyond processing payments, these plugins often offer features like recurring billing, refunds, order management, and transaction reporting.

Interaction with Payment Gateways and Processors

WordPress payment gateways and payment processors are integral components of online payment systems, and understanding how they interact with your WordPress payment plugin helps business owners to ensure smooth operation.

A payment gateway is a front-end service that collects a customer’s payment information. It acts as an intermediary between your website and financial institutions to ensure secure transaction data transfer. When a customer makes a purchase on your site, the payment plugin connects to the payment gateway to verify the transaction.

• Role of payment gateways: Authorizing the transaction by encrypting sensitive information and ensuring it reaches the bank securely.
• Examples: Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net

A payment processor is a service that handles the technical aspects of completing a transaction. This includes communicating with the cardholder’s bank and your merchant account to transfer funds.

• Role of payment processors: Facilitating the transfer of payment data between the buyer’s bank and the seller’s bank, ensuring funds are deducted from the customer’s account and credited to your merchant account.
• Examples: Square, PayPal, Stripe

As you can see, many services, such as PayPal and Stripe, perform both the gateway and the processing functions in online payments.

How They Work Together

1. Customer Makes a Purchase: A customer decides to buy a product on your WordPress site and proceeds to checkout.
2. Payment Plugin Activation: The payment plugin captures the payment details and sends them to the payment gateway.
3. Transaction Authorization: The payment gateway securely processes this information and authorizes the transaction.
4. Funds Transfer: The payment processor handles the actual transfer of funds from the customer’s bank to your merchant account.
5. Completion: Once the transaction is approved, the payment plugin updates the order status on your WordPress site, completing the purchase process.

By using a WordPress payment plugin, you integrate these processes seamlessly into your site, ensuring a smooth and secure payment experience for your customers. This integration not only enhances the functionality of your website but also builds trust with your customers by providing reliable and secure payment options.

8 Best WordPress Payment Plugins

1. WP Simple Pay

WP Simple Pay is an easy-to-use WordPress payment plugin.

It’s perfect for beginners and veterans alike because it comes with payment form templates, it requires no coding, and it’s fully optimized for mobile.

You can easily add recurring payments, create your own payment forms inside the builder, and allow your customers to pay directly from their bank accounts.

Features:

• Secure payment processing
• Optimized for mobile
• Payment form builder
• Payment form templates
• Coupon codes
• Non-card payments

Payment Gateway/Processor:

Stripe

Best for:

Self-employed individuals, small business owners, consultants, nonprofits, and developers. In short, anyone who wants a hassle-free payment experience without having to worry about coding.

Pricing:

The pricing starts at $49.50 per year for the Personal plan, and it goes up to $299.50 per year for the Elite plan. No transaction fees, outside of those charged by Stripe.

Get started with WP Simple Pay today!

2. WPForms

WPForms is the best form plugin for WordPress, and it doubles as a payment plugin.

The Pro version of WPForms allows you to accept payments. It also allows you to set up recurring payments and receive money without additional fees.

One of the best things about this plugin is the freedom it gives you. More specifically, you can add a payment form anywhere on your website, within widgets, posts, pages, and any other place you can think of.

Features:

• Recurring subscriptions
• Flexible placement
• Unlimited forms
• Integration with multiple marketing platforms for Plus, Pro, and Elite plans
• Integration with CRMs for Elite plan

Payment Gateway/Processors:

Stripe, Square, Paypal for Pro plan and above. Authorize.Net for Elite plan.

Best for:

Any site that needs to include a variety of forms and accept payments through them. Form types include registration forms, surveys, and contact forms, and there are over 1,800 templates available.

Pricing:

The Pro plan, which is required to accept payments, starts at $199.50 per year, with no additional transaction fees. The Elite plan starts at $299.50.

Get started with WPForms today!

BONUS TIP

With OptinMonster, you can easily integrate WPForms with your popup campaigns! See how in this quick video:

3. Easy Digital Downloads

Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) is my go-to WordPress plugin for selling digital products.

This particular plugin might not be a good fit for you if you’re selling physical products, but if you’re solely dealing with digital goods, then you can count on it to handle all your transactions..

It’s easy to work with, it has advanced functionality, and great customer support.

We use it at OptinMonster, and it never fails us. You can read our full Easy Digital Downloads review to get more details.

Features:

• Full shopping cart
• Discount codes
• Download activity tracking
• Full data reporting
• Customer account page
• Unlimited file downloads

Payment Gateways/Processors:

PayPal at Personal plan and above. The Extended plan and above includes all of EDD’s payment gateway extensions, which include Stripe and Authorize.net.

Best for:

Any business that deals primarily in downloadable digital products. If you do offer a small number of physical products, the Professional plan offers basic product management functionality.

Pricing:

The Personal plan starts at $89.50 per year, with no additional transaction fees. If you want access to more advanced payment gateways, the Extended plan starts at $199.50 per year. For more advanced functionality, such as physical product management, choose the Professional ($269.55) or All Acces ($449.55).

4. MemberPress

MemberPress is the very best WordPress membership plugin, and it lets you accept payments through PayPal and Stripe.

What are membership plugins for? These tools let you require users to log in to access members-only content. This content could include online courses, subscription-only blogs, downloadables, or member-only products.

MemberPress won’t be right for just any business, but it’s an excellent choice if you use a membership or subscription-based business model.

Features:

• Recurring payments
• Locked downloads
• Flexible payment gateway
• Pricing pages
• Paywall
• Coupons

Payment Gateways/Processors:

PayPal and Stripe

Pricing:

The pricing starts at $179.50 per year for the Basic plan, with no transaction fees. It goes up to $399.50 per year for the Pro plan.

5. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is one of the most well-known WordPress plugins on the market.

It’s the perfect option for those who want to run full-fledged eCommerce stores, because it has plenty of useful features.

Most WordPress eCommerce websites use WooCommerce as their main plugin. If you’re doing eCommerce, you should give it a try.

Features:

• Extensive list of additions and plugins
• Stripe integration
• Stripe refunds
• A wide variety of themes
• Fast mobile checkout

Payment Gateways/Processors:

WooPayments, Stripe, Paypal, Square, and more

Best for:

Online store owners who want an extremely customizable experience.

Pricing:

WooCommerce’s basic WordPress plugin is free. For more advanced features, WooCommerce offers a wide variety of free and paid extensions, so you can tailor your payment plugin to have exactly what you need.

6. WP Full Pay

WP Full Pay is a beginner-friendly WordPress Stripe payment plugin.

It doesn’t require coding, it’s easy to use, and it’s trusted by over 7,000 users.

The vast majority of payment management tasks can be done inside the WordPress dashboard, so it’s not confusing even if you’ve never used a similar plugin in the past.

Features:

• Recurring payments
• Donations
• Settling invoices
• Collecting customer payment information
• Secure payments

Payment Gateway/Processor:

Stripe

Best for:

WordPress sites that want to be able to quickly and easily start accepting payments for one-time purchases, donations, or subscriptions.

Pricing:

There is a free basic version of the plugin. For more features, the Starter plan is $49 per year with no transaction fees, and pricing tops out at $269 per year for the Agency plan.

7. Accept Stripe Payments

Accept Stripe Payments does exactly what the name says it does. It’s a WordPress plugin created specifically for those who want to receive payments through Stripe.

It’s simple, and it doesn’t have advanced functionality. All you can use it for is to add “Buy now” or “Donate now” buttons on your website with the help of shortcode.

Features:

• Responsive
• Flexible placement
• One-click payments
• Stripe payment history
• Easy installation

Payment Gateway/Processor:

Stripe

Best for:

Individuals and small websites with low sales or donations or that are just getting started.

Pricing:

Free

8. LearnDash

LearnDash is a learning management system (LMS) plugin for WordPress. In simpler terms, it helps users sell online courses in a format similar to Udemy.

Just like MemberPress and WooCommerce, LearnDash is not a standalone payment plugin, but it allows you to receive payments for your courses.

Features:

• One-time payment or subscription courses
• Automatic user enrollment after payment
• Course and group management
• Beautiful design
• Detailed reporting

Payment Gateways/Processors:

PayPal and Stripe

Best for:

Websites that offer a significant number of online courses.

Pricing:

The LearnDash LMS plugin starts at $199 per year for a single site. It’s $399 a year for up to 10 sites and $799 for unlimited.

What’s the Best WordPress Payment Plugin for My Business?

The list we put together has several standalone payment plugins, as well as more robust plugins that have a more targeted purpose.

• If you want something efficient and easy to install, your best option would be a standalone payment plugin like WP Simple Pay.
• If you need to host multiple types of forms on your site, WPForms is the best plugin.
• For subscription or membership-based sites, MemberPress would be a better choice.
• Full eCommerce stores should consider WooCommerce
• Educational sites should look into LearnDash.

In short, there is no single best payment plugin for WordPress. Instead, you should choose the one that best fits your business’s needs.

Get More Sales Through Your Payment Plugin

I hope this article helps you find the best WordPress Stripe payment plugin for your business!

If you found it helpful, then you might want to also check out these resources:

• 15 Best WordPress eCommerce Plugins
• 23 Best WooCommerce Themes for Your Online Store
• 11 Best WordPress Marketing Plugins (Compared)
• Ultimate eCommerce Optimization Guide: 13 Steps to Instantly Boost Revenue

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