The Ultimate WordPress PRO Setup for 2024 - ViSPR

Last Updated: November 17th, 2023

The Ultimate WordPress Pro Setup

WordPress is super flexible and powerful and is by far the most used CMS system on the internet. The latest statistics reveal that WP accounts for about 32% (Update Nov. 22: 44%) of the entire Web and 59% of CMS-built websites.

After 15+ years of developing websites and online shops, I have seen WordPress come a long way. When looking at client sites that have been developed by other agencies, I am regularly shocked by what I find. Not a single backup, no updates in years, and no security installed at all. That is the default for most WP sites I come across. No wonder hackers have a feast with WordPress.

That is why I want to take the opportunity to show you the ultimate WordPress PRO setup that I install on every single WP project before I even start with the first page or piece of content.

The following is a hand-curated list of (mostly) FREE plugins you need to install when you want to have a secure and high-performing website. I will not go into any details about each plugin’s configuration, as this would blow the post out of proportion. Most of these plugins have a pretty self-explanatory setup or install-wizard anyway.

If you are a WP pro, this should be your everyday standard, but it will take you about 2-3 days to install and configure all of this when you are new to WordPress. Yes, it is a chore but totally worth it, as you will learn the ropes and find your way around much better after completing this WordPress PRO setup. Your reward will be a website with a solid foundation that works properly, is secure and up to speed, and easily indexed by Google.

When looking for new plugins, it is always a good start to search the WordPress plugin repository first. There are more than 50.000 free plugins, and even most of the premium plugins list a free lite version that often covers the essential functionality well enough. You can always upgrade to premium later.

Sorted by categories to make it easier to navigate

Security & Backups

Update Nov. 23:

Ever had a plugin update crash your site? Install this and thank me later:

Need some serious security for your WordPress site? Check out the paid-only Sucuri Firewall https://sucuri.net/. Yes, it’s worth it!

Site Migration https://wordpress.org/plugins/all-in-one-wp-migration/

Yes, there are two overlapping security plugins on that list, and I always use them in parallel. When you have lost a whole client-server with a high score of live websites, it will be too late to start thinking about web security!

Always keep all your plugins updated, have a backup in place, and install the two-factor authentication plugin from Wordfence, and you should be golden.

Page Speed

Nothing is as frustrating as a slow page load speed. You should speed-check yours with Pingdom Tools and learn what you can improve.

Make sure to get a dedicated WordPress hosting that uses an unbreakable cloud-based setup and CDN or connect the free version of Cloudflare yourself.

Update Nov. 22:

Siteground has its own WordPress optimization plugins to squeeze the optimum performance out of your site. Check out Siteground Hosting for WordPress.

Just take a look at my Pingdom Results before and after migration.

This is BEFORE on my old hosting:

This is AFTER the migration to Siteground Hosting for WordPress.

SEO - Search Engine Optimization

UPDATE Nov.23: Rank Math recently added a Content AI for only 4 USD per month instead of paying 20 USD for the OpenAI subscription.

Site Kit by Google https://wordpress.org/plugins/google-site-kit/

Connected your WordPress PRO setup to the Google Search Console.

Page Analytics & Tracking Pixels

Update Nov.22: Beehive Analytics from WPMU DEV https://wordpress.org/plugins/beehive-analytics/

Update Nov. 23: Adding Analytify back to this list again.

Visual Page Builder

Update Nov. 23: A/B Split Testing for Elementor https://absplittest.com/

Form Builder

Formcraft Pro on Codecanyon

Update Nov. 22: If you are looking for form functionality, check the freemium version of Formidable Forms https://wordpress.org/plugins/formidable/.

Update Nov. 23: Now I usually go with WPForms.

Email Marketing
GDPR & CCPA Compliance
Multilanguage
WordPress Themes

Themeforest.net

Update Nov. 23: Be aware of Themeforest’s new license policy.