The WordPress widget vs. plugin topic is a confusing concept for many who have never used WordPress as a blogging platform or content management system for their website before. Here we will explain WordPress widget vs plugin to help give readers an idea of the difference between these two handy WordPress tools.
If you are considering building a WordPress website or blog, you will notice there are tons of WordPress tools you can use to build your blog including plugins and widgets. However, because these items are both very similar and contain quite a few of the same characteristics in how they operate on a person’s blog, it can be difficult to know which is which. Continue reading about the WordPress plugin vs. widget to learn more about the difference so you can properly use these tools to enhance your WordPress blog.
WordPress Widgets vs. Plugins:
A WordPress plugin works for your blog or website by allowing the web designer to add a function of some sort to WordPress by downloading a software script. There are many of these WordPress plugins available. In fact, they have plugins for better search engine optimization, plugins for post sharing, contact generator and so much more. There are thousands of these plugins available that have been designed by professional WordPress web designers. You can use plugins to accomplish many tasks on your blog including the WordPress affiliate program plugin so you can begin making money blogging with your WordPress blog. If you want to sell products or services on your blog, you might also want to consider adding a WordPress shopping cart plugin on your blog or site.
With widgets, this is more of an object or quick and easy tool that you add to your blog’s sidebar. This is usually derived from a plugin, which is why it can get confusing when comparing plugins and widgets. If you want to look for some fun widgets to add to your blog, you can check under the Appearance section of your WordPress blog dashboard. Under the widgets tab, you can find a huge selection of widgets to choose from. Keep in mind that adding WordPress widgets to your blog is a great way to install handy tools that will be appealing and useful to your web followers. It is a good idea to have these widgets so your followers can more easily follow what you have listed on your blog in terms of finding old content, searching for posts, etc. You want to make your website as user friendly as possible and adding widgets to your blog is a great way to do that. The sidebar with the widgets is one of the most happening places on your blog other than content, so it is important that this area not go neglected.
In short, with the widget vs. plugin debate, a widget is essentially a plugin that you can drag and drop around your WordPress blog or website. The plugin is a script that is downloaded that improves the functionality of your blog in both the front end for the user and the back end for you as the website admin. Use this to help you remember the difference between plugins and widgets: WordPress widgets are always plugins, but plugins are not always widgets.
Hopefully keeping this in mind can help you learn the difference between these two different types of handy WordPress tools. Keep in mind that both are essential to how your blog operates and functions. There are tons of helpful WordPress widgets and plugins out there. Find the ones that work best for you. The best part is that the WordPress web designers that make these tools most often offer these awesome tools for free. So trial and error which plugins and widgets work best for you and your WordPress site. Be careful to not overload your WordPress site with too many of these tools, however or you will risk slowing down the loading times of your website too much.