The Digital Insider | Category: Development

5+ Useful WordPress Plugins You Should Check Out in 2024

WordPress’s immense popularity stems from its robust ecosystem of tools, ease of use, and flexibility. Themes and plugins are central to its versatility. Plugins, in particular, allow users to extend the functionality of their WordPress sites effectively.

Plugins are, in fact, indispensable for adding complex features to a site, eliminating the need for extensive coding or high development costs.

If the term plugin is new to you, you can think of it as an app or add-on for your website. The WordPress library, with over 50,000 plugins, offers extensive design capabilities, allowing you to unlock the full potential of WordPress itself.

A general understanding of what WordPress plugins can do and how they can leverage a website’s value and operational efficiency is key to successful website design and development.

In this collection, you’ll examine seven top WordPress plugins, each excelling in its specific area of functionality.

What You Need to Consider When Selecting a WordPress Plugin

Purpose & Requirements: Clearly define what you are looking for, e.g., SEO, social media integration, eCommerce capabilities, etc.
Plugin Ratings & Reviews: Make it a point to find out what other users experienced, e.g., excellent results, problems encountered, and the level of support received.
Compatibility: Make certain the plugin is compatible with the version of WordPress you are using and also compatible with themes or other plugins your website is using.
Update Frequency: Plugins should have been updated frequently enough to incorporate improvements, fix bugs, and remain compatible with WordPress.
Support & Documentation: Good documentation can help you troubleshoot issues and make the most of the plugin’s features. Robust customer support is also important.
Security: Choose plugins from developers that deliver high-quality, secure code.
Performance Impact Poorly coded plugins or those overloaded with extra features could slow down your site (and add to your design workflow).
Cost: Free is great if you are certain that that option meets your needs. It’s always a good idea to see if the extras a premium version offers will work to your advantage.

The Best WordPress Plugins in 2024 for Your Website Projects

1. Amelia – WordPress Booking Plugin for Appointments & Events

TL;DR: Amelia is the best choice for service-oriented businesses needing to automate and streamline their appointment booking operations.

Click the video to see this plugin in action.

Spas, fitness centers, photographic studios, and other service-oriented businesses can save time and money by installing Amelia’s capabilities while at the same time profiting from increased customer or client satisfaction. With Amelia, event and appointment booking can be managed at multiple locations from a single website platform.

Veterinarian services including dog-walking, vacation care, and other special services can also make excellent use of Amelia, Petcare template.

User Experience: “Amelia is a great booking tool that has a nice look and feel right out of the box. It is a bit overwhelming at first because of the many settings you have but the customer service support is great. I can’t recommend this plugin enough.”
Client Avgerage Grade: 4.8 on Capterra.
Types of Support Material: Discord Group, documentation, and YouTube videos.

View Amelia

2. wpDataTables – WordPress Table Plugin

TL;DR: wpDataTables’ ease of use and powerful data management features allow users to quickly create editable and responsive tables and charts.

Click the video to see this plugin in action.

The wpDataTables plugin has long been known for allowing users to work with massive amounts of complex data. Its new Multiple Database Connections functionality goes a step further by enabling users to simultaneously connect to diverse servers.

Users have the ability to create a virtually unlimited variety of tables and charts. This pricing table template, for example, features nine different formats ranging from simplistic to more complex. wpDataTables’ conditional formatting and other customization options provide a powerful means for highlighting critical data.

User Experience: “The support team helped resolve the compatibility issues with my theme. Really helpful and willing to go the extra way to ensure that the plugin works well in any environment.”
Client Avgerage Grade: 4.83/5.
Types of Support Material: Documentation and YouTube videos.

View wpDataTables

3. Classic Editor WordPress Plugin

TL;DR: The Classic Editor plugin restores the long-time favorite WordPress editor and “Edit Post” screen.

Click the video to see this plugin in action.

Classic Editor will continue to be supported for as long as it is needed. The plugin allows users to manage default editors or give users the ability to make changes on their own.

User Experience: “Thank you for this plugin. I deactivated it a few months ago, trying to get used to the block editor. A nightmare. No more! I have wasted enough time already in frustration, trying to figure out how to put it to use. Back to classic!”
Client Avgerage Grade: 4.9/5.

View Classic Editor

4. Slider Revolution – More Than Just a WordPress Slider

TL;DR: The Slider Revolution plugin is an excellent choice for anyone interested in creating animated sliders that range from engaging to jaw-dropping.

Click the video to see this plugin in action.

Slider Revolution’s top feature isn’t a single tool or function, it’s the many different ways it can be used to create sliders and web page content that will absolutely “wow” its visitors.

Designers or developers can upgrade a run-of-the-mill website to something special in minutes. Think of the last time you saw an advertisement for a Horsemanship training center: still images of happy-looking people on horseback. Now see what Slider Revolution can do with this Professional Training slider template.

Needless to say, Slider Revolution is ideal for one-page websites and portfolio websites.

User Experience: “Great plugin with some impressive features! Support reps are top notch all around and Abid was especially helpful.”
Client Avgerage Grade: 4.2/5 on Trustpilot.
Types of Support Material: Support manual and YouTube videos.

View Slider Revolution

5. LayerSlider – Best WordPress Slider Builder Plugin

TL;DR: LayerSlider is the best WordPress plugin for making creative sliders, slideshows, and popups.

Click the video to see this plugin in action.

LayerSlider enables its users to create a live connection between a site’s content and its visitors, whether the animated content is in a slider, a page section, a popup, or a banner for marketing purposes. Its highly customizable interface and advanced features were designed to make beginners and experts alike feel right at home.

The features and templates of LayerSlider provide a universal multi-purpose solution for all kinds of websites. “Fragrance Fantasy” for example, is a template tailored for salons and lifestyle blogs where perfume comes to life in a symphony of colors and scents. This and other templates can be easily customized by adding your own content.

Client Insight:“Super easy to use and the animations are just wow.”
Types of Support Material: Support manual, built-in help in LayerSlider’s Project Editor, direct email, and ticket system.

View LayerSlider

6. Essential Grid – WordPress Gallery Plugin

TL;DR: Essential Grid is an easy to work with WordPress Gallery Plugin for businesses and creatives looking for a way to create breathtaking galleries.

Click the video to see this plugin in action.

If you envision any gallery layout, you can create it with Essential Grid. If you can’t envision one, Essential Grid will also be able to help you.

All the tools you need are at your fingertips, plus you can use any of 50+ customizable templates designed to help you create an impressive gallery at a lightning-fast speed. Check out Essential Grids’ Dark Portfolio template with its impressive hover effects.

You can create as many skin variations as you want, choose masonry, cobbles, or any other type of layout, and mix and match the grids until you’re satisfied.

User Experience: “The tool is powerful and very well designed. The support team is incredibly fast, friendly and efficient! All the best to you!”
Client Avgerage Grade: 4.8/5 on Trustpilot.
Types of Support Material: YouTube videos and Support manual.

View Essential Grid

7. Brizy Website Builder

TL;DR: The expertly crafted Brizy WordPress website builder is great for those new to website building, but powerful enough for tech-savvy users as well.

Click the video to see this plugin in action.

Brizy is well suited for small businesses, freelancers, and agencies looking to launch a small to medium-sized website. Distinct PRO features for marketers include 3^rd party tool integrations, popups, and membership features.

The design kit includes a collection of 500+ blocks designed to make it possible to create a website in minutes.

Brizy’s SAAS landing page template shows how easy website creation can be, especially when you have the needed content at your fingertips.

User Experience: “I’ve been using Brizy for a while now, and their support team is outstanding. Quick, knowledgeable, and always ready to help. They’ve made our website design experience a breeze. Highly recommend Brizy for their exceptional support and user-friendly platform.”
Client Avgerage Grade: 4.4/5 on Trustpilot/
Types of Support Material: Academy with Video Courses, Written DocumentationSupport Manual, Ticket Help-desk, YouTube videos & Facebook Group.

View Brizy

Choosing the Right WordPress Plugin

Choosing the right WordPress plugins for your website is crucial for maximizing its potential in terms of functionality and overall performance. Knowing upfront what you need in a plugin, checking its compatibility, and assessing user reviews are crucial to making the right acquisition. The plugins featured here offer robust solutions for various website requirements and represent the best in their respective niches.

Whether you choose Amelia’s all-inclusive booking system or wpDataTables’ powerful data management system or elect to take advantage of the WordPress Classic Editor, the Revolution Slider or LayerSlider dynamic content tools, or what Essential Grid and Brizy offer, you can appreciably improve your website’s functionality, user experience, or visual appeal.

Quick Recap

WP Plugin	Summary	Standout Feature
Amelia	The best plugin for service-oriented businesses needing to automate and streamline their appointment booking operations.	Great selection of booking and appointment services.
wpDataTables	Powerful data management plugin for quickly creating editable and responsive tables and charts.	A Multiple Database Connections capability.
Classic Editor	Classic Editor plugin restores the long-time favorite WordPress editor and “Edit Post” screen.	Used to extend post screens and add old-style meta boxes.
Slider Revolution	Excellent plugin for creating animated sliders that range from engaging to jaw-dropping.	The ability to add visual “wow” effects without having to rely on coding.
LayerSlider	The best WordPress plugin for making creative sliders, slideshows, and popups.	Highly customizable interface.
Essential Grid	Easy to work with WordPress Gallery Plugin for businesses and creatives looking for a way to design breathtaking galleries.	50+ unique grid skins.
Brizy	The expertly crafted Brizy WordPress website builder is especially suited for use by non-technical users.	Perfectly suited for non-techies.

50+ Best Photoshop Actions for Stunning Art Effects

Editing photos can be time-consuming, but Photoshop actions can streamline your workflow and produce stunning, professional results quickly.

To help you find the best options, we’ve curated a collection of art-inspired Photoshop actions to transform your photos. Whether you’re a digital designer, illustrator, or photographer, these actions will add creativity and style to your work.

Our selection includes effects to suit every taste. There’s something for everyone, from pencil sketches and watercolors to modern and pop art. These actions turn your photos into works of art, reflecting traditional painting and drawing techniques.

With just a few clicks, you can convert ordinary photos and graphics into oil paintings or create the nostalgic feel of vintage film. With these actions, you can have the artistic results you’ve always wanted!

The Top Art Effect Photoshop Actions for Creatives

Enamel Pin Photoshop Action

This Photoshop action styles photos into fun, colorful metal pins. With three metal colors to choose from, you have plenty of options here. This action works with text layers, vector shapes, and much more.

50+ Best Photoshop Actions for Stunning Art Effects

Cartoon Paint Photoshop Action

A cartoon action like this transforms everyday photos into fantastic artwork, adding a stylish aesthetic to your favorite shots. It works best with 2000x4000px dimension photos, delivering maximum style. It’s quick and easy to use, requiring no artistic talent!

Pencil Sketch Art Photoshop Action

Pencil sketches are a creative way to illustrate. This Photoshop action set lets you quickly add a sketching style to your photos. The set also includes brushes and patterns for added effects.

GlowArt Photoshop Action

Are you looking for a funky, contemporary feel in your photography? GlowArt is the Photoshop action for you. With a single click, it will add a vibrant glow to any photo.

Vintage Art Photoshop Action

Vintage effects add a timeless aesthetic to your favorite photos. They never go out of style and work well with portraits and landscapes. By applying this action, you will see your photos transform before your eyes.

Photo Art Gaming Photoshop Action

These Photoshop actions will style your images and graphics to look like video game covers. They’re especially useful for gamers sharing their artwork on social media. The pack also includes pattern sets.

Creative Art Photoshop Action

For an abstract effect, the Creative Art Photoshop action is hard to beat. It is well-suited for action and sports photos. With a few clicks, you’ll create stunning effects that almost seem as if they are in motion.

Vintage Effect Photoshop Action

Here is another Photoshop action with vintage styling. It converts photos to a faded, sepia tone and adds retro hues to every image you edit.

Movie Poster Art Photoshop Action

Movie posters have a unique style. With these Photoshop actions, you can bring that style to your favorite photos. Prepare to see colors pop and contrasts sharpen when you apply these effects.

Cyborg Photoshop Action

The Cyborg Photoshop actions offer a sci-fi effect for portrait photos. With two actions included, you can choose your preferred character design. The pack also includes Photoshop brushes and various color options.

Halloween Photoshop Action

Are you searching for spooky effects for your favorite Halloween photos? This is a purpose-built action pack for scary photos. Choose from various resolution options while editing. It features HDR effects that boost colors and contrast, and you can apply it with just a single click.

Sport Poster Effect Photoshop Action

Designed for sports posters, these Photoshop actions add a starry red backdrop. It works best for subjects that are in motion. The modern styling applies instantly, with geometric elements dropping into place. It’s a futuristic design for all your sports photos.

Art Work Photoshop Action

The Art Work Photoshop action pack helps the subjects of images stand out. With this pack, you’ll see backgrounds disappear, replaced with an abstract 3D concrete layout.

Posterize Effect Photoshop Action

With this Photoshop action pack, you can create elegant poster designs. With a single click, any portrait photo can be transformed into a stunning, posterized graphic.

Grunge Portrait Photoshop Action

The effect these Photoshop actions produce will turn any portrait into a decolorized, hand-drawn work of art. Brush and action files are included in the download pack. This action works best with portrait-style photos.

Old Newspaper Photoshop Action

Old newspapers have an unmistakable look and feel, from the typesetting to the slightly blurry photos. With this Photoshop action pack, you can bring this aesthetic to your photos. For maximum impact, wider photos are recommended.

Watercolor Photoshop Action

Watercolor artwork is a popular style, especially for landscape photos. With these actions, you can apply watercolor styling to any photo with a single click. Though designed for portraits, these actions will work on any image.

Plastic Wrapped Overlay Photoshop Action

The Plastic Wrapped Overlay Photoshop action pack is ideal for portrait subjects with a neutral yet stylish backdrop. This pack focuses on color contrasts. With a single click, you can apply a solid 3D background to the portrait photo of your choice.

Crack Stone Photoshop Action

These actions will add a cracked stone effect to your photos and graphics. They work with portraits and landscapes alike. It’s not a style you’ll likely use every day, but it’s handy to have in your editing toolbox. Multiple files are included, with documentation available. Single-click editing makes the process a breeze from start to finish.

Mirror Effect Photoshop Action

Mirror effects are powerful edits that work well with many types of photos. With these actions, you’ll see mirrored rings around your portrait subjects. It’s a sure way to help your photos get a second look from casual viewers.

Engraved Money Photoshop Action

Think of the portraits you’ve seen on printed money. Remember the iconic green stripes and portrait effects? You can add the effect to your photos with these custom actions. Use them to create fun designs for posters, blog posts, social media, and more.

Aquarelle Photoshop Action

Aquarelle is an artistic option for adding abstract watercolor effects to your images. With these color presets, you can easily tailor a photo’s palette to fit your style.

Sketch Painting Photoshop Action

Sketch paintings are a great way to be creative. Apply their aesthetic to the photos of your choice by using this Photoshop action pack. They work with just a single click and are well-suited to editors of all skill levels. You can create spectacular artwork in moments.

Pixel Sorting Photoshop Action

Pixel effects give the illusion of motion in still images. The Pixel Sorting Photoshop action pack allows you to add this effect to your top shots. This effect works best when applied to an action photo.

Fake Blueprint Photoshop Action

Have you ever wanted to create blueprint designs for your photo collection? It’s a terrific way to create modern, geometric designs. Now you can, with these Photoshop actions. Blueprint images are artsy and add a dose of contemporary cool to any wall or workspace.

Code Art Photoshop Actions

Code Art is an excellent choice for adding coding effects to your photographs. It works with portraits and full-body photos and includes ten color effects. Apply the action, and your image file will be layered and organized accordingly. This one’s a real time-saver.

Pencil Art Photoshop Actions

This action pack replicates the look of a pencil drawing in your photographs. Once the action generates the graphical elements, you can adjust them to suit your needs. It is non-destructive and includes six paper textures, eight color corrections, 28 brushes, and 14 patterns.

Mixed Art Photoshop Action

Another great option is the Mixed Art action pack. This Photoshop action can be applied with just one click, resulting in a look that replicates a watercolor painting.

Retro Art Photoshop Action

If you want to add a retro aesthetic to your photos, you’ll want to add the Retro Art Photoshop action kit to your toolbox. It adds an exciting artistic effect to your photos.

Chroma Art Photoshop Action

The Chroma Art Photoshop Action makes it easy to transform your photos into pieces of art that look like mixed-media artwork. It also comes with ten color presets that can be applied with a single click.

Drawing Art Animation Photoshop Action

The Drawing Art Animation Photoshop action adds a cool effect to your photographs. It is a time-saver that makes it easy to give your images the look of a hand-drawn piece of art.

Grunge Art Photoshop Action

This Grunge Art Photoshop action adds a dark and gritty look to your photographs. With a few clicks, you can give your images a real moody look with minimal effort. While this action works as expected, the results can be different each time to create a truly unique effect.

Piratum Map Art Photoshop Action

The Piratum Map Art Photoshop action offers a highly unique effect. When applied to your photos, it turns the image into a vintage-looking graphic, like a hand-drawn map. The result is an old-style graphic with tons of geographical details.

Sketch Art Photoshop Action

The Sketch Art Photoshop Action transforms your photo into a realistic painting while keeping the underlying sketch visible. It automatically creates all the necessary layers, which can be adjusted manually. The download includes ten brushes, five textures, and a quick start guide.

Spray Paint Photoshop Action

The Spray Paint Photoshop action is a set of 10 different effects you can apply to your photos immediately. Each effect creates the look of spray paint art. The result mimics edgy street art.

Pixel Art Photoshop Action

The Pixel Art Photoshop Action is another fantastic choice for your creative projects. It adds a retro, pixelated appearance to any image you apply it to. The result is a photo that looks like it came from the 1980s or 90s. Once used, you can adjust individual layers and gradient masks to refine the look further.

Blood Art Photoshop Action

The Blood Art Photoshop Action will turn any photo you choose into a moody and distinct artwork. Once applied, it adds a sort of cloudy blood effect. It comes with ten color effects.

Pixel Art Photoshop Actions

Another option is the Pixel Art Photoshop Action. This action turns your photo into a retro-looking image that looks like it came from a vintage video game. It comes with 21 actions, 32 tones, various color palettes, and more.

Ink Art Photoshop Action

The Ink Art Photoshop Action turns your photos into something that looks like it’s been hand-drawn. The result mimics Sumi-e-styled ink wash artwork. After you apply the effect, you can tweak various settings to customize the outcome.

Street Art Photoshop Action

You might also want to consider the Street Art Photoshop Action. As its name would suggest, this action transforms your images into street art. It works best with portraits and inanimate objects, and the result makes it appear as though a graffiti artist had drawn parts of the photo.

Modern Art Photoshop Action

Another option is this Modern Art Photoshop action pack. This action combines the look of real photography with watercolor and acrylic paint effects, creating a truly unique look. To use it, all you need to do is fill the subject of your photo with a color and then click play on the action.

Mix Art Photoshop Action

As its name suggests, the Mix Art Photoshop Action pack makes it easy to turn ordinary photos into pieces of mixed-media art. It comes with ten color presets, is easy to use, and allows for extra customization once applied.

Newspaper Art Photoshop Action

Give your images the appearance of newspaper print with the Newspaper Art Photoshop Action. It will turn your image into an abstract piece of art by adding letters and tidbits of newspaper graphics into geometric patterns that make up the subject of your photo.

Digital Art Photoshop Action

What an excellent effect this action creates! The Digital Art Photoshop Action turns your photographs into images that look as though they’ve been hand-painted. The result is highly realistic, with all the textures expected from an oil or acrylic painting. It works best on portraits and inanimate objects and can be customized to suit your needs.

Oil Paint Animation Photoshop Action

Instead of endlessly adjusting settings, use the Oil Paint Animation Photoshop action set to give your photographs the appearance of being manually painted.

Vintage Art Photoshop Action

This Photoshop action set combines splashes, brushes, and colors to create an artistic vintage look. It’s easy to apply and creates a professional look with minimal effort.

Street Art Photoshop Action

Here’s another action that brings the look of street art to your photographs. It includes 11 graffiti tags, five rugged wall styles, and ten color effects to create many different looks.

Concept Mix Art Photoshop Action

The Concept Mix Art Photoshop Action would be an excellent addition to your collection. It turns your photos into mixed media pieces with the look of watercolor splashes and pen marks. Use it on portraits, figures, and inanimate objects.

Fine Art Mobile Photoshop Action (and Lightroom Presets)

The Fine Art Mobile Photoshop Action comes with 11 different presets, making it easy to give your photos a modern look.

Watercolor Splash Art Photoshop Action

Last in our collection is the Watercolor Splash Art Photoshop Action. This set gives your photo a watercolor look with plenty of splatter effects. Use it on any image, and customize the final layers the action creates to match your style.

How to Install Photoshop Actions

Download and unzip the action file.
Launch Photoshop.
Go to Window > Actions.
Select Load Actions from the menu and go to the folder where you saved the unzipped action file to select it.
The Action will now be installed.
To use the newly installed action, locate it in the Action panel.
Click the triangle to the left of the action name to see the list of available actions.
Click the action you want to play and press the play button at the bottom of the Actions panel.

Art Effect Photoshop Action FAQs

What are art effects Photoshop actions?

Art effects actions are pre-set edits for Photoshop that add various artistic styles to your photos.
Are these actions compatible with all versions of Photoshop?

Most actions are designed to work with a wide range of Photoshop versions, but checking their compatibility with your specific version is advisable.
Can I apply these actions to different types of image files, such as RAW or JPEG?

These actions can be used with various image file types, including RAW and JPEG. However, the level of adjustment may vary based on the file format.
Are these actions suitable for both digital and traditional art styles?

These art effect actions can improve photos in ways that suit both digital and traditional artistic styles, offering versatility to artists.
Can I customize or combine multiple actions to create unique effects?

Certainly! You can adjust the opacity and layer blending modes and even combine multiple actions to achieve customized and distinctive artistic results.

Conclusion

These Photoshop actions offer a wide range of artistic possibilities, from turning a photo into a watercolor painting to giving it the appearance of an oil canvas.

These actions control elements like color, texture, and style but leave plenty of room for your own creative touches. Enjoy!

Industry experts call for tailored AI rules in post-election UK

As the UK gears up for its general election, industry leaders are weighing in on the potential impact on technology and AI regulation. With economic challenges at the forefront of political debates, experts argue that the next government must prioritise technological innovation and efficiency to drive…

Why Fixing Websites Is a Growth Opportunity for Freelancers

For years, freelance web designers have been encouraged to book new projects. It’s how I built my business. I’m betting that many more have done the same.

There’s great appeal in building a new website. It’s a chance for a fresh start. You can use the best tools for the job. The experience is even better if you are unencumbered with technical debt.

It can also be a lucrative business – but there are challenges. You’ll need to book clients with a sizeable budget. You’ll also need to find a way to stand out among competitors. That’s one path to success.

There are other ways to make money, though. The growing complexity of the web creates a different opportunity for web designers.

Think of all the websites out there. Consider how many of them are “broken” or poorly maintained. An enterprising freelancer could train their focus on these clients.

Let’s examine the pros and cons of fixing websites.

An Opportunity Years in the Making

There is no shortage of virtual fixer-uppers. You don’t have to look far to see outdated and neglected websites. But why?

I believe much of it stems from content management systems (CMS). Tools like WordPress offer plenty of possibilities for a great website. However, they also require education and commitment.

Sometimes, an entrepreneur may attempt to build it themselves. But, they will soon find that they’re in over their head. Or they don’t know the ingredients of a stable and performant site.

Even those who hire a web professional can run into problems. That web designer may have done a terrific job. However, they may not have communicated the importance of maintenance.

Continued care is required to keep things running smoothly. Outdated themes, plugins, and core software will turn any site into a bucket of bolts.

Website owners aren’t likely to call for help until something is wrong. It appears to be a common issue these days.

I’m Not a Hero – Just a Web Designer

Longtime freelancers know the drill. You receive an email from a panicked website owner. They’re not a client. However, their site has crashed, been hacked – or maybe both. They need to get it fixed right away.

How do you respond? It’s easier to say “no” if you’re busy. Perhaps you have enough clients. But if not?

There’s an opportunity to play the part of hero. It’s also a chance to make money and establish a relationship.

Fixing this person’s site could lead to bigger things. Since you have their attention, you can use that time to make recommendations.

For example, their site may have other issues that need fixing. Things like accessibility and security could be lacking. Maybe they need a complete overhaul.

Helping a client in a difficult situation can create trust. It may be just the motivation they need to level up. You have a chance to guide them in the right direction.

What’s Lurking Inside That Website?

Website rehabilitation is not without risk. What you see on the surface is one thing. What lies beneath is another.

It’s among the downsides of inheriting a website. You’re stepping into uncharted territory. That often leads you down the proverbial rabbit hole.

Maybe the site was built using unfamiliar tools. Or it’s so riddled with malware that you can’t find the root cause. These issues aren’t for the faint of heart.

There are also questions about the client. How did their website get into this state? Did they have a poor relationship with their last designer? Did they pay their bills on time?

Sure, people can change. But you’ll want to find out why their site is in disrepair. You may find some red flags that scream, “Stay away!”

Perhaps this is the biggest hurdle for freelancers. The willingness to accept risk and dive in headfirst are musts. Not everyone will have the stomach for it.

Pricing is also a concern. Estimating the cost of a fix isn’t easy. So, develop a formula that protects you from taking a loss on a messy site.

Is This the Right Path for You?

Website maintenance services are popping up all over the place. They often consist of teams of developers ready to get to work. There’s a good reason for it. The market needs experts who can turn online garbage into gold.

It’s not as simple a path for freelancers, though. You’ll have to weigh the potential benefits against the drawbacks.

Signing up for these types of projects may take away from other opportunities. But they could be a steady source of revenue. You might also turn them into yearly maintenance clients. And you’ll also be in line to handle the inevitable redesign.

Still, looking at broken websites all day isn’t for everyone. The remediation process can be stressful. Meanwhile, clients are waiting with bated breath for a solution.

There’s plenty of business for those interested in this type of work. It’s unlikely to go away any time soon, as the way we build modern websites almost guarantees it.

Microsoft details ‘Skeleton Key’ AI jailbreak

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Use ChatGPT to Export Data from a WordPress Database

Retrieving data from a WordPress site can be a nightmare. Site data could reside in several places. Pulling from these various sources isn’t easy.

Websites that feature eCommerce or memberships are prime examples. Each plugin may store data in a different spot. Some create separate database tables. Others use the default WordPress locales.

Export plugins exist that help in some – but not all – circumstances. For example, you might be able to export customer orders. However, grabbing additional data not directly related to those orders may not be possible.

Writing a custom query is another option. But you’ll need to know your way around PHP and MySQL. Not everyone has the expertise to do so.

Artificial intelligence (AI) can help. As I discovered, tools like ChatGPT can do the dirty work. It simplified the process and saved me loads of time. Perhaps it saved my sanity as well.

Here’s how to use AI to get what you need from the WordPress database.

Before We Get Started

There are a few items we should mention before starting:

Back up Your Site’s Database or Create a Local Copy of Your Site
None of what we’re doing here should hurt your database. However, create a fresh backup – just in case.
You can also create a local copy of your site for experimenting. That enables you to work without the risk of harming your production website.
Have Access to a ChatGPT Account
We’re using ChatGPT for this demo. Therefore, you’ll want to have access to a free account. You can follow along and experiment.

Other AI tools, such as Google Gemini, may also work. The point is to use an AI tool that will generate code.

Also, a warning: Use caution when generating code. AI tools can make mistakes! Review the code before using it.

What Are You Doing with the Data?
There are a couple of things you can do with the data you retrieve:

Display the data on the front end of your site;
Download a CSV file that contains the data;

You’ll want to determine this beforehand. The process is a bit different depending on your choice.

Oh, and you’ll also need access to your site’s database. Access to your theme is required for displaying data on the front end.

Retrieving User Data from Different Plugins

Now, onto our experiment. Let’s take a common sticking point and try to make sense of it.

Our fictional website has two purposes. We sell various products with WooCommerce. Customers come to our site, create accounts, and order from us.

On the other side of the coin, we also sell memberships. Our members pay for access to exclusive content. We use the Restrict Content Pro plugin to power this feature.

Both WooCommerce and Restrict Content Pro have reporting features. For example, we can find out how many members we have. Or the number of WooCommerce customers.

But what if we want to combine this data? There’s no straightforward way to do this. So, let’s see if AI can help.

Step 1: Find the Data You Want

The first step is to determine what data you want to retrieve. Then, you’ll need to find the data inside the WordPress database.

Our goal is to create a CSV export file that includes users who are:

A customer in our WooCommerce shop AND…
Have an active membership via Restrict Content Pro;

Data isn’t always easy to locate. In some cases, you may need to reference plugin documentation. Or contact their technical support. A thorough database search can help if all else fails.

In our case, WooCommerce and Restrict Content Pro create custom database tables. That will make our job a bit easier.

WooCommerce table names use the ‘wp_wc‘ prefix.
Restrict Content Pro table names use the ‘wp_rcp‘ prefix.

We’ll also want to bring in data from the ‘wp_users‘ and ‘wp_usermeta‘ tables. That allows us to tie customer and membership data to specific users.

With that in mind, we’ll look for the following information:

Data Type	Database Table	Column
User ID	wp_users	ID
First Name	wp_usermeta	Meta Key: first_name
Last Name	wp_usermeta	Meta Key: last_name
Customer ID	wp_wc_customer_lookup	customer_id
Membership Status	wp_rcp_memberships	status
Membership Level ID	wp_rcp_memberships	object_id

Step 2: Ask ChatGPT to Create a Database Query

Next, we’ll ask ChatGPT for some help. We’ll want to provide a clear explanation of the task.

Here’s the prompt I used:

I'd like to create a MySQL database query for a WordPress website. I only want to retrieve users who have both a WooCommerce Customer ID and a membership via Restrict Content Pro.

Here is the data I'd like to retrieve:

From the wp_users database table:
ID

From the wp_usermeta database table:
Meta Key: first_name
Meta Key: last_name

From the wp_wc_customer_lookup database table:
customer_id

From the wp_rcp_memberships database table:
status
object_id

Step 3: Get the Response

ChatGPT’s response included a code snippet and a detailed explanation of it (view the full response). The snippet joins multiple database tables together to produce a single report.

So, how do we see if it works? We can run the query in a tool that connects to the site’s database. I’m using a local website that includes AdminerEvo.

You could also use phpMyAdmin, MySQL Workbench, or similar apps. ChatGPT can even provide instructions for whatever app you’re using.

I’ve pasted the query into the SQL Command screen inside AdminerEvo.

Step 4: Study the Results

The results are in! Our fictional website has 198 users. 15 of them have a paid membership. There are also 200 product orders.

So, how many are WooCommerce customers and Restrict Content Pro members? A grand total of seven.

The query results returned the columns we requested. From here, we can tweak things further or export the data.

Going Further with AI

Our example query may seem simple. However, bringing together data from multiple plugins is challenging. A custom solution is often the only solution.

I’m no coding expert. Thus, figuring out how to get data became frustrating. Thankfully, AI has proven to be a terrific tool for the job.

It’s one of the areas where this technology shines. Many of us struggle to write this sort of code on our own. Writing a prompt describing what we want isn’t so bad, however.

There are also opportunities to take things further. We could change our prompt to display data on a WordPress page. Or return data relevant to the currently logged-in user.

A working knowledge of PHP and MySQL can take you a long way. So, experiment and see what you can accomplish. And be sure to add up all the time you save in the process!

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Use ChatGPT to Export Data from a WordPress Database

Before We Get Started

Retrieving User Data from Different Plugins

Step 1: Find the Data You Want

Step 2: Ask ChatGPT to Create a Database Query

Step 3: Get the Response

Step 4: Study the Results

Going Further with AI

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