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Shortcodes are one of the most beloved capabilities of WordPress. There are few things that have the ability to extend a WordPress site’s functionality like a good package of ‘em.
Without shortcodes, most users would have to install an awful lot of plugins, each with a single function (e.g. one plugin for pricing tables, another for toggles, another for tabs, etc.).
A full library of such plugins would undoubtedly slow down your website to a half-dead crawl; a simple package of shortcodes gets the job done much more efficiently.
That said, shortcodes aren’t always available as native functionalities of a theme (particularly if you’ve gone with a free one). If such is the case with your website, here’s a list of 7 awesome plugins chock-full of handy shortcodes.
Shortcodes Ultimate
Shortcodes Ultimate offers a huge library, with more than 50 shortcodes you can create buttons, boxes, sliders, responsive videos, and more.
Just in case you’re looking for an extra punch, the developers offer a premium Extra Shortcodes add-on with 15 additional shortcodes for $25 (a bit pricey, but the shortcodes are pretty useful). A second add-on, Additional Skins, gives you 60+ skins for the plugin’s shortcodes for only $15.
Furthermore, the plugin also comes built with a Shortcode Creator that allows you to quickly and easily code your own custom shortcodes.
WordPress Shortcodes
WordPress Shortcodes supercharges your website’s capabilities with search engine and speed optimized shortcodes.
Although only 26 shortcodes are included in this package (as opposed to the previous item on the list, which has nearly double), each shortcode you get is coded with quality. Not only is it SEO and speed optimized, but the plugin also allows you to set parameters and conditions to get the most out of it.
Eyes Only: User Access Shortcode
Although Eyes Only isn’t really a full package (it only has one shortcode to its name), I just had to add it to this list, because the function this shortcode gives is so rarely found in other packages.
What is this glorious function? Well, I’ll tell you (if you haven’t guessed from the title already).
Eyes Only: User Access allows you to hide any portion of a post or page’s content. You can set it to be only viewable by users who have certain roles (administrator, subscriber, editor, etc.), specific usernames, membership in a custom user group, or logged-in status.
With a 5/5 star rating, this plugin’s shortcode is a great choice for content restriction.
ClearCode Shortcode Library
ClearCode Shortcode Library is a full suite of 29+ shortcodes with unique functions.
All of these shortcodes are exactly what ClearCode, a web development studio, use in their WordPress builds. This plugin will extend your abilities a ton.
On the WordPress.org description page, the developers have included a detailed description of what each shortcode does, and how to use it in a post or page.
Nite Shortcodes
Like ClearCode Library, Nite Shortcodes boasts a 5 star rating, which lets you know right off the bat the type of quality you can expect from this plugin.
Buttons with various styles, tabs and toggles, multiple column structures, alert boxes, and much more all become possible after the installation and activation of Nite Shortcodes.
The shortcode editor built into the plugin is a breeze to navigate, with preset options that make inserting commonly-used shortcodes super quick.
Olevmedia Shortcodes
If you’re looking for ease of use, head on over to Olevmedia Shortcodes. When you install and activate this plugin, it automatically adds a neat little button to the post editor’s toolbar, which when clicked on provides you with a convenient little visual shortcode generator.
Over 20 shortcodes, each with responsive displays, are available for use. With a 4.8 star rating on WordPress.org, Olevmedia has 17 5-star reviews and nearly 23K downloads, with a lone one-star review citing compatibility issues.
WP Shortcode by MyThemeShop
One of the big players in the premium theme niche, MyThemeShop is known for consistently producing top-quality WordPress products with top-notch coding.
Their free plugin, WP Shortcode, is no exception. Highly functional (over 24 shortcodes), stylishly designed, and easily navigated, this plugin is one that is well worth a second glance.
Wrapping Up
Are you ready to supercharge your WordPress website’s functionality with a package of shortcodes? If so, which of these plugins are you going to use? I’m going with Shortcodes Ultimate, the first on this list. It’s powerful, looks, great, and is simple to use.
Comment your plugin choice below!
Jonathan John is a WordPress enthusiast and freelance blogger. He loves comparing WordPress plugins and themes, sharing the latest Automattic news, and helping non-techies get the most out of the world’s favorite CMS.
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