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A WordPress plugin is kind of like adding a small app to your website. It usually adds to the functionality and makes a website provide a better experience for the website owner and those visiting it. I have come a very long way from creating my first private investigation business website. By no means would I consider myself a profession in website creation. I have followed many influential website makers and internet marketing gurus that have shared WordPress plugins to assist a website it being found through search results. I have found others that have given me the capabilities to create interactive and profession websites as well. Some WordPress plugins assist with clients that visit my website but are afraid to reach out to me for whatever reason.
In this article I am going to share 6 WordPress plugins that I use or have used that have worked well for me. Any of these plugins might be worth adding to your website if you run it on a WordPress format. If you’ve had someone build you a beautiful website like Investigatormarketing.com, and you are curious about adding any of these plugins be sure to consult with them when adding it to your website.
All In One SEO
All in One SEO helps to get pages ranked in the Google, Bing and Yahoo search engines. It allows you to optimize titles for search engines (I use this quite a bit for my blog). It has XML Sitemap support which sends your sitemap to Google and Bing to improve search engine optimization (basically lets the search engines know if anything has been posted recently so they can index it into the search engine.
It does quite a few other things that are over my head. What I can say is internet marketers use this plugin and it helps them when building a website.
Zopim
Zopim is a program you can use to chat with potential customers. A chat box will be available on your website whether you are logged on or not. If you are logged on customers can chat with you and ask you questions. If by chance you are not logged on then they can write you a message offline.
This would come in handy if you were in your office working on a case or writing reports while logged into Zopim on your website.
This app is free for one person to use on a website. If you have a more robust business with lots of people visiting your website then a paid plan with more options and capabilities might be the plan for you.
I liked it because I am a one man private investigation business; it is free for my needs and makes my business look more professional and larger. To learn all about the app visit the official website by clicking here.
SpeakPipe
SpeakPipe is another way to connect with your customers. I use it on the Private Investigator Advice Website for those you have questions but don’t want to talk to me. I know that sounds funny but many people don’t want to hear a sales pitch, they just want to do some research. It’s like browsing at a car dealership. You want to look at the cars without the pressure to buy.
All readers have to do is click the “Send us a voice message” tab on the side of the webpage and a box will appear in the middle of the screen to start recording your message. After the recording you have the option to leave your name and email. After the voice mail is sent, the website owner will receive and email indicating a new voice mail has been received. The voice mail can then be received through a link in the users email.
It’s a pretty nifty plugin for a website especially if your prospective clients use it.
PowerPress
PowerPress is a podcasting plugin that allows you to add an audio clip to your website or blog posts. Many private investigation websites are now adding small podcasts which allows for business owners to articulate the specific products they are selling audibly. In many cases someone is likely to listen to something rather then read it. Many times my readers would rather watch me in a video or listen to me in a podcast then to read what I have to say in my blog. This is just something to consider with your WordPress website. The audio player located on top if this article is from PowerPress.
WordPress Seo by Yoast
WordPress Seo by Yoast is another probably the best SEO plugin I have used because it actually analyzes your webpage to determine how much you have optimized it. This makes you double check you website pages and blog post to make sure they meet a critiera that will help your website rise in the rankings. Don’t worry because it has XML Sitemaps just like the All in One Seo so Google and Bing will know whenever you post something new to your webisite and index it in a short amount of time.
I have been using this plugin for about a year on some of the websites I have created outside of the private investigator world and so far I have had no complaints.
Facebook Like Box (From Jetpack)
The Facebook Like Box widget comes from the Jetpack plugin that all WordPress website have the ability to add to the websites (which I highly recommend). The Facebook like box allows you to put a like button or a Facebook Like Button along with profile pictures off all the users that have liked your Facebook page. It’s an easy way to gain like by just adding this plugin/widget to your website.
Final Thoughts
Typically once you’ve built your WordPress website or hired a website designer to build it for you, you typically don’t have to do much to it unless you are posting a blog for your website (which I highly recommend). These plugins are a nice addition to any private investigator’s website. They will help you rank higher in the search engines and serve your future customers better.
If you have any questions about other plugins or anything else for that matter you can contact me through the contact page or email me at PIAdviceHQ@gmail.com.
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