Plugins are one of WordPress’s greatest strengths…
...but install too many and they become a big weakness.
Why?
Because although plugins quickly expand your site’s functionality, Frankenstein-ing several incompatible plugins together can slow your site down, create security issues and even cause your site to break.
That’s why limiting your WordPress tool stack to the fewest possible plugins is always a great strategy when it comes to protecting the health and speed of your website.
And with the release of Thrive Theme Builder, you now have a reason to eliminate several obsolete tools that you no longer need.
Want to learn which WordPress plugins you can delete once you start using Thrive Theme Builder?
Read on to get the full plugin body count...
More...
1. Chuck Out Your Child Themes, Custom CSS & Freelance Development
Did you ever try to improve your WordPress theme design — like adding a second menu to your header — only to learn:
“You can only do that with Custom CSS.”
Or…
“That requires a Child Theme with additional custom coding by a freelance developer.”
If so, then your DIY theme design dreams have finally come true.
That’s because Thrive Theme Builder
eliminates the need for a Child Theme, Custom CSS coding or Custom Development by a freelancer to get what you need built.
Thrive Theme Builder now gives you the DIY ability to customize virtually every aspect of your theme with an intuitive visual builder — instead of being forced to learn code or outsource the job out to a developer.
So go ahead… create that advanced menu header you always wanted:
One of the double header design templates available in Thrive Theme Builder.
Change the color, margins and paddings of your theme’s header until completely satisfied:
With just a few clicks, you can change your header color, element placement and element design with Thrive Theme Builder.
And modify the order, designs and positioning of elements like your author box, comment section and sidebar without frustration.
You can completely customize your Author Box design and place it in locations like your sidebar with Thrive Theme Builder.
Pretty much any DIY theme job you can think of is now possible with Thrive Theme Builder and it’s high time you get it working on your WordPress website!
2. Slay Those CSS Styling Plugins
And if you DID somehow manage to modify your WordPress theme with the help of a Styling plugin (like CSS Hero and Yellow Pencil)...
… you can go ahead and slash those pricey tools from your WordPress site straight away.
CSS modification plugins aren’t necessary if you’ve got Thrive Theme Builder because you can just visually build whatever you need for your theme with it instead.
That’s more theme design flexibility with less complication, less load on your website and less third-party tool costs!
A Note on the Thrive Theme Builder User Interface:
If you’re already familiar with our Thrive Architect page builder plugin, then designing a custom theme with Thrive Theme Builder won’t take you any time at all because the user interface is the same.
To show you what we mean, check out this tutorial video by Shane showing how the Thrive Theme Builder + Thrive Architect combo finally allows you to go from fresh WordPress install to a fully customized website — in less than 60 minutes:
3. Say Goodbye To the Sidebar Struggle
Most WordPress themes give you very limited options when it comes to the design and placement of your sidebars and widgets.
To get around those limitations, it’s common for WordPress users to either hire a developer to code a custom solution for them (through the use of a child theme)…
...or install a Sidebar plugin (like Content Aware Sidebars) to get those extra sidebars and widgets areas working.
But once again, such bulky Sidebar plugins also weigh down your website with longer load times so if you use Thrive Theme Builder — you can give them the boot!
Simply select one of the many Sidebar templates available in Thrive Theme Builder:
Thrive Theme Builder is chocked FULL of conversion focused Sidebar templates. Select one from the Sidebar template lightbox...
... then customize it to your needed specifications with Thrive Theme Builder's editor so you can say goodbye to yet another clunky plugin dragging down your site’s performance.
... and then customize every detail of your conversion focused template until you're satisfied to publish it.
4. Sayonara Social Sharing Plugins
It’s about time... to kick your code heavy Social Sharing plugin to the curb!
That’s right. Although Social Sharing plugins were useful in the past, Thrive Theme Builder has made them all but irrelevant.
Instead of having to install such a draggy plugin to get the social sharing design and functionality you want — once again — you can just leverage the visual design power of Thrive Theme Builder to get it done.
And we’re not just talking about the ability to display some dinky icons next to your content like you see in most WordPress themes. You can actually design your social buttons exactly how you want them to look and function:
Between Thrive Theme Builder's 3 Social Sharing elements available in its editor (a.k.a. the Business Social Links, Author Social Links and Social Share elements), you can design all sorts of customized social share assets like the floating Content Box you see here.
The only thing you might miss with this Thrive Theme Builder approach to deploying social buttons is the lack of lesser known social platforms available. However, if you only have accounts on the most popular networks, you're not likely to notice.
So axe that bulky Social Sharing plugin (especially if it requires some sort of recurring subscription fee) and just design what you need — directly inside Thrive Theme Builder!
5. Abandon Your Advanced Menu Plugin
If your website uses a menu that looks like NASA built it (i.e. more buttons than anyone knows what to do with), you’ve probably been using a plugin like Ubermenu to manage those countless menu links for you.
However, there’s two big problems with this:
First, you better make sure your menus always prioritize simplicity over everything else…
...or you run the risk of confusing people into inaction. (While we advocate building simple menus, you still can have fun building mega menus if you want.)
And second, plugins like Ubermenu are HEAVY so your site load times take a hit.
Fortunately for you, Thrive Theme Builder’s menu options make designing even the most complex menus easy. Again, just select one of the many header templates available in Thrive Theme Builder:
Thrive Theme Builder gives you several header templates to choose from. Select one from the Header template lightbox and customize it as you see fit.
And then modify it to your site's own navigation needs by leveraging the power of our high-tech Custom Menu element.
Want To Create a Header That Actually Converts?
Check out Colin’s Conversion Focused Header video below to see how it’s done:
6. Cancel Your Contact Form Plugin
This one is a no brainer for Thrive Themes built websites...
Both Thrive Architect and Thrive Theme Builder have Contact Form elements available within their editors, which means you can place contact forms anywhere you need to on your website!
Whether you want to create a dedicated Contact Form page using Thrive Architect:
This "Consultation Smart Booking" landing page template from Thrive Architect was quickly modified to include a Contact Form element so it can act as a dedicated Contact page.
Need to place a Contact Form at the bottom of your blog posts (Thrive Theme Builder):
You can add a Contact Form element at the bottom of your Blog Post template within Thrive Theme Builder if you so desire.
Or require a Contact Form built into your sidebars (Thrive Theme Builder):
Or add a Contact Form element to the top of your Sidebar area on your Blog List page template within Thrive Theme Builder (but only if you want to).
… all options are possible with Thrive Theme Builder.
7. Retire Those Ratty Related Post Plugins
Okay, so lots of WordPress themes have some sort of related post feature.
But how well do they actually perform when it comes to helping you showcase the exact type of content you want to show on specific posts and pages?
On top of that, can you design the look and feel of your related post elements to the nth detail?
I didn’t think so.
In fact, there’s soooo many Related Post plugins for WordPress that one is even called Yet Another Related Post Plugin!
Well, with Thrive Theme Builder & Thrive Architect’s Post List element you can avoid all that frustration altogether.
That’s because the Post List element not only allows you to set specific content filtering rules and design exactly how they get displayed, but Thrive Theme Builder then gives you the power to place those post lists wherever you need within your theme’s core page templates.
Like in the Sidebar of your Blog List Page:
You can add and customize Post List elements in your Sidebars...
Or at the end of your blog posts:
...or add and customize a Post List element to the bottom of your Blog Post template.
And of course, there's several Post List element templates for you to choose from as well:
Just select one of the many available Post List templates in Thrive Theme Builder to get started building the exact Related Post area that you need.
Looks like yet another unnecessary plugin just bit the dust due to Thrive Theme Builder...
8. Get Author Box Plugin Amnesia
If you’re like a lot of people, you probably don’t like your WordPress theme’s default author box design.
If so, then maybe you went ahead and installed an Author Box plugin to quick-fix that.
But here’s the deal… Thrive Theme Builder makes that design mod obsolete now too.
Of course Thrive Theme Builder gives you a ton of Author Box templates to choose from too!
Feel free to customize one of our many author box templates or even design your own from scratch. That way you can sign articles off not just with a few words about yourself — but with your special kind of style.
9. Bid Adieu to Your Ad Manager Plugin
Even though this last plugin takedown fits with the “not-needing-a-child-theme-anymore” aspect discussed at the beginning of this post, we felt it needed a separate mention here.
That’s because if you ever needed to optimize your theme for ad placement, you typically had to use an Ad Manager plugin (like Ad Inserter).
However, such a tool limited your ability to set ad sizes and where it was placed.
But now that Thrive Theme Builder gives you full control over almost every aspect of your theme’s Core Page Templates, all you have to do to display ads like you want them is:
- Drag a Custom HTML element wherever you need to on your theme page template,
- Paste your ad’s HTML code within it, and…
- Customize the Custom HTML element placement and display settings as necessary to make your ad shine.
So, What’s The Plugin Body Count on Your Site Look Like?
After ripping through all the plugin types that Thrive Theme Builder now makes unnecessary, we hope you see how versatile our revolutionary new WordPress theme can be for your website.
So, how many plugins will Thrive Theme Builder help you eliminate from your current tool stack?
How much money is it going to help you save (in canceled plugin subscription fees)?
And how much faster is your site going to load after deleting all those unnecessary plugins?
Let us know when you find out by leaving a comment below!
Hi,
I know it is a complet another comment/question – but I like the style How you have build this blog post. Is it possible to find this blog post style in the new thembuilder?
Especial the header and how you have the tekst to overlap the picture in the header and the green “logo” and then the name of the author.
Furthermore what it the size of the blog siser.
Content size
Widget size
Just want to say I really like the style of this blog post and want to make the same.
Many people have asked them earlier about the layout of using thrive themes blog and they responded that it was custom theme and not available to general thrive users.
Up until now though 😉
With Thrive Theme Builder, you can easily mimic this layout!
We don’t have the exact template included but it’s fairly easy to build.
I don’t use any of those plugins. Most of my plugins are related to adding functionality to WooCommerce, Analytics, SEO, Schema and stuff like that. I try to keep them to a minimum.
So, I don’t need a Child Theme with your Theme Builder?
Hey Al, you no longer need a Child Theme when using Thrive Theme Builder to design the look and layout of your WordPress theme. For example, if you wanted to make a multi-menu header, you can do that inside the visual builder of TTB without the need of a Child Theme and custom CSS code.
However, if you need WooCommerce functionality, Thrive Theme Builder isn’t compatible with it yet, but it is on our development horizon.
I don’t see where the contact form is at in architect? I have ninja forms plugged in because I’ve yet to figure this out. Does it have options to upload files and drop down menus etc?
Hi Nathan!
If you look at the elements, it’s about 3/4 down the list labeled “Building Blocks”, on the right-hand side of the columns. It’s surrounded by the “WordPress Content”, “Audio”, “Call to Action”, “Guarantee Box”, and “Numbered List” elements.
Hi Nathan, first make sure you’re using an up-to-date version of Thrive Architect. Then follow Justin’s directions in his reply comment to find the Contact Form element within Thrive Architect.
Our Contact Form element does not currently have the ability to upload files or use drop down menus, however you can redirect your signups after submission to a download page.
I have tried to add advertising to my site with Custom html, but adding the code does not work.
I think point 9 does not apply with thrive theme Builder, since you have to put the Adsense code one by one to the posts so that the advertising is shown (Clarification does not work with the Custom Html element, it works with the WordPress element).
Hi Roger, it does appear that some of the ad scripts work with the Custom HTML element and some work with the WordPress Content element. I’ll update the post to clarify that like you suggest here.
this is really good insight, as i’ve used a few plugins as mentioned. so tired of buying themes then adding plugins, loving the new theme builder!! my daughter laughs at me every time i say thrive themes is all i use for wordpress. awesome job.
Thanks so much Aamirah… glad you’re getting so much milage mileage out of Thrive Theme Builder!
Anything to make load times shorter, thanks!
You’re welcome!
Is it possible to run Woo Commerce without creating a child theme and using this new theme builder?
Hi Nick, at the moment Thrive Theme Builder is not WooCommerce compatible.
Hi Matt,
of all those plugins I could kick out according to the list, I only have the one for Social Sharing, which was developed in Germany specifically for GDPR issues. Is the Sharing option in TTB GDPR-compliant?
Thanks
Full disclosure Birgit, we’re not legal councilors and you should check with your own legal advisers, but GDPR was put in force to protect personal data collection.
When someone simply shares your post on social, you don’t get any of their personal information. So unless you’re also collecting data for re-marketing purposes (which is not an option with our social sharing element), there should be no problem when it comes to GDPR compliance.
Thanks for your quick reply, Matt. This sounds good.
What about when collecting emails via your contact form or Zapier or using AWeber (other email marketing services contact forms)
Hi David, on the lead generation form we have a GDPR consent check box. You can learn more about it here: https://thrivethemes.com/tkb_item/how-to-use-the-checkbox-for-consent-item-in-the-lead-generation-element/
The article is about nothing. Some questions are solved by the builder. Not everyone. And even a full subscription with all thrivethemes plugins does not cover all needs. Many plugins for great functionality. You’re cool, but the article is about nothing …
Hello AiNiMos (<- always nice to see) We're not saying plugins can't add great functionality (that would be stupid as we are a company that creates plugins), we're simply showing you that a lot of what we consider basic functionality of a website is covered without installing any additional plugins when you have Thrive Theme Builder.
Hello,
I have noticed an huge category of plugins is missing here: caching plugins. I know Thrive components use some form of internal caching but don’t optimize certain things (for example: HTML comments removal).
Is there a truly “Thrive certified” caching plugin we can use? What about W3TotalCache?
Another total BUMMER with Thrive: 95% of our websites are multilingual (WPML) and making it work with Thrive is a torture at best. It usually ends up with TONS of “Error 500” in translated pages, even when using your suggested “copy post and translate” method.
Last but not least, 30% of our websites use WooCommerce. Another painful thing. Too bad, because WooCommerce would totally shine on a Thrive powered website!
Thrive Theme Builder will be WooCommerce compatible soon.
WPML is not on the roadmap.
And keep an eye on Thrive Theme Builder next releases, we’ll make it extremely easy to integrate with caching plugins and have the right setup.
A few months ago I asked about placing ads code in architect and they recommended using a plugin. The problem was html ad code was not responsive. Ads would hang over the edge. Has something changed since then and now that has fixed this issue.
Hey Adz, it appears that some of the ad scripts work with the Custom HTML element and some work with the WordPress Content element. If neither element is working for your ad scripts, ask our support team to take a look at it again for you.
I am waiting for release of Thrive Themes standalone. Any possible release date yet?
Hi Sunny, we don’t have a public release date yet for Thrive Theme Builder. For the time being, you can only get access to it through the Thrive Themes Membership.
I wholeheartedly and highly recommend the membership. I’ve been a member since 2015 and it is one of the few things I look forward to paying for every year.
Shapeshift Theme Not Suport WooCommerce?
No at the moment it does not.
I wish I could delete the custom fonts plugin 😀
If you don’t use a custom font. By all means go ahead 😀
Hi,
I have some questions:
1) I recently heard that the front-end plugins slow down my web site. Converserly, the back-end plugins do not affect the speed performance, is true such statement?
2) What type are the Thrive Themes related plugins (Thrive Quizz, Thrive Leads, Thrive Ovation, etc) back-end or front-end?
3) My concern is that having so many Thrive Themes plugins activated on my web site (Thrive Quizz, Thrive Leads, Thrive Ovation, etc) would slow down the overall speed performance, are Thrive Themes plugins optimized for loading faster? Would you please advise if is necessary to deactivate the no vital ones?
Look forward to hearing from you,
Carlos
Hi Carlos,
I would love to read that information!
I’m not sure what is meant with back-end or front-end plugins… Most plugins have an affect on the front-end of the site (that’s why you add them to the site)
But all our plugins are build with loading time in mind. Eg. Thrive Comments gives you the option to only load comments when they come into view, this will improve the overall loading speed of your site.
In general though, don’t install plugins you don’t use (even Thrive plugins ;-)) If you’re not currently using a quiz on your site then there is not need to activate Thrive Quiz Builder.
What about plugins to modify the Default Error404 page. They could be removed as well, I guess…
O that’s a thing? 😀 Yes they most definitely can!
You guys are awesome!
I love and evangelize your entire suite of Thrive Themes products. Your integrations are simply amazing and the price, just a steal.
However, only one thing bugs the hell out of me. You’ve not bothered to create any minimalist e-commerce integration with WooCommerce.
It could have been a lot better to be 80% focused on blogging and 20% for e-commerce.
An addition of 20% WooCommerce will be huge because all your plugins are super primed to deliver gigantic results.
I’ve tried unsuccessfully to patch WooCommerce with Thrive Themes, but without success, so I end up going back to Shopify with so many limitations.
Elementor is great with WooCommerce but extremely poor with blogging and can’t even come close to Thrive Themes in terms of natively integrating so many plugins that come with your strings of fantastic plugins.
Look at some of the fantastic plugins that natively integrates with Thrive Themes; Notification Manager, Quiz Builder, Thrive Clever Widget, Thrive Ovation, Thrive Ultimatum, Thrive Leads, Thrive Comments, Thrive Apprentice, and a lot more.
A little addition of the WooCommerce template of some kind of e-commerce will make Thrive Themes the ultimate software for Online Marketing.
Regardless, I’ll keep evangelizing your products even as I find Shopify amenable to my line of trade.
Thanks a lot, Matt.
Hi Matt,
Thanks for your support. We’re working on WooCommerce compatibility as we speak.
That’s fantastic! It will make me 1000% committed to Thrive Themes for as long as I’m in this business.
Why cant i see the time stamp of these posts? When do you think you’ll launch the integration?
Hi David,
We’re working very hard on it. Hopefully in 2-3 development cycles (which are 3 weeks.)
Thank guys ….I think a gallery it would be a great held :-)!!!!!
To put it in a word… Brilliant! But the first word that came to mind is BadAss… I’m not a fan of plugin bloat insanity. My take on Thrive Theme Builder > You good people just hit a bases-loaded walk-off Homerun… For me and every other Thrive Themes tribe member!
Thanks Justin!
Hi does your contact form show submissions in backend? That’s only reason I am stuck with cf7 and using Flamingo add-on.
Hi Eric,
No it does not but you can integrate it with Zapier which allows to save all entries to a Google sheet for example (without installing any other plugin).
Zapier costs money – are you working on a contact form designer and back end CRM for email marketing services?
Zapier is free for a lot of applications (such as the google sheet I suggested here).
I’m not sure what you’re looking for when you ask for a “back-end CRM for email marketing services”.
We’re not building (or planning on building) any back-end functionality for the contact form.
The only thing that would allow me to not need a Contact plugin on some of my sites is if the Thrive contact form element allowed the addition of more fields. I’ve seen Shane explain why it is the way it is, however there are some cases where it’s just not enough. (Also, I’m a Thrive super fan so I still use on almost every site I have and many clients. So not knocking it at all, just saying.)
Hi Tamala,
The form element is going through a big overhaul. We’re adding functionality to it so keep an eye on the product releases in the upcoming weeks and months.
Hopefully this will give you the options you need 🙂
Great to tell me what I don’t need but which additional plug ins (non Thrive Themes) should I have?
Hi David,
We recommend:
– An SEO related plugin (Yoast SEO or SEO Press)
– An anti-spam plugin (such as anti-spam bee) unless you use Thrive Comments (which has anti-spam included)
And that’s it… Your website might need extra functionality of course but for a basic website these are sufficient!
Still 40+ plugins…
40+???? Now you got me curious as to what you are adding plugins for Artur!
Relly awesome information you have share. There is a question, if I install thrive architecture into my wordpress website then will loading time increase on gtmatrix?
Hello,
The plugin google analytics is also not necessary?
No you don’t need a plugin to add Google Analytics to your Thrive Theme Builder site! You can use the “analytics and scripts” in the Thrive Dashboard section to add your code.