The 9 WordPress Plugins We Install on Every Project (And Why)

Most WordPress sites are plugin graveyards. Dozens of them piling up, dragging down speed, and inviting trouble. We’ve seen it too many times.

At Hip Bip, we stick to 9. Just nine that we install from day one on every project. They’re not flashy experiments—these are the reliable ones we’ve honed over 26 years of building sites for small businesses. They keep things simple, fast, and secure.

Here’s the list, with a quick why for each.

Our Go-To 9

1. Advanced Custom Fields Pro Lets you add custom content without code. Think team bios or service details. Essential because sites grow, and this keeps them flexible. (advancedcustomfields.com)
2. Breakdance A clean visual builder that doesn’t bloat your site. We use it for quick, pro designs without the headaches. (breakdance.com)
3. Elements Hive for Breakdance Pro Adds slick elements like animated counters. It’s the polish that makes clients go “wow”—but only if needed. (elementshive.com)
4. Destiny Elements Ready-made bits like pricing tables. Saves hours on stuff clients always want. (destiny.ie)
5. MalCare Solid security without slowing you down. We license it for all projects—peace of mind built in. (malcare.com)
6. SEO by Rank Math Handles SEO basics lightly. Better than bulky alternatives; gets your site found without fuss. (rankmath.com)
7. Duplicate Page Copies pages in one click. Perfect for repeating layouts, like multiple services.
   Pro Tip: This is most used when we’re building sites, and it comes after at the launch.
8. WP Optimize Cleans your database and boosts speed. Keeps things running smooth as your site ages. Site speed should not be left to a plugin to handle, though! We bring in CloudFlare.com.
   Pro Tip: This has tools to give old, bloated sites a nice tune up.
9. WP Nested Pages Organizes pages with drag-and-drop. Tames chaos on bigger sites.
   Pro Tip: Drag the home page to the top of the pages list in WordPress to keep it handy.

Why So Few? It’s Intentional

Every plugin is a risk: more code means potential bugs, slower loads, and extra upkeep. We’ve tested hundreds and cut the fat. These nine solve real problems for service businesses—like yours—without overcomplicating things.

Take a typical plumber or coffee shop site. You need custom services, fast pages, and basic SEO. These plugins deliver that leanly. No junk drawer here; just tools that work.

When We Skip or Remove Them

We don’t keep what we don’t use. If Elements Hive sits idle, it’s out. Small sites skip WP Nested Pages—the default works fine under 10 pages. Before launch, we audit: “Is this pulling its weight?” If not, gone.

The payoff? Our stack adds under 250ms to load times. Compare that to bloated sites limping along at 2-3 seconds. Your customers notice speed; don’t make them wait.

Start Simple, Stay Lean

You don’t need a plugin empire to build a site that converts. Start with these nine if you’re DIY-ing, or let Hip Bip handle it for you. We’ve built for big brands and small ones alike—this stack gets results without the drama.