As a developer working under JTCreative, I’m often asked:
“What plugins do you recommend for a clean and fast WordPress site?”
Not all WordPress plugins are created equal. Some slow down your site, others conflict with themes, and many are just unnecessary. But after years of building sites for creators, businesses, and ministries, I’ve found a reliable stack that balances performance, automation, security, and SEO.
Here are the tools I trust on almost every WordPress project I build.
1. LiteSpeed Cache – For Fast, Optimised Websites
LiteSpeed Cache is more than just a caching plugin. It offers advanced features like:
- Page and object caching
- Image optimisation (WebP, lazy load)
- Critical CSS generation
- CDN integration
It performs best with LiteSpeed web servers (like Hostinger), but still works well with others. Properly configured, it drastically improves loading times and Core Web Vitals scores.
JTCreative Tip: Pair with Cloudflare for even faster results.
2. Uncanny Automator – Automation Without Code
Think of Uncanny Automator as a no-code automation hub inside WordPress. It connects your plugins and external tools, allowing you to:
- Trigger actions when forms are submitted
- Automate email sequences
- Connect WordPress with tools like Slack, Google Sheets, Mailchimp, and more
It’s perfect for creators, small teams, and solopreneurs who want to save time and reduce repetitive tasks.
Use Case: I use it to automatically post any new posts published on my christain blog (Beyond Salvation) to my facebook profile. That is just the tip of the iceberg on what you can achieve with automations.
3. Elementor + Royal Addons – Fast, Flexible Page Design
Elementor is my preferred page builder for clean, modern layouts. It’s intuitive and allows clients to make changes without breaking their site.
To enhance Elementor without bloating it, I use Royal Addons — a lightweight addon pack with essential widgets like grids, tabs, and sliders.
JTCreative Tip: Use only one addon pack to reduce conflicts and keep your site fast.
4. Wordfence – Security You Can Rely On
Security is critical. Wordfence is my go-to plugin to protect client sites from brute force attacks, malware, and suspicious traffic.
Features include:
- Web Application Firewall
- Malware scanner
- Login security
- Real-time alerts
It’s easy to set up and keeps your site protected without getting in the way.
5. UpdraftPlus – Set-and-Forget Backups
Every website needs a solid backup plan. UpdraftPlus lets you:
- Schedule automatic backups
- Save backups to Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive
- Restore your site with a click
I install this on every site I manage. It’s saved hours of work when things go wrong.
Pro Tip: Always back up before running updates.
6. Rank Math – SEO Made Simple
Rank Math is a powerful SEO plugin that’s lightweight, intuitive, and packed with features. I use it on every site to ensure proper indexing and optimisation.
Features include:
- Schema markup
- Local SEO tools
- Instant indexing with Google
- Content analysis
- Redirect manager
It integrates well with Elementor and works smoothly with AI-generated content.
JTCreative Tip: Use the analytics module to track keyword performance and clicks from inside your dashboard.
Conclusion
If you want your WordPress site to be:
- Fast
- Easy to manage
- SEO-friendly
- Secure
- Ready for automation
…this toolkit is a great place to start.
These are the same tools I use every day at JTCreative — not because they’re trendy, but because they work. They’re reliable, lightweight, and designed to scale as your website grows.
Need help putting all the pieces together?
I don’t just build sites — I build systems that support your goals.
Let’s chat about your project or view my WordPress services.
