Which is better option between free and paid plugins
So, you are confused too about whether to choose free or premium plugins and extensions for my eyewear store. How do we know? It is a no-brainer that you landed on this post. 

 

Good for you, we will map out the differences between free and premium WooCommerce plugins. But what are plugins in the first place?  

 

  • What are plugins?

 

Plugins refer to added features that boost the functionality of your optical store. WooCommerce uses WordPress plugins. And WordPress has over 58 thousand plugins. So, if you use WooCommerce to build your eyewear e-store, you can access WordPress add-ons. 

 

You can download plugins from the official WordPress marketplace. Besides this, several third-party sites offer both basic and advanced plugins. If you want to know the better option between free and premium plugins, keep reading. We have given a detailed comparison between both. 

 

  • Free vs. Premium plugins: Which is the right option? 

 

Since WordPress is an open-source platform, it offers more free plugins. What are free plugins? These refer to features that are free to download. That means you do not have to pay anything before or after installation. Anyone can download and install them in their WooCommerce stores. However, they have limited features as compared to premium WooCommerce plugins. 

 

Most WordPress plugins are used to improve the appearance and performance of e-commerce sites. Some common free ones are blogger plugins, SEO plugins, photo, and video plugins, news plugins, maintenance plugins, etc. 

 

On the other hand, paid plugins are premium plugins. If you want to download and install these add-ons, they require payment. These are nothing but an extension of non-paid plugins. They offer more features and functionalities. Remember, premium plugins are designed to meet the specific needs of website owners. For example, the Advanced WooCommerce Lens plugin is suitable for optical e-stores. It helps eyewear business owners to build a website easily and quickly. 

 

You have a basic understanding of free and premium plugins. Below, we have listed the fundamental differences between both. 

 

  • Differences between free and premium plugins 

 

Generally, when we look at the differences between paid and unpaid plugins, it comes down to the available features and functionalities. However, the primary reason for checking the differences is whether a particular set of tools will benefit you or not. Or will you get the maximum return on purchasing premium WooCommerce plugins? Let us have a look at the top differences. 

 

1. Personalization 

 

Free WordPress add-ons have limited features and functionalities. These are perfect if you want to build a basic e-commerce site. But if you are looking for a customized eyewear store, download the premium ones. It helps you gain a competitive edge over others and provide a better user experience. 

 

WordPress paid plugins can extend the features of your existing site and add more customization. Thus, there is no need to create an eyewear e-store from scratch to ensure customization. Moreover, these tools make your store’s header, footer, menu, and other components appear more attractive. 

Is customization your priority? Then go for premium plugins like the WooCommerce Eyeglass Prescription for your optical store. 

 

2. Support 

 

Regular maintenance and support from premium plugin creators is another reason that it is worth it to buy paid ones. For example, your plugin gets technical issues or other problems. You can seek support anytime and anywhere with the premium plan. The contributor will make sure the issue resolves as soon as possible. 

 

It is not the same with free plugins. 

 

You can download and install unpaid add-ons easily. But it does not guarantee you external support and maintenance services. 

 

3. Benefits 

 

No doubt, free and paid plugins are beneficial for your eyewear store. The benefits that come from unpaid tools are limited and may fail to meet the needs and goals of your business. On the contrary, premium plugins offer more versatile features and functionalities. With these, you can take your optical e-commerce store to the next level. 

 

Let us take an example of the WooCommerce Virtual Try-On plugin. It works on the personalized and real-time shopping experience concept. It allows customers to try-on eyewear products virtually and check the feel and look before making a purchase. Hence, they can compare different products and choose the best one. The shoppers will have a smooth and hassle-free shopping experience. The probability of them returning to your site is higher. Ultimately, it impacts your sales and leads to growth. 

 

In short, paid or premium plugins have more features to offer to your site. After all, they are designed to fulfill the specific needs of businesses. Free plugins have fewer features. Also, they have limited uniqueness. 

The conclusion 

The battle between free vs. paid plugins and extensions is never-ending. Now, you might have understood that there is no right or wrong option. Both are equally important in the digital world. However, the choice between free and premium add-ons depends on your needs, goals, and budget. If you want to create a customized and feature-rich site, go for a premium plan. 

If you are searching for a reliable company offering comprehensive WooCommerce services, contact Soft Prodigy. Whether you need an e-commerce site or plugins and extensions, we serve all.