The Mysterious World of AMP Plugins in WordPress

As the internet continues to grow at an alarming rate, website owners are constantly exploring new ways to enhance their site’s velocity and overall performance. One such way is through leveraging the power of an AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) plugin in WordPress. Curious to know what exactly AMP plugins are and how they work? Look no further, for we are about to take you on a ride through the mystifying world of AMP plugins in WordPress.

Step 1: Choose Your Poison – Pick an AMP Plugin

There’s no dearth of AMP plugins available in the market. Some of the popular options include WP AMP, AMP for WP, and AMP Plugin by Automattic. However, each plugin has its own unique features and workings. So, tread carefully and research extensively to pick the AMP plugin that best suits the needs of your website.

Step 2: Plug in and Get Cracking – Install and Activate the AMP Plugin

Once you’ve made your choice of an AMP plugin, the next step is to install and activate it on your WordPress site. The installation process is fairly straightforward and similar to that of any other plugin. All you need to do is go to the WordPress dashboard, click on Plugins and then ‘Add New’. Then, search for your chosen AMP plugin and install it. After installing it, click on the activate button.

Step 3: Put Your Stamp on the AMP Pages – Set Up Your AMP Pages

After installation, setting up your AMP pages is the next step. From the WordPress dashboard, go to the plugin settings and select the ‘Design’ tab. This tab allows you to customise the design of your AMP pages. You can set up fonts, colours, and images that blend harmoniously with your website’s branding.

Step 4: The Tailored Suit – Customise Your AMP Pages

AMP pages are stripped-down versions of your website. They exclude many elements that make up a typical website such as JavaScript, large images, or heavy design components. However, you can personalise your AMP pages to include your website’s logo, or a favicon. Additionally, you can customise its:

• Header
• Footer
• Social icons
• Menus
• Google Analytics

Step 5: Double-Check Before You Wreck-Test Your AMP Pages

Before publishing your AMP pages, it’s crucial to test them to ensure they’re functioning correctly. Google offers a free testing tool called Google AMP Test. Enter the URL of your website and analyse. If everything is working correctly, this test will return no issues.

Step 6: Spread Your Wings and Fly – Publish Your AMP Pages

After configuring your AMP pages, it’s time to publish them on your website so that users can access them. You can achieve this by adding /amp at the end of your post URL. Your AMP pages will be available to your visitors automatically.

The Many Benefits of Using An AMP Plugin

1. Better Page Velocity

Courtesy of removing elements that slow down websites – like large images and excess JavaScript – AMP pages have fast loading times compared to non-AMP pages. Visitors are more likely to stay on your site longer when it loads quickly.

2. Increase in Mobile Traffic

AMP pages improve mobile user experience by providing a faster page load speed, which reduces the bounce rate. Users can access your website more easily on their mobile devices.

3. Better SEO

AMP pages are optimised for search engines better than non-AMP pages. Google’s algorithm tends to favour AMP pages in search rankings, and having an AMP plugin will boost your website’s SEO rank.

4. Improved User Experience

Users are more likely to stay on your site when they have a better user experience. AMP pages provide a better user experience by being mobile-friendly and having a faster loading time.

The Grand Finale – Conclusion

AMP plugins are the new buzzword in the world of WordPress. They are a highly effective way to improve your website’s velocity and overall performance, which ultimately leads to a better user experience. In this article, we have covered everything you need to know to expertly use an AMP plugin in WordPress. By following these steps, you can successfully create and publish AMP pages on your WordPress site. However, always remember that an AMP plugin alone won’t guarantee that your website runs perfectly. It’s also essential to update and optimise your website to provide a seamless user experience. Happy website building!