Every time I open a fresh WordPress install, I follow the same plugin checklist. It’s not because I’m stuck in my ways—it’s because I’ve tested dozens of alternatives and these are the ones that don’t break, slow down the site, or require a developer to configure. If you’re launching a store this weekend, start here.
First, the non-negotiable: WooCommerce. Yes, it’s heavier than some alternatives, but it’s the only e-commerce plugin with a ecosystem deep enough that you’ll never get stuck. The setup wizard is fine, but skip the recommended extras it tries to sell you. You don’t need WooCommerce Payments, WooCommerce Shipping, or any of the upsells. Just the core plugin.
Next, a security plugin. I use Wordfence free. It’s not the fastest, but it’s the most forgiving for beginners. Set it to email you on critical issues only—otherwise you’ll drown in alerts. The firewall is optional; the login attempt limiting is what matters. Set that to 5 attempts before a 15-minute lockout.
For backups, UpdraftPlus. The free version does scheduled backups to Google Drive or Dropbox. Set it to daily database backups and weekly full backups. Test a restore once before you launch. I can’t tell you how many people skip that step and then discover their backups are empty.
Caching: WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache. If you’re on shared hosting, caching is the difference between a 2-second load and a 6-second load. WP Super Cache is simpler—just enable it and turn on compression. Don’t mess with the advanced settings unless you know what you’re doing.
For SEO, Rank Math. It’s lighter than Yoast and the setup wizard walks you through the basics. Connect it to Google Search Console right away. That’s how you’ll know if anyone’s finding you.
Contact forms: WPForms Lite. The free version handles 90% of use cases. Create one form for support, one for wholesale inquiries if you need it. Set notifications to go to an email you actually check.
Now, the e-commerce extensions. For shipping, you need a way to calculate rates. If you’re in the US and shipping physical goods, use the built-in USPS or UPS options in WooCommerce Services. For digital products, you can skip shipping entirely—just disable it in the settings. That’s one of the first things I check.
For taxes, use WooCommerce’s built-in tax settings. If you’re in a state that requires sales tax, set up a standard rate and apply it to your state. Don’t overcomplicate it until you’re making sales. You can always add more zones later.
For email receipts, use the default WooCommerce emails. They’re ugly but functional. If you want nicer ones, install Kadence WooCommerce Email Designer. It’s free and lets you customize the header and colors without code.
Analytics: MonsterInsights Lite. It connects Google Analytics to your store and shows you basic stats in the dashboard. The free version is enough to see which products are getting views and where people drop off.
Finally, a utility plugin: WPCode. It lets you add code snippets without editing functions.php. You’ll use it for things like adding a Google Analytics tracking code or a Facebook pixel. It’s safer than editing theme files.
That’s 12 plugins. I install them in this order: WooCommerce, security, backup, caching, SEO, forms, shipping/tax modules, email designer, analytics, WPCode. Then I run through my launch checklist: set permalinks to post name, disable comments on products, set currency and units, create a privacy policy page, and test a transaction with a 100% discount code.
The biggest mistake I see is people installing 30 plugins because a blog post said they ‘might need’ them. Every plugin adds weight and potential conflicts. Start with these 12. If you need something else later, add it then—after you’ve launched and have real feedback.
One more thing: update all plugins before you launch. Then set a recurring reminder to update them monthly. Outdated plugins are the number one cause of hacked stores. It takes two minutes and saves you a weekend of cleanup.
If you want my exact settings for each plugin, I’ve put them in a PDF that’s part of the MakingShop launch kit. But even if you just install the plugins above and use the default settings, you’ll be ahead of 80% of new store owners. The goal is to launch, not to have a perfect setup. You can refine after your first sale.