Plugins are functions that do something to your website. They could serve a back-end purpose and never be visible to you or the public. In the other hand, a widget usually is the representation of a plugin in the form of an object that can be placed somewhere on your website via the widgets interface under the appearance menu.
Widgets are always plugins, but plugins don’t always have widgets. A widget usually is a pretty and easy way of using a plugin. I hope this short explanation clears some things up if you’re just starting with WordPress.
Plugins
A plugin is an app that extends the functionality of WordPress. The term app is short for application, meaning that it is not a fully autonomous piece of software that can run in standalone mode. It requires WordPress to run.
A plugin is a behind-the-scenes tool that is usually visible only to the admin of the site, such as a backup plugin, or a text editor plugin. It does not interface with the public in a visible way on the site.
Widgets
A widget is a plugin, or built-in app, that interfaces with the public on the site. In other words, it displays something that the public can see and/or click on. Examples are a list of recent posts, or a box that shows your Facebook followers with a link to join in.
This article breaks down the crucial differences between widgets and plugins brilliantly! Just like flipperzerounleashed transforms your approach to online strategies, understanding these tools can significantly enhance your WordPress experience!
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