Shortcodes are powerful tools that allow you to insert elements into your WordPress posts and pages without writing tons of code. But not all themes come with a wide range of shortcodes.
Fear not! Shortcode plugins come to the rescue, offering a collection of handy shortcuts to add features like buttons, sliders, accordions, and more.
What are WordPress Shortcode Plugins?
Have you ever wished you could add fancy buttons, galleries, or contact forms to your WordPress site without wrestling with code? WordPress shortcode plugins are your answer! These plugins provide easy-to-use shortcuts, written as shortcode snippets, that you insert into your posts or pages. No coding knowledge is required!
Shortcode plugins offer a ton of benefits. They empower you to build more engaging content with features like sliders, accordions, and social media buttons. This can improve user experience and keep visitors hooked on your site. Plus, they save you time by eliminating the need to write custom code for each element.
Top WordPress Shortcode Plugins
1. Shortcodes Ultimate
Shortcodes Ultimate is a comprehensive plugin that provides a vast collection of shortcodes to enhance your WordPress site. With over 50 shortcodes available, you can easily add various elements like buttons, sliders, carousels, and more without any coding knowledge. The plugin is designed to be user-friendly and integrates seamlessly with the WordPress editor, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.
Features:
- Over 50 shortcodes
- Visual shortcode editor
- Customizable styles and presets
- Integration with the WordPress editor
- Responsive design
- Developer-friendly with hooks and filters
Pricing: Free with premium add-ons available starting at $29.
2. WP Shortcode by MyThemeShop
WP Shortcode by MyThemeShop offers an extensive range of shortcodes to enhance your WordPress content. The plugin includes 24 useful shortcodes that can be easily added to your posts and pages. With options for buttons, columns, toggles, and more, WP Shortcode makes it simple to create engaging and dynamic content.
Features:
- 24 shortcodes
- Easy-to-use interface
- Customizable styles
- Lightweight and fast
- Compatible with any WordPress theme
- Responsive design
Pricing: Free with premium support and additional features available.
3. Shortcoder
Shortcoder allows you to create custom shortcodes and embed HTML, JavaScript, and other snippets into your posts and pages. This plugin is perfect for users who need to frequently use specific code snippets across their site. Shortcoder simplifies the process by enabling you to create a shortcode once and reuse it multiple times.
Features:
- Create custom shortcodes
- Embed HTML, JavaScript, and other code
- User-friendly interface
- Supports parameters
- Import and export shortcodes
Pricing: Free.
4. Elementor
Elementor is a powerful page builder that includes a robust shortcode feature. With Elementor, you can design complex layouts and then save them as shortcodes to use throughout your site. This functionality allows you to maintain consistency and easily update multiple pages at once.
Features:
- Drag-and-drop page builder
- Save sections and templates as shortcodes
- Responsive design
- Extensive widget library
- Theme builder capabilities
- Integration with popular plugins
Pricing: Free with premium plans starting at $49/year.
5. CSS & JavaScript Toolbox
CSS & JavaScript Toolbox (CJT) is a flexible plugin that allows you to create custom shortcodes to include CSS and JavaScript in your posts and pages. CJT is ideal for users who want to add advanced styling and functionality to their site without editing theme files directly.
Features:
- Create custom CSS and JavaScript shortcodes
- Code editor with syntax highlighting
- Import and export tool
- Support for third-party libraries
- Responsive design
Pricing: Free with premium add-ons available.
6. Simple Shortcodes
Simple Shortcodes by Bonfire Themes offers a straightforward way to add a variety of elements to your WordPress site. The plugin includes shortcodes for buttons, columns, tabs, and more, all designed to be easily customizable and responsive. Simple Shortcodes is perfect for users looking for a lightweight solution to enhance their content.
Features:
- Easy-to-use shortcode generator
- Responsive design
- Customizable styles
- Compatible with any WordPress theme
- Lightweight and fast
Pricing: Free.
7. Shortcodes by Angie Makes
Shortcodes by Angie Makes provides a collection of 16 shortcodes designed to enhance your WordPress site. The plugin includes options for buttons, columns, tabs, and more, all designed to be user-friendly and customizable. With a focus on aesthetics, these shortcodes are perfect for bloggers and creatives looking to improve their site’s design.
Features:
- 16 customizable shortcodes
- User-friendly interface
- Responsive design
- Compatible with any WordPress theme
- Lightweight and efficient
Pricing: Free.
8. Intense
Intense is a premium shortcode and site builder plugin for WordPress that offers over 110 shortcodes and 19 custom post types. This plugin is designed to help you create feature-rich and visually appealing content with minimal effort. Intense integrates seamlessly with popular page builders, making it a versatile tool for any WordPress user.
Features:
- Over 110 shortcodes
- 19 custom post types
- Integration with popular page builders
- Customizable styles
- Responsive design
- Extensive documentation and support
Pricing: Starts at $49 for a single site license.
9. Vision
Vision is a premium shortcode plugin that offers a wide range of shortcodes to enhance your WordPress site. With 100+ shortcodes available, you can easily add elements like sliders, galleries, tabs, and more to your content. Vision is designed to be user-friendly and integrates seamlessly with the WordPress editor.
Features:
- Over 100 shortcodes
- Visual shortcode generator
- Customizable styles
- Responsive design
- Compatible with any WordPress theme
- Regular updates and support
Pricing: Starts at $19 for a single site license.
10. Supreme Shortcodes
Supreme Shortcodes is a premium plugin that provides a comprehensive set of shortcodes to enhance your WordPress site. The plugin includes over 100 shortcodes for elements like buttons, sliders, carousels, and more. Supreme Shortcodes also offers a visual shortcode editor, making it easy to create and customize shortcodes.
Features:
- Over 100 shortcodes
- Visual shortcode editor
- Customizable styles and presets
- Responsive design
- Compatible with any WordPress theme
- Extensive documentation and support
Pricing: Starts at $39 for a single site license.
How to add Shortcode using Plugins
Shortcode plugins expand your WordPress toolkit by offering pre-built functionalities you can insert without writing code. Here’s how to unleash their power:
Install and Activate: Find your chosen plugin in the WordPress dashboard’s “Plugins” section. Install and activate it like any other plugin.
Explore Shortcodes: Most plugins provide documentation or a settings page listing their available shortcodes and their uses. Let’s say you want a call-to-action button with a plugin like “Shortcodes Ultimate.” You’ll find a shortcode like
[button text="Click Here" link="https://example.com"]
Insert the Shortcode: Now, edit your post or page. In the Gutenberg editor, click the “+” sign and search for the “Shortcode” block. In the Classic Editor, switch to the “Text” tab. Paste your chosen shortcode where you want the button to appear, like
[button text="Click Here" link="https://example.com"]
Customize (Optional): Some shortcodes allow customization through attributes within the code itself. For instance, you might change the button text to “Buy Now” by editing the shortcode to
[button text="Buy Now" link="https://example.com"]
Publish and See the Magic: Save your post or page and view it to see your shortcode transformed into the desired element, like a shiny new call-to-action button!