Your StellarSite is built for flexibility and freedom—without the stress.
It comes fully loaded with premium tools, secure hosting, and a streamlined WordPress experience. But if you decide to install plugins or themes beyond what’s included, there are a few things you should know to keep your site running smoothly and safely.
Not Everything in the Plugin Directory is Stellar-Approved #
WordPress is open-source, which means anyone can publish a plugin or theme to its directory. When you browse via Plugins > Add New or Appearance > Themes, you’re tapping into this global, unfiltered library.
Some of what you’ll find is great—actively maintained, secure, and widely trusted. But there’s also code that hasn’t been updated in years, wasn’t written with security in mind, or just doesn’t play nicely with a pre-configured StellarSite.
Think of it like installing an app from an app store you’ve never used before. Just because it’s available doesn’t mean it’s safe.
Why It Matters
We’ve seen what can happen when a well-meaning site owner installs a sketchy plugin:
- Malware sneaks in
- Pages break or load painfully slow
- Forms stop working
- Cleanup takes time and money
And here’s the real kicker—some users assume that if a plugin shows up in WordPress, StellarWP has reviewed it. We haven’t. So we make it easy to tell when you’re stepping outside the trusted StellarSites toolkit.
How to Choose Safe Plugins and Themes #
If you’re ready to explore beyond your StellarSites plan, follow these quick safety checks:
- Look for high reviews and lots of active installations
A strong user base is a good sign the plugin is stable and trusted. - Check when it was last updated
Avoid anything that hasn’t been touched in 6–12 months. - Visit the developer’s site
Are they actively supporting it? Is the site legit and up to date? - Stick with reputable authors
If you recognize the company or developer (like Kadence or LearnDash), that’s a plus. - Never install “nulled” or pirated plugins
These often contain hidden malware and are a major risk to your site.
What Comes Pre-Installed and Fully Supported
We’ve already done the hard work for you—your StellarSite includes premium plugins that are secure, tested, and optimized to work together:
- Security & Maintenance: SolidWP
- Design & Layout: Kadence Theme + Kadence Blocks
- Events: The Events Calendar
- Learning: LearnDash
- Fundraising: GiveWP
- Ecommerce: WooCommerce, StellarPay, Flux Checkout, Kadence ShopKit (depending on plan)
Stick with these, and you’re on solid ground.
