When building WordPress sites, the are some plugins that have become industry standard and for good reason – they are reliable and useful. However, in an effort to prioritise ethical tech practices, there are some excellent alternatives that do a similar job but with less of an impact.

The following are a selection of progressive alternatives to common WordPress plugins that have been recommended to us:

Analytics: Why We Choose Cabin Over Google Analytics

Cabin represents a new approach to analytics that prioritises both privacy and environmental responsibility. While Google Analytics has long been the standard, Cabin offers compelling advantages:

• Carbon-neutral infrastructure powered by renewable energy
• Privacy-first approach that eliminates personal data collection
• Significantly lighter code footprint that reduces server load
• Clean, intuitive interface focused on essential metrics
• Built-in GDPR compliance without additional configuration

SEO: The SEO Framework as a Lightweight Alternative

We’ve found The SEO Framework to be an excellent replacement for more bloated SEO solutions. It delivers powerful optimization capabilities while maintaining ethical practices:

• No telemetry or user tracking components
• Minimal server resource consumption
• Clean, straightforward interface without aggressive upselling
• Focus on genuine SEO practices rather than quick fixes
• Efficient Schema.org integration
• Streamlined, well-maintained codebase

Cookie Consent: Enzuzo’s Fresh Approach

Enzuzo modernizes cookie consent management with a focus on transparency and efficiency:

• Clear, ethical data handling practices
• Enhanced user experience design
• Reduced JavaScript overhead for better performance
• Comprehensive privacy policy generation
• Automatic compliance updates
• Transparent pricing structure

Environmental Impact: Introducing GenTime

The GenTime plugin offers valuable insights into your site’s environmental impact:

• Page generation time monitoring
• Detailed server resource usage analysis
• Performance optimisation recommendations
• Environmental impact measurements
• Self-contained functionality without external dependencies

Choosing ethical alternatives is one way we can contribute to a more responsible and sustainable digital future while maintaining high standards of functionality and performance.

The web development landscape continues to evolve, and these alternatives demonstrate that it’s possible to build powerful, effective websites while adhering to ethical principles and sustainable practices.