Blogger vs WordPress Blog

In this detailed plugin review, let's find if the search for the best WordPress media manager plugin ends at WP Media Folder plugin by Joomunited or not.

WordPress being a simplest Content Management System has to stay away from a lot of complex features, which can further simplify the built-in tools. To include these missing features, we've plenty of plugins from third-party developers, and even from the official WordPress developers.

Default Media Manager of WordPress

The default Media Library module in WordPress misses out a lot of tools which can actually make the media management, a lot easier. Agree?

WP Media Folder plugin by Joomunited aims at adding all those missing features and it promises to make the workload, easier.

By looking at the details mentioned at the product's landing page, it surely seems to work. But, does it stand on its promises? Let's find it out.

Why we need a WordPress Media Manager Plugin?

The default Media Library module packed inside a fresh WordPress install is the simplest approach to what a media manager can look like. As I said earlier, in order to maintain simplicity, it has to stay away from many useful elements.

For a normal website, which has handful number of media uploads, there is no need for any third-party management tool. One can easily find a file, use the built-in search tool and even perform bulk actions. The feature set ends here!

While in the case for a heavy website, where hundreds of media files are being uploaded every week, or even every single day, management does become an issue.

Here is another catch! If you're uploading a lot of unique looking pictures which are uniquely named, and the fact that you can remember those name (in future when a search is to be initiated), then the built-in search tool is well-capable to provide the management relief.

Now, is there a guarantee that you'll remember to name images and videos exactly as they should have? Is there a guarantee that there will be no duplicate uploads? Is there a guarantee that there will be no need to further categorize the uploads?

The questions are many and, once you're in this confusing zone, you need a dedicated WordPress media manager plugin.

Do you need it? I guess so!

Installation Experience

Step 1 Install the Plugin.

The current version of the plugin weighs approx 2MB and it took less than a minute to get installed. The installation drill was usual and there was nothing needed to setup the plugin. 

The first thing it asks to do is to Import Categories. I proceeded with the same, allowing the plugin to serve at its best!

As soon as I clicked on the Library option under the Media section, the new (technically, improved) Media Manager loaded. This is the first interaction, and personally, I was in love with this product.

Step 2 Import categories for better organization.

Straight out the gates you can wipe your media files into shape; you are also free to reorganize in whichever way you deem best.

Simplicity at its best!

Not just because of any technical features, but because of the fact that it added those features right into the default WordPress Media Manager. There is no additional tool to learn, as everything seemed simple and straight.

Two categories, Download and Uncategorised, were added which can be renamed or deleted. Now, I can easily drag a media file and drop it into the folder.

Step 3 Visit the Plugin Option for Further optimization.

In your dashboard navigate to Settings > Media Folder for advanced optimization options.

What can I do with WP Media Folder Plugin?

In this section of the review, we will have a look at the various things we can use this plugin for. And later on I will tell you my favorite thing and WP Media Folder and why you should try it.

Manage media with folders and sub-folders

A new button was added to Create New folder quickly, and a couple of new filters were added, allowing me to sort or find files based on their names and even sizes. Duplicate files are replaced to save space, which works automatically and it is a much-needed feature.

As it's a premium plugin, adding these little features won't make it look worthy of the price tag. So, it brings a bunch of add-ons which can be integrated easily, extending the functionalities further.

Create galleries from folders

Have you ever visited websites like TMZ, Gawker media, and many more popular big media sites?

If you have then you would have probably noticed the beautiful gallery slider that big sites like MSN and many others use to keep visitors on their website for longer.  Before creating galleries and having them organized was a time-consuming job however WP media folder makes it super-easy to create galleries based on  folder categories  that you've already created.  the beauty of this is that when you update your Media folders the galleries will also be reflected which saves you time instead of going back and editing all those galleries

Order and filter media Sync media with server folders

For a better organization WP media folder allows you to sync the folders on your WordPress site to that on your server which is extremely useful in the case of a few bulk uploaded a bunch of Media image or graphics into your own web server or vice versa.

Drag'n Drop interface

The simple but intuitive media management system allow you to easily drag and drop your images and to your chosen folders. The system also enables you to rearrange your media files for maximum efficiency.

Update-Replace-Duplicate existing media

The update, replace and duplicate is an incredibly powerful feature which allows you to go in and quickly update one of your old images with a new one with a click of a button. This eliminates having a broken link to your media file and comes in very hand if that image as been shared across the internet. For me, I use this feature to enhance some of our featured images which were created in early days for a more professional look without breaking the pictures.

Add-ons or Extensions it features

It works best with WooCommerce, thanks to the add-on and can be used to properly manage the images which are too many in the case of an e-commerce. It can be extended with Google Drive of Dropbox, integrating proper synchronization between the cloud-based storages and the website. It can also understand PDF files and make them downloadable.

The plugin also works with famous frameworks or drag & drop page builder tools like Visual Composer, Divi, Beaver, Site Origin, Themify and few others. In my case, it was working perfectly with the Genesis.

Other features include,

WPML support

Four different gallery layouts including Masonry

Ajax-powered navigation

Media view counts

SEO friendly

All these makes the overall package, complete and totally useful as per the modern website techniques and norms set by social and search engine platforms.

It stays lightweight (unless you integrate a lot of add-ons) keeping the performance in proper check.

What happens if you decide to Uninstall it?

Finally, I uninstalled the plugin to check if it ruins the earlier structure of files or leaves them in a proper stack (resuming the previous structure). And, I was impressed with the result! The structure was replaced with the old one, leaving everything without any mess or trash.

The folders which were created were gone, leaving no trace, and the files were again available in the default layout.

It clarifies the fact that one can easily start using this plugin and if not liked (however, it will be rare), can simply uninstall and get back to the default mode.

The Pricing & Support Elements

You can get it for just $29 from the official Joomunited website. There are total four plans available for the plugin while the most popular one costing $49. It includes the plugin, all add-ons, and updates and support for one year. To me, the services this plugin offers, and the way it handles the media files in number, the pricing is good. Also, it's a one-time fee and you're allowed to use the product on any number of WordPress websites.

Learn more: For the full features list of what's on offer with WP Media Folders. Click here

Pros

The plugin is easy to setup and requires no initial things to do.

It improves the existing Media Library of WordPress, by adding its own features.

Drag & Drop upload works perfectly and the same work when you want to put a media file into a folder.

It can quickly sync with other folders on the server.

It marginally adds to the overall size, thus, maintaining the performance.

It can quickly replace the duplicate files, which works on automation.

The add-ons (like WooCommerce) available are built-in solutions for the need of extension.

When uninstalled, it leaves the files in the old management way.

The product is SEO friendly, ensuring the images make way to the Google Image Search and other similar Media search engines.

Cons

The plugin does lesser things, compared to the price it asks.

It is less useful for a small website, as it is useful only in case of a heavy one.

Now, I know you have few queries here. Fire them up in the discussion section, and I'll be happy to sort them one by one.

Are you going to use WP Media Folder by Joomunited or happy with the current WordPress Media Manager?

Source: WP Media Folder Review – Best WordPress Media Manager?