Top 5 best table of contents plugins for WordPress

Looking for a plugin to add tables of contents to your WordPress site? Tables of contents not only improve the user experience, but also contribute to SEO, helping to structure your content and making it more attractive to search engines.

A table of contents plugin scans your page for headings and automatically creates an index with anchor links. These links allow users to jump directly to the sections they are interested in, making navigation faster and more efficient.

Why do you need a table of contents plugin?

According to research, 73% of website visitors tend to skim content rather than read it in full A table of contents makes this task easier, allowing readers to quickly find the sections they want without scrolling through the entire page.

Key advantages:

1. Improved user experience: Readers can easily access the information they are looking for, which increases satisfaction and time spent on your site.
2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Tables of contents help Google and other engines understand the structure of your content, which can improve your rankings.
3. Generation of jump links in search results: TOC indexes can appear in Google results, taking up more visual space and increasing click-through rate (CTR).

Without a plugin, you would have to manually create HTML anchor links for each heading, which can be tedious. With plugins, this process is done automatically, saving you time and effort.

The 5 Best Table of Contents Plugins for WordPress

Here are the best plugins you can use to add tables of contents to your WordPress site. Each one offers unique features that suit different needs:

1. Table of Contents Plus (TOC+)

• Automatically generates indexes from headers
• Allows you to customize the layout and exclude specific sections
• Option to create site maps on pages and custom content types.
• Ideal for sites with long articles.

2. Easy Table of Contents

• Compatible with Gutenberg, Elementor and Divi
• Automatic or manual insertion into posts, pages or custom types.
• Offers several pre-designed themes and customization options.
• Excellent free and easy to use option.

3. LuckyWP Table of Contents

• Search engine friendly and SEO compatible.
• Advanced customization for colors and hierarchy
• Insertion via shortcodes, blocks or widgets
• Lightweight and fast to optimize site performance.

4. Heroic Table of Contents

• Automatically detects headings to create dynamic indexes
• Includes 4 pre-designed styles for attractive visual integration.
• Fully responsive, adapted for mobile devices.
• Premium version with advanced options.

5. SimpleTOC

• Lightweight and minimalist, designed for Gutenberg users.
• Does not add additional CSS or JavaScript, ensuring fast loading.
• Perfect for those looking for simplicity and performance.
• Heredit your current theme styles.

Conclusion

Tables of contents are a must-have tool for improving the organization of your website and attracting more users. With any of these plugins, you can automate index creation, optimize your content for SEO, and deliver a superior user experience.

Choose the plugin that best suits your needs and transform the way your visitors interact with your content!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do I need a table of contents plugin for my WordPress site?

A table of contents plugin makes navigation easier for users by allowing them to directly access the sections they want to read. It also improves SEO by better structuring your content and generating visible jump links in Google search results.

2. Do table of contents plugins affect the speed of my website?

Most table of contents plugins are designed to be lightweight and not significantly impact loading speed. However, it is always important to choose a well-optimized plugin, such as SimpleTOC or LuckyWP Table of Contents, to ensure good performance.

3. Can I customize the appearance of the table of contents?

Yes, most plugins offer customization options, such as colors, text styles, and hierarchical formatting. For example, Easy Table of Contents and LuckyWP Table of Contents allow you to customize the table to match your site design.

4. Is it possible to manually insert a table of contents instead of generating it automatically?

Yes, almost all plugins offer the option of manual insertion via shortcodes or custom blocks in the WordPress editor. This is useful if you only want to include tables of contents on certain pages or specific posts.