5 Important Tips While Using jQuery with WordPress

WordPress has remained a popular platform since long time now. Being a widely used platform, it is very useful as a CMS for every blogger.

Not only a powerful CMS, WordPress has evolved to be a great platform for building up an eCommerce website as well, with the help of the WooCommerce plugin available out there.

But, when it comes to using the WordPress with javaScript, many WordPress professionals are still confused about adding scripts.

In the below article, we will discuss about certain tips and hacks to be kept in mind while using WordPress with jQuery (as it is one of the most popular and commonly used JS frameworks).

The reason behind the popularity of the jQuery is it works perfectly with all the browsers and makes it simple to script from the client-side. It is also compatible with various devices like tablets and smartphones.

jQuery itself has some cool features like slideshows and carousels which are generally a part of the homepage of any website.

Hence, using jQuery with WordPress can let you take advantage of the WordPress in a best possible way. Read on the article and learn more about the jQuery along with the WordPress.

1. You should Load jQuery in the Footer

   If you have used jQuery earlier, you might be knowing that by default, the jQuery is inserted at the head of the HTML page. So, if you want to insert jQuery at the bottom of your page, you need to use $in_footer parameter for wp_enqueue_script() function.

   Due to many reasons, inserting the jQuery in the footer is preferable. The main reason behind putting the jQuery in the footer is when the jQuery is in the footer of the page, it helps to improve the loading time of the page and thus makes your WordPress website perform better.

2. You can Use WP_ENQUEUE_SCRIPT ()

   There are many ways of including jQuery to a HTML page. The way used during various WordPress development methods is to include it with the help of script tag. But, when using the jQuery along with WordPress, this traditional way should be strictly avoided as this may result into certain potential issues which may cause the disaster to your website.

   In order to add this jQuery in the theme, all you need to do is to add the code to the functions.php file of your theme and the same process goes with the plugin.

3. Don’t Forget to Add jQuery as a Dependency

   jQuery must be added as a dependency in the WordPress website. All you need to do is pass several dependencies for the $dpes parameter and the rest of the work will by done by WordPress.

   It will manage the placement and order of all the script tags. Especially, when you have the JS file within your theme, if the modification isn’t done correctly, you may lead to certain problems.

   With appropriate coding, jQuery can be entered from Google library and will be placed as the footer of the page. $deps lets your WordPress website to have multiple dependencies.

4. Using Relevant jQuery Conventions is a Necessity

   This is one of the must do things for the perfect functioning of the WordPress website. If jQuery coding conventions are not properly followed, the WordPress website will not be working properly and the misuse of $ variable will lead to various bugs and errors in the WordPress website.

   While modifying the code, the version of jQuery should be known to you. The one which comes with WordPress will call the jQuery.noConflict(); function. So, never miss out to use the proper jQuery coding conventions.

5. Your jQuery Scripts Must be Linked

   When done with the proper jQuery code, don’t forget to link it to the WordPress website. The process of linking the jQuery code to the website is known as enqueueing.

   In order to complete the enqueueing process, some special functions are required to allow WordPress to handle the dependencies.

jQuery is not as hard as it seems to be. Just take care of certain things and you are good to go with your WordPress website.