Design vs Function Opinions Wanted

[bandj]

I was under the assumption that less plugins is better. Now I read about design should be in the child theme and function should be in plugins.

I am going to redesign a site that can start from square one. It doesn't require widgets unless I add a couple here and there like maybe an after entry widget. It will use the grid plugin from Bill Erickson and a few others out there from Genesis experts. A simple site styled similar to Distractify.com

What are some functions that you would use a plugin for instead of adding it to the functions.php?

Responsive menu?
Portfolio? Gallery?
"you might also like" gallery of similar posts?

others?

[nutsandbolts]

Any functionality that needs to exist regardless of theme goes in a plugin for my projects. Custom post types, related posts, any changes to Genesis that would need to stay (verbiage on the comment form, forcing IE out of compatibility mode, custom gravatar for comments, etc.)... Whether I do a single plugin or multiple ones really depends on the size of the project and the number of functionality pieces needed.

Keep in mind that functionality plugins aren't the kind of plugins people warn against - there is no difference between adding a function in a plugin vs. using functions.php. The plugins that cause issues are the ones loading scripts and stylesheets that increase load on the front end.

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Andrea Whitmer, Owner/Developer, Nuts and Bolts Media
I provide development and training services for designers • Find me on Twitter and Google+

[bandj]

Great answer. Thanks

[Author]

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