Setting up a WordPress site often starts with a long checklist. Install the core software. Find the right plugins. Test each one to make sure nothing breaks.
For many users, this setup phase takes more time than building the site itself. Even simple decisions like choosing an SEO or email plugin can slow things down, especially for those without a technical background.
Over time, a clear pattern emerged. Most WordPress sites rely on the same small group of plugins, and people want a faster, safer way to start with them already in place.
At Cloudways, we looked closely at how users actually launch WordPress projects and where friction appears. The biggest challenge was not performance or scaling. It was the manual work required before a site feels ready.
This led to the creation of Cloudways Partner Hub. It offers a simpler way to start a WordPress site with trusted tools integrated from the beginning, so users can move from setup to building with fewer steps.
Why Are We Doing it?
We wanted to understand how WordPress sites are actually built, not how we think they should be built. So we looked at real usage data across more than 100,000 WordPress applications running on Cloudways.
The result was consistent. A small set of plugins shows up again and again across SEO, email, accessibility, compliance, and forms. These tools perform well in real projects and behave reliably in our hosting environment.
That data shaped the first release of Partner Hub. We started by working with partners whose plugins already see strong adoption and stable performance.
Our Current Trusted Partner Plugins
Each plugin below has its own dedicated page inside the Cloudways platform, with full plugin details, version info, ratings, setup guides, and any partner-exclusive offers. The fastest way to evaluate or activate a plugin is right from there.
1) Omnisend – Email & SMS Marketing Automation
An email and SMS marketing platform for ecommerce stores, built to help brands grow sales quickly and affordably. Drive engagement and increase revenue with marketing automation tools designed specifically for growing businesses.
2) Rank Math SEO – SEO Plugin
A comprehensive, lightweight WordPress plugin that automates Schema markup, AI-assisted content analysis, and rank tracking. It simplifies SEO for blogs, ecommerce stores, and local businesses without bloating the site.
3) Gravity Forms – Form Builder Plugin
A powerful, professional-grade WordPress plugin that uses a drag-and-drop builder to create advanced data capture forms, automated workflows, and secure payment integrations — useful for everything from contact forms to full lead-gen and quote workflows.
4) CookieYes – Cookie Consent & Compliance Plugin
A lightweight WordPress plugin that ensures GDPR and CCPA compliance through a fully customizable cookie consent banner and automated script blocking. It helps site owners meet global privacy regulations without writing a line of code.
5) Equalize Digital – Accessibility Checker
A mission-driven plugin that helps identify accessibility issues on WordPress websites and bring them into alignment with global standards like WCAG. It enables site owners to create more inclusive, user-friendly experiences for all visitors.
More partners are being onboarded, and new additions will appear inside the Cloudways platform as they go live.
For existing Cloudways users, the impact is immediate. These tools can be added during setup, which helps agencies and freelancers move faster on new projects.
There is no need to research compatibility or run extra tests before installing. SEO, accessibility, marketing, forms, and compliance tools are available from the start, ready to use when the site goes live.
Faster WordPress Website Setup
At Cloudways, choice is more than a feature. It’s part of our foundation. From selecting your preferred cloud provider to deploying multiple PHP-based applications, we give users the control to work the way they want.
Unlike other hosting providers that auto-install plugins, we don’t push tools onto your stack. Instead, we’ve introduced a curated selection of trusted plugins that are fully tested and compatible with the Cloudways platform. These integrations are optional. You choose whether to use them.
Our goal is to remove friction without limiting flexibility.
These tools offer a strong foundation for users who want to get started faster. Nothing changes for those who prefer to configure everything themselves.
- Simplified Setup — Install trusted plugins directly during server activation.
- Reduced Decision Fatigue — Start with popular WP plugins that work seamlessly with Cloudways.
- Launch Faster — Go from server setup to site building with fewer steps. Get your WordPress site up and running in record time with pre-configured plugins that work immediately.
- Enhanced Compatibility — Enjoy superior performance with plugins specifically tested and optimized for the Cloudways platform.
- Community Approved — Use only those plugins with a proven track record in the WordPress ecosystem. They’re loved by millions of developers.
What This Means for You
If you work with WordPress long enough, setup becomes the slow part. Not because it’s hard, but because it’s repetitive.
Client sites, side projects, and small business launches all start the same way. You install WordPress, then spend time picking tools you already know you’ll need. That work adds up.
With this setup, that early friction drops. You start with core tools already available, so you can focus on shaping the site instead of preparing it.
The first release includes lite versions of familiar plugins. They work out of the box. If you need more later, upgrades are available, but nothing is forced on day one.
Simple, Seamless Integration In 3 Steps
Getting started with our pre-integrated tools couldn’t be easier:
- Sign Up for Cloudways — Get started with a 3-day free trial, no credit card needed.
- Launch Your Server — Choose your cloud provider and spin up a server in minutes.
- Install WP Plugins — Select the WP plugins you want. They’re ready to go, with one-click installation when adding a new WP website on your server.
Built on Compatibility and Choice
This is not just another plugin bundle. It’s not a marketplace. It’s a curated set of integrations that reflect what our users already use, paired with the reliability and compatibility our platform promises.
Our existing users asked for one thing: “Make setup easier.” We listened.
- With Omnisend, ecommerce businesses can automate their email and SMS marketing flows from day one without switching between multiple tools.
- With Rank Math SEO, site owners get Schema markup, content analysis, and rank tracking automated out of the box, so SEO is set up before the first post goes live.
- With Gravity Forms, teams can build advanced forms, automated workflows, and payment-ready capture experiences without custom development.
- With CookieYes, sites are GDPR- and CCPA-compliant at launch through a customizable consent banner and automatic script blocking.
- With Equalize Digital, accessibility issues on WordPress sites are easily identified and addressed to support a more inclusive and compliant user experience.
Each of these plugins has its own dedicated page inside the Cloudways platform: open Integrations → Partner Hub to view details, ratings, setup guides, and any partner-exclusive offers before activating.
These plugins are offered in lite versions at no additional cost, with upgrade options available directly through the Partner Hub. Discounts and offers are available exclusively to Cloudways users.
Partner Hub supports different types of work, from client projects to online stores to larger builds that need room to grow. It helps teams move faster without adding unnecessary complexity.
What’s Next?
This is just the beginning. Our goal is to deliver a smarter starting point for both new users and long-time Cloudways developers:
- Adding more trusted tools and plugins per category that meet high compatibility and demand thresholds.
- Bringing on new partners that match our compatibility standards and customer needs.
- Expanding categories beyond WordPress, starting with Magento, Laravel, and other PHP frameworks.
- Offering exclusive partner discounts and value-adds for Cloudways customers and new users, based on adoption trends and feedback.
Ready to Build Your WordPress Site Today?
Launch your WordPress site with integrated partner tools trusted by professionals worldwide. Start your free trial today and experience the difference.
- No credit card required
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- 24/7 expert support
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What exactly is the Cloudways Partner Hub?
It is a collection of trusted WordPress plugins integrated directly into the Cloudways platform, allowing installation during server activation instead of manual setup.
Q. Which plugins are currently available in Partner Hub?
The current lineup includes CookieYes (cookie consent and compliance), Equalize Digital (accessibility), Gravity Forms (form builder), Omnisend (email and SMS marketing), and Rank Math SEO (SEO). Each plugin has its own dedicated page inside the Cloudways platform with full details and setup info. More partners are being added regularly.
Q. Do I have to use these plugins?
Not at all. These are recommendations to help you get started faster, and you are free to use any WordPress plugins you prefer.
Q. Can I still install other plugins of my choice?
Yes, you maintain complete freedom to install any other WordPress plugins that suit your specific needs.
Q. How were these plugins selected?
We partner with reliable and widely used plugins in the WordPress ecosystem and integrate them into the Cloudways platform for one-click installation to help you get started faster.
Q. Will more plugins and tools be added to the Partner Hub in the future?
Yes. We are continuously exploring new partnership opportunities to enhance your WordPress experience and bring more popular tools to the Cloudways Partner Hub.
Q. How do I access the Cloudways Partner Hub?
The Partner Hub lives inside the Cloudways platform. You’ll see it as a list of recommended plugins during server or application setup, and each plugin also has its own dedicated page under Integrations → Partner Hub where you can view details and activate it directly. Learn more about navigating the new Cloudways interface.
Q. How does this save me time?
A typical WordPress setup requires researching, installing, and configuring multiple plugins, which can take hours. With this integration, trusted plugins are activated during server setup, eliminating extra research, compatibility checks, and manual configuration. This is especially valuable for those using agency management software to handle multiple client projects.
Zain Imran
Zain is an electronics engineer and an MBA who loves to delve deep into technologies to communicate the value they create for businesses. Interested in system architectures, optimizations, and technical documentation, he strives to offer unique insights to readers. Zain is a sports fan and loves indulging in app development as a hobby.
