WordPress Plugin Review: Progress Bar

Progress Bar is a simple WordPress plugin that keeps track of goals, values and displays a progress direction. The bar displays in a blog sidebar. Readers view the bar and keep track of the blog owner's achievements. I use it on my website to keep track of the number of articles published. I have seen other bloggers use Progress Bar to track their weight loss goals. While the WP plugin is simple to install it does have a few shortcoming. Here is a review on WordPress plugin Progress Bar and its features.

Installation
Progress Bar is not available in the WordPress plugin dashboard. The files are available at Irgeek.net. Installation, even if manual, is simple enough. To install, upload files to /wp-content/plugins folder and activate the plugin through WordPress.

Place Progress Bar code in the WP sidebar.php file. is the template code required, but the developer website gives it as php irgProgressBar(). I assume this is because the developer website does not handle code display. For me, it was not an issue knowing how to display this plugin, but I found it inconvenient for inexperienced WP users. Not everyone knows PHP code or what tags to use in his or her WP template.

Admin Panel
Progress Bar comes with an admin panel where customization, values and color changes takes place. The admin panel is located under "Settings."

Starting Value, Goal Value and Current Value are fields that require constant change. The Progress Bar updates itself once a user enters new values. In my case, I start my writing month at zero for Starting Value and Goal Value is at 300. Current Value I update whenever possible. That is how many articles I have published so far in the month. I see a percentage number in my admin panel. My website visitors see a colored bar moving closer towards the goal. They do not see an actual percentage amount.

The public does not see values you enter those are for internal calculations. Visitors do not see value amounts or figures. That display feature is reserved for "Before and After" fields.

Before and After fields are two values that require edits in the admin panel. In my case, Before is set at 0 and After is set at 300 articles. The big problem with this feature is that the default settings display terrible in the WordPress theme.

I had to edit manually Progress Bar PHP files in order to get Before and After fields to display correctly. Current value would not display. I had to make manual edits to plugin files. This is a big concern, as many WP users do not know how to alter plugin files or PHP code. An incorrect modification results in PHP errors. It also results in theme and display problems. While simple to use, Progress Bar WordPress plugin has a serious display problem. Editing plugin files is no easy task, especially if you are unfamiliar with the process.

Editing plugin files and display also means that I can control what my readers see. If I were tracking my weight loss, I would most likely not display my actual weight numbers to the public. I would display my goal and readers would still be able to see my progress as the bar moves. Again, modifications to display require PHP and HTML knowledge. For a new user this could be a difficult task.

Style and Color
One feature of Progress Bar plugin that I like is color modification. Progress Bar can match any theme as well as color swatches. The admin panel contains seven fields for color and design modification. HEX values are required for color choices. It asks for pixel values such as border width and bar width. The preferences translate well in WP theme.

Progress Bar has a simple but stylish look on a WordPress website. The simplicity allows owners to match colors of their blog themes. I prefer that this plugin contain no graphics or too much flare. It blends beautifully into my sidebar.

Display issues cause a few concerns but overall Progress Bar is a useful WordPress plugin. I know my website visitors enjoy seeing it and even ask if I will make updates to my writing achievements. If you are looking for interaction from your web readers or have a goal to track, I would recommend that you try Progress Bar. You will need to tweak display settings, new WP users beware, but the results are satisfying.

Resources:

Progress Bar WordPress Plugin