WordPress plugins your site shouldn’t be without!
Whenever we create a WordPress site, there are a few plugins that we automatically install. Also, keep in mind that a proper WordPress web host is very important! There are different plugins for different website genres, but here is a helpful listing of the plugins and their basic purposes:
Akismet
Arguably, spam is the Internet’s biggest problem and any tool that can help block spam from your website is a tool that should be examined.
Link: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/akismet/
CommentLuv
Allows for individuals that comment to include their last blog URL and therefore encouraging people to leave comments.
Link: http://comluv.com/download/commentluv-wordpress/
Favicon Rotator
Every website deserves a favicon and this not only fosters uploading it but also setting up more than one.
Link: http://archetyped.com/tools/favicon-rotator/
Google Analytics for WordPress
Don’t take the chance in inserting the code manually. This allows for simple code insertion as well as when you go back and forth between themes, the code remains active.
Link: http://yoast.com/wordpress/analytics/#utm_source=wordpress&utm_medium=plugin&utm_campaign=google-analytics-for-wordpress&utm_content=v407
Hikari Featured Comments
Adds 3 new custom fields to comments which allow you to add special properties to each of them.
Link: http://hikari.ws/
Login LockDown
Don’t let hackers in! This restricts the amount of incorrect login attempts allowed per ip address within a certain time period.
Link: http://www.bad-neighborhood.com/
Network Publisher
Want to publish on all the social networks automatically? Every time you add or edit a page on your site, it will be posted to your FaceBook, Twitter, and other social accounts. Sorry, but it takes about 5 minutes to setup after installing so read the extremely easy instructions and make sure to complete the process.
Link: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/network-publisher/
Plugin Test Drive
Did you ever install a plugin and after looking at your page, you quickly wanted to remove it? Well, let’s avoid that hassle by installing the plugin test drive which literally allows for you to test the plugin before making it live sitewide.
Link: http://www.webtechwise.com/plugin-test-drive/
ReplyMe
Notify comment authors when someone replies to their comment. This should foster more commenting and an overall productive discussion.
Link: http://photozero.net/wp-plugins/replyme/
SEO Smart Links
SEO Smart Links can automatically link keywords and phrases in your posts and comments with corresponding posts, pages, categories and tags on your blog.
Link: http://www.prelovac.com/vladimir/wordpress-plugins/seo-smart-links
Updraft – Backup/Restore
Automatically backup your WordPress blog. Schedule the backup so it’s easy and painless.
Link: http://langui.sh/updraft-wp-backup-restore
WordPress Database Backup
Let’s just say you can never be too safe! BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP, yes, you should always backup!
Link: http://austinmatzko.com/wordpress-plugins/wp-db-backup/
WordPress SEO
All-in-one SEO tool that assists with automatically creating meta titles, descriptions, and keywords for each page and blog article.
Link: http://yoast.com/wordpress/seo/
WP Super Cache
Site too slow? Speed it up with this cache tool!
Link: http://ocaoimh.ie/wp-super-cache/
WPtouch
Format your site with a mobile view for Apple iPhone and iTouch, Google Android, Blackberry Storm and Torch, Palm Pre as well as other smartphones.
Link: http://www.bravenewcode.com/products/wptouch
There are still many other plugins available and we would love to hear your suggestions. What plugin can’t you live without?
June 4th, 2012 Edit:
After receiving countless emails in regards to favorite WordPress plugins, we were forced to create a follow up to this post. Best Free WordPress Plugins for 2012 shows the other plugins we wouldn’t want your site to be without! Take a look and tell us what other plugins we need to discover…
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