WordPress is my platform of choice. I’ve installed multiple sites and I currently host ~20+ sites. Needless to say I’ve reviewed several plugins and so this is a list of some of my favorites. Some of these create a better user experience and others function on the back-end to support the functionality of the website itself.
13 Essential WordPress Plugins:
1. Akismet
Akismet comes packaged in every new WordPress install. It’s an awesome spam protection plugin that functions on the back-end to fight against spam comments without annoying readers with Captcha codes.
For those looking to optimize their sites for SEO, the All-in-One SEO Pack allows for unique title and meta tags for each page and post. It’s a must-have for any real estate blogsite.
This is my contact form plugin of choice! You can create unlimited forms, customize them in any which way you’d like, and you can send data to multiple users as well. What I love about this plugin is that by being able to create custom web forms, I can track where on my website leads are converting (whether someone signed up from my homepage or a page within my website).
The Google XML Sitemaps plugin automatically creates a new sitemap for your blogsite and submits it to major search engines. Every time you add a new page or post to your site, it’s submitted. It’s not automatically packaged into every WordPress install, but it should be!
5. TweetMeme
Your content should be easily sharable and the Tweetmeme button allows readers to do just that. The plugin allows your blog posts (and pages) to easily be retweeted and it keeps a running live count of how many times your content is shared through twitter.
The Facebook Like plugin is another social feature. It adds a Facebook Like button to every single one of your blog posts! I’m using the version that the HomeQuest Team rolled out.
This is my new Twitter WordPress widget of choice. Some themes have their own Twitter widget built-in and others don’t. If you’re looking for a good Twitter Widget, Tweet Blender supports multiple authors, lists, hashtags and keywords all blended together in one frame. You can hi-light and show tweets from a single user or a list of users. This makes it great for multi-author blogs and or event blogs.
This plugin gives readers (commentators) the option of subscribing to each new comment submitted after their own. All you have to do is click on the checkbox next to the “submit comment” button to receive updates.
This is a widget that allows you to show the top commentators on your blogsite. It’s a great way to reward new readers/commentators by featuring them on your site.
The WordPress database backup plugin can be used to download copies of your database manually. This should be performed frequently (better safe than sorry). You can also set it to automatically perform backups and email you copies during whatever intervals you’d like.
11. Feed Statistics
If you’re annoyed because FeedBurner tends to be unreliable in it’s reporting then you should download Feed Statistics. You can check your subscriber count (and info) right from your admin panel. You can track what reader they use to subscribe to your content and you can track what links they’re clicking on. It’s a pretty neat and accurate way to keep a tab on your subcriber count.
12. Nextgen Gallery
If you’re using WordPress as a listing publication tool (or if you’re a stager), then you want to be using the Nextgen Gallery to upload and organize your photo content. It’s a fully integrated image gallery plugin for WordPress. Here’s a great example of how you can use the nextgen gallery plugin to organize your photos and display your portfolio of properties that you’ve listed or staged.
The WordPress related posts plugin generates related posts via WordPress tags. This is a great way to showcase and share dated but related content through every fresh new article you write. It’s a great way to drive traffic to older blog posts.
How About You?
What are some of your favorite WordPress plugins?
I've been looking for the TweetMeme for a long time. Now it's installed. Thanks!
My pleasure. The Facebook Like plugin is also pretty sweet.
Yeah I'll bet it's neat…but I don't have a Facebook group, so it's irrelevant.
I'd add “what would seth godin do” and “rss footer” to the list …
Ha! I like the “What would Seth Godin” do plugin. Haven't used the other one (will give it a spin).
Thanks for the tip Jim!
NIce post Ricardo! Had most of these, but just got #8 subscribe to comments! I can't believe I didn't have that one yet! Thanks!
My pleasure, glad you found something helpful 🙂
What are the most effective WordPress plugins to attract the most relevant traffic, the most relevant traffic and maximize website sales?
Great post man. @Jim – The WWSGD plugin is awesome! Here are a couple more that may be handy:
WPtouch iphone Theme – Allows your site to be viewed on smartphones
W3 Total Cache – Auto caches your site for optimal loading times
Viper's Video Quicktags – Allows you to quickly upload video via url
Socialite – Shoots your blog post out to multiple social sites at once
Nice post as always, Ricardo. I recommend Mollom (mollom.com), a free* open-source spam filter, as opposed to askimet. Check it out.
*More than 100 valid comments per day, you need to pay a (reasonable) fee for using the service.
Thanks for the recommendation Arlene, will definitely check it out. Always love a good spam filter!
I like Apture for links.
Amy: That's a good one! Great wat to share content while keeping people on your site.
Thanks for the add!
I use every single one and more . good list!
Thanks!
This post is awesome, what a great list! One plugin I would add to it is Twitoaster. It automatically tweets out your post, but anyone who responds to the tweet will post as a comment to your blog post. Commenting via Twitter.
Jessica: thanks for the comment and that's a *great* addition to the list!
Does that still work for people who use services like Disqus & Intense Debate?
I'm pretty sure it does with the new WP 3.0+ as most plugins are starting to play nicely together now. But I guess you never know until you have them installed.
Good point. Love the suggestion. Thanks for stopping by and for the comment 🙂
Nice post Ricardo. I like WP-PagNav as well. I've got to do a better job of implementing these plugins! Thanks for the post sir!
Thanks for the comment and tip on “WP-PagNav” Michael! I need to edit this post to include a few other plugins that people pointed out and/or put an e-book together (I'm leaning towards the latter).
Useful post – thank you as always. I use Mollom rather than Askimet on several sites… pretty superb open source spam capturing. (Also versions for Drupal and StatusNet for those who prefer those flavors.) Check it out at mollom.com. Note: I have no affiliation with them other than being a happy spam-free blogger/admin.
Hey, anything that gets me to spam free is A-ok by me! I'll have to check 'em out and add them to the list. Nice that they work on other platforms as well.
For me, I like that with disqus, I can reply with “delete” via email and automatically delete any spam that comes through.
Thanks for popping by Arlene!
Another cool plugin is SEO Smart Links. This plugin allows deep linking through your blog, and also throw-in additional links in your post automatically. Anyway, this is a great list. In fact, I'm using most of them for my blog. Thanks for sharing 😀
Thank for the comment and tip on SEO Smart Links! Never tried it but have heard of it before.
What plug in are you using for your social share that hovers on the upper left hand side of the screen?
That's the “GetSocial” WordPress plugin:
http://wordpress.org/extend/pl…
I'm liking TubePress for aggregating video. Google seems to like that page too.
I'll have to check that one out and add it to the list! Is it all your content or is it a mix of content? Hopefully, it's just your content 🙂
Mostly mine. Here it is in action:
http://stephaniecrawford.net/b…
Ah, very well done. I like how that renders on the page.
Now I only need to find a way to split videos into groups…
WordPress is a very powerful and flexible blog/content management system but the thousands of plug-ins really help to extend the basic functionality, the 13 essential plug-ins that we should install after the WordPress installation. These will actually help on our business.
My top Free WordPress Plugins are in my new posting at Social Media School http://www.socialmedia-school.com/top-free-wordpress-plugins/
I have already consulted the videos on Word Press, but they seems so spread out. I am looking for a step by step process with a clear beginning middle and end with objective putting up a blog that I can include an opt-in form. I have a vision of what I want to accomplish, but my efforts searching for guidance is keeping me busy, not productive. Suggestions?Thanks for sharing the information.
ricardo, what would you recommend today for IDX Plugin? Still Diverse Solutions?
Hi! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
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