21 Plugins Every WordPress Blog Should Have

February 16, 2011

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Topics: Blog, Blogging Tips

Plugins are the foundation of our blogs. They are what help us add certain functions and capabilities to our sites.

These components also make the development and design of our sites easier to work with and more fun to look at.

Below are 21 WordPress plugins that I believe are great for new/and or existing blogs.

  1. Akismet – a default in WordPress installs – helps keep your comments clear of spam
  2. Google XML Sitemaps Generator – this creates a sitemap of all articles on your site to aid search engines to index your articles
  3. Broken Link Checker – keeps track and notifies you of any broken links within your blog
  4. CommentLuv – this plugin displays a link to your latest post from the commenter´s blog.
  5. W3 Total Cache – this plugin is great because it makes your pages load faster and improves user experience
  6. Theme Test Drive – safely test themes and theme options on your blog while visitors continue to view the default one
  7. Maintenance Mode Plugin – adds a splash page to your blog letting visitors know your blog is down for maintenance
  8. WordPress Editorial Calendar – this plugin provides a calendar of your posts–old, new and scheduled. You can move them around and edit them right from the plugin. It’s a fantastic organizational tool
  9. WP-DBManager – it is crucial to backup your blog.   This plugin allows you to optimize, repair, restore and even schedule when you want to back up your blog
  10. Tweet Old Post – this is a great way to keep your old posts alive
  11. PodPress – this is great for those who utilize their platform for podcasting
  12. WP Touch – turn your blog into an smartphone app. This plugin also allows visitors to switch between WP Touch and regular view of your site
  13. SEO Smart Links – great for inter-linking your posts and attracting readers to find other articles within your site
  14. Widget Context – this plugin gives you the flexibility of creating different sidebars for different sections of your blog
  15. Permalink Redirect – say goodbye to those weird entries in your links.  This plugin redirects and ensure that only one URL is linked with each post
  16. Thank Me Later – a fantastic plugin.  It automatically sends a ‘thank you’ email to first-time visitors who comment on your site
  17. Quick META Keywords - automatically adds META keyword tags to all your posts based on how they are categorized
  18. All in One SEO Pack – helps optimizes your blog for search engines
  19. Google Analytics - a no fuss way of integrating Google Analytics within your theme
  20. Thesis OpenHook (for Thesis users) – allows you to easily and quickly customize Thesis via your blog
  21. Search Meter – this is one of my many faves. This plugin tracks what your readers are searching for within your blog

So tell me, which plugins do you use?

Check me out next week as we discuss Mistakes Every Blogger Should Avoid.

Related posts:

  1. 9 Important Elements Every Blog Should Have
  2. 9 Tips to Writing Good Blog Posts
  3. #DLBChat: How To Promote Your Blog
  4. Want To Monetize Your Blog? Create a Media Kit {Part 1 of 2}
Jessie Nuez

Jessie Nuez a native New Yorker covering stories that focus on mobile and personal technologies. When You can find Jessie writing for her site Hecho Para Mama. Follow her on Twitter @JessieNuez.

20 Comments | Leave your own

Related posts:

  1. 9 Important Elements Every Blog Should Have
  2. 9 Tips to Writing Good Blog Posts
  3. #DLBChat: How To Promote Your Blog
  4. Want To Monetize Your Blog? Create a Media Kit {Part 1 of 2}

  1. Pingback: 9 Important Elements Every Blog Should Have | LatinaBloggersConnect

    • Jessie Nuez

      Sue,
      To be honest with you I have never used Blogger.

      I love WordPress because of how easy and super intuitive it is. I love the flexibility of WordPress, it lets you easily customize your site and the plugins make it so easy to manage.

      I definitely recommend it.

      Reply

  5. Ana Flores

    I was telling Jessie that this post scared me because she lists so many plugins I didn´t know I needed and now I´m going to spend 3 hours I don´t have fiddling with them!! I´m a sucker for this ;)

    Reply

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  12. Karina

    Ok, Jessie, you just made it very easy for me. I’m going with WP. I was considering Blogger but after reading all the favs plugins never mind. Thanks again Jessie :D

    Reply

  14. Pingback: Blogging Basics: Understanding How Plugins Work For You | LatinaBloggersConnect

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