Plugins add additional features to your blog. When I first started blogging, I googled a lot to find a way to add certain functionality to my blog because back then I set up my blog using Blogger. Other blogs have much more features and customization which I could not achieve through Blogger. That is one of the reasons I switched to WordPress.
How to add a plugin
There are two ways to add plugins to your WordPress site.
First, from your WordPress Dashboard go to Plugins -> Add New. Then search for a plugin. Once you find the one your want, click “Install Plugin.” Then click “Activate Plugin.”
If the plugin isn’t in the WordPress repository, say you bought it directly from a developer, you’ll need to upload it. From your WordPress Dashboard go to Plugins -> Add New. Click the “upload” button. Then browse your computer for the plugin file, click “Upload.” Then click “Activate Plugin.”
Core Plugins
Akismet
This plugin blocks spam comments.Akismet comes pre-installed on every new WordPress installation, so you don’t have to worry about installing this.
SEO plays a significant role in any website.Blah- blah-blah. I know, SEO is like some magic unicorn for most of us. If you don’t understand what the heck is SEO, that is totally ok. But you should understand that it is crucial to your blog, website. So if you don’t know what SEO is all about, just remember it is a critical thing, and Yoast SEO plugin does so much work to improve that. period. So install the plugin, and you will be good.
Updraft Plus
Backups can also be a pain in the ass. You have to write blog posts, promote them, create SM schedule and among all you have to do backups regularly. Who has time for that, let alone you don’t have time to blog consistently? Updraft will take care of that; you don’t have to worry about your WordPress site for backups anymore. It will backup your blog to save them just about anywhere: Dropbox, Google Drive, FTP, email, and more. And sends you an email confirmation. I love this plugin because now I don’t have to worry about backing up my blog every week.
Ultimate NoFollow
It is crucial that you add the nofollow attribute to any of your sponsored links. It is required by Google to do so, and this plugin helps with that. What does that mean is when you add a link to your blog you add attributes to that such as add target=”_blank” if you want to open it up in a new window. Like that Google wants you to add an attribute rel=“nofollow” to your link to any sponsored link. You can do this manually by going to text tab of your blog post composer and add this attribute to your link. But adding this plugin makes this all easy.
It is important that you consider your website safety first. These plugins help you to keep your site secure.The free version covers almost all the important security aspects, but there is a paid pro version available too.
Optional plugins
Google Analytics Dashboard for WP
You can track your blog page views along with some other data through this plugin.
Image Widget
You can add an image to your sidebar through this plugin.
Click to tweet
It is essential that your blog post shared on social media by a reader, but why not make that one step easier. Add click to tweet box among your blog post and make it easy to share your post.
SumoMe
Adds sliding social share buttons to your blog.
jQuery Pin It Button For Images
Adding pin it buttons to your blog images makes it easy for your readers to pin your image. Upload custom pin it button in your media tab and set it up directed by following images.
Yet Another Related Posts Plugin
This is also a lifesaver. You can add related posts at the end of every blog post.
I will update this post in future with plugins I find helpful. Be sure to check this out time to time.
Is there a WordPress plugin that you absolutely can’t live without? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.