Here is the list of must-have WordPress plugins for bloggers. With WordPress user-friendly interface and varied plugins, it has become the platform of choice for most bloggers. So what is a plugin? It is basically a feature in WordPress which enables you to customize and optimize your blog. Having the right WordPress plugins installed makes it easier to manage your website or blog.
However, with the hundreds of free and premium plugins out there, choosing the right plugins for your blog can be an overwhelming task. Here are some of the most essential WordPress plugins for bloggers (also, check our WordPress Booking Calendar plugin).
#1. WordPress Countdown by WpDevArt
WordPress countdown Extended version by WpDevArt have all the functionality that countdown plugin should have. This is the most powerful countdown plugin available on WordPress.org. Some bloggers want to add countdown timers on their blog, in this case, we recommend to use this countdown plugin. Also, you can create count-up timers. It’s integrated with WooCommerce, has Popup and loop option and much more.
#2. Yoast SEO
Having a blog is useless if people are not able to find it online. The Yoast SEO plugin is a great tool that allows you to optimize your website using keywords. As a result, readers are able to find you more easily when using search engines.
#3. Contact Form Builder, Contact Widget
Contact Form Builder, Contact Widget by WpDevArt is a great plugin that allows creating nice contact forms for your blog. Every blog or website needs a contact form, so you can use this plugin for creating nice and animated contact form pages. The plugin is free, also, it has a premium version, so try it and decide which one is better for you.
#4. Editorial calendar
Content planning and scheduling is a major challenge for many bloggers. The Editorial Calendar plugin makes it easy to plan content topics and schedule publishing dates. This makes it easier to stick to a consistent schedule.
#5. Broken link checker
Finding broken links on your pages or posts can be very frustrating for your readers. This plugin scans your blog looking for broken links. When such links are found, you will get a notification so that you can fix it. You can choose to get your notifications by email or via your WordPress dashboard.
#6. Commentluv
This plugin allows your visitors to leave comments after reading your posts. In addition, it also displays their name and a link to one of their recent posts. Therefore, having the Commentluv plugin installed in your blog will encourage readers to leave comments.
#7. Akismet
Spam is a problem that many bloggers deal with consistently. Installing the Akismet plugin will significantly lower the incidences of spamming on your blog. This plugin identifies and filters spam before it appears in your blog comments.
#8. WordPress Gallery plugin by WpDevart
WordPress Gallery plugin by WpDevart is a nice tool for creating and adding nice galleries on your blog. It’s easy to use and have different great options. We recommend to try this plugin if you need to create gallery on your WordPress blog.
#9. Google Analyticator
Keeping track of statistics such as page views and bounce rates is very important for every blogger. This plugin offers a real time analysis of your statistics, thus allowing you to monitor the performance of your blog.
#10. WordFence
With the increasing rate cyber attacks in recent years, internet security has become a major concern. WordFence is a security plugin that protects your blog from being infected with malicious software. Any time a threat is detected, it is automatically blocked before it affects your blog.
#11. Simple share buttons adder
This plugin allows you to add share buttons to your pages and posts. Your readers will then be able to share your content with others on networks such as Google+, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
#12. WordPress complete backup plugin
When it comes to running a blog, backing up your content regularly is very important. The WordPress complete backup plugin protects your blog from any imminent danger. In case your blog gets hacked or crashes, you will be able to retrieve your content and restore your blog (also, check this Comparison post – WP Super Cache VS W3 Total Cache).
#13. Photodropper
Adding clear and relevant images to your blog posts makes them more reader friendly. However, finding the right photo to use can be very time consuming and frustrating. The Photodropper plugin helps bloggers to find photos which have a creative commons license. Such photos can be used commercially as long as there is an attribution to the photographer (also, you can check our WordPress Coming Soon plugin).
Conclusion
WordPress is always releasing newer versions of their plugins. Updating your plugins regularly will ensure the optimal performance of your blog. In addition, newer versions plugins come with enhanced security features.