WordPress is arguably the best blogging platform out there. By default, WordPress is an empty brain, what you give to it in terms of plugins, powers it up. Now that you have chosen WordPress as your default blogging platform or perhaps, you have been using it. These 8 recommended WordPress plugins will power up your blog.
1. BackupBuddy
BackupBuddy is the best WordPress plugin out there to back up your entire blog and its database. A blogger number one priority is to ensure that all his handwork will not one day wallow into the sky due to some unavoidable circumstances like a crashed server. I was in this precarious situation before and I know how I felt and what it cost me to press the restart button. Learning by instruction pays way better than learning by experience. BackupBuddy has a premium plan that expands all its features for you, but if you don not have the money to spend, you can check out a list of other free alternatives to BackupBuddy.
2. Akismet
This is an official plugin from WordPress that helps to combat spams in your blog. Akismet is free, all you have to do is download the plugin and get your API key at Aksimet.com
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3. SEO Smart Links
SEO Smart Links is a recommended WordPress plugin that provides you with automatic SEO optimization benefits. It is an idea WordPress plugin that can activate your blog to rank in search engines. SEO Smart Links supports custom keyword lists, no follow and other incredible features that will Power Up your blog.
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4. Gravity Forms
This is a premium WordPress plugins gives you freedom to design and post customized forms within WordPress pages and even posts. What ever kind of form you have in mind, trust Gravity Forms to replicate what you have in your into reality. Download and Install the latest version of Gravity Forms. It is a highly recommended Wordpres plugin.
5. WP Maintenance Mode
Whenever you feel like working on your blog for a long period of time, and you do not want your visitors to notice the series of tests and errors. You can rely on WP Maintence mode to give your visitors a brilliant and attractive banner, which will notify them of the maintenance mode and can equally tell them when the maintenance mode would be completed. This plugin can come in handy and is highly recommended. You can view a list of some alternatives to WP Maintenance Mode plugin
6. Theme Authenticity Checker – TAC
This is a free WordPress plugin that helps you scan all your theme for malicious codes or hidden links. Hidden links in your theme can cause potential harm to your entire blog if not spotted early enough.
7. YARPP
This is an awesome and recommended WordPress plugin that keeps visitors longer in your blog. This plugins automatically displays related articles from your blog at the end of every blog post to your readers. This way, your readers are given much more than they bargained for.
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8. Comment Rating
Just as the name expresses, comment rating allows each comment on your blog to be rated. This is a good way of enhancing productive comments on your blog.
That’s it, you didn’t find a plugin you like? Let me know so I can included it when I have an extended list.
Update:The link to Comment Rating appears to have been lost in the internet, it would be updated if it returns.
Last Updated: Jan. 15, 2014
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3 Comments
Lorenzo
Redirection is also useful for fixing broken links on your WordPress site. Can also be used to shorten referral links.
Samuel
Thank you for this wonderful post. Very useful to bloggers and website designers.
Jason Lemington
Commendable post. For a new look at your WordPress photo
gallery, try this http://wordpress.org/plugins/iframe-embed-for-momentme/
Creates a 360° perspective of your photos. Fast and easy to use. It automatically collects images from social events worldwide and its free.